Five Things I Learned This Summer

We're looking at the end of the summer season here at our studio in Michigan. I'm someone that likes to reflect. So here are the top five things I learned this summer:

1. I'm a sucker for exploring new media. This summer I found Pentel Arts Fabric Fun Pastel Dye sticks and a Jacquard Syringe. The first will let me color an image onto a piece of fabric before we turn it into a stole in the same way a pastel artist colors onto a piece of paper. The later will be filled with textile paint so we can write on fabric. Now I need to find the time to play and explore. Stay tuned!

   

   circle explorations!

2. When exploring our latest project for Advent we saw circles in our mind. These circles translated into exploring two new fiber art techniques. You will see them crop up on items on the website this fall. 
3. I like a routine but this summer hasn't allowed for that as I've had quite a few days not in the studio. What I've learned from this is that I like really long days of work. And I have compensated for the days out by keeping long hours when I'm in. I have found I'm actually more creative this way! Who knew?
4. The state of Wisconsin has really friendly people living in it. I ventured there for the first time several weeks ago because my son will be married there this fall. This really doesn't have anything to do with the studio but it is something I learned this summer!
5. Lastly I've learned that God gives me the time that is needed to get done what is most important. My father has been battling cancer. I have been out of the studio a bit this summer spending time with him and my mom. This has been such a blessing to me personally. Being a small business owner I like to make sure that the business keeps happening. But, by and by I have had plenty of time with my parents and the stoles that have needed to get made have done so. Praise God.

Motivation for Including the Visual in Worship

The dwelling itself you must make out of ten curtains, making them of fine twisted linen,

We create in blue and purple!
Read about this stole here.

violet, purple, and scarlet materiel, with cherubs, the work of artist. -Exodus 26:1

Then Moses said to the Israelites: See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur; of the tribe of Judah, and has filled him with divine spirit, with skill, intelligence, and knowledge, and knowledge in every kind of craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab son of Abisamach, of the tribe of Dan. The Lord has filled them with skill to do every kind of work done by an artisan or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and in fine linen, or by a weaver--by any sort of artisan or skilled designer. --Exodus 35: 30-35

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hand she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff and her hands hold the spindle. -Proverbs 31:13-19

Moses then called Bezalel and Ohaliab and every skillful one to whom the Lord had given skill, everyone whose heart was stirred to come to do the work; and they received from Moses all the freewill offerings that the Israelites had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. -Exodus 3: 2-3

All those with skill a month the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains; they were made of fine twisted linen, and blue purple and crimson yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. -Exodus 36:8-9

The ABC's of Carrot Top Studio (and Me)

This is just for fun, but maybe you'll also get to know us a little bit better! Here we go....

A: Carrot Top Studio AGE 11, Me AGE 51

B: BOOK on the studio coffee table is  Quilting With a Modern Slant and I'm listening to The Telling Room while I sew.

dear husbands enjoys the carrot cake
for each birthday

C: CARROT Top Studio became our business name because of the childhood teasing for my orange hair. And my favorite CARROT cake recipe is this one.

D: DELIGHTING in the three fawn that just ran past my studio window. 

E: EAGER to get to the farmer's market at the end of the day today. The colors and patterns are a visual feast for me and I also look forward to cooking with the fresh produce.

F: FEAR of heights except when in an airplane.

G: GRAY is a great neutral in Carrot Top Studio quilts and for me it's about 8% of my hair.

H: HOPE is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul (Emily Dickinson).

I: A couple spoonfuls of ICE CREAM is a treat of a mid afternoon snack at Carrot Top Studio. Shhh....don't tell!

J: JOY is a welcome challenge to try to depict in a ministry stole design. 

Joy!?

K: KITES....I like to fly them and that is a happy memory from my childhood.  In college for a three dimensional design class I built a kite that was larger than I and had hand dyed paper on it.

L: LOVE wins.

M: MIDDLE name: Louise. I was born in the southern part of the US and my parents thought they'd call me "Jenny Lou." They moved a year later. I'm glad.

N: NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

O: ORANGE....it's my hair color. It's not red. Why do they call us redheads?

