WHY THE NAME?
They say: Out of darkness comes the light. I understand this all too well. Having lost both my husband and father to terminal illnesses within a year of each other. My whole world changed, and along with it, all I once believed was important. For the first time in my life, I began asking some really tough questions on the road to rediscovering my lost self. So, in an important way, my husband and father's death drove me to find purpose. I consider it the greatest gift they could have left for me.
Mother Earth's healing magic, comforted and inspired me as I walked through my grief. I sought pleasure in all things woodsy and wild; of land, sea, and sky. My creative pursuits became the healing salve and the impetus for Love and Light Gifts. My designs are inspired by nature's extraordinary beauty; earthy and fresh, restored yet aged, complex yet simple. Every piece is fashioned from found treasures collected along the island shores and forests I frequent. It is in these revered retreats that I am renewed, and my creative vision begins. Each item is unique, speaking its own artistic expression as mystical enchantment. Crystals, bone work, feathers and more, are styled while deep in the creative flow, working as one, in Spirit with the elements. Upon completion, a final blessing is bestowed, flowing with gratitude to the receiver, a beacon of LIGHT full of LOVE.
FINDING MY FUR BABY, MY MUSE
Mr. Chappell is my mature, rescued Tuxedo cat, although I'm not sure who really "rescued" who. One day after we adopted each other, I found him rolling around in my fur, feather, and leather bins with a look of complete joy on his furry little face. Man, he loved these natural, earthy goodies as much as I did! Together we came up with a new line of cat toys as shop offerings, with Mr. Chappell acting as the chief product tester. He took this role very seriously by giving me his final opinion on whether or not the item met his discriminating play choices with PURRfect clarity.Â
HOW I PICK WOOD FOR MY DESIGNSÂ
When foraging for wood for my designs, I like to keep things raw and real. I look for pieces that have unique angles and markings. I have found these things add interesting detail and speak of their journey. I purposefully keep the character of the wood to preserve the history…their story of transformation. This is the mystical energy we feel when holding the piece. Why sand away the precious evidence of life from each piece of wood, when the beauty of its journey is marked so clearly on the surface? I imagine what the wood would say if it could tell me its story. Was it cast ashore by a terrible storm after being adrift on the sea? Would it speak of its role as a refuge for tiny sea life in the making of its new exterior? Was it once a vibrant limb of a majestic oak that broke away, laying on the forest bed now marked by tracks of hungry ants? All this waiting for discovery, waiting to be admired, waiting for someone to recognize the beauty manifest on the exterior.
WHY WE LOVE FEATHERS
Feathers are sacred symbols of freedom, flight, power, and protection. Smudge feathers/wings are often used in ceremonial practices to clear away negative energy, but they can do so much more! You can use Feather Fans in healing sessions, meditations, prayer sessions, channeled writings, or any time you want to connect to Spirit.