This wall hanging was created using my mother’s t-shirts as the base blocks, and appliquéing as much as I could squeeze on of her handcrafted treasures.) It is to her memory that I dedicate Art by Rhea, since she inspired me to be creative.
Welcome to my site! Please also see my blog (Thoughts from the Sewing Room) listed on the sidebar.
My business, as well as my life, is primarily dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the CEO and chief designer.
Art by Rhea came into being many years ago. I have always loved art in all of its forms, and have experienced designing and selling a variety of handcrafted creations over the years. I have done Calligraphy, designing cards, bookmarks, plaques, (particularly name plaques). I hand lettered names on diplomas for a community college (before being replaced by a computer). In recent years, I have specialized more and more in the creation of memory and keepsake items, such as bears, quilts, pillows and bags.
Crafting: The art of sharing tangible blessings from the work of my hands.
Crafters for Christ, my giving ministry, is intimately tied into Art by Rhea. It was born in my heart several years ago while I was volunteering at “The Storehouse,” a ministry which supplied needed household items to people who needed help. Out of the many pieces of beautiful fabric from donated items (draperies, bedding, etc) I began to sew teddy bears and tote bags for our guests. At the same time I was trying to develop my own business, Art By Rhea. I also was trying to sell my sewed and knitted items in craft sales or by word of mouth, and it was not going very well.
I embraced my desire to GIVE, and I joined the local church Prayer Blanket Ministry, but that came to an end when the leader moved and no one took it over.
It was when I came to the place where I gave my crafts completely over to God to be used for His Glory and to spread His love, that things began to change.
My friend Mary and I would get together for fellowship and work on our creative projects, and dream of finding an outlet for it. Meanwhile we had filled several tubs with our creations, working with beautiful yarn that had been left in the Prayer Blanket Ministry. We began our Connect Group, Crafters for Christ, affiliated with Emmanuel Christian Center in Elk River, Minnesota, which focuses on sermon discussion and prayer combined with working on our projects to be given away. It wasn’t too long before we found several good local outlets for our gifts! Part of the vision of Emmanuel Christian Center (I attend the Elk River campus) is to be an integral part of our local communities in a way that will spread the love of God, and this became our goal. We began to sort and designate, and soon had boxes of things ready for several different outlets. In addition, we have begun to support our church’s outgoing mission teams by making things that they can distribute to the people they are ministering to, such as beaded salvation bracelets and tote bags. We have grown to six people*, and are ready to welcome many more .We have the most wonderful Christian fellowship while we work. We meet once a week, or continue on our own in between meetings. We create handcrafted sewn items, quilting, knitting, crochet, other needlework, beading, etc. to be given away.
*edited 4/27/2019 to read fifteen people!
**edited again 12/19/2021 to read over twenty people!! We added several new members, and lost some of the former ones. Much fabric has been donated, and members can now come and select a project to work on at home and bring back for distribution . S0me still attend our weekly meetings which are a close knit time of fellowship and prayer.
Mission Statement: “There was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.” Acts 9:36
We desire to be used by the Lord to create “good gifts” to be shared charitably with others in our local community and in Missions endeavors, in the manner of Tabitha.
I personally have felt tremendous freedom in this ministry. My creativity is growing.
My business Art by Rhea has begun to grow noticably ever since I decided that a large portion of my proceeds will be reinvested into ministry and missions.
Please visit my other displays for additional photos of my work:
https://www.facebook.com/artbyrhea
https://www.facebook.com/ECCcraftersforChrist/
Art by Rhea 