Insights & Inspiration
At Carrot Top Studio, our blog is a space where we share insights, stories, and creative inspiration that goes beyond our products. We believe in the power of storytelling and the beauty of continuous learning, and our blog reflects that passion. Whether you’re an artist, a spiritual leader, or simply someone who appreciates the intersection of art and faith, our writing offers valuable lessons and a peek into the heart of what we do. Join us in exploring these ideas, and let our words inspire your journey.
A Blessing in the Mailbox: Why Sending (and Receiving) Notes Still Matters
Celebrate the joy of handwritten connection with Carrot Top Studio’s artful note cards. Discover why sending snail mail still matters—and how a simple note can become a meaningful blessing in someone’s mailbox this summer.
Tending the Soul: How Ordinary Time Cultivates Spiritual Growth
Discover the beauty of Ordinary Time in the church calendar with Carrot Top Studio’s newest collection of green clergy stoles. Explore how this season of spiritual growth, faithful ministry, and slow transformation is reflected through meaningful design and visual storytelling. AND there’s a bonus freebie for those that read all the way to the end!
Woven by Grace: A Life of Faith in Every Season
In this deeply personal faith reflection, Carrot Top Studio’s founder shares how a life rooted in Christ has been shaped by community, creativity, and God’s steady presence through every season. From childhood prayers to ministry in Haiti, from laundry room worship to launching a liturgical art business—this story testifies to God’s grace woven through both extraordinary and ordinary moments. A meaningful read for anyone seeking encouragement in their spiritual journey, creative calling, or role in faith-based service.
Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Designing Stoles for Ordinary Time
Discover the beauty and depth of Ordinary Time through handcrafted clergy stoles that reflect themes of creation, spiritual growth, and everyday faith. At Carrot Top Studio, we embrace the creative freedom this liturgical season offers—designing green stoles rich in symbolism, texture, and meaning. Whether you're preaching on discipleship, justice, or the sacredness of daily life, our Ordinary Time stoles are created to visually support your message and ministry.
🐞 The Little Beetle with Big Meaning: Exploring the Spiritual Symbolism of the Ladybug
Discover the story behind The Little Beetle With Big Meaning, a blog post exploring how a whimsical beetle illustration became a powerful symbol of transformation, resilience, and quiet beauty. From nature-inspired art to faith-filled reflections, this piece delves into the deeper meaning behind the design and how it connects to our creative journey at Carrot Top Studio. Perfect for lovers of nature, faith-based art, and meaningful surface design.
Symbols That Shape Us: Celebrating 21 Years with a New Anniversary Stole
Discover the story behind the Carrot Top Studio 21st Anniversary Stole, a green clergy stole inspired by symbols of faith, community, and hope—bees and honeycomb. This handcrafted liturgical stole honors the often-overlooked season of Ordinary Time and celebrates 21 years of sacred visual storytelling at Carrot Top Studio. Whether you're looking for meaningful vestments, church anniversary gifts, or inspiration for your ministry, this blog post weaves together faith, art, and tradition in a way that resonates with clergy and creatives alike.
Flames, Flight, and Faith: Marking Milestones in Ministry and Creativity
Celebrate 21 years of faith-inspired creativity with Carrot Top Studio. In this reflection on art, ministry, and the movement of the Holy Spirit, we share how our handmade clergy stoles and liturgical art have grown from a single idea into a creative calling. Discover how Pentecost themes of wind, fire, and renewal continue to shape our studio—and how a big move to Wisconsin marks our next chapter.
Spirit in Color and Form: Celebrating Pentecost Through Art History
Looking for inspiring Pentecost resources that combine theology, history, and art? In this blog post, we explore three beautiful public domain artworks that visually represent Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit. Perfect for pastors, worship leaders, artists, and church creatives, these diverse pieces span styles and centuries—offering rich visual symbolism for sermons, liturgy, or personal reflection during the Pentecost season. Whether you're preparing a worship space or seeking new ways to connect with Acts 2, these timeless images bring the story to life.
Clothed in Fire: Red Stoles for Pentecost and Beyond
Looking for vibrant, meaningful Pentecost stoles that celebrate the Holy Spirit's presence? Carrot Top Studio handcrafted red clergy stoles are designed to visually represent Pentecost symbols like flames, wind, doves, and joy. Perfect for pastors, clergy, and church leaders, each stole tells a story through unique fabrics, bold color palettes, and thoughtful design. Whether you're preparing for Pentecost Sunday, an ordination, or another Spirit-filled service, this blog post highlights options to enhance your worship space and vestments.
From Sketch to Tea Towel: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Design Process
Designing a tea towel at Carrot Top Studio is a thoughtful process rooted in storytelling, creativity, and purpose. From the first spark of inspiration—whether it’s a seasonal theme, a piece of scripture, or a meaningful symbol—we begin sketching and refining ideas by hand. Once a concept takes shape, we move into digital illustration, carefully choosing colors and composition to ensure the final design feels both joyful and functional. After test prints and tweaks, the design is sent to our production partner who prints on high-quality, absorbent fabric. Every step is taken with care, resulting in a tea towel that’s not only useful in your kitchen, but a beautiful expression of faith and art.
Inside the studio!
