creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
MEGAN STONE
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Hi, I’m Meg, the face behind Mary, Martha & Meg. I design and create Christian cards and gifts with love to encourage and bless others. Everything I do is prayerfully considered, inspired by the living Word of God.
I chose my business name as a reference to Mary and Martha, the sisters in Luke’s gospel who were good friends of Jesus. In the story, Martha was busy preparing a meal for Jesus and his guests. Her sister Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus’ teachings rather than help. When Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, Jesus responded, "Mary has chosen what is the better part, and it will not be taken away from her." One was busy working, the other busy worshipping.
I love to bake, have friends over and keep busy – I can easily relate to Martha, but at the same time, I long to be closer to my Savior, like Mary. I think all Christian women would love to have a heart like Mary and spend quality time with Jesus. My parents named me Megan and one of my middle names is Mary. But importantly, I was created in God’s image.
Instagram: @marymarthameg
Facebook: Mary Martha Meg
Website: www.marymarthameg.co.uk
I chose my business name as a reference to Mary and Martha, the sisters in Luke’s gospel who were good friends of Jesus. In the story, Martha was busy preparing a meal for Jesus and his guests. Her sister Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus’ teachings rather than help. When Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, Jesus responded, "Mary has chosen what is the better part, and it will not be taken away from her." One was busy working, the other busy worshipping.
I love to bake, have friends over and keep busy – I can easily relate to Martha, but at the same time, I long to be closer to my Savior, like Mary. I think all Christian women would love to have a heart like Mary and spend quality time with Jesus. My parents named me Megan and one of my middle names is Mary. But importantly, I was created in God’s image.
Instagram: @marymarthameg
Facebook: Mary Martha Meg
Website: www.marymarthameg.co.uk
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I have always loved to create. Even from a young age I was always painting and making craft projects, most of which I still have!
Lockdown was a wonderful opportunity to spend more time meditating on God’s Word, expressing my response creatively through Bible journaling, as well as Bible journaling. I began painting cards and gifts for friends, and this bloomed into my small business.
I love to encourage people and my prayer is that the verses on the cards and gifts I produce will be a blessing and an encouragement to others. One of my favorite ‘go-to’ verses is, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Definitely not. It has been a real surprise to find myself in the blessed position of sharing my faith through creativity. I am living the life I had planned for retirement! It is amazing and humbling to know that something I truly love has become my small business, and is shared in people’s homes. It is wonderful to be serving the Lord in this way.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
I’ve been blessed to have friends and family who have been fully supportive of my creativity. It’s been a bit of a shock to them and me because I have an academic background, recently graduating with a degree in International Politics and a Masters degree in Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology! Creativity is often seen as a hobby rather than a profession, but it is to be valued and celebrated. It is a gift from God, which is shared with others. People who know me know that my faith is central to everything I do, and so they value what I do.
I have always loved to create. Even from a young age I was always painting and making craft projects, most of which I still have!
Lockdown was a wonderful opportunity to spend more time meditating on God’s Word, expressing my response creatively through Bible journaling, as well as Bible journaling. I began painting cards and gifts for friends, and this bloomed into my small business.
I love to encourage people and my prayer is that the verses on the cards and gifts I produce will be a blessing and an encouragement to others. One of my favorite ‘go-to’ verses is, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Definitely not. It has been a real surprise to find myself in the blessed position of sharing my faith through creativity. I am living the life I had planned for retirement! It is amazing and humbling to know that something I truly love has become my small business, and is shared in people’s homes. It is wonderful to be serving the Lord in this way.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
I’ve been blessed to have friends and family who have been fully supportive of my creativity. It’s been a bit of a shock to them and me because I have an academic background, recently graduating with a degree in International Politics and a Masters degree in Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology! Creativity is often seen as a hobby rather than a profession, but it is to be valued and celebrated. It is a gift from God, which is shared with others. People who know me know that my faith is central to everything I do, and so they value what I do.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
Living in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it is so easy to be in awe of the beauty of the greatest creative of all, our heavenly Father. Walking along the seashore inspires me to pick up my paintbrush as I reflect on the wonderful stories of Jesus and His ministry by the Sea of Galilee. Looking out of my window at God’s painted sunsets fills me with wonder and the urge to paint galaxies. Yet we live in a broken world, and this fills me with the need to sow gospel seeds, even a verse on a card or a candle, to remind people of God’s unfailing love.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
As I turn to passages of Scripture, I am drawn to creating reminders of what I have read. This could be creating a set of cards to encourage or comfort others, bookmarks, postcards or a pocket mirror with verses to treasure. I also make candles and design the labels to include the verse which has inspired the fragrance, knowing these will be shared and lit in homes, reminding others of God’s precious words.