P: PAINTING is something I like to do on fabric. It takes me back to when I studied watercolors in high school.

Q: QUALITY wins over quantity in and out of the studio. For example, when I'm sneaking that mid afternoon ice cream I'd much rather have a bite of premium than a quart of store brand ice cream. (grin)

kayaking with my daughter

R: RELATING to people is sometimes a delight for me and at others a stress. That's probably why having an online business works well for me!

S: SUMMER fun: kayaking or hiking or working or eating outside.

T: I have learned to TRUST that God gives me enough time to conquer what I'm really supposed to be doing. I used to stress about time and schedules and don't really do that anymore. 

U: I am UPLIFTED in worship (especially when in Haiti), in a book store or an art museum.

V: VERSE, today Psalm 23:1...."the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

W: WEEDING out art supplies I no longer use or weeding the garden beds....both enjoyable activities. 

X: eXample...Grateful for so many people who have served as examples to me.

Y: I YEARN to have more time to practice YOGA. It challenges me and helps to keep me peaceful.

Z: ZIGZAG is a sewing stitch that I use quite a lot.

Stoles in Action

If you are new to Carrot Top Studio and have any question about how our stoles look after they leave the studio OR if you are needing inspiration for a stole to add to your collection to keep your visual message fresh and new here are some of our favorite "in action" images: 

Thanks to those who share their photos with us. It's a real treat for an online business to see how and where their art is used.

Book Review: Water, Wind, Earth and Fire by Christine Valters Paintner

I prefer to be outside with the elements and I feel like my prayer life is constantly evolving so

when I discovered the book Water, Wind, Earth and Fire by Christine Valtres Paintner seemed like a logical choice for me. And it has not disappointed. The introduction actually had me hooked! 

The amount of thought provoking writing from the author in combination with the thoughts for so many different types of prayers, and inspirational quotes from a multitude of influential people is just the tip of the iceberg in this book. The book also includes ideas on how to get in touch with each element and questions for reflection.The sections of scripture are titled, "resting with God's word." That phrase in itself is restorative to me and such a lovely way of thinking about reading scripture.

Paintner is a contemplative artist and she has skillfully crafted this book with much thought and care. I can envision bits of it being used in worship, other pieces suitable for a retreat, a small group could choose to work through it together or of course it could be savored on one's own. It is the type of book that I feel that I can turn to again and again and gain new insight from it each time I do.

We're The Other Carrot Top!

My dad recently dialed up the studio hotline:

Jen, I had a Carrot Top Studio experience at the pharmacy today!


Oh, really Dad?

Yeah, I had my Carrot Top Studio fleece on and the pharmacist wanted to know if I'd just come back from Las Vegas. I had no idea what he was talking about!

(I chuckle)

He said he'd noticed the logo and asked if I'd heard the comedian. I still didn't know what he was talking about!

Well Dad, I hope you set him straight as to where your allegiance lies! Love you Dad!

Good humor runs in our family but we have nothing to do with the comedian Carrot Top. I do though wonder how the stand up would answer to the fact that a carrot 'top' is really bright green and  our hair is clearly orange. There's got to be a good chuckle out of that and I suspect we can both continue to enjoy the nickname working well as a business handle!

Working in Haiti

Early in March I made my sixth trip to The New Testament Mission which is 80 miles north of Port au Prince in LaCroix, Haiti. These trips always call for a bit of reflection. So here I go:

My friend, Jordeph

I continuously struggle that these trips are only one week long. Does our whisking in for such short amount of time hurt more than it helps? On Sunday after worship we had a chance to walk outside the mission compound. I was struck by how many people along the road called out my name or at least called out "bonsoir, Darby's mama!" as they have also gotten to know my daughter over the years. Their friendliness is so welcoming. Being invited to see these people's homes was such a gift of hospitality. I am slowly learning that we are building relationships and I pray that going forward I am open enough for this to be used in the best way.

