Let's MARCH

myself, Jann and Carole at the Womens March on Washington 2017

 Just about this time a year ago we (all women) made history, it felt good to participate in democracy. If you didn’t march last year, you have another chance, if you are not happy with what is happening with your government it’s your right!
Get your friends together and make your voices louder, bring your signs, get your message out there and don’t worry, each city will have their own march - check with www.womensmarch.com for marching locations - this years march is about getting out the vote!
Womens March is January 20th - see locations in your city - larger Marches are expected in Washington DC and New York City.
Las Vegas March is January 21st
If you want a fistacon t-shirt we have some on the website, or just get a white t-shirt and write your own message on there!

Funny enough, it’s also the anniversary of making my necklaces... previous to the march I was making them for friends and family, then I brought them with me to the march. I made a few necklaces for everyone (we had a bus of 50 people) and found that it was all about the power - amplifying our power from within. This was when I realized that it wasn’t just me who needed this... we all do! Maybe it's because until I'm are comfortable with power I need a reminder of how powerful I am, of keeping my strength, and growing it. My crystals are not the answer but they help me to remember, every day!

use code: ‘power’ for 25% off my crystal necklaces

I’m making more, to bring with me, so adding new pieces every day! I hope you can place your order and get your piece in time for your march! Or just take this opportunity to get yourself a crystal that you have been looking at... I have a renewed stash of crystals, my favorite part is finding crystals to make the necklaces with - so if you are not seeing what you want please drop me an email and I will make anything you need!

I took my new stock of crystals down to the ocean at sunrise this morning and did a nice mediation and laid them out in the water to take in the clean ocean water. They are in the sun and will take in the moon in the clear sky tonight. It's my happy place. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make these lovely pieces.

click here to see my current stock or email me if you want something in particular.

Many Moons :: 2018 volume 1: January - June

I am so happy to be able to offer you these magnificent books, I hope you take advantage of them. They are as much a book as a workbook and no matter how 'enlightened' you are, or at what level you are in your practice this book will be wonderful for you. Even if you are a beginner like me, you can touch your toe into the pool of becoming stronger, more focused and moving to your 'center'. I found that this book gave me the tools to look deep inside and come out with a way to work that makes me happier and 'lighter' because I like what I do so much more, it has more meaning. Through her text Sarah makes it all feel so welcoming and as if you are talking to a friend. I honestly can't say enough about this book, if you get one for yourself I would suggest to get one for a friend you know will appreciate it, I feel so good that I can share this book with as many people as I can.

Each moon phase is explained with ceremonies to do for each - which is my favorite part! To sit with a candle, crystal and meditate - she gives you suggestions or you can make up your own ideas to mediate on, it's powerful and magikal.

And I am sorry to say that this is the last year that Sarah will be writing this book, it was a three year journey for her and then she will send us all off like little snowflakes to do good in this lifetime. I hope you enjoy!

shop the  book on my website here - they sell out fast and when they are gone, they are gone!

love - carina

conscious city guide

I stumbled upon this wonderful website Conscious City Guide which lists events going on all over the world, with one thing in common - these events are all good for you, good for your soul and good for you as a human being, they are 100% created to make you feel better about yourself and why you are on this planet. AND I am pretty sure that some events are free others have an option to purchase a ticket. With headline words like: RETREATS, MOVE, INSPIRE, NOURISH, CREATE, GLOW, and CONNECT you can easily find something going on near you, there are completely obscure or large events - it's all good. I would suggest a visit and see what's going on near you, this is new so I predict it's just going to get bigger and bigger!

Or maybe you want to list your won event... host a meditation!

 a bit about the founders Mel Nahas and Kiki Falconer -

we are women who woke and want the world to wake.

we come from many fields with a unified mission: to raise consciousness.

we have come together to collaborate because now is the time to unite, to gather our tribe and allies.  

the earth needs us. we need us
I am excited to see this community grow! Perhaps if you are traveling it's nice to check and see if there is anything interesting going on in your destination.... more to do, always more to do!

Conscious City Guide

California Fire Help

My friend Jess Brown got together with some of her friends to create a website of artists and makers - 100% of all the proceeds go to help victims of the California Fires. Check out the website here: www.californiafirehelp.com

The donations keep flowing in and as long as they are coming in she will keep the website going. So far they have raised $19,000 with 100% of sales to Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund.

