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Written with hope

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:33:31 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Hope is the beacon that shines in the darkness to draw us forward out of the darkness.

I truly have hope and allow myself the belief that we really are coming out of the covid darkness and the light and joy of things we do together is really going to happen this year. How incredible that this is something to treasure - I know I took it for granted up to the first lockdown, just over a year ago.

May our angels wrap their wings around us - and send extra angels to all those who have lost loved ones during this unprecedented time. At least we were able to all be with my Dad when he battled cancer,.

So, we have our first confirmed booking for our stall, at the RHS Rosemoor fayre in November here in Torridge, Devon. I have taken the chance of spending some money on new stock, and on materials to make some new lines ourselves too.

I hope and pray we get to share them with you in person, as well as online, this year. I hope we all get to share our positive energy with each other too, bringing light and love where it is needed, reducing the density of negative energy which can bring us down so much.

I look at this photo and it brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. We had such fun that day. We felt and we shared joy and laughter. Braunton may have wished we did not sing quite so loud though!

Lots of love, Alana at Celestial Heart

A bit of magic

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 10:44:19 GMT

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I love Christmas. It does not matter what is or has been going on in my life, putting up my tree, sitting with all the twinkling lights on and finding little gifts that make people smile or even cry always cheers me up and puts something warm back in my heart.

This year is going to be extra challenging, and not just financially for so many of us. Up to now, I am not sure that we will be taking our stall to any Christmas markets this year. We are waiting to hear from the last organiser about Braunton and Bideford. I would rather be safe, but having also those lovely local traders and crafters on hand has always been a great source of those little gifts for me and I like supporting the smaller businesses.

So I am thinking about less money and more time and effort for this year. Personalised angels and food is my recipe for a bit of extra magic! I have been painting little wooden angels white this weekend, and I am thinking that I can paint a name or a meaningful word on the back, make them special to the person I am giving them to . They fit nicely over the neck of a bottle too. I have really struggled to find angel statues that I like that are not hugely overpriced, so I am going to order some clay and have a go at making my own. I also have found some lovely recipes for candied nuts and for cakes and sweets, which I can wrap and finish with a little angel or tree of life.

All this seems so small when the real challenge is going to be if we cannot see our family or even worse if any of us are ill. I cannot imagine how it must feel to not be able to visit loved ones in hospital, or to be totally alone in such scary circumstances. I ask Archangel Michael to protect us all and to give us the strength and courage to face the challenges sent our way this Christmas. I also ask Archangel Raphael to heal those unwell, and to let them feel his comforting and healing presence.

with lots of love and pure white light, Alana.xxx

A little bit more about Guardian Angels ....

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:05:02 GMT

I have been learning a bit more about our Guardian Angels, and in particular the best way to connect with them . I was fascinated to learn about the Cosmic Law of Non-Interference, sometimes referred to as the Law of Free Will. I have read that this universal law prevents angels from taking decisions for us, so even if they can see that we are struggling or suffering, they cannot step in and help us without our express permission.

That is why you often see messages, verses and writings saying that you have to ask your angel for help if you think this would be supportive of you.

I have also read that we have to have good intent behind why we are asking and if they do help, the support given has to align with the angel's divinely given purpose. I have included reference to this in the verse I have written.

Being separated from our loved ones so directly over recent months has lead me to look more and more to my angels to help me, usually when I feel that I am exhausted and worn down. This is when I usually feel a bit rubbish and like I am failing myself and those around me who need me to be strong and full of positive energy. After asking for help it is wonderful how often I receive a positive post with the exact words I needed to hear, or a phone call from family or friends that lifts me just when I need it, and on a couple of occasions a precious moment of peace that helps me to rejuvenate enough to pull myself together and keep going.

