An interest in crystals and alternative medicine has led Stacey Young to the creation of what she terms handmade 'crystal healing jewellery' under the name Guan Yin Crystals.Young, who lives on a farm southeast of Otthon, said the line of jewelery is something which just sort of happened.
"I've always like crystals and rocks, and stuff like that," she said, adding later she is like a child still collecting and keeping small rocks she finds. " I was always really drawn to them."
Asked what it is about stones that draws her to them, Young paused a moment before responding.
"I don't know. It's just because they can heal. They're pretty. They sparkle. They shine," she said.
Young said she certainly finds crystals calming, and suggested others feel that too in her home.
"A lot of people like coming to my home because they say it's very relaxing," she said. "I say it's because of all the crystals I have everywhere."
While the interest existed, Young said creating jewellery was never something she had considered."About a year-and-a-half ago I learned Reiki," she said, adding she quickly recognizes "a lot of Reiki practitioners use crystals."
Reiki is an alternative healing method Young said she was initially "very skeptical about," as she questioned "how could it actually work."
However Young took a Reiki course and said she was convinced. "It's amazing."
Young explained Reiki is about energy transfer.
"It's basically the white light of heaven that channels through me and heals you," she said, adding she looks at it "as a stress reliever." With less stress people feel better and bodies can heal. " It's almost like a deep meditation."
The connection between Reiki and crystals got Young doing her first pieces, "simple little wraps" on stones generally just for family and friends.
"It was my Reiki master that suggested I wrap them and sell them," offered Young.
That was about six months ago, and Young said the response to her creations has been good.
"It's all just been word-of-mouth, and a couple of trade shows," she said, adding people like the individuality of the pieces.
Young said each piece is unique in that she does not follow a pattern, but wraps the stone according to its size and shapes.
"My Mom asked if I have a pattern, I said 'no, I just wing it'," she said.
No solder or glue is used.
"It's just wire and twisting," she said.
Using different colors and thicknesses of wire, Young creates a range of items, including pendants, ear rings, rings, key chains, bracelets and car charms.
Young said different crystals and stones are said to have specific healing properties which can benefit the wearer.
"Amethyst is a very spiritual crystal," she cited as an example. "And rose quartz is one for love. If somebody doesn't love themselves it's very good for bringing love into you Jade is supposed to a money stone Black stones are to repel negativity."
Young said there are vibrations to everything and you can "bring those vibrations into yourself through the crystal," which enhances "the healing property of the crystal."
Selecting a stone is something which is often very specific for people."Use your intuition. They say the crystal will kind of call out to you," she said.
