^“There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven:
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Today marks both an end, and a beginning, for The Sweet Truth.
Two years ago, I opened my in-home store.
It proved to be a blessing in such beautiful ways …
visits from old friends …
making new friends …
time spent sharing, listening, praying, and sometimes crying.
It is an honor to have someone tell me about a special person in their life …
a parent, a child, a friend,
a newborn baby, a loved one who has died,
an infant baptized into a new life in Christ, a child receiving the Blessed Sacrament …
then ask me to create something just for them!

I’ll miss those moments.
But I’m elated thinking about the new opportunities to come with this change.
Since the beginning, I’ve longed for more time to spend creating new designs, expanding my blog and online store, and building up an inventory of ready-to-purchase items.

God is THE reason for the existence of this venture.
He deserves all of the glory, and it is His to use for His benefit.
Second to Him is my husband and two daughters.
I want The Sweet Truth to enhance our lives, not harm them;
I serve God, and I serve my family.
But I do not serve a business.
All changes and new directions are made with these purposes in mind.
My in-home store allowed these lines to be blurred.
It was a constant, inescapable presence.
A revolving door that never seemed to close.

Growing up, I was blessed with a stay-at-home mother
But although she was at home, she wasn’t always available.
To provide for our family, and to send three children through college, my mother operated a hair salon from our home.
My gratitude to my mother extends far beyond mere words.
Her and my father physically exhausted themselves every single day in order to provide my siblings and I with a life of opportunities to which they themselves weren’t given.
But I sometimes resented that my mother’s business, and her customers, had more of her time than I did.
Constant phone calls, late night appointments.
It was all for one reason – for our family.
But I still didn’t like sharing my mom.
I know my daughters understand why I created The Sweet Truth.
And I know they benefit from all of its goodness.
But I don’t ever want them to think they take second place.
I don’t want to ask them to retreat quietly to their rooms when customers are present.
I don’t want to ask them to be silent when the phone rings.

I thank you from the depths of my heart for persevering through this change.
I’m working so very hard to make online ordering easy, if not pleasant.
To help me with this, I invite you to provide me your comments, ideas and suggestions ALWAYS.
The Sweet Truth exists FOR Him … and BECAUSE of you!

I can be found at various events throughout the year, and I will continue to have Open Houses each Spring and Fall.
Please drop by for a visit!

Peace,

Sheila

“Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and has filled him with a divine spirit of skill and understanding and knowledge in every craft: in the production of embroidery, in making things of gold, silver or bronze, in cutting and mounting precious stones, in carving wood, and in every other craft.  He has also given both him and Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.  He has endowed them with skill to execute all types of work: engraving, embroidering, the making of variegated cloth of violet, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen thread, weaving, and all other arts and crafts.” – Exodus 35:30-35

According to a USA Today article*, “handmade is the new black”.
If that’s true, will handmade items make me look thinner?
If so, I should be super skinny by now.
{Humph … doesn’t appear to be working.}
But if handmade items really are the little black dress of consumerism, then everyone should own them, right?

I’ve been sold on the benefits of buying handmade for a very long time.
Recently, marketplaces such as Etsy, Craftster and indiepublic, have helped to boost the sales of artisans, designers, crafters and entrepreneurs around the world.  Not only have they increased sales, but they’ve reduced the stigma and negated traditional stereotypes of handmade goods.  I meet many people who still think craft marketplaces and church bazaars are filled with lace doilies and dough ornaments (and I am NOT knocking the craftsmanship involved in making these items, as I assure you they are both beyond my skill level).
But I encourage you to walk into one of these venues and not be impressed by the originality, beauty, passion and creativity around you.

If you’re still not sold on the benefits of buying handmade, let me share a few insightful viewpoints with you …

From BuyHandmade.org …

Why buy handmade?

1.  Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful.  If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly.  The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can be seen and touched.  It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

2.  Buying handmade is better for people.

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike.  We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture.  Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost.  Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

3.  Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil.  Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

Convinced?  Take the pledge.

* by Laura Vanderkam, published January 26, 2010

”The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” – Luke 10:2

Sometimes a particular scripture applies so perfectly to a season of my life, that reading it feels like a thump on the head.  Well today, as I stand staring at the towering pile of unfinished wood boxes that I will soon turn into simple vessels for treasured keepsakes … I can’t help but repeat this scripture over and over in my mind.  The harvest is certainly plentiful!  My friends – and my Sweet Lord – are so good to me!  Orders for Sacrament boxes are coming in at a crazy fast pace.  Which causes me to also reflect on the second half of this scripture … the workers are few!  I am humbled EVERY. SINGLE. DAY … that the Lord sees to it that my simple little creations deserve a place in someone’s heart or home.  So as long as He provides me with the opportunity and ability, I will  find a way to accomplish the work.

Obviously Luke didn’t mean boxes when he spoke of the abundant harvest.  He was speaking of the call each Christian has to go out into the mission field … to share the Good News of salvation and redemption through Jesus.  But in some small way, I hope my little boxes are helping to spread this message of love and hope.

