Finding a balance between outward and inward emotions as well as the boundaries of body and buildings have been current challenges so many businesses have faced during the pandemic.
Two local women both Halifax residents are using the opportunity presented by the lockdown to reinvent space and grow their businesses in Hanson.
Local artisan and vendor Amanda Bright, of Always Bright Creations, and Naturespeaks2you’s Sara Beth Ostrander (who goes by Sara Beth) are sharing space and offering a variety of items for all age groups in an outdoor vendor-style tented area in the parking lot of their normally indoor space is at 500 Liberty St., in Hanson — across the street from the fire station.
They are extending into the community at a time it is most needed including a practice of positivity they call “raising the vibration.” The changes during the pandemic have taken a toll on the well -being of so many.
Bright’s displays contain countless inspirational hand-made items thet include: wire wrap and organite jewelry, mirrors and coffee cups with both funny and positive sayings, and the ever popular tie-dye trend. She hand dips and creates patterns on her T-shirts, bandanas and table decorations; the hues are instantly uplifting. She twisted and created more than 50 shirts that were nearly sold out by Sunday afternoon.
Sara Beth who normally teaches inside her space at the naturespeaks2you has two and a half decades of self-teaching in geology. The more she learned about the healing powers associated with rocks and crystals she knew there were dozens of reasons she sought to teach others.
She is well-versed in the healing properties of natural rock formations using them in her everyday life as well as in mediumship practice and intuitive healing services that she offers at the naturespeaks2-you. She showcases her own handmade jewelry, and gifts inspired by nature, which she hand-collected from crystals throughout New England. A portion of her own journey has been as a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Mineral Club. She has an inherited passion for teaching the younger generations about minerals and rocks, which has carried through three generations in her family.
COVID has changed some of the classes and in-person services but her intuitive development services are offered remotely on a case basis and one on one individual class as the State restrictions allow.
On Sunday the tent sale featured both full and partial dinosaur prints collected in the Connecticut River valley, according to Sara Beth.
She also has museum quality replicas of many different dinosaurs.
Numerous items seen on Sunday’s outdoor sale belonged to an avid collector of 50 years, a fellow mineral club member who has recently fallen ill. They are working together with the family to try and get his collection out for purchase with money supporting the family and his medical bills. Along with the opportunity she aims to pique the attention of younger generations educating them on crystals and the energy found in natural formations.
“It is cool to see people come over and pick the crystals up … and see the excitement of what people are drawn to- it is what serves them,” said Sara Beth.
Bright who has done great reflection and self improvement has found her passion after losing her mother in Dec. 2018, it coincided with the breakup of a toxic two-year marriage.
She had depression and complex PTSD, with financial insecurity that forced her to move back home. She thought she was at rock bottom and in her own words “felt like giving up.”
“I was a mess,” she said.
Empowering herself and realizing giving up was not in the cards she started writing on her mirrors screaming self love and self worth at herself by writing ‘you got this! … you are strong. You are beautiful.” Each day finding strength and literally writing these affirmations on and in all of her reflective surfaces.
She began crafting, picking wild flowers and drying them teaching herself how to make smudge sticks and balls made from organic white sage and an assortment of beautiful handpicked flowers and herbs as well as Dream Catchers handcrafted and made from the grapevines right in her own back yard in Halifax.
They are planning to host their outside sale 12-5 on Sundays and a second day weather permitting. All of their sale and contact information as well as updates on their tent sale are located on Facebook pages Always Bright Creations and Naturespeaks2you .