Our angels are with us, wrapping us in their wings when we are frightened or tired, by our side every second so that we are never alone.x

Angels - an introduction part 2

Sat, 06 Jun 2020 15:21:09 GMT

The hierarchy of angels and an introduction to Guardian Angels

The 9 Orders of Angels

If you put ‘levels of angels’ in to the google search it will provide you with a list of the 9 orders of Angels. These are also set out by Diana Cooper in ‘A little light on Angels’ and are detailed as follows, in descending order:

1. Seraphim – described as there to praise and worship God

2. Cherubim – described as surrounding God

3. Thrones – described as charioteers around God

4. Dominions – nations

5. Virtues – miracles

6. Powers – monitor the celestial border between Heaven and Earth

7. Principalities – Guardians over nations and leaders of our world

8. Archangels – most commonly know includes Archangels Michael (in Christianity is ranked highest as the leader of the heavenly host), Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, and Chamuel. Archangel Metatron is placed highest of the Archangels positioned on the Mystical Qabalah, the Tree of Life, in books I have come across, including those by both Christine Core and Dion Fortune (although in others it is Sandalphon!).

9. Guardian Angels – ministering angels that interact most with us in the course of our daily lives.

Guardian Angels

My own experiences with angels are fundamentally with the 8th and 9th orders, Guardian Angels and Archangels, so the rest of this introduction focuses on these wonderful celestial beings. Guardian Angels are the order described by numerous authors and spiritual teachers are being those closest to us in our everyday lives, so I am going to start with them.

If you look up ‘Guardian Angels’ on Wikipedia it gives the following initial definition:

A guardian angel is an angel that is assigned to protect and guide a particular person , group, kingdom, or country. Belief in guardian angels can be traced throughout all antiquity.

The concept of angels that guard over particular people and nationalities played a common role in Ancient Judaism , while a theory of tutelary angels and their hierarchy was extensively developed in Christianity in the 5th century by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite .

The theology of angels and tutelary spirits has undergone many refinements since the 5th century. Belief in both the East and the West is that guardian angels serve to protect whichever person God assigns them to, [1] and present prayer to God on that person's behalf.

There is a lot more that can be read about the historical religious references to Guardian Angels as indicated by the following list of contents:

Contents

· 1In the books of the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament

· 2In Judaic rabbinic literature through modern Judaism

o 2.1Rabbinic literature

o 2.2Late and modern Judaism

· 3New Testament

· 4Christianity

o 4.1Perspectives

§ 4.1.1Catholic Church

§ 4.1.1.1Angels as guardians

§ 4.1.1.2Saints and their angels

§ 4.1.2Anglican Communion

§ 4.1.3Eastern Orthodox Church

§ 4.1.4Lutheran Church

§ 4.1.5Methodist Church

§ 4.1.6Reformed and Presbyterian Churches

· 5Islam

· 6Zoroastrianism

· 7Literary usage

· 8In popular culture

· 9See also

· 10References

· 11External links

Guardian Angels as constant companions throughout our lives

Guardian Angels are identified as having a number of roles in support of us. Of these, many of the books and articles I have read describe Guardian Angels as Celestial Beings who are allocated to us individually and who are by our side throughout our lives on Earth, from birth to death. They are described as wanting to help us to achieve our highest potential and also as not judging or wavering from our side – even if we do not hear their guidance and allow ourselves to be diverted by lower energies, such as greed or jealousy.

As someone who regularly has very positive and helpful ideas, suggestions and solutions arrive in my mind out of the blue, I am very open to having received and heard guidance from my Guardian Angel.

What is truly wonderful, and has been a great support to me, is the feeling that you are not alone, particularly when times are difficult.

I am someone who is uncomfortable with conflict and aggression. I am not sure how I ended up working in Human Resources for 20 years, where you are often supporting colleagues through upsetting processes which inevitably bring out anger and insecurity. I am glad I did though - it taught me to always remember that we are all people, that deserve to be treated with respect and empathy. Being able to ask my Guardian Angel for guidance and also to speak with the Guardian Angel of the other person/people involved to share positive intent helped me have the courage to face and work through difficult situations with positivity and kindness.

I opened my mind and heart to the existence of my Guardian Angel at a time of great personal distress. I channelled my unhappiness into prayer, asking for help for myself in the first instance and then gradually extending this to others. The more I considered others, the stronger I felt. My own situation was still distressing but people came into my life and supported me – most of these people were in my life already but not in such a major way – just what I needed, when I needed it. I am sure that my prayers were heard and answered.

Guardian Angels helping us to be less judgmental

We live in a world where the media and entertainment industries often try and create black and white characterisations, identifying people as either good or bad, decisive or indecisive, weak or strong. My understanding of Guardian Angels has helped me see more clearly that we are all capable of so much that is good, and are all facing choices and challenges which we may or may not choose to complete in the most positive way. It has helped me keep in my mind that a person is a person, with feelings, insecurities and worries, whatever process I am having to support them through, for whatever reasons.