It's great to report that I have witnessed "with many hands work can be light." The library project we've been working on the past several years has made great strides. With Americans and Haitians working side by side the second room was finished on this trip. It will service the high school students, teachers and pastors. Ten computers were installed to enhance their learning for research, listening to books in online libraries, and practicing their English and French skills. We left with the project taking a turn as the Haitian school superintendent and mission leadership are now taking the control in ideas and action. They are assuming the ownership and that is awesome!

The library

A clever baking tool

Working in Haiti always heightens my awareness of looking at everything as useful. As a generalization we throw way too much away in the United States. Part of our team was from a bakery in Pittsburgh. They were focused on helping to expand the use of the solar oven at the mission. So for example, when they discovered that a cake stand would be helpful to their work they made one from a non working ceiling fan fixture and some scraps of wood from the library furniture construction. Brilliant!

We had the joy of working on a sewing project for the first time while in Haiti. I learned many things with this but I will share just two for today: sewing on a treadle machine is harder than it looks but singing while you work makes even repetitive projects joyful. 

I'm looking forward to sewing with these young ladies again!

Lastly the community that is experienced on these trips is special. We live, work, and eat together. I am a bit of an introvert and need space and quiet. God has surprised me in that I've learned and now believe that living in community is important and stimulating to me despite my sometimes quiet, reclusive ways. The Haitians model community also. As we visited friends homes on Sunday afternoon I was struck by how many generations were living with their homes clustered together with shared laundry and cooking spaces. The school bell symbolizes community to me. It can be heard throughout the valley and rings at many points during the day. Everyone knows what each signal is for. It triggers the start of the day as the sun rises and the roosters are crowing, it is a call to come to school, it tells the teachers it's time to take a lunch break and I suspect there is more I have yet to learn. In Christianity a bell being rung can symbolize the presence of Christ. For churches a bell can be a call to the faithful. At this mission I feel as if the bell is a call to believers and a symbol of a common purpose to work and learn and worship together. It is good. 

Book Review: Crafting Calm

Carrot Top Studio dabble's a little on Pinterest.  Do you? I entered skeptically as I felt like we already had more than enough social media connections. But then the organizer, always looking for a good idea, connector in me was quickly hooked. One thing led to another and I was introduced to the work of Maggie Oman Shannon. How unique it is to find a ministry leader that focuses on creativity! I picked up her book Crafting Calm and was tickled to see the variety of projects, the connections for journaling and reflecting, the definitions and quotes and the lovely bibliography. There's enough in this little book that after I perused it from my local library I think I'm going to purchase it as it will be good to have on hand for a while. You might enjoy it for yourself, your christian education director at your church, your vacation Bible School coordinator (break free from the purchased VBS model!), or as a gift for a crafty critter you know and love. Thanks Maggie for bringing us something a little new and different!

About the photo--My latest crafting project-a little clutch just right for my phone and a lipstick. Book gem was found on my trip here. But thanks to Crafting Calm I might next try a Biblical Garden, a Talking Stick or Bread Meditation.

Visual Connections in Worship: Using Art on Transfiguration Sunday

There are so many ways to make visual connections in worship. There are the traditional methods such as the details in architecture, vestments, textiles and floral arrangements. And then there are the more contemporary such as the use of multimedia on the big screen, eNewsletters, and worship bulletin covers. Why not combine historical art into the more contemporary and incorporate images that are strong and relevant onto the big screen in worship, on the church website, or in social media? There are many wonderful resources such as Textweek that provide an outlet for images and inspiration. For example, if you are preparing a Transfiguration message this work by a Russian artist who painted in the Neoclassical style and was as renowned for his sketches as well as his paintings might be a worthy visual.

Transfiguration by Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov, 1824

Questions for thinking about Transfiguration: 

• What do you see?
• What colors are used? Are they warm or cool? How do they make you feel?
• Do you see any shapes emerge based upon how the artist positioned the main characters? Might this be intentional? What does it mean for the story?
• Is every part of the Biblical transfiguration story told in this painting?
• If you could rename this painting what would you call it?
• If you were the artist how would you have painted the story of the Transfiguration?
• How does this painting relate to you?

The possibilities are really endless once you get into the habit of using images that go beyond clipart. Here's an example of a writer infusing art into their blog post. And an example from my friend Pastor Dave who places his sermons online in a blog after they are preached. The illustrations on the blog are the images he uses on the big screen in worship.

