About Us

                                     "Oprah Winfrey, I Want to Thank You!"
                                             A Stay At Home Mom works
                                                        by Jude Lassow

Who is Janet Bernasconi?... and why does she want to thank Oprah Winfrey?

"Pinch me, am I dreaming?" "Is the Home Reporter Newspaper really going to run a story about me and my pillows?" "I must be dreaming."

These words resonated from Janet Bernasconi, a loving wife, stay-at-home mom, a former brown belt karate trainee, student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Sunday School teacher, and Secretary, who now has a heart full of new dreams and hope, thanks to Oprah Winfrey.

While teaching religious instruction at the Most Precious Blood in NYC, Bernasconi’s students excelled in arts and crafts. All the children participated and designed a beautiful mural that was displayed. Her artistic spirit is leading her to fill her life long dream of 'making a difference in the world' and 'giving back' by nurturing and embracing God's creative gifts. Janet has been blessed with many innovative talents, which she inherited from her artistically endowed parents.

Often on her lunch breaks, Bernasconi would stroll along Fifth Avenue looking at the beautifully created store windows. The ingenious holiday showcases displayed imagination, brilliant colors, hues and awe-inspiring themes. She used to envision selling her artwork to big companies and seeing her creations everywhere.

Bernaconi loves making people happy. Her dreams are filled with a determination to create and put a smile on someone’s face. While she was still working, Bernaconi drew caricatures of her co-workers and friends. Her desire to create is the essence of her being. Bernasconi always believed the Lord would lead the way to her creative destination. She believes with faith all things are possible.

In 1990 Janet and Steve Bernaconi, an aspiring novelist, the Prince Charming of her dreams, were married. Janet and her mom designed all the wedding decorations, bouquets and pillows for this auspicious occasion. The Bernasconi's planned a wonderful life together, which now includes two adorable children, eight-year-old Laura and four-year-old Michael. Steve's writing ambitions have taken a back seat, as he works two jobs. Mr. Bernasconi oversees Janet’s web site www.janetscreativepillows.com

But Janet Bernasconi’s life is changing...

while watching the Oprah Winfrey show, Bernasconi was inspired by one of the segments about ordinary stay-at-home moms who started successful businesses from home. Bernasconi's innovative ideas were racing through her mind. Two days later, as she was cleaning out a closet, she found Laura’s first dress; a pretty pink and white polka dot outfit, which was a gift from Aunt Silvia. As Bernasconi's held the dress recalling memories about her sister, an overwhelming sadness enveloped her. Silvia Cousin, was Bernasconi’s older sister, who at age 42 passed away from stomach cancer. Silvia’s words of wisdom, ‘Life is too short. We should enjoy every day like it's our last!' have been a guiding light for Bernasconi. As she rebounded from this emotional rush, she was holding the little dress and remembered how adorable Laura looked in it. Flashbacks of Laura's joyful giggles, and how her precocious little daughter began reading when she was three years old, filled her heart. Bernasconi could almost hear Laura say, 'Mommy I want to be a doctor when I get bigger'. Bernasconi wanted to preserve and display this precious little dress that was overflowing with special memories.

As Bernasconi pondered about the sentimental emotions that this little pink dress evoked, she began to wonder if other moms had similar feelings about their children’s unique things. An angel of inspiration planted a creative seed into Janet's heart. By turning a cherished memento such as a Christening dress, baby or wedding announcement into a keep sake pillow, it could last forever. Laura’s first dress has been created into a stylish little girl’s pillow with green bows and embellishments. It sits on her bed, surrounded by other pillows which Bernasconi has created. Some of these decorative pillows are hand painted, artistically unique originals.

Ebay....

Bernasconi began advertising her hand crafted specially made children's pillows on Ebay. She started getting personalized orders along with new creative suggestions for designing pillows. Bernasconi was inspired to choose a name for her pillow collection. Carol G. Kelly created a beautiful web site www.janetscreativepillows.com which shows Bernasconi's artistic catalog of beautifully hand crafted one-of-a-kind pillows.

To date, The Pea Pod is the biggest selling pillow. The fruits and veggie pillows are a vegetarian’s delight.

Dream Wish List....

Janet's Creative Pillows are at homes in Australia, England, and throughout the USA. Bernasconi's creative dream of becoming a twenty-first century pillow maker is reality.

On her dream wish list, she'd like to make a special "Thank You Collage" pillow dedicated to Oprah Winfery for the inspiring TV show about ordinary-stay-at-home-moms starting a business. Right now, Bernasconi is looking for the 'right' mailing address for Miss Winfrey. Bernasconi dreams that Oprah will actually see this "Thank You" pillow.

There are other special pillows in the making which include :

A PILLOW OF HOPE for Roy Horn, from Sigfried and Roy. He is truly an inspiration of determination and faith. He’s sitting up now, and holding one of Bernasconi’s POH would be another dream come true.

A KATRINA fund-raising pillow to help the starving pets in Louisiana.

The aftermath has been devastating. The surviving pets are starving and need a lot of food. Soon this pillow will be posted on

www.janetscreativepillows.com, Ebay and www.muffins.org

For the Cancer Society: In Memory of Sylvia Cousins $1.00 will be donated from each Pillow of Hope that is bought.

St. Jude's Hospital: Children's Pillows of HOPE with encouraging and spiritual messages painted on them.

Bernasconi will post her fund-raising ideas on her web site.

Janet Bernasconi is a pillow maker with a big heart. Her dreams and hope continue on her journey 'to make a difference.'

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