June Blog: New Product Offering for Fall 2013 - Timeless Treasures by Heartfelt Collection

June Blog

The Value of Time… Every Moment Counts

A Heartfelt Word

There are so many wonderful thoughts, quotes, and poems that speak to the value of time.  Such as:

~God has perfect timing, never early, never late. It takes a little patience and a lot of faith… but it is    always worth the wait.

~ Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~ Time spent living is time worth appreciating.

~ Never get too busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

~ “Time is what we want most, but what we use worst”. William Penn

~ “Lost time is never found again”. Ben Franklin

~ “A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time”… Samuel Johnson

~ A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset. The moment you start acting like life is a blessing, it will start to feel like one.

These are  just a few of the beautiful reminders to not take any moment for granted, to live one day at a time realizing the significance of each and  every moment, because once it is gone you can never get it back. Or as Mother Teresa said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has yet to come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

With this in mind, we have designed our newest Heartfelt Collection called, “Timeless Treasures”; combining a functional home accent clock with timeless quotes, scriptures and sentiments which will create lasting treasures. We hope you will enjoy our new 2013 Fall product releases along with the many best selling collections which are featured in this new catalog. We invite you to visit our website: www.christianbrands.com.

Timeless Treasures

The Heart of Heartfelt

Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. I don’t want to miss any opportunity of expressing my gratitude to all the people in my life that have a place in my heart that will never be removed.  First, my family… who are my biggest fans, my past employees who stuck with our company through thick and thin, for our many friends in the Gift Industry, for our Reps and Vendors, and for our new friends at Christian Brands. I feel abundantly blessed to have had so many wonderful people in my life and to be able to share the gift of expressing my heart through words.

I leave you with these words: Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. May your time be blessed today.

LoveLea

As always, we will continue to strive for excellence in quality, service, competitive pricing, unique product design and inspirational product, which we truly create to have meaning and purpose.

It is with sincere appreciation that we thank you for your time in considering our product and for any future business we do together. We realize that you have many products to choose from and we are very grateful when you choose a Heartfelt Collection product for your store.

 

May Blog: Beautiful people, heartfelt sentiment, functional gifts and the Gift Industry are the things we love.

Touching Hearts… in a deeply personal way!

Quote: “The most beautiful people we know have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have known their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
 - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

A Heartfelt Word

Today with so many products available in the gift market, choosing a gift can become a challenge. I think most of us would admit that we choose gifts that appeal to us as we are making these choices. Even with a gift registry, for the most part, we still apply our own tastes and ideas to our purchase choice. As a buyer or a designer that is not always a good thing. Knowing your customer is a key element to providing the right product or services.

At Heartfelt, our desire and our goal is to have products that will appeal to our established customer and to expand our offerings to a broader demographic.  Our primary focus is to offer sentiment driven gift products, and in doing so, we are extremely conscious of several key elements: To offer sentiments that will resonate with buyers, to offer creative designs, quality and whenever possible, functionality. That is why all of the Heartfelt Clock Collections are our best sellers. They represent every goal and element we strive to achieve.  Please check out our website to see our many product offerings:  www.ChristianBrands.com

Heartfelt Tip: Guaranteed Sale! I ask you, how in the world can you go wrong with giving the Heartfelt Collection a try?

The Heart of Heartfelt

I Love People and I love the wonderful people that make up the Gift Industry.  For over twenty-five years, I have been in this industry and I can tell you that you won’t meet any nicer people, in the whole world, than these folks. From designers, artist, manufacturers, reps, showroom managers and the customers that buy our products to offer in their stores… it has been my blessing and my privilege to work with so many of these lovely people.

I love going to our trade shows so I can see the many friends and colleagues that I have made through the years. I love to catch up with our customers and get their feedback. I love walking the halls of the market buildings to see all the new offerings… I am awestruck at the creativity that surrounds me.

Quite simply, this industry is full of many beautiful and talented people.

