I have spent considerable time in my life pondering the relationship between the material "stuff" that we fill our homes and lives with and our "spirit": that essence we call personality, style, purpose and character. I have come to believe that design is "spirit made visible." It can heal us, express us and reveal us. That which is good, beautiful and true shows– as does the inauthentic. A spirit-driven home can feel as deep as a cathedral with incense burning; or as warm as a handmade sweater; or as playful and free as a child's room. When I met Beth Harrison and learned of her
self-made silk fabrics that embed color, energy and intention into material I was intrigued. Then, I had the chance to touch, wear, and decorate with them. You can see by the result below that Beth's work is spirit-driven. Read how she describes her mission....
Kelee: I created this vignette to highlight Beth's turquoise silk pillow and cerulean blue and coral table runner and scarf. Her work is perfect for home shrines and altars– places to remember what is meaningful and affirmative. Cindy Kincaid of Kincaid Antiques opened her doors to me this week to create these photos using her stunning Asian antiques. Including: Malachite Green Mirror, wood birdcage, Beijing chair, butterfly cabinet, black antique chest and more.
Wonderful Giveaway! Comment here and be registered to win Beth's energetic silk turquoise pillow above left. Cindy Kincaid models the matching scarf (below)... doesn't it look great with her eyes? Stop by her site and shop till you drop!
Beth Harrison:
"Gazing at color, symmetry, and beauty can calm the senses, take you on journeys, and soothe your soul. I am a self-taught artist with a PhD in Natural Health. Colors are vibrational codes that speak to the subconscious mind. I love color and how it helps our moods. Having lived in Sedona, Arizona, Santa Fe, New Mexico and now Northern California has given me a deep appreciation for nature and the wonderful colors that surround us each day. Today, I enjoy crisp sunrises of bright yellows, golds and even white. I am calmed by the deep blue ocean and its delicious sea green foam, whitecaps and shades of turquoise. The mountains hold a soft grey-blue fog of comfort and security. Sunset, the most romantic time of day, offers the most moody streaks of intense hues, unexpected combinations of colors as it brings anticipation of evening's rest. I have always been drawn to the luxury of silk, a wonderful, natural protein fiber. For many years I looked for hand-painted, one-of-a-kind, quality silk scarves with the simplicity and the energy of rich, vibrant colors. But I always found scarves with dull colors and others with pictures on them (typically of fish and flowers).
While those can be pretty, they weren't what I was looking for. Because I hadn't been able to find what I wanted, and inspired by the colors of nature and her own natural fiber silk, I learned to paint on this wonderful fabric and created Energetic Silks. Silk painting is a direct paint-on with brushes method and many steps are involved before, during, and after painting. I love the way the brilliant liquid colors and energy merge to become an integral part of the fabric, which always remains soft to the touch. Movement and fluidity are the hallmark of this art form, with the colors gliding through the silk, creating sheer beauty and delight. However, color is more than decoration and pleasure to our eyes. Color is energy, wavelengths of vibrating energy, that to us appear as colors because of the capability of the object to either absorb or reflect energy. All colors vibrate and we are empowered by becoming aware of and learning to work with these vibrations and energies. And they are lovely to use in creating your sacred space.
Energetic Silks make a contemporary fashion statement and are wonderful energy boosters. You can use them as wall decorations; drape them over a chair or as table coverings in your sacred space, home, and office. Color vibrations and energy affect how we feel– and we can be empowered by using these vibrations to our benefit. Using energy-based techniques, I personally enhance each Energetic Silk with abundance, joy, intuition, vitality, love, healing, and other qualities while infusing them with rich, vibrant colors using premium French dyes. I create them in California, one at a time (never mass-produced or silk screened), no two are exactly alike."
GIVEAWAY! Comment here and you just might win Beth Harrison's hand-dyed Energetic Silk pillow above left. Answer the question: In what area of your life could you use some extra energy? Work or with the kids... or for yourself... etc. Short answers are good... long intentional ones are encouraged. See – I know you, my friends!
what a great pillow, I need more energy for myself. More energy to get out and walk like I should.
Posted by: Tonya May | July 02, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Hi Kelee
Your creativity and talent is amazing. You have made my antiques look wonderful with beautiful silks woven around the pieces. What a great combination! Thank you for including me in this production.
Cindy Kincaid
Posted by: Cindy Kincaid | June 26, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Hope I can still enter---energy for cleaning the boat.
Posted by: stay light | June 11, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Gorgeous! I want the mirror and pillow!
Posted by: jada | June 11, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Beautiful post. I could definitely use more energy in my creative life. I get so many creative ideas but I don't follow through on very many of them and I would like to.
Rhondi xo
Posted by: Rhondi | June 09, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Hi again, all!
Kelee, thanks for the mention about the pillows on my site. FYI: I can make any color/combo for the pillows--more than just what I show in the "view gallery" color choices. Mention Kelee in your email and I'll waive shipping, too (must be through Paypal for free shipping, though).
Email me with what you'd like and we can go from there.
