Part 1 of Crafting Meaning with Angel Ornaments

Read Part 2: "Handmade vs. Mass-Produced Angel Ornaments"

Read Part 3: "How Angel Ornaments Tell Your Story"

Hey, friends! I’m Jen, the heart behind Forged Flare^®. I craft original handmade angel ornaments in North Texas with so much love. These keepsakes carry deep meaning. In today’s tough economy, running a small business is hard. I’m thrilled to share how we create our angel ornaments and why they shine so brightly.

The Heart of Handmade Angel Ornaments

In 2019, I lost my 11-year corporate remote job. Health challenges made onsite work tough. I’ve faced health issues my whole life, but I always rise above. In 2020, the corporate interview game frustrated me. So, I chased my dream: starting Forged Flare^® with my art. Our Mother’s Angels^® collection features layered designs with birth flowers, ribbons, or animals. These angel ornaments symbolize hope and remembrance. Unlike mass-produced decor, we handcraft each one here in the United States. Their flat base lets you display them year-round.

Our Texas-Made Process

I start each angel ornament with a hand-drawn sketch. Inspiration comes from quiet moments or customer stories. Here’s how we bring them to life:

• Sketch and Design: I hand draw designs and vectorize them in Adobe Illustrator. Then, I convert them for our laser cutter.

• Prototyping: I test prototypes, picking colors and styles of acrylics to use alongside our sta les of sapele wood and MDF. This creates a durable three-layered, stained-glass-inspired look. Some designs need multiple prototypes to perfect.

• Crafting: Each ornament is carefully cut, layered, and hand-finished in small batches — a process that takes hours from start to finish. The center design? Every piece fits together like a puzzle, requiring precision and patience. It’s meticulous work, and it shows in every detail.

Some of the acrylic and wood sheets we use come from other small U.S.-based businesses just like ours who share our passion — and while we don’t import materials ourselves, we know some of our suppliers occasionally use imported raw materials or components. Others even make their own acrylic sheets in-house. We’ve managed to avoid the worst of recent tariff impacts so far, but we’re keeping a close eye on things. All of this slow, intentional work is part of what makes our angel ornaments so special.

Running Forged Flare^® isn’t easy in this sluggish economy. I juggle roles — designer, marketer, packer — without paid time off or benefits. My husband, Chris, an animator, helps when we need extra magic. We hire local help during busy times. But with sales slowing, we dive deeper into the daily grind. Every sale keeps us creating.

Why Our Angel Ornaments Matter

Our angel ornaments have a way of finding the right people at the right time. We hear from customers all the time who share the most touching stories — how they discovered us during a difficult season, how one of our designs spoke to them, or how a gift helped someone feel seen and loved. These messages mean the world to us and remind us of why we do what we do. In Part 2, I’ll share why our handmade process stands apart from mass-produced decor — and why investing in something made with heart is always worth it.

Ready to find the one that speaks to you? Explore our Mother’s Angels^® collection and discover an angel ornament that holds meaning for your heart.

Explore Our Collection of Angel Ornaments

Read Part 2: "Handmade vs. Mass-Produced Angel Ornaments"

Read Part 3: "How Angel Ornaments Tell Your Story"