(I even have a piece on there :)

Have you ever thought about living on a boat!

It's a particular dream of mine, my boat (in my dreams) would be docked somewhere in the Mediterranean, not in front of Barclays London - but anyway.... I used to draw my converted tugboat on napkins when I lived in San Francisco - I promise you there was more than one drunken drawings of my lovely boat and I can still make that sketch if you ask me (it involves a hammock). So when this beauty came up on the Dwell blog I started to count my money, unfortunately I didn't make it... Maybe next time!

The details on this boat are amazing, the rustic outside compared to the quite beautiful and luxurious inside - pared down to the essentials but still, somewhat luxurious (I mean there's a queen size bed for gods sake!).  So the price quoted by Dwell... $424k! Not bad... two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living space and even outdoor living space. I mean it takes a very special life situation to live on a boat, but who knows, maybe that's YOU!

click here to see the full story on Dwell

crystal meanings... there's an app for that!

So is there a fantastical app for those of us design freaks who also love crystals. You know what I mean, well designed, simple, gorgeous graphics - you're all set with STONE. With this app you can look up your favorite crystal and find it's the crystal app to bring a little light to your modern life (just like my netted crystal necklaces!). See, it's not only me who thinks everyone should be wearing a crystal these days, it's these guys at STONE too (designed by Jack Flintermann)

It carries this lovely description
STONE has:
- Elegant design and intuitive functionality
- Beautifully captured crystal specimens
- Short-and-sweet descriptions of crystals and their super powers—written just for you

An always-on, easy-to-access manual of minerals for your back pocket or the bottom of your Birkin bag, STONE is the perfect companion for the uninitiated and crystal cognoscenti alike.

Please enjoy with an open mind.

Follow us on IG: @stoneproject
And on the web: stoneproject.co

Disclaimer: This mobile app is intended for informational, educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not, and is not intended, for use in the diagnosis of any mental health conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of depression, anxiety, or disease.

So in case I forget to include the description of your stone when I send it to you (it can happen to the best of us) you can check your app. A lot of people want to buy a crystal for a friend, this would be a good place to do a little research and see what you want to get them - then I can net you a crystal of your choice!

Good vibes all around... am I right!? (thanks Laura Forst for turning me onto this one!)

It wasn't easy for me to find the app (maybe it's just me...) so here's the link!
find STONE here

renovating a mobile home

renovated Winnie!

I know I am not the only one with this dream, does your heart jump when you drive by a sweet looking Winnie? Who cares about a Porche when you can have an Airstream? Well if these are your dreams as well take a look at this 1982 Winnebago that was renovated by a young couple and they did a pretty bang-up job! Just gives you an idea what a little imagination and a bit of elbow grease can get you. And your days of touring the USA could be just a hearbeat away!

add your own personal touch with handmade handles etc...

this image gives you a full view

This renovation took them a bit longer than they thought but the result is so comfortable and just like HOME. These two quit their jobs and set out on a cross country trip for a year - time to find a new place to call home, maybe it's the open road!

The story was in an online Dwell magazine article - see the full article here.
It will give you all the details and quite a few BEFORE/AFTER images that will knock your socks off!

LET'S HIT THE ROAD....

zenbunni - new moon: rabbit report

I don't know about you but the newsletters I choose to get have become a slim group of lovely happy emails that I am actually excited to get... I look forward to them - some for their graphic beauty and some for their delightful information. ZenBunni is a bit of both, this is a youthful couple who always enlighten me about things be it - biodynamic chocolate or the moon phases (I think they have a lot to do with each other...) - and I also just like who they are and how the move in the world. If you have a friend that is going to California I have one suggestion, ask them to bring you back some of their chocolate! Or you can sign up for their chocolate club (yes, you heard me right there's a club for chocolate and why are you not ALREADY part of this club you may ask!) I have been trying to bring their chocolate into the shop for a while now, but haven't gotten around to it, I promise to try to make it a priority! But for now sign up for the CHOCOLATE CLUB: 


On each Full Moon you'll receive a variety of ZenBunni chocolate goodies not available in shops + other delights ranging from Biodynamic Seeds and Teas, the highest quality skin care products, hand crafted art pieces, and endless more collaborations with Makers and Earth Friends.