The fact is that we are all human. We can all be swayed by our lower energies one day and make decisions supportive of others and our spiritual development the next. This can be especially volatile when we are tired or stressed or emotional. Negative choices may directly impact us, such as when we eat or drink unhealthily, or spill out onto others, where we release our upset in unkind words or actions towards them. These actions are not entire. They do not define us and should not label us as good, bad or indifferent for ever and a day. Our Angels do not judge us by them and I am trying hard not to judge either. This is ever more important, I believe, in a world where social media can capture a snap shot of our behaviour and label us with it for millions to see. Fake news is not just about twisted or fabricated political stories. How we are being presented to each other, and the world, is often narrow, boxed and can be hugely damaging.

Our Angels are with us, love us just the same, if we make choices that are for our best future or not, our best development or not. They are showing us a true and wonderful way to consider each other.

Guardian Angels as Protectors

There are lots of writings, including a section on Wikipedia, referring to our Guardian Angels as our protectors. This can be traced back through time, including to the ancient Mesopotamians, who looked to guardian spirits called ‘the shedu and the lamassu’ to help protect them from evil.

This is most often in respect of children, and is something specifically referred to in the Bible, Matthew 18:10. The most common image of a Guardian Angel is that of a beautiful angel standing next to a group of children, her arms open, her face looking upon them.

There have been times when I have read or seen things that really upset me, especially where children are being hurt or abused, and I feel helpless to help. One such report was on young girls being married for a day so that they could be sexually abused, arranged with approval by religious leaders and with indication that it is up to them if they hurt the girl as she will be their wife for this time. Having two daughters of my own, my stomach churns when I think of the report. I have asked the angels to protect them, to wrap their wings around them and to somehow let them know that they are not abandoned or alone. It does not feel like anywhere near enough and even as I write this I know I can do more to expose this horror and to support the work undertaken by the undercover team who revealed this abuse. I hope that my prayers can provide the angels with a bridge of light that allows more and more angels to reach and help these children.

I feel in my heart that I am not alone, and believe that my angel is with me, trying to guide me (when I allow myself to listen) and loving me without judging. It is reassuring to think that my children have their angel with them too and we are none of us alone, even when the world leaves us desolate.

Angels - an introduction

Sat, 23 May 2020 16:04:44 GMT

Opening and Definition

An Introduction to Angels by Alana Marie Smith

I have been receiving encouragement for a while to put together information that helps others to understand a bit more about angels. Hopefully this will help those of you who want to an introduction to angels. It would have been the foundation of my workshops this summer, but as they are all cancelled due to COVID19 I am hoping a couple of blogs will be useful instead.

This help may be for those of you who want information because you are feeling alone and/or are in need of support for one or a multitude of reasons. It may be that you want to learn more and want to develop spiritually with angelic guidance. It may be that you are just drawn to angels at this time. I hope that this introduction will give you enough information to help you take the first steps on your angelic journey.

My own journey began at a time of immense distress in my life. After 18 years of marriage and 22 years together, my relationship had broken down and ended in divorce. I needed strength and courage and was unconsciously looking for support. I found myself drawn to cards and books I had never looked at or even noticed before, and having a very strong impulse to buy and read them.

I soon found that there are a lot of books and articles out in the world on the subject of angels. I found that the information given in Diana Cooper’s ‘A little light on angels’ and also the messages in Doreen Virtue’s ‘Messages from my Angels’ cards felt right for me as an introduction. I hope that the information I have pulled together is a good starting point for you, and that from this you are able to find further reading that feels right for you.

Open your heart and mind and trust your intuition.

It can feel as though a lot of the information available about angels contradicts each other or is overwhelming in volume or language. I have come to realise that this is OK. Some information pushes me away from it – I am not ready for it or it is not what I need to focus on at this time. Some is written from a very personal connection and the journey of the author and what they feel and need to receive distinctly colours what is presented. I have found others are connecting in different ways and their messages are influenced by the energy, source and media that they are connecting through. I have come to accept these variances rather than be confused by them. I have also come to realise that I gain more when I trust my own feelings, visions and messages and accept them as right for me – even if they differ from some of what I have read.

