Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Steskal

Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I’ve always had a love for gems and minerals (thanks, grandpa!). So, when I got older and I moved out to Northern California, I learned about the metaphysical properties of stones, which hooked me in even deeper. I knew I wanted to somehow use gems to help to heal others, and shortly after that, a friend showed me how to knot gemstone malas, which are used for japa (repetition) meditation. I quickly fell in love with the meditative process of knotting, as well as choosing healing gemstones that pair well together. I made only malas for many years…until I got a custom request for a shorter necklace (now called, “shorties”). I fulfilled that request and made some to sell in my online shop, which were a hit! Eventually, I had custom orders for bracelets and earrings, which led me down a whole new path that allowed me to deepen my creation skills! Today in my shop you’ll find malas, shorties, earrings, bracelets, and a zodiac collection. I offer custom pieces and in the past have had custom orders for fertility, grief support, cancer support, etc. It has been amazing to watch this little seed of mine turn into this big and beautiful garden! I look forward to what the future has in store.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The road hasn’t always been smooth. In fact, there were times it got so rocky that I stopped creating for months. Self-doubt can be so poisonous and it infected me on multiple occasions. A couple key times that I remember it being a debilitating inhibitor was right before I showed my pieces to the world for the very first time, as well as when I was learning how to make different pieces of jewelry and wasn’t giving myself the grace to make a mistake. It has also been difficult getting into makers markets at times which doesn’t help the self-doubt talk either. As a creator and maker, it is so important to believe in yourself and your craft, and to not let the “no”‘s or belittling comments stop you from doing what you’re meant to do.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Lotus Earth Lace is more than just gemstone jewelry. Each piece has been carefully curated and crafted to bring you more healing, protection, and well-being. I not only look at each stone’s metaphysical properties, but I also look at how well they will work together to make their powers as potent as possible. As I carefully string each bead, I am intuitively calling out the powers I am trying to evoke from the stone. Each piece that I create is cleansed and then packaged with love and intention. This is more than just a piece of jewelry, this is something that will help to enhance every aspect of your life.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?

I believe authenticity and truth will get you farther than anything else, so I strive to keep Lotus Earth Lace as authentic to my being, beliefs, and morals as I possibly can. I want this little business to reflect who I am, so that I can attract others who also see their reflection in it too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lotusearthlace.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: @lotusearthlace