**Note-Just please remember to give the historical artist credit even if it is art of the public domain. If you are using work that is contemporary art make sure you have permission to share.

Jenny Gallo, Carrot Top Studio, Owner/Artist: An Interview

When did your creative awakening occur?

My parents recognized my artistic gift and fostered it first with Crayola's then later with more sophisticated art supplies and lessons.  Trips to art museums were always part of my life and I still feel energized the minute I walk into a museum or gallery.  So, the creativity has always been there but as I have aged I have been more receptive to this being part of me.  I was in my 30's before I really felt like I gave myself permission to create from the depths of my soul.

What talents do you have?

Artistically I can paint, sew, quilt, and create through collage (I love handmade papers from around the world).  Teaching is another gift.  I have enjoyed guiding many from the uninhibited preschool age child to the ever wise senior citizen.  Baking is favorite pastime.  I used to spend time at the pottery wheel forming clay into vessels. Now I knead bread dough instead of clay!  This is also probably why a day doesn't feel complete unless I've done a little digging in the garden dirt.

What elements draw you toward them?

I am drawn to texture and combinations of textures.  This is probably one reason why I love collage. Color is also inspirational, mood altering and stimulating for me.  When I taught elementary art I loved exposing the children to the depth and breadth of color.  Even construction paper comes in luscious colors and chartreuse, pumpkin, magenta, salmon, spring green and slate grey were always included in my yearly order!

When and why do you create?

As a small business owner  I appreciate the flexibility to my schedule but I create best when there is a rhythm and routine to my week days. I create because I feel I am called by God to do so.

What activates your creative energy?

I love reading. Often a walk through a book store or library will find me stumbling upon a text on a period of art or design history, symbolism or a technique that will spark the creative energy to flow.   I often set out to make one thing and it transforms as the process of using the materials and the spirit of creativity take over.  When it works it is a joyful journey.

Any creative rituals?

Turning the music on pouring a cup of coffee and indulging in a bit of chocolate are almost guaranteed to get things going!

I Wonder

From time to time I share bits and pieces of personal information and/or about the inside

This is where I'm writing you from today!

workings of Carrot Top Studio so you can get to know us better. In turn we know a little about you from email exchanges or by meeting you on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. But these many hours I'm spending inside these wintry days have caused me to be thinking about you...

I wonder what your favorite season of the church year is to add visual elements to in worship?

I wonder how many stoles you own?

I wonder if you bought all of your stoles at the time of Ordination or if you've added to the collection over the years?

I wonder if you buy your stoles or if you receive them as gifts?

I wonder if you like wearing stoles or if you do it only because of the tradition?

I wonder if you have a ritual or prayer or words when you put your stole on prior to leading in worship?

Leave your comments below or on our social media pages or email us here!

Outside Carrot Top Studio: Time With Family & Life Lessons

Last week I ventured out of Carrot Top Studio to head East for time with family. Here's my mom (who I get my gift of color placement and love of fabrics from) and my daughter (who has a great artistic eye for photography) and that's my dear son making the photo bomb. His action is an example of the good fun we were able to have throughout the holiday. Life lesson: laughter is a gift.

Many of you have bought our peace and healing themed stoles that give back to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of my mother in law. We loaded the iPad with pictures from her past and enjoyed traveling down memory lane with her. She doesn't speak much anymore but it was interesting to see which images she'd react to by tapping on the screen with her hands. Life lesson: visual images can speak loudly.

Last Monday we spent time with my husband's Aunt Mary. She was the one that introduced my husband to the joy of trips into New York City for shopping, fine food, and a bit of Italian opera. In recent years we all loved eating strawberry ice cream with her as this particular food brought her little bits of joy. Aunt Mary was surprisingly called home as she slept that night. Life lesson: savor each moment and embrace those little bits of joy.