Now, doesn't that sound delightful! It's $39per full moon cycle and so wonderful. Don't miss signing up for their new moon rabbit report, it's a check-in and for instance the one I got today reminded me to check-in with natures cycle. I think the summer is a very busy time for everyone, carting our kids from camp to sleepovers, etc... and we rarely take the time to give to ourselves, slow down, walk into the garden and find the wonder that is growing in our back yards. We ask our kids to do it, but sometimes we forget to do it ourselves. They reminded me to take a nap in the afternoon, which I shall do tomorrow just because they told me to - they used the term "self-nourishment" and I like that term!

enjoy and I hope you sign up for their newsletter! (and I HOPE you have signed up for mine too!)

click here to visit their blog
or
click here to visit their website

What the future looks like for Nonchalantmom - hint: it's sunny and bright!

I think some people think that being a shop owner is one of those jobs that doesn't really count, maybe it's a job that is just a bunch of fun or maybe there isn't a lot of talent involved.... you know what I mean. I've always been a bit "shy" when I'm at a party and everyone is talking about what they do for a living and I do my best to keep my name out of the conversation. But really these days I feel like it takes so darn much talent that I'm proud of myself that I am still in the game, when so many have fallen by the wayside, I'm still here. It is not easy to navigate the retail landscape, and these days, well... it's just not what it used to be - there was a formula, buy wholesale bring it into your shop and get as many people in to see said wholesale item and sell it, wait 90 days and put whatever is left on sale, it was followed and we were all fine. But not anymore!

I should take some credit here as I was one of the first to internet-tise the local shop, but the absolute upside down of retail these days is so very hard to understand, much less try to make a living at it! For a couple of years now, I have been in - "what the heck is going on" and "what are we going to do?" mode and I must say that we tried it all - but I do know this... it's not about the S A L E, that's the beginning of the end, it might be hard for you the consumer to hear that because the consumer has been reaping the benefits of all the retailers not knowing what else to do so just go on sale and then maybe you will be able to pay your rent. I watch, I listen and I hear what's going on - with my closest friends also shop owners we are all having the conversation about what and where do we go next.

I am still not sure where it is we will go, but I do know this - it's changing. And these are the things that I am thinking about:

- I know where I want to spend my money, I know WHO I want to give my hard-earned money to and I know what their face looks like - I want to know the person who made it, designed it, had the idea, sewed it, polished it, found it, pieced it together - yes, that person who MADE it.

- I want to go to my local grocery store and find things on the shelves that are well-designed, have less ingredients (and I can READ them), and I now will be good for me - I don't have to question that very basic thing that makes it a FOOD. And the only place I can do this is the Farmers market, my local co-op or Whole Foods (lucky you if you have other options in your area).

- If a company is making something somewhere else, they are being socially responsible about it. They are spending time in that place and helping the people realize that what they are making are appreciated by consumers and sharing that benefit. But, I am always checking to make sure there is sincerity in this outreach and it's good to do your research here and know the people you are dealing with on food, clothing and home items.

And most of all there is no place for greed in this bright new world, that's the world that I want to help create with my business and it's what I want to foster and grow. It's the people I want to be with, these are the people that I want to walk into my shop and I want to spend time with them. Because otherwise this project is just not so much fun or meaningful.

So back to my shop, because things ARE changing. You are not going to see my shop full of Fall 2017 collections, my vision is that you are probably going to get a few new things for yourself in the next season and I hope to have those things for you. I am going to focus on more seasonless clothing, wear-now clothing, less is more and special pieces are yes... special! I will have just a few, I am in it to sell through it and move on. Since I am not going deep into clothing I will have other special items that I think you will like and peek your interest. Slowly introducing incense to make your room more enveloping and luxurious. Oils and scents that will help you move through your day in a calm and awakened state. Jewelry that will make you feel like you are your own person, a unique individual even if you are wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Things for your whole family so that they can be proud of what they wear. I hope to teach you to mend your things that are broken, make your current clothing more YOU and maybe even make some of your own jewelry. And if that all works out we will add lots of exciting things that will bring a smile to your face and make your body heal itself.