May the words from my heart touch yours,

Lea Metts

April Blog: Spring is here, Easter Sunday, Fall 2013 product development, and more!

May our words SPRING forward to enrich the lives of others!

Quote: The written word can recall those feelings and impressions that have gone to the very soul of us, shaping our humanity, defining our character and etching our hearts. - Unknown

A HEARTFELT WORD

As we, the Heartfelt team, are finishing up our new product releases for Fall 2013, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. Designing, creating and putting sentiments to new product is so fulfilling and meaningful. Now that is not to say we don’t have our hiccups and we do, believe me, or that our journey is a smooth one…Not,  but even still, once the end product is complete… Oh, the satisfaction.

Sentiment driven product is the core of what Heartfelt is all about… it is our mission to provide a product that is more than just an ornamental tabletop accessory. We desire to provide products that are functional and have words with meaning and purpose… sentiments that express the heart of the giver.

It has always been our desire to create product, for the gift and home furnishing industries, that have unique designs, high perceived values, excellent quality and  endearing  sentiments that will create lasting treasures for anyone who receives a Heartfelt product.

As we gear up for our new Fall product releases, we hope you will seek out and look for our Heartfelt products. You can visit us at the Christian Brands Gift website.

A HEARTFELT TIP:

Many of the newer Heartfelt framed table top items have backs which can open, so the inner part of the framed item may be removed and then used a photo frame. We love functionality!

THE HEART OF HEARTFELT

On Easter Sunday, my husband said something to me that made my heart absolutely rejoice. On the way to church he looked over at me and said, “Lea, you look more beautiful today than ever.”  With a loving and emotional gleam in his eye, he then said, “I love you with all my heart.”

Anyone who has been married 37 years, like us, or more can tell you that those moments of deep and sincere declaration, are something to cherish. He tells me he loves me every day, but that day was different… it was deep… it was magical… it was truly heartfelt. I saw the love of my soul mate right there in his face. The power of that just took my breath away.

These types of moments bring me back to what I believe is my God given purpose in this life… to write words that are heartfelt, words that enrich and uplift, words that give meaning  to those who don’t know how to write them. Moments like these remind me, over and over again, that the power of words can alter lives, make a difference and touch the heart and soul like nothing else… I know because, I had just experienced that wonderful and unforgettable moment.

May the words from my heart touch you and may you use the power of your words to touch someone today!

Always, Lea

Lea Metts

March 2013

Beauty of God’s Handwriting

Quote: Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting… Ralph Waldo Emerson

A HEARTFELT WORD

Beautiful sentiments and beautiful design are what we strive for with each and every Heartfelt product! It is our utmost desire to make sure that God’s handwriting is seen in all our products and collections.

Precious moments, cherished memories, celebrations and everyday occasions represent just a few of our sentiment driven product themes. As I stated in my last blog, everyone needs uplifting words of love, support and encouragement, no matter what age or gender. Our desire is to offer products which will meet those needs, that will touch hearts and that will make a difference in the lives of others.


NEW PRODUCT RELEASES

This month I would like to show you a few more collections that were recently released in our Spring 2013 Catalog:

Magnifying Bookmarks – This collections was written with General and Christian/Inspirational verses and are quite functional. I know, because I have to use a magnifier when I am without my reading glasses. The art in this collection was done by my dear friend, Joanne Fink, of Lakeside Designs and Zenspirations.

These bookmarks will fit in most envelopes and would make a perfect insert when sending a card to someone. Why not consider… a very thoughtful thing to do, at very little expense.

Follow Me ~ Matthew 16:24 - Following the scripture reference: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”  This collection of twelve mini frames has some of the most loved and well known scriptures of all times.  Each piece is 3D and has a sculpted cross along side the verse. Any of these will make a beautiful statement to keep in our homes or to be given or shared as a gift of faith.

The Heartfelt Irish Collection – These four pieces are very appealing with their Celtic designs, rich foil accents and well known and popular blessings.