What are angels?

Logic tells me to start with a definition. As I am currently in quarantine and away from my books, I have leaned on the internet for help and google gives the definition of an angel as:

‘as spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent or messenger of God, conventionally represented in human form with wings and a long robe.’ It says they are also often described as a ‘celestial’ or ‘heavenly’ beings.

We can easily give evidence of well known examples of angels that fit this definition, not least Archangel Gabriel in the Nativity. There are lots of depictions of Archangel Gabriel appearing to Mary and then flying above the shepherds, robe flapping and wings outstretched that perfectly capture this definition.

Angels and similar representations have been around a lot longer than this though, and have a place in many religions, mythology and cultures across the ages and the world.

In her book ‘Angelic Reiki’ Christine Gore sets out a history of angels which captures this. She refers to ancient Egyptian use of imagery of wings attached to human form, and also the importance of the feather as a symbol to them.
Greek and Roman mythology also reference winged messengers Hermes and Mercury.
The Islamic religion also includes a belief in angels. Wikipedia references that this includes that ‘they are created from light’ and are described as tall and beautiful.

You only have to put ‘angel’ into the search line for GIFs or angel images in google to find lots and lots of illustrations of angels that capture these overarching definitions. There is something very beautiful and serene about so many of the images, I am sure many of them have divine inspiration at their core.

They help me to feel the clear and positive energy I associate with angels, but I have an open mind as to what they actually look like. Every time I sit and calmly ask for help, talk through my worries and say thank you for my blessings I feel the same wave of peace. This is what angels are for me, this and a calm, quiet voice that places wise and kind suggestions and solutions into my mind and heart.

Hope this is a helpful start. In my next blog I set out the 9 orders of Angels and share information about the 9th Order, Guardian Angels.x

Are we supported and guided by Angels?

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 13:33:09 GMT

I believe we are and that white feathers and other repeated signs are their way of letting us know we are not on our own, whatever we are going through.x

I often find a little white feather waiting for me just when I am feeling rubbish and like I am failing myself and those I love. I choose to take it as a sign that there is a celestial being looking out for me, trying to give me guidance that will give me hope and a positive approach.

I love to wear my blue angel necklace that my Mum bought for me - I hold on to it and ask for help. Whether what comes into my head is divinely placed or just that this act gives me a chance to hear myself above the chaos of being overwhelmed or emotional, it does not matter. It helps.

I chose the angel wing necklace above to be part of our 925 silver range because it was simple and beautiful, and lovely to touch when I am wearing it. It gives me that little reminder I need and is my favourite of the necklaces we sell, and has been very popular with customers too.

It has been lovely to hear other people's stories over the summer - including one lovely lady who has seen her Guardian Angel. Lots of people have shared who they are buying our angels for and why. Clearly Archangel Michael, Archangel Raphael and all of our Guardian Angels are showing us they are there in lots of different ways, and it was wonderful to hear that our angel gifts would help continue this is a small way.

We would love to hear how you know your angels are with you. May they keep you all safe and well.x

Margaret has been having fun during half term!

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 12:24:44 GMT

and Celestial Heart confirms presence at Combe Christmas 2019!

We have all had a great half term at Celestial Heart, with Liverpool flags flying, BBQs and lots of fun with our family. Now it is back to work and we have confirmed our stall holder presence on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th November 2019 at the Ilfracombe Christmas lights switch on and arts and craft market.

Local North Devon artist, Margaret Smith, (and my mother-in-law) has enjoyed painting her beautiful white feathers on large pebbles for Celestial Heart, as you may have seen. During May she has been having fun painting chickens and parrots amongst others just because! So I have a couple of work in progress photos to share.

Thank you everyone that came to see us at Pigstock, and to Alison for inviting us. We had a wonderful day! I did not think it would be so family orientated. Our girls loved it all, the live music, the BMX shows, the food stands, their first festival glitter and the really wild show animals. We are definitely going again next year and secretly hope that CBeebies Andy the dinosaur man comes back again - it was fabulous to see how many smiles he brought to the children watching - who knew a lot about dinosaurs it has to be said!

Celestial Heart is going to MBS 2019!

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 20:33:01 GMT

We are taking our angels to the Mind, Body and Soul Festival at the Big Sheep, Bideford on 27th and 28th April!

