I've had this plan on my mind for a while. Since I launched the first range of beaded hoop earrings back in March, I've been designing new ones in my head with different crystals, and one of the ideas I had was for a Chakra pair.
If you're not familiar with the concept, the Chakras are focal points on your body that have provide energy. The seven Chakras are root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown. When they are in alignment and functioning to their best, they bring balance and a centred feeling to your whole energetic body. If they are blocked, they may not be functioning as they should and you may feel a little "off". For example, if you are having trouble communicating, you may have a block in your throat chakra and may benefit from doing some work to open it. This can be through meditation, crystal healing, sound healing, or a number of other options.
So here we have the ALIGN hoops. Crystals to support all Chakras and create a sense of balance and centredness.
I am an actions speak louder than words kind of person. If you've been with me for a while, you may be aware that donating profits to causes I feel strongly about is not an uncommon thing. In the past I've donated profits to the George Floyd Memorial Fund and FareShare UK to name two, as well as my ongoing commitment to One Tree Planted.
As a supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community, I wanted to create a product that directly represents this. Something that people could purchase knowing that they are making a difference, and can wear knowing that they are showing their support.
So when I was creating the ALIGN hoops, using the crystals to represent each Chakra and creating that rainbow, I realised these hoop earrings were dual purpose. Yes they are crystal healing hoops, containing the properties of seven different crystals and their combined benefits of energetic alignment, but they can also stand for so much more.
So my next task was to find a charity that I would choose to donate a portion of the profits to. I settled on Stonewall, because they stand for LGBTQ+ people everywhere and imagine a world where everyone is free to be themselves and live their life to the full. Something that I fully believe in. I'm 1000% aligned with this message and I hope that my ALIGN hoops can help to support it further.
If you'd like some more information about Stonewall, you can visit the website here.
So why now? Why not back during Pride month in June?
Well, this was a deliberate decision. Let me start by saying that Pride month is a fantastic thing, it brings a lot of awareness to issues that otherwise people may not be aware of. But I partly believe that we shouldn't need it, in the same way I believe that people shouldn't feel the need to "come out", or feel that they might not be accepted because of who they love or their gender identity (for example). If we lived in a world where everyone was accepted regardless of these things, where there was zero judgement and we could all just go about our lives being who we are and everyone else was just unbothered by it, the fear of judgement that so many people live by would be gone.
I completely appreciate that this is a very idealistic view and it kind of minimises the history of struggles and suffering that the LGBTQ+ community have had to endure. I hate the fact that so many people have suffered simply because of who they are; there is absolutely nothing wrong with who they are and I honestly despise the fact that such discrimation exists.
I know I'll never fully understand those struggles, and how I feel about it is a drop in the ocean compared to what some have had to endure, but I do know that I want to do what I can to make sure it stops.
For these reasons, I don't want to be simply another business piggy backing off of Pride month to make extra sales. I'm not putting rainbows on my packaging in the hope it'll help them fly off the shelves a bit quicker. I'm not doing it because I'm scared of the backlash if I don't. I'm doing it because I genuinely care about the cause. This is not a marketing stunt.
That's why 50% of all profits from the ALIGN hoops will go to Stonewall. I know it's not going to be a huge amount of money, but it all adds up and helps to spread some more awareness too. This is not time limited (another reason for doing this outside of Pride month), this is for as long as I can keep these earrings in stock. And please trust me when I say I will do everything I can to keep them stocked for as long as possible. No "Limited Edition" here.
And in case you were wondering, the reason it is 50% of profits and not 100% is because I need to invest some of those profits back into the business in order to make more of a difference in the future. I won't be taking a cut from the sales of these earrings at all.
The ALIGN hoop earrings are available to purchase right now, and the usual payment options (including Clearpay) are available. I know times are difficult at the moment, so if you can't purchase right now, I'd love if you could share this with people you know, follow me on socials, and help to spread the word.
Thank you for your ongoing support. This wouldn't be possible without you.
Love,
Cara x
P.S. I know Pride isn't all about rainbows, so if there is another colour combination you would like, perhaps to represent one of the other flags, please contact me here. I'll do what I can to make it happen for you and the same donation to Stonewall will apply.
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