Transition and a short introduction

We've provided a loaded blog post today.  You get to see a few pieces from our Autumnal Collection that will be available soon in our shop, as well as an early fall lookbook entitled "Transition" featuring the stunning photographical work of Nicole Cavany and hott mama Morgan Malone.

Upon reflection of the inevitable changing of the seasons, we begin to ask ourselves how to accept the loss of sumer and embrace the transition to Autumn.  We begin to realize the days will be noticeably shorter, the colors of the earth deeper and richer, and the sweaters will begun to be unearthed from storage in preparation for the northern hemisphere to begin its descent into its wintery slumber.  To help with this transition, in this upcoming collection we use:

 Turquoise: (of course) For protection from negative forces

Howlite: For its transitive properties 

Lapis: For stress relief and immunity boost

Kyanite: Promotes introspection and alignment of the chakras

Titanium quartz: For it's ability to energize the chakras

Pyrite: For stability and good luck.

Brass: Because of its copper and zinc content.  Copper is a great conduit for one's spiritual belief system and allows energy to flow between persons and crystals.  Zinc stimulates this energy and is good for the overall life forces.

Connected Necklace - soon available in Turquoise, Howlite or Lapis

Offering Bracelet - handmade brass and green turquoise

Unity Wrap Bracelet - Kyanite and handmade brass

Source Necklace - Aura Quartz and brass

Temple Necklace - Aura Quartz, Lapis and brass

And now for the lookbook!

Understanding Stones Part:1 Ammonites

Welcome to our first installment of an ongoing post series called Understanding Stones!  For the next several weeks we will be posting information about various stones, their history and their possible uses.  Enjoy!

Stone:  Ammonite

Birthstone Month/Zodiac Association: No known associations

Affected Chakra: Root Chakra

Healing Properties: Wear ammonites to assist with prophetic dreams and deep meditation.  It is told these 'stones' radiate positive Earth energy and bring good luck and general prosperity.  Ammonites are used to help find your way down a spiritual path, assist with general good health, stamina and high energy.  It is told to change negativity into smoothly flowing energy. It is also said to assist with childbirth, depression, and general survival instincts.  Ammonites helps to release karmic debris and harmful thought patterns. This fossil also works on stimulating the instincts while providing clarity and enhancing personal power. Worn as jewelry it imparts sensuous beauty and charisma.

History of Use:  An opalized fossil of a marine invertebrate went extinct to the tune of 65-240 million years ago.  It's closest relatives include octopuses, cuttlefish and the chambered nautilus.  The term "ammonite" originates from the Greek Ram-horned god called Ammon.  Ammonites were officially recognized as a gemstone in 1981 by the International Commission of Colored Gemstones.

Up Next: Stay tuned for our next installment of Understanding Stones: The Agate

Wanderlustology

I've been focusing on some wanderlust lately.  Usually, for me, it comes after a challenging or stressful time (I suppose they're one in the same, aren't they?).  This past year and a half has been fairly stressful for me.  With the purchase of our house, my partner Alex and I have had to make sacrifices regarding finances which in turn had to curb all our travel plans.  So far, we've only been able to visit family in Pennsylvania for the holidays (we grew up together there), gone on a climbing trip in northwest Georgia, made a quick trip down to the Florida Keys and went on an extended car camping trip where I had to drive back into town to work for the day then return to the campsite in the evenings.

Of course, I'm thankful to have the ability to get away at all - even for a day or two - but I'm feeling stuck.  It's been hard to take it all in stride.  To understand that the work and money toward our house is an investment?  I never wanted to own a house.  I'm not a homebody.  I like to expand my knowledge of the world through exploration and travel.  I feel burdened and in limbo.  On one hand, it's really nice to feel the ownership of the place I live in.  Before I moved to Florida (I was living in Portland, OR at the time), I didn't have a single room call 'home.'  All of my earthly possessions were stored in a small storage unit and set up like a walk-in closet.  I lived in extended stay hotels and sometimes stayed with friends.  Once I sublet a room for a couple months, but couldn't justify the cost of the lease because my job had me traveling so much (a minimum of 5 days a week, sometimes for a couple weeks at a time).  I had been a Stormwater Supervisor for one of the largest asset maintenance companies in the nation.  I got to see a lot of the Pacific Northwest, Montana Idaho and Nevada because I had to drive from location to location for inspections and maintenance.

Along the way somewhere in Wyoming 2011

Elk and geysers in Yellowstone National Park at dusk 2011

J. N. Ding Darling Nature Preserve 2012

In a retention pond in central Florida 2012

Before that, I spent a year and a half in the wilderness of Washington State and in Forest Park in Portland through AmeriCorps working on building and maintaining recreational hiking trails and bridges.

Mount Adams Wilderness 2009

Mount Saint Helens NVM wilderness tool & supply drop 2009

Volunteer party carrying in wood to rebuild a bridge in Forest Park 2010

I'm ready to take a trip.  Somewhere.  Anywhere.  So I'm beginning to plan.  Everything is in a state of impermanence and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm planning for my re-emergance!

Kings Range Conservation Area CA 2012

Triple Falls Trail OR 2011

Triple Falls Hike 2011

Understanding Stones Intro

Greetings!  In the next couple weeks, I will be introducing you to a new series called "Understanding Stones."  It will offer a more in depth view of the history and uses of the materials I have used in my work the past 15 years and to hopefully help you gain insight into the energy around us.  Stay tuned!

Mermaid Soulskin

Since our inception, we have been inspired by the beauty that is Laura Mazurek - the creative force behind Roots & Feathers and The Bohemian Collective.  Once again, she's blown us away!  Check out a few photos below from her latest lookbook entitled Mermaid Soulskin.

Find the rest of the lookbook here!

Survival for the Sensitive Soul

Rebelle Society blog posted this in May, but I found I needed to come back to it while feeling lost lately.  Here are 6 Sweet Survival Tips for Super Sensitive Souls to help you along your journey - or help you to understand people who share the sensitive trait.

Pic taken from our Summer 2013 Lookbook

Beauty in Freedom

I originally saw this on the Wolftress blog and HAD to share!: