I was nervous. Really nervous. I was having lots of fun creating prints and playing around with different designs and giving them to friends and family members for birthdays and baby gifts. I was finding my style. Then said friends and family members liked my prints so much that they started to encourage me to put them for sale on Etsy. So my husband, Tim, and I had this conversation every day for at least two weeks.
Me: Do you think I should start an Etsy store?
Tim: Yes.
Me: Really?
Tim: Yes.
I Can Do Everything Through Him Wall Art
I already knew the Lord had put the desire in my heart to have His Word in prominent places in our house. Now I felt He was leading me to put in out there in the world. After much hemming and hawing around and generally dragging my feet (quite similar to the process of starting to tell my story on the blog), I did it with reservations. What if nobody liked what I had done? It was my whole heart out there. What if everybody liked it so much that I couldn’t keep up with orders and everything fell apart and everybody was unhappy because mom was too busy and stressed out?
Because I am a wife and a mom and child of God, and Red Letter Words was and is my hobby.
When my mind got to the point where it was quiet enough to hear what the Lord had to say about this, He reminded me of another desire I had in my heart – to glorify Him with whatever spare time I was given. And I was reminded that He wasn’t going to give me this desire and vision without providing the means to accomplish it.
So that fall of 2009 I was busy. Really busy.
And then someone contacted me through Etsy that changed everything.
It went like this:
Do you license your work? Do you want to license your work? I work for Demdaco.
Um, let me think…Yes, Yes, Yes! Yes I absolutely do want to license my work!
Many, many phone calls and emails and brainstorming sessions later, Urban Soul entered the marketplace in January 2011.
One of the things I do every month is write down goals. Habakkuk 2:2 says, Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets so that he who reads it may run with it. Some of the goals are very specific, but others are super open-ended like this one:
Do what I can to bring God’s glory to lots and lots of people. I feel like this totally leaves the door wide open for God to come in and do what He will.
(Speaking of open doors, one door that was opened was The Heart Collection – a line of art prints and candles that feature quotes from Holley Gerth!)
So all of this comes from a simple desire to have our favorite scriptures displayed boldly and prominently in our house.
What is your favorite scripture to display in your home?
By: Dee, Red Letter Words
This month only, use the coupon code: UrbanSoul25 to receive free shipping on your Urban Soul Purchase over $25! Click on over to shop around!
Leave a Comment
Amber says
I love how brave you were to follow your heart and God’s leading. We love your artwork and the message behind all you do! Keep it up!
Beth Williams says
Dee,
Your art is beautiful. I love that you took the chance and followed your heart. If the dream is truly from God then He will make it happen.
Congratulations!
Sandra says
I admire your courage
Patrice Dorsey says
I praise GOD for the message on my email today with your story and 3piecrs of your art
I am at a place standing in the middle of the road. I pray our Lord and Saviour will give me all the strenght,courage,knowledge and wisdom to go forth to do that
which I am called to do and to ALWAYS give God the glory. Pray for me to stand and go forth please
Bukkie says
I am truly inspired by your work and encouraged by your”go for it” attitude. I am reassured that when God gives you a desire or burden He also equips you to accomplish it to His gory!
Ouida Ganusa says
Iappreciate your work and excitement, but I discovered that someone actually began the red-letter edition back in the 1800’s.After reading the words of Jesus about the blood symbolized by the drink at the Last Supper.
Bob says
God has given you a gift to share with us, His People, Dee, and your work is beautiful and thoughtful. God bless you for saying YES!
Millie Faith says
His light is shinning through.
We will praise Him and praise will forever be on our lips.
This is our Fathers world.
May His Kingdom come.