Are others in your family creative too?
My family loves music and there are lots of us who play instruments and sing. My young nephew loves to sit and Bible journal with me; it’s a great way of spending time with the Lord and for us both to understand Bible stories.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
God calls us to know Him more and more each day. He has planned the best for each of us and set us each on our own unique path. As I spend time in prayer and reading my Bible, I feel a sense of wonder in being able to express what I have learnt through journaling. This, in turn, leads to inspiration for other creative avenues.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I have a new small business which began in lock down, in September 2020. I created a website featuring six designs of my hand-painted Christian greetings cards. They sold out immediately and this was a great encouragement to continue creating. As I painted more designs, I also added small gift box collections to my website, including candles. These are all based on Bible verses, which are included in the labels. Each product on my website has the story of the Biblical inspiration for it. As I expand my business, I am beginning to include Welsh cards and gifts, as well as English on my website. I would love to see my business grow so that it becomes the ‘go to’ place for Christian cards and gifts in Wales, as well as growing my customer base across the UK. Plans for expanding into the international market were further down the line, but who knows, perhaps this will now happen sooner than expected! It’s all in God’s hands.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I began with setting up an Instagram account, finding like-minded Christian creatives who inspire me. I have always loved to encourage others in their faith, and this includes the people I follow on Instagram, who are also so positive in their support for me. As friends encouraged me to start a small business, I did lots of research, took free online courses, started studying SEO and created a website. I also have a business mentor from the Prince’s Trust, a UK charity which works with young people.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
If God has placed you on this journey, keeping going! Draw on the personal responses from those you have encouraged as you have shared your faith through your creativity. When challenges come, step out in faith. Look to Him, Trust in His goodness and mercy.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Living in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it is so easy to be in awe of the beauty of the greatest creative of all, our heavenly Father. Walking along the seashore inspires me to pick up my paintbrush as I reflect on the wonderful stories of Jesus and His ministry by the Sea of Galilee. Looking out of my window at God’s painted sunsets fills me with wonder and the urge to paint galaxies. Yet we live in a broken world, and this fills me with the need to sow gospel seeds, even a verse on a card or a candle, to remind people of God’s unfailing love.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
As I turn to passages of Scripture, I am drawn to creating reminders of what I have read. This could be creating a set of cards to encourage or comfort others, bookmarks, postcards or a pocket mirror with verses to treasure. I also make candles and design the labels to include the verse which has inspired the fragrance, knowing these will be shared and lit in homes, reminding others of God’s precious words.
Are others in your family creative too?
My family loves music and there are lots of us who play instruments and sing. My young nephew loves to sit and Bible journal with me; it’s a great way of spending time with the Lord and for us both to understand Bible stories.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
God calls us to know Him more and more each day. He has planned the best for each of us and set us each on our own unique path. As I spend time in prayer and reading my Bible, I feel a sense of wonder in being able to express what I have learnt through journaling. This, in turn, leads to inspiration for other creative avenues.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I have a new small business which began in lock down, in September 2020. I created a website featuring six designs of my hand-painted Christian greetings cards. They sold out immediately and this was a great encouragement to continue creating. As I painted more designs, I also added small gift box collections to my website, including candles. These are all based on Bible verses, which are included in the labels. Each product on my website has the story of the Biblical inspiration for it. As I expand my business, I am beginning to include Welsh cards and gifts, as well as English on my website. I would love to see my business grow so that it becomes the ‘go to’ place for Christian cards and gifts in Wales, as well as growing my customer base across the UK. Plans for expanding into the international market were further down the line, but who knows, perhaps this will now happen sooner than expected! It’s all in God’s hands.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I began with setting up an Instagram account, finding like-minded Christian creatives who inspire me. I have always loved to encourage others in their faith, and this includes the people I follow on Instagram, who are also so positive in their support for me. As friends encouraged me to start a small business, I did lots of research, took free online courses, started studying SEO and created a website. I also have a business mentor from the Prince’s Trust, a UK charity which works with young people.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
If God has placed you on this journey, keeping going! Draw on the personal responses from those you have encouraged as you have shared your faith through your creativity. When challenges come, step out in faith. Look to Him, Trust in His goodness and mercy.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28