Luscious Offerings of Venerable Earth

This was the first time I was asked to create an anklet for someone. As always with my stones, I am pleasantly surprised and happy with how it turned out. Here is another of this year’s commission pieces, happily in their humans hands now. Or...on their ankle now?! I Am Tended To Multi-coloured Tourmaline, stirling silver Ohm charm.... Grounded is one of those words that is used frequently (and casually) these days. Oftentimes when we excavate the deeper sentiment of what we are looking for, words arise like centered, balanced, supported, present in the density of our body, experiencing connection to the web of life, or feeling ‘of the Earth’ as the adage goes. ‘Grounded’ is a firmly rooted foundation. A tree stands tall and reaches to the sky with its branches, while underground a network of roots holds it firmly in place. The tree can be affected by storms and winds, but it bends and sways with the conditions instead of becoming uprooted by them. For this piece, the experience of instilling a sense of groundedness felt more like supporting the essence of the whole. The energetic embodiment of the idiom ‘I’ve got your back’. This piece tends of the many facets of our being, and allows us to be and do what it is we need to.

Presents are now unwrapped and family time has commenced, so I can safely share another of the commissions I made for a very special human, from her very special human. I really love creating for these people. The stones always have such beautiful stories to tell and they openly receive them. Empowering Your Voice... Blue Chalcedony, Petrified Wood, and Sandalwood. An excerpt from the story and message of the piece: When I was quiet and asking for help in what was best suited for the creation, I was given images of (or the essence of) supporting and drawing from the root chakra of family/tribe, basic/primal needs being met; and the confidence, esteem and security we have in who we are in this world. If we do not draw our voice from these foundations, our words are flat, dull and without life. Supporting these states will actuate a fire and an authentic imprint of who we are in all we say. How can we speak our truth with ease if we are struggling to feel a deep abiding love, or if we feel we have lost who we knew ourself to be? Our voice opens with more ease when we acknowledge our vulnerabilities, needs, desires, questions and curiosities; when we lean into the structures that help create who and what we are.

Tisserand Institute is a great place to get solid, safe information on effective use of essential oils. Here is a link and a list to begin looking at essential oils that may support you on your therapeutic journey. Make sure you check for any contraindications when using with medication or for certain pathologies (epilepsy, asthma, etc). There is no doubt in my mind though, that these plant powerhouses are effective helpers when used correctly.

Suzanne Botsford is a certified aromatherapist, medicine gatherer, jewelry maker, and creator of special small clay pots. In a previous life she was a social service worker, and believes strongly in the powerfully transformative nature of Life’s alchemy as it is lived. Bring the sacred into every day My story is sprinkled throughout this page. It is simple & it is as complex as the galaxies themselves. And it is always changing as I interact with Life & Love & my Self. I d...o what I love. I do what makes my heart sing and gives me joy in this life. I do it from the comfort & sanctuary that is my home. I take solace in Earth's treasures and feel that communing & collaborating with these gifts brings the Sacred into our every day lives. They bring beauty & awareness to our thoughts, actions and how we want to relate & integrate in this world. If we are going to adorn ourselves, why not choose to do so with something created with love, intention, attention to detail, and beauty? I always seek the special in my core supplies - stunning natural gemstones, lustrous woods, sterling silver symbols that bring us back to focus on what is important to us. My work is one of listening to stories; of communion. And I am lucky to have a space in the larger community to share my passion & be supported in my creations. Luscious Offerings of Venerable Earth is LOVE...and in the end, the continuing story of Love is all we really need.

It’s been so very long since I’ve posted or been active on here. But I couldn’t help but share a glimpse of the gorgeous new commissioned bracelet I just finished. I’m crushing pretty hard. I am so grateful that I have incredible humans that just show up in my emails and ask me to create a little magic for their people. They get what it is I do and even if they have to wait a little, they are happy receive the kind of effort and quality they have come to know me for. The atte...ntion and ritual is worth the wait every time. This luminescent little story packs a punch with Kunzite, Dumortierite, Grey Agate and Agarwood. I See My Value, I Know My Worthspeaks to self love, reconnecting with our innate wisdom, breaking down the barriers we build to overcome our heartache, finding clarity and generating a sense of strength from within. It holds us and our boundaries as sacrosanct. Creating these last few days has been a great pleasure and a welcomed visit with old friends. I get so much as I weave together what the stones tell me to. And then that magic and joy travels on to its intended human and they begin journey of their own. #beadedbracelet #crystaljewelry #stonehealing #gemstonejewellery #madewithlove #handmadegifts #commissionedart #setintentions #celebratebeauty #supportyourmakers #christmasgifts #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #kwawesome #loveonetsy #lusciousofferingsofvenerableearth

Exciting research is being done/studied right now. As always, plants have fascinating properties for the body’s potential for healing and recovery.

A gorgeous fresh punchy oil!

Adrienne Lewis Brown is an extremely talented, creative woman who has put together her first zine for a school project to help folks in this time of quarantine. I am super thrilled to have contributed a little slice of information on hanging with some helpful crystals right now. The illustrations are beautiful and the content may just spark something for you. Have a read. https://online.fliphtml5.com/sfdrw/ytlm/?1585692305157

I was feeling called to share some of the insights and info I was getting from the stones today despite the fact that I feel like shitola and haven’t washed my face or barely gotten dressed. I have never done a video on here before and all things considered it’s funny I chose to do it sick What bits are you getting from the stones right now? What are you being called to hang out with?

I thought I’d share a little tidbit here after I commented on a friend’s post about good tips during these trying times. Side note: I am an immuno-compromised person with autoimmune conditions and have been hit with two challenging virus/bacteria in just over a month. A dance with Corvid-19 would be deeply concerning for me. I’m having enough difficulty shaking these sinus, bronchial infections. Okay on to the suggestions! For those using essential oils or that have them si...tting in cupboard (dark, dry & cool cupboard right?!) a tidbit of info on oils you may not know - most all oils are antibacterial and antiseptic to some degree, however oils like lemongrass, melissa (very expensive oil but fabulous), clove & cinnamon are antiviral. These are classified in functional families as Aldehydes and are very potent AND ALSO not super friendly to the skin so dilution, dilution, dilution is very important (less than 1% of a topical blend)! They are great for personal inhalers though and can definitely be used in an vapour/atomizer (check safety guidelines per oil if you have kids, seniors or folks with compromising health issues like asthma, epilepsy or autoimmune). Oils that are high in monoterpenes such as tree oils are great for bronchial/respiratory issues - black spruce is my favourite and local to Canada (often sourced in Quebec). Obviously oxides - like eucalyptus- are the ‘rambo’ oils for decongestion but again be mindful and check safety sites like Tisserand Institute to see if there’s any contraindications such as preexisting breathing issues as it is a bronchodilator. Plant oils are great resources in times like this however they need to be respected and used with care. Stay safe, be kind, find your happy. See more

My research paper (based on my case studies) was written on neroli oil’s impact on experienced anxiety. I still find botanical oils so fascinating!