Step inside Carrot Top Studio for an exclusive behind-the-scenes video tour! Explore the creative workspace where faith and artistry come together to design unique clergy stoles, inspiring artwork, and meaningful faith-based products. See the materials, tools, and process that bring each handcrafted piece to life. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or art enthusiast, this inside look at Carrot Top Studio will deepen your appreciation for the craftsmanship and spiritual storytelling behind our work. Watch now and discover how creativity and faith intertwine in every stitch and brushstroke!
Rejoice! Embracing the Beauty of Easter’s Promise
Celebrate the joy of Easter Monday with a reflection on renewal and hope. Our latest blog post features a beautiful illustration of a floral wreath, a butterfly, and the word Rejoice!—a reminder of the resurrection’s promise. Embrace the spirit of new beginnings and carry the message of Easter into the days ahead. #EasterMonday #HeIsRisen #FaithandArt
Resurrection in Thread: The Meaning Behind Our Easter Stole Collection
Discover the beauty and symbolism of our Easter stole collection, designed to reflect the themes of resurrection, renewal, and hope. Each stole is crafted with thoughtful details that honor the joy of Easter Sunday and the liturgical season that follows. From vibrant colors representing new life to meaningful imagery like crosses, lilies, and rays of light, these stoles are created to inspire both worship and reflection. Whether you're a pastor, priest, or church leader, explore how these vestments can enhance your Easter celebration and visually proclaim the message of Christ’s victory.
A Lenten Reflection Prompt: The Memory of What Was Lost
Reflecting on what we’ve lost can be a powerful exercise in gratitude and spiritual growth. What emotions surface when you think about this item? Does its absence create space for something new? In this Lenten season, consider how loss—whether intentional or unexpected—shapes our faith journey. Use this prompt to journal, sketch, or pray, allowing your reflections to draw you deeper into the themes of release and renewal. For more guided reflections like this, visit my Substack, where I share additional insights and an audio version of this prompt.
Creating a Lenten Prayer Space: Inviting Stillness and Reflection Into Your Home
Transform your home into a sacred space for Lent with a simple yet meaningful prayer corner. Creating a Lenten prayer space invites stillness, reflection, and deeper connection with God during this season of renewal. Whether it’s a small table with a candle and cross, a bowl of stones representing burdens, or a piece of art that speaks to your journey, these visual reminders help center your heart in prayer. In this post, we’ll explore ways to design a space that fosters contemplation and draws you closer to the spirit of Lent.
Weaving Faith and Creativity: A St. Patrick’s Day Reflection
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a meaningful twist by embracing the art of storytelling and reflection. In this blog post, we explore the connection between faith, creativity, and the legacy of St. Patrick. To help you deepen your celebration, we've created a special St. Patrick's Day digital coloring page that invites you to reflect and unwind as you color. Perfect for both personal reflection and family activities, this downloadable page offers a peaceful and creative way to honor the spirit of St. Patrick. Download it today and bring a touch of artistry and faith into your celebration!
Sacred Stillness: Why Seasons of Quiet Matter in Our Spiritual Journey
In a world that celebrates constant activity, embracing seasons of quiet is essential for spiritual growth. In this post, we explore the importance of sacred stillness, especially during Lent, and how it invites us to step away from the noise and distractions of daily life. Through practical tips and reflections, we’ll discuss how finding moments of solitude can renew our connection with God, deepen our prayer lives, and guide us toward inner peace. Learn how to embrace quiet as a transformative practice in your faith journey.
Books for the Lenten Journey: Meaningful Reads for Reflection and Renewal
For those seeking a deeper connection between art and faith during Lent, our curated list of books offers a beautiful blend of reflection, inspiration, and visual storytelling. Featuring works like Prayer: Forty Days of Practice by Scott Erickson and Lenten Meditations by James Janknegt, these books invite readers to explore spiritual growth through the lens of art. Each one combines powerful imagery with thoughtful reflections, offering a unique way to engage with the Lenten season. Whether you're looking for a personal devotional or a resource for your congregation, these books provide the perfect balance of visual art and faith-based meditation. Explore our recommendations and enrich your Lenten journey with these thoughtfully crafted works.
Adorning Worship: The Symbolism of Our Lenten Stole Collection
Discover the depth of the Lenten season through our thoughtfully designed clergy stoles. Each stole in the Carrot Top Studio Lenten collection weaves together meaningful symbols—palms, crosses, wilderness imagery, and rich purples (and more!)—to reflect themes of sacrifice, renewal, and spiritual preparation. With handcrafted details and intentional storytelling, these stoles are designed to enhance worship and visually connect congregations to the journey toward Easter. Explore the collection and find a stole that speaks to the heart of your ministry this Lent.
Adorning (or Unadorning) Worship Spaces for Lent: Creating a Visual Connection to the Season
Creating a meaningful worship environment during Lent helps guide congregations through this season of reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. Whether through simplified altar designs, symbolic visuals like ashes and thorns, or interactive prayer stations, church leaders can use their worship space to deepen the Lenten journey. Some churches embrace minimalist decor, removing floral arrangements and dimming lighting, while others incorporate intentional symbols like purple drapery, stones, or the cross. These visual changes not only enhance worship services but also prepare hearts for the joy of Easter. Explore creative ways to adorn (or unadorn) your sanctuary, altar, or sacred spacefor Lent in this post.