I write this on the 6th Day of Christmas. As Christians we can mark this day not just by thinking of the six geese a laying in the popular Christmas song but as the six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1). My take away from a very full last week, logging 30 hours of driving, spending time with friends in our former hometown, cherishing time with family in three additional cities, and celebrating the life of a loved one leads me to the last life lesson: "He upholds all things by the word of his power." Hebrews 1:3. I am so grateful for God's love and the witness I have had to it this past week! 

P.S....it is great to be back in the studio....doing some cleaning out and goal setting this week! We'll be back with new inventory and plenty of ideas for 2015! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram (carrottopstudio) for the latest news!

What's New?

So you're curious as to what's new in the world of Carrot Top Studio? I'm bursting with joy that my son asked his girlfriend to marry him! We love this young lady and it's been exciting to watch their relationship grow over the last couple of years. And our dear daughter has returned from a semester abroad in Belize. She returns more mature and wiser to the ways of the world and the desires of the good Lord for the care of His creation. If you mentor anyone that is college aged I can highly recommend the Creation Care Study Program with campuses in Belize and New Zealand.  

These guys keep me on my toes when I'm not in the studio!

What? You were really asking about what's new in the studio? Ok! There's lots to share there too! We added three new designs to our Christmas ministry stole collection this season.

The 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' stole (on the left) is lovely first because we think the whimsical buildings echo the joy of the Christmas celebration. Secondly, some of the gold stars are created out of sheer gold fabric and then free motion stitched with variegated threads. They are on top of a silver dotted background which truly says that this stole and its message are special. The middle stole in the image above honors the names of Jesus that are foretold in the book of Isaiah. The holly echos the prophecy of the King we await as it symbolizes the crown of thorns that will eventually be worn at the Messiah's death. This death and eventual resurrection of course complete the story. The stems of the holly add an interesting detail being created out of softly textured yarns. Lastly, we've redesigned an old favorite seller with the nativity border stole. Often artists depict the nativity as if they were seeing it in their hometown. If that were Carrot Top Studio we'd have surrounded the stable with evergreens and the tall deciduous trees of Michigan. But for this design we've chosen the palm tree which might have actually existed in Bethlehem. 

May those that you minister to be blessed with meaningful visuals that help connect them to the story of Christmas. 

A Thanksgiving Tradition

Like many of you, later this week my family will gather around a table with friends and enjoy a meal together. We will give thanks for our many blessings-- small and large. Before we eat we will keep our tradition of sharing some of these things we are thankful for. We will honor the tradition in a way that dear friends taught us when we shared one Thanksgiving with them when we hardly even knew each other. At Carrot Top Studio we believe in combining symbols to enhance meaning. We believe the visual helps this message stay with us. Knowing that, if you read on you'll probably understand why we like this tradition.

First, the table is set for dinner and the meal is set out. Hot food items are covered with aluminum foil or lids to keep them warm (even thought that isn't visually appealing :)). An apple and a cutting knife is placed at the place setting of the person that will lead the time of thankfulness.

Secondly, the apple is recognized as a sign of God's creation. It is a reminder of how he provides for us. As the explanation is occurring the apple is being cut into exactly as many pieces as needed for one per person at the table.Everyone is reminded of the first thanksgiving in the United States where tradition tells us that people came together out of thankfulness to celebrate...like we are doing today. The apple slices are passed and everyone takes one. One apple for each person is a bit of thankfulness of everyone having their due and also a prayer of intercession for those that might not have enough this day.

Each person takes an apple slice as the plate is passed and  they speak of something they are thankful for. 

Lastly, after everyone has had a time to share, a closing blessing is said or sung. We lean toward the doxology but if there are a lot of little ones in attendance the "Johnny Appleseed" blessing works well. The leader then holds up their apple slice and declares, "let us eat this small token of the bounty we have been provided and be thankful." And the sharing of the meal commences.

Blessings for your Thanksgiving Day to our American clients. To our other clients worldwide we wish you moments of thanksgiving with those you love and/or blessings for harvest celebrations.