Celestial Heart is delighted to be taking all of our angels and robins to the Mind, Body and Soul Festival at the Big Sheep, Bideford next month! We will be there both on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th April 2019 and are really excited to be part of this great local North Devon event. If you are in the area come and see us!

Quirky Guardian Angels at Celestial Heart

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:19:26 GMT

Guardian angel gifts and a little bit of vintage at Celestial Heart

I have added some very reasonably priced and quirky Guardian angel and vintage lines to the website today - have a look and let me know what you think! I am giving free postage a try on some of these items to try and keep prices as reasonable as possible.

The Margaret Smith White Feather postcards have arrived and are ready for sale as a set of 6 for just £5. the angel wings Guardian Angel necklaces with the Guardian Angel card are up and ready for sale too. Thanks to those who asked about them.

Happy March everyone! I have had a lovely white feather left for me today, just when I needed it.x

Angelic Intervention and Brexit

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 22:02:36 GMT

Praying for Angeic intervention to please help Parliament come together for the sake of our beloved United Kingdom!!!!

My word, I know that it is not just my perspective that we are in a right mess in the UK right now.

If government were a business, the senior management team would not allow half the management resource to be paid to obstruct (and they would all have to evidence skills, knowledge and strategic understanding for the areas they manage!). I have worked for some amazing organisations in my 52 years on this world, and worked with some phenomenal management teams. We achieved the best results when we worked together, when we used all of the skills available to us, and when we united behind a common goal and vision, even if this varied from our personal suggestions/visions.

We have had to change our vision for the future here at Angel Cottage! Every time we watch the lovely Angel and Dick Strawbridge in 'Escape to the Chateau' and dream about taking on such a project of our own, we bring ourselves back to earth with the thought of what impact Brexit will have on such adventures. We really hope that it does not hinder the intrepid Brits who have already made the move across the channel. We have stopped listening to our learn French CDs in the car and are looking for a run down farmhouse or manor house to restore a bit closer to home!

I strongly believe that Theresa May and her government should have invited Parliament to come together to put forward what Brexit should include so that all views were considered the day after Mr Cameron departed Number 10. I also think that somewhere in the process there should have been a follow up to the referendum which gathered information regarding why people voted as they did (leave and remain given that the vote was so close), so that key aspects of this could also have been part of the negotiations. The way Mr Corbyn is behaving however, we may not have been too much further on than we are now, but at least it would have been a more informed position to negotiate from.

But here we are, now in a position of crisis. I voted remain, but accept that the result was leave and I truly believe that is what we now should be doing. Not in a rush or to the detriment of businesses that keep our economy and people's lives, their ability to pay the bills, stable and secure, and not without careful planning. How can they even be thinking of making such a massive change in such a short amount of time? We put more detail and preparation into changing people's shifts in my previous HR roles than there seems to be for the huge range of massive changes this will bring.

Being solutions orientated, I cannot sit by and not do anything. So, I have asked Archangel Michael to visit Mrs May and Mr Corbyn to see if Angelic Intervention can succeed where the discussions and arguments and disgraceful lack of consideration for what is best of our nation has failed. I hope he has time to visit every MP (I understand that Archangel Michael may be omnipresent, so it is a possibility!) to try and convince them to come together, to stand together so that we do leave Europe and that the leaving is actually worth all of this and all that is to come. Archangel Michael is the angel of protection - something we need in the UK at this time, protection from the self focussed campaigning of the labour party, from the insular approach of the conservative party and from the stubborn posturing of the key players in Europe. He also brings courage and strength - may he infuse our parliamentary representatives with both, and with the focus required for such a massive change for us all.

Why not join me in asking for such angelic intervention - I am sure they angels listen to us all, whether we are one or a million, and if we are a chorus rather than a single, quiet voice, who knows - maybe they will send thousands and thousands of celestial beings with their celestial wisdom to help us all in our hour of need!

Guardian Angels

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:18:52 GMT

Our Guardian Angels are always with us …….