Thanks again, ladies -- it's fun reading your comments!
Love,
Beth:)
Posted by: Beth Harrison @ Energetic Silks | June 08, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Would it matter if I just said, "I Love it!".
Posted by: sondra | June 08, 2009 at 08:02 PM
HEY!
I just went to Beth's site and those gorgeous hand-dyed pillows are only $25.00 each! You will want em all I am sure..... click on view gallery.....and at Cindy's that big faux Malachite mirror in the photo is only $790.00 !! All there is VERY reasonable too.....
Posted by: Kelee Katillac | June 08, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Great post!
I need more energy to stay focused on what's important in life.
Love the beautiful colors of the silks and its vibrant energy.
The Chinese Antiques are fabulous!
Posted by: Kamonda Phillips | June 07, 2009 at 09:51 PM
Hi Rhoda, Bebe, Debbie, Jeanette, Kelly, Mimi, Maria, Wendy, and everyone else--thank you for the wonderful comments on the silks.
Thank you, Kelee, for highlighting Energetic Silks with these beautiful antiques. And thank you also for modeling, Cindy!
The juxtaposition of antiques and silks brings comforting memories together with uplifting, soothing silk and color energy. It doesn't get any better than that...
Everyone wants energy in their life for one reason or another, and vibrant color on silk lets us attract and carry the vibration, feeling, emotion, support and life energy into every moment of each day by wearing or decorating ourselves and our personal spaces with uplifting colors to feel better. Keep in mind:
RED is for good luck, prosperity, energy, confidence and courage.
ORANGE is used for creativity and joy.
YELLOW is for self-esteem, inner power, wisdom and positive energy.
GREEN is good to use for harmony, healing, balance, and abundance.
BLUE is for communication, self-expression and visionary manifestation.
PURPLE is good to enhance psychic awareness, clairvoyance and intuition.
PINK is known for good health and life, and connecting us to Universal love.
Fill your life with color and enjoy!
Love and Blessings,
Beth :)
Posted by: Beth Harrison @ Energetic Silks | June 07, 2009 at 04:22 PM
I need energy in dealing with extended family drama! That little pillow is just what I need.
Posted by: Jen D | June 07, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Love IT!!!!! ALL of it! energy to relax--sounds weird but need it!
Posted by: Marla | June 07, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Gosh, I think I need energy to get organized. While working on our house, I'm lacking in the unseen parts of it. That pillow would sure help ;)
xoxo,
rue
Posted by: rue | June 07, 2009 at 09:08 AM
The brushes are beautiful! And the concept of the silk is so rich! I could use energy for exercise.
Posted by: joni cobb | June 07, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Gorgeous color, love that pillow. There is just something so sensual about silk. I received the scarf today. Will be working on it tomorrow. Mimi
Posted by: Mimi Sue | June 06, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I need energy to get up when my husband is up getting ready for work and workout.
Ally
Posted by: Ally0005 | June 06, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Energy for creativity and romance! I like to dance for creativity....
Posted by: Krimi Kadarrian | June 05, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Oh I just need energy, for me, to get me moving in all areas of my life.
Posted by: Kimberli | June 05, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Love it! The silks are vibrant. The antiques....ahhhhh! I need energy for my summer school.
Posted by: Wendy | June 05, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Seeing as how I don't work outside the home and I am an empty nester so there are no kids, I guess I could just use more energy in general. I used to be a clean house fanatic, but with age and a dwindling energy level my once sparkling clean house suffers. Oh to have a maid! Could you give away maid service for a year? LOL
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
I do love the pillow by the way and would put it to good use since it's in one of my favorite colors.
Posted by: Di | June 05, 2009 at 08:28 PM
Wow... beautiful! Who doesn't need more energy in almost every area! Some days more than others. AND some areas on some days more than others. Right now I would say I need positive energy....
I love the bright beautiful colors...
Posted by: brenda | June 05, 2009 at 08:13 PM
I need more energy to generate my business and make cold calls! Beautiful Vignettes here ladies!
Posted by: Maria Killam | June 05, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Hi, Kelee and Beth! Beautiful room and vignette. Love that malachite mirror, it really makes the space.
I am pretty energetic all the time, unless I miss some sleep. But, exercise keeps me going.
I have a really hard time keeping up with all the blogs & people I'd like to read. It's just impossible, wish there were 2 of me some days. :)
Posted by: RHoda @ Southern Hospitality | June 05, 2009 at 04:16 PM
How wonderful.... I adore the silks. I need energy so I can finally recover from this pneumonia and take care of my health. I am taking a year off (teaching art) to take care of my chronic migraines. Have a wonderful weekend all.
Posted by: Jeanette | June 05, 2009 at 04:05 PM
I need the energy to clean my house - create my space - since moving in almost 2 years ago, it just hasn't felt like a home. I had my other place for 10 years and even my family and friends comment I should move back to it now that it's remodeled. I need the energy - to tune in to what I need to do to make this my home.
Posted by: Yvonne | June 05, 2009 at 03:15 PM