I am so proud of all our Heartfelt Collections. I hope you will look for them, request them and buy them when you are looking for that meaningful gift for someone. It is so important to us that we meet the needs of the consumer and offer products that are worthy of your dollar. So with that being said, if you ever have any ideas or suggestions, I would love to hear them.


The Heart of Heartfelt
Many times when I write verses, I like to go outside and absorb God’s handwriting in nature. It inspires me, reminds me of life’s miracles and words flow easily to me from its beauty. We are all so busy and consumed with our daily duties that nature’s beauty can be easily missed.

I love that my desk faces to the outside… I get to see the weather; I can view the deer in the woods, the horses in the field, which is right behind my house, the birds on the branches and witness God’s handwriting with every stroke of my keyboard as I look out my window.  For that I am most fortunate and truly blessed.

If you ever get a chance, I would encourage you to check out a video by Louie Schwartz called, Nature.Beauty.Gratitude on Ted.com. I loved the part where he refers to, “The beauty of nature opens our hearts and makes us mindful that we are a part of it, we are not separate. That nature connects us to every one of us, because it is clear that it’s all connected in one.” So maybe when I go outside to write it is easier because I feel that I am connected, that I am one with Nature! The one thing I know for certain is, every time this happens it is truly a divine experience.

Did you know that 80 percent of the information we receive comes through our eyes. When we see the wonders and miracles of nature, how can we not be inspired, moved and in awe of our Creator? Nature’s beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude. We can see God’s handwriting all over it.  I hope you will open your heart to all the blessings of nature and let them flow through you.  That you will pass your blessings on to others in a heartfelt word and deed.

To consider: A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck a life. A timely word may level stress. But a loving word may heal and bless.

Be Blessed,

Lea Metts

Welcome to the Heartfelt Collection blog + New Product Offerings for Spring 2013

Welcome to the Heartfelt Collection Blog

Quote: "I know nothing in the world that has a much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine." Emily Dickinson

 

A Heartfelt Word

 

The Importance of Our Words!

From the very beginning, the Heartfelt Collection has been about creating products that offer words to lift the heart, to let someone know they are important and to express love and appreciation to those we care about. The word heartfelt actually means: deeply felt, earnest and sincere. The power of a heartfelt word can encourage, empower, uplift, bring hope and bind the wounds of a hurting world

The power of words in general, whether spoken or written is huge! In our lives we know the power of our words can do a great many things, and also, that it is our choice how we choose to use them. God’s Word reminds us that, “Reckless words piece like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” Proverbs 12:18.

In this blog, I would like to share with you some of the Heartfelt product offerings, the heart behind some of the sentiments and hopefully and more importantly, encourage you to choose and use the power of your words to help make this world a better place.

Spring 2013 New Product Offerings

Precious Moments art is known throughout the world. We are very excited to offer three collections using the beautiful images created by artist, Sam Butcher.

The first collection, called Precious Moments Classics, has 24 Inspirational pieces and 24 General sentiment pieces. The sentiments were designed to touch the lives of those we care about and to share as a keepsake, the words that express our heart.

The next collection, called Precious Moments Mini Classics has 12 Scripture verses and 12 General sentiments. These are so sweet! They are printed on pearlized paper and have embossing which really stands out when you actually see it. It is a wonderful pick-me up, in a small form that can truly brighten a day. As an avid lover of the Precious Moments figurines, I have actually placed one of the Precious Moments Mini’s with the figurine that matches, in my curio cabinet which houses my collection. My personal favorite, was the first piece my family gave me many years ago called, “Love One Another”.

The last collection, called Precious Moments Holy Celebrations features verses written for, First Communion, Confirmation, Baptism and Baby Dedication. It includes a framed piece for a girl and a framed piece for a boy with each title. This grouping also has a place to personalize with the name and date of this special celebration day. A wonderful keepsake for a child to keep as a reminder of the commitments made for these special events which have significant meaning in their lives.