I have read that we all have a Guardian Angel who is with us from birth until death. I have an open mind about all things spiritual, and whilst I am not expecting robes and wings necessarily when I eventually pass onto the next stage of my journey, I find it comforting to think that there may be a positive celestial body with us always, especially when things are tough and we feel really alone. I might rewrite and make new cards for the little angel wing necklaces I sourced above - I am never 100% with being told I have to do something in this way - it is a bit the same when those posts come through on facebook telling you to share if you want something to happen, I never share them. I do like the necklaces though, and that they may just be enough of a little reminder that we are not alone to help us stay strong and to work through our troubles.x

North Devon Food & Craft Fayre, Barnstaple

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 12:24:35 GMT

Celestial Heart's first market stall for 2019!

Celestial Heart is delighted to have confirmed their presence at the North Devon Food and Craft Fayre being held on Sunday 14th March 2019. The Fayre is in aid of the North Devon Hospice, and is being arranged by the lovely Lin Hills - there are still spaces if stall holders are interested (just £15 a table or £25 a bay).

We will be taking all of our new lines, including the lovely angel wings silver jewellery and the lovely hand crafted pebble art work made exclusively for Celestial Heart by Margaret Smith, my wonderful Mother-in-Law. We have also ordered printed postcards of the original painting by Margaret of the white feather shown above, which will be for sale at a very reasonable price (6 for £5!) Margaret has very kindly gifted me the painting, so it is also a Celestial Heart exclusive. I am looking into some limited edition art prints to sell on the stall/website and will keep you posted.x

The Christmas Fayre organised by the same lady November 2018 was fabulous, so do come down to the Pannier Market to see us all! It is for a fantastic cause - the care at home team allowed us to ensure my Dad's battle with cancer took place exactly where he wanted it to be, at home, right to the end. Please share this blog and support Lin in spreading the word. Look forward to seeing you all and hopefully having a good chat - in November I had a virus which meant I could not speak, I was more devastated at not being able to catch up with everyone than with being so poorly!x

Hedwig models new Celestial Heart bling!

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 21:11:28 GMT

Gorgeous 925 silver angels wings diamante drop necklace now available to buy online

Hedwig the Owl looks particularly glamourous in the newest line in 925 silver jewellery at Celestial Heart! She can be found wearing a beautiful angel wing necklace, set with tiny diamante stones. The drop chain from the centre of the wings is set at its end with a larger single diamante. It is lightweight, delicate and bling gorgeous! Thanks Hedwig for being such a low maintenance, beautiful and very fluffy model! with no fee, she was also very 'cheep':)

New! 925 silver jewellery at Celestial Heart

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 22:48:15 GMT

925 silver angel wings and diamante hearts - new at Celestial Heart

We have been busy searching for the perfect silver celestial heart jewellery and have found some beautiful necklaces and earrings. 925 silver, they are a beautiful mix of angel wings, hearts and diamante in both diamond white and pale purple. Check our jewellery section on the website store - and let me know what you think, either here or on our facebook page (celestialheartuk).x

Please keep the roads clear Archangel Raphael!

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:54:12 GMT

I really want to get to the Spring Fair at the NEC this weekend!

I have read that Archangel Raphael is the angel to ask to be with you when you are travelling, as well as for healing for yourself and others. Well, given the white sheen on our roads at the moment with more forecast to fall, I am asking if he would mind very kindly clearing the roads to Birmingham by Saturday so we can still go to the Spring Fair at the NEC!

I shall be attaching one of our 'Archangel Rafael' keyrings to my car fob just in case it helps!

Having spent a number of years working with some wonderful individuals involved in the children's hospice provision in the South West, it is amazing to me how that same serene, calm, caring energy that I associate with Archangel Raphael is present in the incredible care teams and doctors that I have met, and also in a lot of the children.

Like many of the children and families supported by the hospices, my Dad entered the cancer battle at too late a stage for treatment or cure. I asked Archangel Raphael to wrap his wings around my Dad, and to be by his side with us during that terrible time. I believe he was and it helps me to think that Dad had support in the darkness before entering the light.x

Angel Feathers

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:08:04 GMT

Why we smile when we find them here at Celestial Heart!

We smile in our house when we see a robin (because it might be Grandad) and when we find a white feather (because the angels are letting us know they are with us).

We are a fairly practical family, and we know that there is also a chance that next doors cat has caught a bird. However, there are lots of times when they turn up just when we absolutely need them to, and that makes us smile (and feel not quite so on our own), even when things are tough.