Book Review: The Season of the Nativity

My personality is well suited to seasons of preparation. Therefore I've always been more

drawn to Advent than Christmas. Annually, I traditionally purchase a book about or for Advent. This year I picked up The Season of the Nativity: Confession and Practices of an Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Extremist  and quickly suspected I would like it when the author Sybil MacBeth confessed it took a long time for her to learn to enjoy Christmas. This resonated with me and I now especially see the twelve days of Christmas in a new light. I've always been intrigued by how to mark this time but have found it challenging given that society celebrates Christmas day and then moves into after Christmas mall sales and signing up everyone for exercise classes for their New Year's resolutions. The author has given me enough encouragement that I suspect I will do better than that this go around.

What I appreciated most about this book is that there is something for everyone from the new Christian learning what the church year calendar is all about to someone that has been following a liturgical cycle for decades.  In fact MacBeth points out that because we are continuously evolving that's exactly why we can year after year relive and learn anew from the stories of our faith. Amen!

Lastly, I think it's splendid that there is attention given to Epiphany. Growing up all I knew was to put a bean in the cake and the one that ended up with that piece won. There is and deserves to be more than this. 

So now I prepare for the season of preparation and look forward to some new additions to my rhythm and routine of the days in Advent. How will you mark these days?

How We Got the Idea for This Stole

Do you ever look at Carrot Top Studio stoles and think "what were they thinking?" Our newest Ordinary Time design has a little back story. So it goes that my husband has just concluded his fiftieth year of life. At the beginning of this year I suggested we celebrate in small ways along the way and then conclude with a trip to a destination of his choice (that fit in my budget-of course:)). 

So one thing led to another and we found ourselves in AZ for a long weekend. I loved the drama of Sedona and the red rocks and Gary could hardly speak when first viewing the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. We departed this wonderful time of hiking and exploring a variety of creation that we'd not ever seen before simply in awe of how the earth was formed and how it has then transformed over time. 

Consequently I started envisioning creation images to place on a stole.When I think of creation I often turn to the beautiful words the Psalmists have handed down to us. Landing upon Psalm 95:1-6 my thoughts started to come together for how I would wield the scissors on the cloth and make the sewing machine work its magic. We think the result would be lovely for a Thanksgiving Eve worship service if you are one of our American clients. But it is a good buy because it's also fitting for the entirety of Ordinary Time. This stole is available in several lengths and is on the website here.

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."

Worship Can Be Foreign

I've always enjoyed worshiping in communities and churches that were not my home base. As you may know, my family (and studio)  moved from Pittsburgh to the Detroit area this summer. This has allowed a "season" of such visiting. There is much goodwill in Michigan and every single church we have worshiped in we have felt welcomed. Despite that through this process I've once again realized that sometimes you are a foreigner to the special rhythm, ritual, and even language of worship. We have experienced several things that have stood out in mind:

• a parishioner patting my hand when I did something out of order in worship. It was the type of touch that reminded me that I was welcomed.
• explanations as to how Communion elements would be served and why it was done that way.
• description of the worship music printed in the bulletin prior to the order of worship....enlightening the reader to the history, meaning of the music and words and why they were relevant to this day.
• lastly, yesterday prior to worship we experienced a verbal explanation of the music that would be included in worship. The anthem was later referred to in the sermon as to why it enhanced the meaning of the message. (BTW this is the song that was used and it was not only pleasing musically but the visual that it conjured up made it more powerful...."Stained Glass" by Joseph Martin and Heather Sorenson may be read about and heard here.).

Why do we write about this today? It makes me wonder how and when the visual messages of things like ministry stoles are included. Sometimes the message is very clear. But there are other instances when if you don't know the meaning of the symbol or for example why the sanctuary is decked in blue during Advent it's not going to help make an association to deepen our worshiping of the Lord.  I encourage you to incorporate the how and why of the visual cues of worship via the written or the spoken word. May the visual connection not be foreign!

FAQ's

Maybe these frequently asked questions and their answers will better help you to get to know Carrot Top Studio, the way we work, and our products! 

How long does it take to receive a stole?

• If you see it on the website it is in stock unless otherwise noted. We ship via USPS

  

  A new Advent limited
  edition stole. See it here.

  Priority mail within 24 hrs. of receiving your order. Delivery takes 2-3 business days.You will be notified of the tracking information so you can follow your shipment!

What if I need the stole sooner than that?