I do feel that second had has a place in this landscape, I have always been a huge fan of second hand - - one persons trash is another persons treasure! It's so terrific to give life to what might otherwise be thrown away and since I have a lifetime of experience at this I am pretty choosy and I think I am pretty fair about how to price things. I hope you find treasures for yourself in the flea market section of my shop.

I am going to continue to deepen and make more jewelry, pottery and some other projects that I can't wait to get my hands into, I want half of my shop to be things that I have made myself (that's a long term goal!) and surround that with vintage, talented makers and designers, and things I find along life's journey. Because we are all in this together and I can't wait for the next chapter to unfold. Now that I have created my own website I am so much more flexible to move and change on a whim. I am sure that some of you have ideas for me and I am always happy to hear from you, it's been so special to meet so many of you in my shop, many people that I have known by name for 14 years and now getting to know with your once a year visit to beautiful Rhode Island.

now THAT'S the future!

Many Moons - only a few left!

In case you haven't ordered your new Many Moons workbook for July - December 2017 I hope you can get in there and order, I just have a few left - and when they are gone, they are gone! These books have helped my journey to inner peace with myself and also navigating my way through this seemingly crazy time that we are experiencing with lots of negativity surrounding us. It has helped to put me in a peaceful space, set goals for my work and open new paths that I only dreamed about before. I found a way to be more active in my decisions and this all came about with the help of these workbooks! They are written in the most familiar and inviting way (I've grown to love the typos). She asks questions that help you to reflect on your personal path - but I happen to like her suggestions, they are the best!

Many Moons is written by a collaboration of people under the name "Modern Women". Sarah Faith Gottesdiener brings together this great group of collaborators who help to bring a diverse amount of information and a wealth of knowledge.

Find the books on my website here

working hard or hardly working

from top to bottom: smoky quartz and tourmalated quartz (explained this below), quartz crystal (small), Labradorite, quartz crystal (large), Lemurian Seed Crystal (very large!), Smoky Citrine, Amethyst - these are all off to Japan ;)

Yes, I would say it's the former. In fact there is some much going on here that I'm getting pulled in fifteen directions - but I love it! The best direction is my new jewelry collection (still no name yet - HELP!) and if we are lucky enough to get a snow day I plop myself down and make necklaces all day long! There are so many aspects to this new adventure that really speak to my passions - the crystals themselves, I've been a lifelong crystal hoarder and if a class or anything comes up on the subject I am THERE - when I was in my 20's I used to work with a woman who was akin to a Shaman, she enlightened my life - and crystals were her thing, she taught me so much. And you know how it goes, once your heart is opened to something you can't help but move toward it.

I search out crystals that are clean and clear - healing crystals. They are not treated with heat or anything - I clean them in the ocean to open and clear any energy. Then I put them out to bathe in the New Moonlight - for new beginnings, I also think they take in that mystical moon energy and finally I lay them out in the bright sunlight of the beach - so that they can charge their energy. Crystals will come to you - they make their way to the person they need to be with, and even if you are buying them from me online I carefully choose a peace (ha play on words - piece) that comes to me chosen for YOU. Because let's face it I know most of you over these last 12 years we have gotten to know a bit about each other (well you probably know way more than you wanted to know about me - but I have a story about each of you as well). Even if you "think" I don't know you I have a story about you, it comes through your name, or maybe where you live or maybe it's what you buy... but I have a story built around you! But I promise not to tell anyone... sshhhhh...

smoky citrine top is more brown in color, the smoky citrine I found was polished - I usually like them raw but you can see all the beautiful inclusions this way and I trust the fella who did the polishing, he stuck with the natural shape and just polished to softness

On my last trip to find new crystals I came upon a batch of fantastic Smoky Citrine - this is a very special batch and some even have 'phantoms' in them (crystal speak for incredibly special crystals!) I did some research and found that Smoky Citrine has the properties of both Smoky Quartz and Citrine, and they work perfectly in harmony. While the smoky quartz can bring grounding energy, the citrine which is sometimes called the stone of prosperity - attracting wealth and success, it also brings happiness and generosity. It balances yin and yang and dissipates negative energy. The beauty of the way I make these netted crystals is that you can wear your crystal on the outside for people to see, but it can also be nice to wear inside close to your body lying next to your skin. You get the full benefits of all their healing properties of the crystal. Unfortunately I have just a limited batch of these guys... I hope to find some again in my crystal hunting.