As always, the pleasure is all mine.  And may the glory be all His!
Peace,

Sheila

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Despite my very best intentions to post more news, updates and designs to my website … I’ve managed to fall way short of the goal!  I could think of numerous excuses explanations.  But I will choose instead to cling to His promise of a brand new day!  Now more than ever, I am thankful for this assurance.

Every year since I began The Sweet Truth, I seek His guidance and ask Him whether this all fits in with His plan … whether this is truly what he desires for me to invest my time and efforts in.  And every year so far, He has responded and affirmed in a powerful way!  The Spring season is very busy at The Sweet Truth … Confirmation, First Communion, Mother’s Day, Graduation, teacher gifts, and the beginning of wedding season.  It’s looking like this Spring will be the most blessed so far!

Please go to the Events page to see where you can visit The Sweet Truth this Spring.  As always, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity and pleasure to create something special for you!

Peace,

Sheila

When it comes to my love affair with paper, my heart has always belonged to Basic Grey.  It races with anticipation as it awaits each season’s new releases; and it beats a little faster when the catalogs are discovered in my mailbox.  For me, no other paper even comes close.  Basic Grey’s designs are innovative, artistic and beautiful.  Each piece of paper is like a work of art worthy of its very own frame.  But I have to come clean and confess that I am a little smitten with a new kitten.  Ever since my mother-in-law sent me a collection of Kaisercraft paper, I’ve had a little crush.  Like Basic Grey, their designs are original and inspiring; and they have an added bonus of being double-sided.  But because they’re an Australian company, their papers have been a little difficult to find. So I selfishly kept the stash for my private collection … until now, that is.  I’ve recently been able to get my hands on a supply of my favorite designs from their discontinued Country Grove line.  The collection includes eight patterns (four double-sided papers) featured in these photographs.  Take a look at them and you’ll fall in love too.  The sweet floral patterns are infused with warm, muted shades of olive, gold, caramel and beige.  And I’m pleased to be able to share them with you (this time).   So look for them as you browse my designs.

As always, thank you for giving me the pleasure.

Sheila

I never anticipated that I’d have so many people ask me why I named my business “The Sweet Truth”.  In thinking about it, I don’t remember even considering any other names.  “The Sweet Truth” was placed on my heart right from the start.  I knew it would be a name that reflected and honored the one true source of all that I have and all that I am — Jesus.  And that’s what Jesus is in my life … not just the Truth, but the oh, so sweet Truth!  Jesus told his disciples “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). And to those in disbelief, Jesus responds “I tell you the truth … I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. (John 10:10). I also knew it would be a name that didn’t just describe what I do or what I make … but instead, fully represent my faith and who I am working for.  I hope that I’ve succeeded.

So there you have it … the short, sweet truth.

As always, thank you for giving me the opportunity to create something special for you … and for our glorious King!

Sheila

Many of you know that I “stepped up” my commitment to the sweet truth after I was asked to do a trunk show at The Schaefer House last Fall.  Since the show, they have regularly featured some of my designs in their store.  The store’s owner, Susie Hinds, is a pure delight to work with.  She has a great sense of style, and she has a deep commitment to finding the high-quality, original products her customers are looking for.

I encourage you to make a trip to Jefferson City, Missouri to visit their store.  Their Fall Open House is coming up on September 11th-12th.  And they’ll be taking their store on the road to be at the Junior League of Kansas City’s Holiday Mart on October 22nd-25th.  Susie is always a step ahead with the new season’s colors and design trends … you won’t want to miss her great market finds!

Susie has recently asked me to design some new Christmas items for The Schaefer House.  Check back to see photos in the next few weeks.

And be sure to check out their newest blog entry where Susie talks about some of my designs as part of her “Faithful Finds” entry.

Until next time …
In Him,

Sheila

Several people have asked me “why a blog”? (instead of a typical website/online store).  The short answer is that it just plain fits what I want my site to be.  Most online stores are … well, impersonal.  Which reminds me of one of my least favorite expressions — “It’s not personal, it’s business”.  What about business isn’t personal?  Speaking as someone who has spent countless hours thinking about what I want my business to be, putting in hundreds (thousands?) of hours designing and creating, and asking my family to make the sacrifice of time with me … believe me, nothing is more personal to me than that!  On top of that, I want each item I create to be original and special for the person buying it.  I don’t want to just crank out products and ship them off to unknown people.  Every person who buys one of my creations remains in my heart and prayers long after the item is delivered.  I lift up a prayer for each person that welcomes something I made into their home.  So my “business” is very personal to me.

When I considered how I wanted to use my website to share with my customers, a blog just made sense.  I can talk about what’s going on, as well as invite my customers to share their thoughts and ideas with me.  And I can still offer my products for sale.

Feel free to post a comment anytime (maybe even to tell me whether you do – or don’t – like the site).  You can also e-mail me at sheila@sweettruthcreations.com.

Much love and blessings …

Sheila

It’s been a crazy year (the good kind of crazy)!  Keeping up with the rapid growth of a new business hasn’t afforded me the time to work on a website.  But I’m finally here, and I must say thank you to my many friends and supporters who have made this first year a beautiful success.  I invite you to take a few minutes to look around the site.  It includes my full product line, including several new designs.  I’ll continue to post with information on upcoming events, other places you can buy my products, and just general news about what’s going on in my studio.

Peace,

Sheila