I do think that the angels were guiding my Mum-in-law's brush when she painted the white feather shown in the picture! Also, she sent me this picture just at a time when I was feeling rubbish, and it has brought a smile to my heart.x

Valentines and Mothers Day gifts at Celestial Heart

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 12:12:39 GMT

Our new section brings together lovely gifts that are low in cost and high in gorgeousness!

Here at Celestial Heart we have been busy making up lovely angel charm bracelets which are only £5 each and would make ideal valentines or mothers day gifts! The first of these, our lovely angel with heart design, has been uploaded onto the website for purchase.

We have created a Valentines and Mothers Day section that brings together our angels and hearts that would make lovely gifts at this special time of year. Please check it out and let me know what you think!x

Bring Celestial Heart magic to your event!

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 12:58:25 GMT

The Celestial Heart market stall is planning 2019 - let us know if we would be a good fit for your event!x

Here at Celestial Heart we are already designing new additions for our regular and Christmas ranges and setting up the dates and venues for our market stall for 2019. If you run an event and we would be a good fit then please get in touch, we would love to hear from you! Our range will have more hand crafted elements in 2019, and will continue to be made primarily made from lots of environmentally friendly materials including glass, metal, fabric and wood. During the non festive season we have beautiful angels and chirpy robins as well as our angel wings urns and cremation/in remembrance jewellery.

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous 2019.x

Winter Sale at Celestial Heart

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 17:04:25 GMT

Check out our new category for some great bargains!

These lovely knitted Nordic angels are two of the gorgeous Celestial Heart products to make it into the Winter sale! Check out our new sale category in the store. There are pictures below of some of our other sale stowaways!

Want to send something re-usable this Christmas?

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 13:31:42 GMT

Our environmentally friendly Christmas angels and reindeer could be just the thing!

We are going to a reuse and recycle event tonight and it does make you think about the environmental implications of everything you use. Hair dye, plastic gloves and food packaging are all getting me thinking about how I can reduce our single use plastic further. And of course there is the dreaded Christmas list - everything our girls want comes with a cardboard box full of plastic!

If you are looking at David Attenborough and the save the planet messages, and if you are thinking about all those Christmas cards that get thrown away every year we might be able to help. At Celestial Heart we have a selection of sets of wooden Christmas angels, reindeer and decorations that can be reused every year and can be recycled or will biodegrade when their time is done!

All of the sets shown can be sent large letter, so the postage is reasonable. and I enclose a Celestial Heart card, which has a little angel charm tied to it (with biodegradeable string). I am very happy to add a message to the back of the card, which is blank - just email or message me on facebook. I will send you a picture before posting so you can see it first.

I am trying to source as many environmentally friendly products as I can this year, and hope to make more of our own next year, so I know where the materials come from AND they do not need to be sent to me in PLASTIC!!!

It is fantastic that we are all trying so much harder, but .......

Environmentally friendly favourites

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 14:22:43 GMT

The Celestial Heart family is specially chosen for its biodegradeable and recyclable materials!

As a family we are doing all we can to reduce our use of plastic. The Celestial Heart family is no exception, and are primarily made from fabric, wood, metal and glass. Even the string that ties our little charms to the recyclable business cards and provides the hanging loop for our decorations is biodegradeable.

Our standing Santa, snowman and nordic angels are a great example of this. Santa's face is made from fabric and his beard is cut from a wool sheet. His buttons and his legs are all wooden. We have decided not to buy bags for the stalls, instead we wrap everything in tissue paper and we use paper and cardboard based packaging for our website purchases.

We are in the process of writing to all of our suppliers to ask them not to wrap any of these lovely environmentally friendly items in plastic. In the meantime we reuse everything - so if your parcel comes with bubblewrap or plastic to keep your Celestial Heart purchase safe, you can rest assured it is being used more than once!

Join us in the battle against plastic! Purchasing from Celestial Heart and other like minded retailers is a good start, and there are loads of other things that we are doing here! We buy fruit and veg that is wrapping free, we use biodegradeable bags for our bins, look for white plastic trays that can be recycled when we cannot buy packaging free (like with meat) and buy our milk from the local farmer direct in glass bottles via the #milkiosk. We know there is more we can do too - if you have any great tips let us know, we will post the best on our facebook page!

Kingsley School Xmas Fayre

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 21:23:43 GMT

How we got on ....

