MAKERS MONDAY: Alexandra Bead House by Krista Rusk
My name is Krista Rusk. I was born and raised in small town Ontario with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. I went to college in London Ontario to study Fashion Merchandising where I graduated with a diploma 2 years later. I moved to Saskatchewan in fall of 2013 to peruse a job in retail management. Since then, I’ve left that job and moved onto your typical 9-5 day job. With nowhere to express my creativity, I decided to start a small jewellery making business in the fall of 2015. It started with Mala Beads and has now turned to focus on healing bracelets + crystal therapy. I graduated my 200hour yoga teacher training in the summer of 2016 and have been teaching yoga ever since. Finally feeling into the groove of my creativity and flow, I started to offer bracelet making workshops and introducing the powers of crystal healing to the community! I’m now teaching 2 yoga classes a week, hosting healing bracelet workshops almost every weekend and still maintaining my full time job. I’ve got a lot on my plate, but it doesn’t seem like work when you truly love what you do!
I create healing crystal bracelets, crystal grids + crystal pouches. I only use real semi precious stones for all my bracelets and pair them with gold/silver plated charms. The crystal grids I make have been hand carved and printed by another local artist and I use crystals to create sacred geometry and frame them! All of my designs are from the heart. I love making custom pieces to help someone through a time time or if they need a reminder to make self love a priority. My art is unique to others because I take the time to allow my intuition to guide me while making pieces. I feel into what crystal would best benefit the customer and use only positive energy when working with the crystals.
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Why do you create?
As I said in my bio, I needed a creative outlet while I started on my 9-5 journey. I’ve always been in positions that I could use my creativity at work, especially in the fashion industry, so I started Alexandra Bead House as a way to unleash and tap into that side of me again. I have realized lately that I also love to create to help guide people towards a happier healthier life. Using crystals + yoga is a beautiful way to help others them themselves!
How has your art practice evolved since you first started?
My creative process and art practice has evolved so much since I first start Alexandra Bead House in the fall of 2015. I have found reliable and genuine suppliers and I think I’ve really found my style. Being able to tap into why I design jewellery and crystal art has made things a lot more clear for me as well. Even in the last year or so I’ve started to expand and collaborate with other amazing local artists and artisans and that has helped me evolve!
How much time do you spend on your art practice? Is it enough?
I spend as much time as I can working on my bracelets and crystal grids but between working three jobs and making time for self care and family time, it doesn’t seem like it’s enough. My dream is to run my business full time and find a balance within my life’s purpose. Staying on track with my why but also being able to grow my business and allow it to be my way to support myself!
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What is the most rewarding part of creating?
The most rewarding part of creating is how happy the customer is when they receive their handmade custom bracelet and to hear how it helped them towards living more on purpose. For me, creating is a way to allow myself to truly be present and in the moment.
Do you have a creative philosophy?
Not yet, working on it still :)
What does creative joy mean to you?
Creative joy is to allow the flow of creativity to come over you, get present and tap into the joy that comes when all of that is in alignment