Crystal Hamlin

Crystal Hamlin is the empowering and inspiring soul behind Carlys Haven Jewelry - a handmade jewelry shop specializing in healing stone jewelry. Named after her two daughters, Carly and Haven, Crystal started her shop in 2011 by just playing around with beads to distract herself while she was recovering from surgery. What started as a hobby quickly became Crystal’s greatest joy, passion, and full blown obsession!

She’s really been able to beautifully combine her passion for learning with the healing power of stones and gems to create a growing and thriving business. Today, she makes beautiful, high-quality jewelry that inspires, heals, and transforms. All of her pieces are made by hand at her home in Montana in a smoke, perfume, and pet free studio.

Crystal is also a published author and she contributes a monthly column on healing stones in AYME Magazine. Crystal and I connected last year, and she’s been such an awesome part of this community. I can’t wait for you to learn more about Crystal and her journey, and check out her hand-made and beautiful pieces!

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

I'm Crystal, I have a handmade jewelry shop specializing in healing stone jewelry. Lately I have been writing articles for AYME Magazine about healing stones and then creating the jewelry to go with the article...although the articles aren't about jewelry per se I do like to have some pieces ready for anyone who reads the article and was intrigued.

How did you get started?

I actually just started out making jewelry I thought was pretty, never really having a specific style or purpose. Then I started a neural retraining program and discovered the world of meditation, chakras, and healing stones. I was hooked and couldn't wait to help other people to feel better, so I reinvented my shop and made it all about the stones and what they can do.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

It was a happy accident that someone asked me to contribute an article about my business, and I was very surprised that people were so fascinated by the disorder I have and how healing stones played into not only my shop, but my own healing journey as well. Also my name is Crystal, boy did my mom know what she was doing when she named me that!

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is learning! I was a chef for many years and so I love cooking, and now that I'm a jeweler I am mildly obsessed with stones and gems. Whatever I do, I do wholeheartedly, when something grabs my interest I develop laser focus on whatever that is and I want to know everything there is to know about that subject! For many years I felt lost, but now I absolutely feel as though I have found my passion and am living with purpose, a purpose to not only help myself, but to help everyone I can!

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

I don't have a road map to joy, but I have found over the last year of neural retraining that not allowing my brain to talk me out of my natural sunny positive disposition has been the most empowering and joyful thing I've ever experienced. Meditation, stone work, game nights with my family, learning about a new stone, and of course fresh chocolate chip cookies are just a few of the things that make me feel alive, that make me know deep down that life is beautiful and everything is going to be ok.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I have been using the most amazing guided meditation app called Meaning of Life by Ashok Gupta and it has been a blessing! I also have found that making inspiration boards for my studio helps me on down low days to step back, read some amazing quotes and affirmations that snap me out of any negative thinking that has snuck back in on me.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

Honestly my younger self was a very troubled girl and would probably not recognize who I have become. It's been an amazing life full of trials, but as cliche as it sounds, I have come out the other side a kinder, gentler woman who holds much love and support in her heart for herself and others.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

My favorite thing to remind myself of hourly is "whatever happens, you CAN handle it, you got this!"

What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is to allow my brain to heal me fully, I also want my business to become so big that my husband has to quit his job and wrap orders with me all day. We are best friends, and best spouses and to be able to be with my family all day would be a dream come true.

To learn more about Crystal and Carlys Haven Jewelry you can connect with her on Instagram @carlys.haven.jewelry Facebook @CarlysHaven and on her website etsy.com/shop/CarlysHaven

Joy Corner is a new interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here

Crystal Hamlin - Carlys Haven Jewelry