• Email us or call (412-480-4193) and we'll invoice you if overnight shipping is available to your address. And then we'll get the shipment on its way!

Who makes these unique ministry stoles?

• Jenny Gallo is the artist/designer/seamstress. It's basically a one woman show with occasional assistance from another person that sews or assists with shipping. 

Can I change something about a stole I see on the website?

• We usually don't modify our in stock inventory. At times we can hem a stole to make it shorter if needed. This is dependent upon the stole's design and there is a small fee for this service.

How do I measure for a stole?

• We measure from the middle back of the neck to the edge of the hem. 

• If this is a gift think about the height of the person receiving the stole and about whether they will wear a robe or not. The stole looks best if it doesn't hang below the hem of the robe. Lastly, if the pastor, priest, minister, or wedding officiant will be walking up and down steps in the place that they lead in (like from the sanctuary floor up steps to the chancel) then a too long stole can be tripped upon.

Why can't I find the stole I saw on your website last week?

• Our work is created in limited editions of 1-10 stoles per design. If we are selling a prototype we try to make note that this is one-of-a-kind. Therefore if you're interested you should know not to hesitate too long. Our busiest months are generally October, February, and May....these are times you shouldn't hesitate either as the inventory can change swiftly. With that said if you are seriously interested but your finances aren't ready please let us know and we'd be willing to hold a stole for you for a reasonable amount of time.

Do you accept commissions?

• Occasionally we do accept commissions. It is mostly dependent upon the schedule if this is possible. Don't hesitate to float an idea past us. Sometimes your ideas can translate well into a limited edition. We find that you have good ideas and if you're willing to share the idea then we will put it into the limited edition line up when possible. 

Why are you called Carrot Top Studio?

• Orange hair since birth + being called a "carrot top" during school years = the name for the studio. We've learned to embrace the teasing that used to make us blush!

Remembering

The last few days have been full of remembering for my family and I as my father-in-law left

...a Christmas Eve, gathered around the table, telling stories

this earthly place and was called to a better one last Thursday. His wit and ability to tell a story or joke was supreme. Over the years much family time was spent around the dinner table listening to stories from his past be told. We'd heard them many times before but his enjoyment in remembering kept us on the edge of our seats with intrigue and usually much laughter. These stories and memories are comforting to us now and we will carry them forward into the generations to come.

I'm the kind of person that enjoys looking back, hearing about the past and learning from it. In this moment of my life when we've said good bye to the man we called "Sox" I am so thankful that God gives us the gift of story, recollection and gleaning knowledge from those that go before us. And maybe that's one reason I enjoy connecting God's Word through art on ministry stoles at Carrot Top Studio. 

symbols on ministry stoles tell the story of our faith

Story telling is powerful in so many ways. The stories engage us, give us hope, and they can awaken us. I realize that a stole on a pastor, minister, or priest isn't essential to the ministry. But our anticipation is that if it is your tradition to wear a clergy stole that it will be a tool that helps you tell the story of our faith.

*curious about this Advent stole? Read about it here.

*BTW-we called him "Sox" because of an incident in the golf course locker room...involving stinky socks....and that's just one of the stories!

Preparing for Advent

We're preparing for Advent. Are you? For us that means assessing our Carrot Top Studio clergy stole stock for what might be missing. It also means searching for inspiration for new ideas. The light bulb recently went off when we read about a shibori dying technique that we thought would translate well to an Advent stole.  Shibori is the Japanese art of shaped resist dyeing. The fabric is compressed by using wrapping, stitching or folding techniques that create a resist when dyeing the fabric; this is, the "resist" creates areas where the dye is not adsorbed into the fabric. The result is soft patterns that made us think of the stages of preparation we move through during the time prior to Christmas.

The technique we used required us to wrap fabric around a PVC pipe and then push it together to compress it. This creates the resist that forms the patterns and textured lines in the fabric.

Here is the resulting piece of yardage. Watch the website or our Facebook page for the stoles created from this beautiful cloth.

Do you have dreams of an Advent stole that isn't currently part of our collection? Tell us about it and we'll see if it fits into our repertoire.