sanctuary as a noun is a place of refuge or safety. in nature, sanctuaries are places where predators are controlled so a species can not only survive, but thrive. note the word survive, we (humans) create places so other species we see as vulnerable can survive, where they will no longer be victims, they are now protected. somehow, most of us fail to do this for others, or even ourselves. sanctuaries are also known as safe places, where someone or something is given shelter.

queen anne’s lace has long been a symbol of sanctuary. as the flowers go to seed, they fold into themselves, resembling the shape of a nest, protecting insects and providing shelter for them to survive. long before modern birth control, dried seeds of this flower were made into tea, or eaten as is after unprotected sex to prevent a potentially fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall. the same flower known to be a sanctuary, allowed those able to bear children an option for that person to protect their own safety, to maintain their own nest. (read more here about the history of queen anne’s lace, or wild carrot.)

this collection is for those who have found their own sanctuaries. for those who are searching to find the best options for themselves and their families because they lack access to the basic human right of reproductive choices, for those born of people who also lacked these options, for those who fully intended on having families, yet couldn’t nurture them. what we all have in common, is finding our own places to thrive, to feel safe and nurtured.

the dew drop pieces in this collection are something I’ve been wanting to return to for quite some time now. I am someone who loves walking across a patch of grass wet with dew, to see what has bloomed each new day in their garden. revisiting this theme while we were in a drought, at the same time I was artistically and emotionally in a drought, seemed apropos. on my morning walks I wasn’t seeing dew, but occasionally I would notice droplets of water collected on leaves and petals from people who had watered their garden, as nature hadn’t provided for it. it got me thinking about nature and nurture and how they (should) have a symbiotic relationship. what we need can be found in nature, we merely need to know where to look. allowing myself the space to walk daily before working was like pruning my garden, I had learned from nature and needed to walk amongst it to appreciate being inside all day.

making art was my sanctuary. pastels, graphite, and charcoal…covered my hands as I found refuge in the pages of my sketchbooks. as my art became work to be graded, my safety in the process was taken away. I was taught art was another thing to perfect by someone who threatened my safety, taking the gift of my refuge whom my grandmother had gifted to me. my nest fell apart, branch by branch, until I started this collection. letting go of anger, accepting that I was chosen, despite not being nurtured, knowing that I was loved and am loved, knowing that some saw talent in me and nurtured it, knowing that I am now safe, I accept that I am safe, and accepting that I am worthy of love. my studio is once again a sanctuary, full of plants, filtered sunlight, my collections of dried flowers and grasses, feathers, rocks, and other objects I collect while walking my pup. and my tools, I can’t forget the hammers, torch, saw, files... the objects I use in my sanctuary, my refuge, to make pieces which share my vision, experiences, and my growth. it is a space where past predators aren’t allowed to control me. It is my place to survive, thrive and love again.

one last note, as I prepared for this collection I read and listened to quite a few books. in a typical fashion, I haven’t yet finished all of them, but was deeply moved and inspired to create before reading on, so no book reviews yet! what I did come across that I want to share with you is the Brigid Alliance. Their mission via their website: ”The Brigid Alliance supports people who must travel long distances for abortion care. Working across the United States, we arrange and fund confidential travel, lodging, childcare, and logistical assistance, closing the gap between the need for an abortion and the ability to access one.” each piece sold in this collection will have 20% donated to the Brigid Alliance (not including shipping. website sales only). please visit their site for more information. while I am speaking of abortion rights, here is why I set eighteen peridot, learn why green is the color of the abortion rights movement.

thank you for helping me process past seasons to arrive at this one. it's a brighter one, one I didn't think I was ready for, but here I am, very present in every strike of the flame, push of the saw and with each peridot I set. i hope you find safety and beauty in this collection, as I have in making it. xo, kim

ps: these items are in stock and ready to ship in 1-3 business days