Celestial Heart had a lovely time and met some very nice people at Kingsley school today! We were a bit quieter in respect of visitors in our upstairs location, but the wonderful range of stalls and the nice, dry, warm hall made it a lovely place to linger and wander, and everyone seemed to have a good day.x

We had great results selling our natural woods, with the double sided white star, tree and heart sets virtually selling out, 5 of our reindeer family leaving home and the set of 6 wooden decorations proving popular.

The highlight of the day was definitely the children of the Kingsley School Choir coming up and singing some Christmas songs for us. Best rendition of Jingle Bells I have heard ever - it is just fabulous hearing childrens' voices sing songs they like live! There was swaying and everything!:)

Buckland Brewer next, Saturday 1st December between 11am and 3pm in the new Village Hall (in the warm again!!!)

Standing Santa and Snowman now only £17.50 each!!!

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 12:10:55 GMT

Great value, gorgeous nordic design in natural colours.x

Standing Santa and Standing Snowman now only £17.50 each, £32 for two. Researching local retailers, this is great value - they are a lovely quality and design.x The store is set up to send one of each if you buy two - if you want two the same, email me and I will make sure you receive what you want. I can fit two in one specially sized box, so the postage is kept to a minimum.x

Barnstaple Christmas Fayre 18th November 2018

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:16:03 GMT

In aid of the North Devon Hospice

Thank you Lin Hills and the team for a lovely day, which was very well organised and a pleasure to support, and thank you to everyone who came along and bought our wares and helped make it worthwhile.

The set of 4 zinc angels for £10 proved very popular and sold really well, as did the set of 6 Christmas mooses for £5, the Christmas pegs and the Winter Angel. The stars of the show were definitely the faux fur angels though, with the lovely ladies in grey shining particularly bright, and over half my total grey angels going home with new owners!

Our stall was very twinkly and christmassy, but took me far to long to set up, so I am looking at what I can do to save myself a bit of time! Really good response to our lovely range though, I am so pleased. The only negative for me was that I was so poorly and could hardly speak. I love chatting to everyone, and just could not do it! I still met some very lovely people, including some of my old work colleagues from Children's Hospice South West, and also the stall holders around me, hailing from as far away as Holsworthy and Lynton, and all with a story to tell with regards to the service the North Devon Hopsice provides.

Thank you to my youngest munchkin for her help - her teacher would have been very pleased to see her using her maths so practically, and she developed some good customer service approaches! Not bad for 9 years old.xx

Our family is complete!

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 14:13:29 GMT

Angels, birds and Santa fly in and get ready for Sunday's Christmas Fayre!

Finally! Our lovely nordic angels in their knitted red with white and white with red outfits are here and we can get everyone ready to travel to Barnstaple on Sunday for the Christmas Fayre in aid of the North Devon Hospice!

The little metal Santa bells are quirky, but I have to admit that my favourite latecomers are the birds on their twigs. Wearing their wintry hats and combining wood and metal natural materials, they are just gorgeous. I am already thinking of a design to make our own 'robin' variation next year.

I will have some of the newcomers up on the website before Sunday, and will do what I can to keep the postage as low as possible. The faux fur red and white angels go really well with the angels in their knitted outfits. I will look at doing a little nordic angel Christmas box with the usual discount.xxx

Our first Christmas Fayre

alanamariesmith@hotmail.co.uk (Alana Smith) — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 13:52:42 GMT

Barnstaple Pannier Market Christmas art, craft and food market for the North Devon Hospice

Our first Christmas Fayre of 2018 is being held at Barnstaple Pannier Market on Sunday 18th November 2018. All stall holder proceeds are going to the North Devon Hospice. Their community based nurses made it possible for us to care for my Dad at home to the end of his short battle with cancer. He hated hospitals and this was the greatest support we could give him at this terrible time. It is great that our first outing is helping such a great charity.

There are over 80 stalls booked - a range of christmas food and drink, craft, gifts and art that will help with those tricky gift decisions, and also get us all in a festive mood before the Barnstaple light switch on that evening!:)

come and meet our gorgeous Celestial Heart family there, including our standing Santas and Snowmen, the wooden reindeer clan and our very heavenly host of angels, be they wooden, glass or fabric.

If you are local, I look forward to seeing you there.x