from left to right: quartz crystal (large), smoky quartz, tangerine quartz, small Lemurian Seed crystal, large Lemurian, polished smoky citrine, rose quartz (tumbled), small quartz crystal, medium quartz crystal, amethyst

You can do additional research (and I encourage you to do so) because some are good to wear on your heart, or solar plexus - I have even heard that it is beneficial to wear Labradorite on your third eye because it can provide clarity and insight into your destiny (it's also nice to keep next to your bed at night!). There is so much to learn folks. When I send you your crystal you will receive information on your piece to help you use it, but go out and find more!

I have started to play around and combine crystals (top photo - top necklace), personally I wanted the energy of Smokey Quartz and Tourmalated Quartz (for luck!) so I made one for me with both... just test driving at the moment but I will make these available online soon. If you have a special crystal that you want me to net just email me and let's work it out! Or if you want me to find you a particular stone - email me! I'm happy to search it out, or who knows I might have what you need! But don't worry this line will continue to evolve and change and GROW (I love that word!).

namaste :)

A bit storytelling in the new year...

I am going to share a little bit with you, probably not appropriate by some standards but here I go.. coming into the new year was very rocky for our family personally. While the Holiday time is great for my store, we came out of it with just enough to pay off who we owed for my inventory - whew! This is living by the seat of your pants that is our life - the life of two self employed people. Needless to say in the coming year I am using my workbook "Many Moons" to work on asking for more, creating more and being stronger in the coming year.

Last night I was feeling so strong as I read my workbook and started jotting down my intentions for the Full Moon (Thursday nights full moon), I love the way Sarah writes because she knows what crazy lives we all lead and that we can't necessarily sit down on the exact night of the full moon and gives us space to work on it a night or two after - I am just glad that I am doing it. As I write things down I realize I am in a good space and the coming year has many surprises for me and that my new adventure in making jewelry, making a lot more things for the store, is going to be wonderful for me on so many levels. It will fill my heart, it will give to others and adding to the beauty in the world. Just what I wanted - so I went to bed content that strength was coming on many levels. I laid out my new crystals to bask in the light of the full moon, to drink in the energy of what the Cherokee call the 'Cold Moon' (the January full moon has many names). I made a small prayer and all was good.

That was in the quiet of the night. The morning brought chaos - it's Saturday so the weekend is usually swedish pancakes in the morning, I figured we could make it work even if we got up late for Franny's Basketball game - we "got'er done" and arrived just in time for the game to start. As Franny said from the back seat, it's okay because really this is the last year that she was doing Basketball, effectively saying "I'm not trying to impress anyone anyhow". Then we wanted to take a walk on the beach before I had to be in the store, so that we could wash the crystals in the ocean.

We took the crystals down to the ocean to wash them, I stepped into the water a bit to get them deeper into the water so that they could be submersed. Then a wave came in stronger than I thought, I jumped back just in time to trip, while holding my net full of crystals up and planted face first on top of the wave. Boots, socks, sweater over two t-shirts, cashmere scarf and down jacket - faceplanted on the sand and surf. This was not my beautiful crystal cleaning ceremony that we had done before... it had gone so well last time. We drove home in silence, I was caked in sand, soaking wet and cold - then Franny and I looked at each other, I had sand on my face too! and we started laughing. Well THAT must have looked interesting from the beach! (what the heck are those two girls doing!?)

Wet and cold I tripped on the stairs at home, dropped by tea all over the floor this was not my version of the day. Until today I had felt some momentum towards a 'things are going right in my direction' people were coming into the shop with so many good things to say, the Holiday season had gone well in the shop and I felt that there was an opening for a change. But the day had confused me and made my second guess my triumphant feeling. Then I realized I had just got my period. In Macroboitics I have learned that when you have your period your body can be clumsy, unbalanced and weak because it is basically out of balance - your CHI is off. This came as quite a relief to this day that I thought was going to screw up my good karma or my centered-ness about the coming year. Now I realize it's just a passing and that tomorrow, things will be better.