the history of the sign
the history of the sign
Many people are familiar with the history of the evabelle line, but may not know the reason the design is a sign.
Vanee began designing evabelle signs after her heart attack in March of 2013. Only months after this event, the original design came to her on a quiet sleepless night. Over the next few months of her recovery, she continued to bring life to this vision through drawing and designing those thoughts and ideas. With the help and support from her husband, she began to create that exact piece she saw so clearly that night. Once it was ready, they set out to make this dream a reality. By the fall of that same year, everything was in place to begin to share this vision with others on the bigger stage she felt led to do. The heartfelt journey of creating the original sign for evabelle and how it continues to evolve is best told by Vanee herself.
Best Booth Presentation
Awarded ‘best visual display’ (out of thousands of temporary exhibitors) at that very first market in January 2014. A God wink no doubt!
the history of the sign
“In the middle of the night one night I awoke with a very clear, distinct design of exactly what it (the sign) should look like. I knew immediately God was giving me this idea with such clarity down to the exact colors to use and font for the writing. I then began to see a purpose that would come from my pain. It was during the road of recovery from my heart attack and emergency open heart surgery that in the hardest moments, on the darkest days, I would always get the perfect word(s) at the perfect moment. Whether it was a text from a friend, a word breathed in my home or words read in a devotion it never failed, it was always exactly what I needed at that exact moment needed most.
So I knew without a doubt this idea was from Him. To design a piece that would share words of encouragement for others to see and feel His peace and presence too. God would use these signs, His precious words on my designs, for a powerful purpose. As I looked at this unique design, I realized that the simple font (old typewriter) and color scheme (soft gray and white) were very intentional and specific. Simple, elegant, beautiful, classic and timeless, so the eye would read the words but the heart would feel them. And that is how the original 2’x2’ wood square sign came to be.
We took that original sample and traveled North (shown in this picture taken when I jumped out and propped it in a beautiful bundle of corn stalks). And with my husband’s help we put together a manufacturing team and shipping facility based in OH that would recreate these signs in volume while staying handmade with focus on their beauty and quality.
In January 2014, I took this dream to AmericasMart in Atlanta to introduce these signs to buyers from stores all over the country, showing my designs and sharing my story. The most fulfilling, full circle moment I never dreamed would come from my story that He turned into my song.
Over the years, that original sign has evolved … different materials, designs, looks, sayings, and sizes. Made from a variety of textiles including textured wood, flat board, and even beautiful imported linen. All of these designs were simple and stunning and made for the wall, with words remaining the focus. Just over 10 years after the start of evabelle, I felt God’s direction again. I designed wall pieces for the home, now deciding to shift to small products that people can share. The line pivoted from wall pieces to small pieces and that is where we are today, stunning acrylic frames of recycled paper with special writing continuing the same purpose … powerful words for the heart.
I continue to be amazed at how these simple signs speak to so many others. I am humbled by the stores all over the country and their customers who buy and share them with others. They are all a part of this journey and allow this vision to continue to be a reality with such a beautiful purpose. Giving evabelle signs a precious platform in their beautiful stores, homes and beyond. I am forever grateful to each one that has come alongside me on this amazing ride. A journey exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine! He truly turned beauty from ashes.”
This is how the evabelle line started with a dream of a sign. God has truly used the line for the exact purpose that was put on Vanee‘s heart shortly after her heart story began. He continues to give confirmation through the beautiful stories that are shared often, how an evabelle sign encouraged just at the right moment, when needed most.