About Us

Mustard Seed Training is a team of faith-based artisans creating materials for praying with children, launched in 2018 by catechist and woodworker Meagen Farrell. In March 2019, we embraced the CGS materials making ministry of Atrium Woodworks. Our artisans may be available for custom orders; please see contact information below. We make:

 

For customer service questions, please contact shipping@mustseed.org or +1 330-282-6691.

Financial/administrative mailing address: 1675 E. Main St. #257, Kent, Ohio 44240

Shipping HQ: 333 S. Elm St., Jefferson, Ohio 44047

 

You can join the conversation!

 

Meagen Farrell headshot

Meagen Farrell is an author, trainer, and woodworker who lives with her husband and boys in Northeast Ohio. She founded Mustard Seed Training to strengthen families to grow in faith, love and charity. She makes all the sheepfolds and empty tombs. Her personal hobbies include reading, swimming, and supporting small or local businesses. You can reach her at learn@mustseed.org or 216.973.4977.

Before transitioning to religious education, she spent most of her career as a teacher, author, and trainer in the field of adult basic education. She helps fellow educators adapt to change by finding a balance between face-to-face and digital instruction. Her best known publication is Teaching Adults: A GED Test Resource Book by New Readers Press. She is currently certified in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) levels I, II & III and serves in an atrium in Alliance, Ohio. Meagen earned her BA in Religion from Oberlin College, Certificate in Distance Education from Penn State University, MA in Theology and Religious Studies from John Carroll University, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Educational Technology at Kent State University.

 

Colleen Darby smiles in her wedding dress with tiara

Seamstress Colleen Darby is a young fashion designer who lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband and chubby orange cat. Her contributions are marked with the sub-brand "Mustard Seed Sewing" and a yellow background on photos.

With a Bachelors in Fashion Design from Kent State University, Colleen's focus has always been on formal wear especially bridal wear. She enjoys making CGS materials while continuing to develop her own special occasion garment line. Colleen is planning to branch out into religious garments including baptism gowns and young girls dresses for First Holy Communion as well as flower girls. Contact her at littleflowersewing@gmail.com with your special occasion requests.

 

Thomas Polak, Counselor at Grand River Academy in Austinburg, Ohio

Woodworker Thomas Polak is father of several atrium children and incorporates woodworking as a counselor at Grand River Academy. Thomas partners with designer Wyatt Bratt at Bratthaus woodworking studio, selling custom furniture and refurbishing local landmarks in historic Austinburg, Ohio.

 

 

Michele head shot

Shipping Manager Michele Szewczyk is a proud grandmother, formerly a homeschooling Mom of four (now grown), and passionate about the care of animals and the environment while managing South Elm Farm. In addition to managing fulfillment and customer service, she also blends our Chrism-scented oil and salve. She enjoys traveling (as a retired military family), reading, cooking, and crafting herbal remedies.

 

Curtis head shot

All-around artisan Curtis Wickline makes our dioramas. Based in Jefferson, Ohio, he created Wickline Customs to help customize your lifestyle. In addition to custom work for individuals, Curtis makes worship aids for churches incorporating wood, metal, engraving, faux finishes, and airbrushing. Follow his work on Facebook or call/text to discuss a custom piece: 724.734.3777.

 

 

Joan head shot

Artist Joan Bratt enjoys using a wide range of media including graphite drawing, watercolor, sculpting, and painting. She joins the Mustard Seed Training team to create a line of materials for families to grow in love with God and neighbor. She balances her art commissions with writing and illustrating children’s literature. You can view her work at seventhsisterart.com.

 

 

PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTORS:

Smiling Anne Marie Darby

Seamstress Ann Marie Darby is a homeschooling mother of eight who managed to carve out her own private sewing room. For seven years, she sewed our CGS materials in between projects for her local parish, Scouts, 4H, public library, and active family farm. Her daughter Colleen has taken over the mantle of Mustard Seed Sewing. She received her BSN from College of Mount St Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. She enjoys creating beautiful visual items to enhance worship experiences. Follow her work on Instagram.

 

Betty Jo sews in Dallas, Texas. Mustard Seed Training is pleased to offer her original patterns. Check out her Etsy shop to see what's new!

 

Larry Lindahl has left woodworking, but previously lasercut all our 2D figures from high quality birch plywood. He had over 25 years of experience with laser cutting through his eBay shop which included unfinished Christian wood shapes and much more. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

 

Pastor Quincy Wheeler with wife and children

Pastor Quincy Wheeler lives in Ohio with his wife and children. They see the Risen Christ everywhere they walk and talk, even today. He is the author of three Little Mustard Seed Library books on biblical geography, which he wrote and photographed on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land funded by the East Ohio United Methodist Foundation.

 


Chloe Becker is a Harvard graduate who hails from Rocky River, Ohio. Her artwork focuses on strengthening the Catholic Church's voice against racism. She painted our St. Nicholas prayer card and works help to educate others on the lives of underrepresented saints. Follow her on Instagram.