The next four new releases deal with occasions that are significant gift giving events: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Wedding/Anniversary and Graduation, most of these take place primarily in the spring, however, they can also be given as gifts throughout the year. The thing I love about these products is that they are not just seasonal. Whether its birthdays, wedding, anniversary, Christmas or just because you want someone to be uplifted with words and sentiments that actually mean something. I truly believe that there is a need and a place in the market for these each and every day, because our words matter!

I hope that the next time you are choosing a gift for someone that you would stop and ponder the lasting meaningfulness of giving a gift that can express what your heart feels. Giving gifts of expression in sentiment can have lasting and impactful meaning.

 

The Heart of Heartfelt

I recently saw a movie called, “The Letter Writer” and the plot was about an older gentleman who wrote letters with encouraging words and then gave them, as his heart directed, to people at random. The movie demonstrated how one letter changed the life of a young girl and how she received this letter at the exact time she needed affirming words in her life. I know in my own life, there has been numerous times that a scripture verse or devotional reading, a friend calling or emailing me words of care or my child calling me out of the blue to say, “I love you,” happened at the exact moment I needed it. The power of words… their impact… may we all use them wisely and carefully.

I would love your thoughts and feedback. I love reading or hearing stories of how words have positively impacted your life or the lives of others. Also, I love sharing quotes and poems that are meaningful and that have made a difference in my life. I have notebook after notebook and book after book of beautiful words and they are one of the many joys I have in my life. As Emily Dickinson said, may our words Shine!

Lea Metts

The Face Behind the Name

Since I was a little girl, I have loved beautiful words!

 I loved to say them, read them and more importantly, I loved hearing them… especially if they were said to “Me”. In fact, my personal love language is “Words of Affirmation”, go figure, right? Life has taught me their power and I have lived my life as a result of the good and the bad. Is that not true for most all of us? Tell anyone they are special enough times and they will come to believe it, same holds true for negative words – that is their power.

As a child, I had a reading disability, but for some reason poetry was something I could comprehend and understand, hence, my deep-love for all poetry to this day. When I write poetry or verses, the first thing I do is ask God to put on my heart what someone else needs to hear and I think about what I would say, with meaning and purpose, to those I care about or what I would want someone to say  to me. Poetry is truly the song of my heart!

Heartfelt Collection – The American Dream

In 1987, my husband and I started our company, Heartfelt, Inc. from the basement in our home, I designed, wrote verses and assembled our handmade greeting cards and my husband marketed and sold them. From there the journey of framed sentiments began and our American dream came true. We built the Heartfelt brand, with the help of many wonderful people, over the next 25 years and in 2011 we sold our company to Christian Brands in Phoenix Arizona. My husband and I continue to work with the Heartfelt brand doing what we love…

About Me: Lea Metts - The Face Behind the Name

The Face Behind the Name

Since I was a little girl, I have loved beautiful words!

 I loved to say them, read them and more importantly, I loved hearing them… especially if they were said to “Me”. In fact, my personal love language is “Words of Affirmation”, go figure, right? Life has taught me their power and I have lived my life as a result of the good and the bad. Is that not true for most all of us? Tell anyone they are special enough times and they will come to believe it, same holds true for negative words – that is their power.

As a child, I had a reading disability, but for some reason poetry was something I could comprehend and understand, hence, my deep-love for all poetry to this day. When I write poetry or verses, the first thing I do is ask God to put on my heart what someone else needs to hear and I think about what I would say, with meaning and purpose, to those I care about or what I would want someone to say  to me. Poetry is truly the song of my heart!

Heartfelt Collection – The American Dream

In 1987, my husband Linwood and I started our company, Heartfelt, Inc. from the basement in our home, I designed, wrote verses and assembled our handmade greeting cards and my husband marketed and sold them. From there the journey of framed sentiments began and our American dream came true. We built the Heartfelt brand, with the help of many wonderful people, over the next 25 years and in 2011 we sold our company to Christian Brands in Phoenix Arizona. My husband and I continue to work with the Heartfelt brand doing what we love…