Medicine Beads & Works

11/24/2025

Great piece of reference material...for the practical herbalist or the consumer...🌾

11/23/2025

Norm, a local wood working artist that I have come to know through my sister, Gladys, made me this vintage style shelf for my traditional medicines.

The name of his business is Spirit of the West Log Furniture.

https://sw-furniture.com/

"Every piece is painstakingly assembled with glued mortise & tenon joinery, then enhanced by a hardwood dowel through each joint. (see photos below)"

The barnwood shiplap boards that he used for my shelf...had been salvaged over the years and repurposed for many wood projects around their family home, including my special request.

My shelf is over 80 to 100 years old in wood years 😉😊 according to Norm.

As a bit of a back story that I feel important to share to provide context...my sister Gladys, Art by Gladys, was good friends with Sandi, his wife. Sandi unfortunately passed away last year.

She was a beautiful lady, very spiritual...very connected to the land...and offered different types of healing work in community and at their home through the years...helping many people.

I didn't actually get to know Norm until I came out to their home after the memorial gathering for Sandi which took place last year.

It was at this time, visiting with Jaz (Norm's daughter) that I got to see all the types of wood art and carpentry work that her dad had been working on in his gallery and what he had completed on the inside and outside of the family home...absolutely amazing.

You really truly felt like you had stepped into how things were constructed in the wild west but with such care and consideration of the natural surroundings.

Norm's shop and their home are located in a beautiful natural setting. It is a country drive down Spring Valley Road, approximately 11 km off of Highway 97 North.

A historic mill cabin on Norm & his late wife Sandi's property forms a modern day old western style gallery and in another like cabin...he creates his beautiful works of art.

I have quite enjoyed the visits I have had with Norm, Sandi and his family. Kukwstsétsemc.

In ending, I am truly grateful and happy to support a local woodworker...especially one who continues to reclaim and repurpose different types of wood...that others may potentially see as refuse... using joinery practices that keep the old ways alive... creating beautiful custom pieces for those who search him out..

The piece Norm created to hold and showcase my traditional medicines was beyond exceptional...he captured the true spirit of my brand ʔes X̣əz̓stés Botanicals.

Huge accolades to you, Norm!

11/23/2025

🌿These are super easy to make and full of YUMMY goodness.🌿

Each of these parfaits include:

1) Oat Milk
2) Organic Black Chia seeds
🥥3) Organic Unsweetened Coconut
4) Pumpkin & Flax Seed Granola
5) Lactose Free Probiotic Yogurt
🐝6) Bee Pollen
🍯7) Unpasterized Honey
🫐🍓8) Interchangeable Whole berries ie Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries etc
🍓9) Various fruit purees ie Strawberry, ThimbleBerry, Raspberry, etc

✨️The nutritional benefits include: vitamins & minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, plant based complete protein, pre & probiotics, supports digestive health, readily available sources of energy, enhances immune function, fights inflammation, heart health, promotes healing, supports liver health, enhances skin health, and, supports eye health.✨️

✨️The medicinal properties are: Anti-oxidant, Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral, Anti-fungal, Anti-microbial, Anti-inflammatory.✨️

🌿I like to forage for berries etc should I be able to find them in my local area.

🌿However, should I need to source the ingredients I try to stay within BC or Canada, if possible.

🌿I also like to buy from those that are keeping the old ways alive ie farming, bee keeping etc.

11/18/2025

🌿🎄Good morning🎄🌿 Medicine Beads & Works would like to invite you all to take a look at different types of traditional medicines and edible items for sale here in the posts...should you see something of interest and it is still available... I can arrange to send them to you over the 🎄❄️Holiday Season❄️🎄

Thank you.

Send a message to learn more

11/18/2025

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Stephanie Tate, Economic Development Strategist,
Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation
The Business Arm of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and all who assisted her to help make the K'wese'ltken Farmer and Artisan Market a huge success...it was well coordinated and the turnout was phenomenal...we appreciated the invitation to attend.

A personal thank you from myself and Gladys, my sister, Art by Gladys for all the interest, sharing from those who stopped by, and the purchases.

Heartfelt❤️ thoughts and prayers 🙏to you, Stephanie and family as you navigate your gramma being in the hospital with her current health issues...it's very challenging emotionally and mentally...let alone trying to finalize such a big event under these circumstances.

Kukwstsétsemc

11/14/2025

ʔes X̣əz̓stés Botanicals

Final touches to packaging my tins of 🫐🍎🍯Saskatoon Berry & Apple Honey Drops🍯🍎🫐... description & brand labels placed...tins filled...ready for the upcoming winter market ...K'wese'ltken Farmer and Artisan Market.

Qty: 25

Weight: Each drop: 15 ml

11/14/2025

Finally a ☀️sun shiny day☀️...just the right amount of light... to take 📷photographs📷 to share with you... of my 🌹Wild RoseHips & Honey🌹 ... that I just made in time for the K'wese'ltken Farmer and Artisan Market.

Size: 900 ml bottles.

Note: Normally 600 ml for the price of 500 ml in each bottle...these are 900 ml😲😁🌹

🌹This is one of my total faves...super GOOD for you!🌹

11/07/2025

🌲❄️Some of the many traditional medicines and edible items that I am super excited to have available for the upcoming winter market...❄️🌲

🎄My sister, Gladys (Art by Gladys) another vendor, has also been busy making a variety of traditional leather & beadwork art wearables & ornamentals. I will be posting on her FB page next... Art by Gladys.🎄

So many amazing items to chose from...come say Hi and check out the market!🌲❄️

10/28/2025

✨️✨️Medicine Beads & Work✨️✨️has been noted as a feature vendor here in the upcoming ❄️🌲Wintertime market🌲❄️ that will take place in Kamloops, BC at the Delta Hotel by Marriott on November 16th. (Click on the attached link)

🌲I have been busy creating a volume of my 4 Direction Medicine decorative vials, traditional medicines along with a compliment of canned and items that need refrigeration to sample or buy.

🌲My sister Gladys is also a featured vendor. You will find her mentioned under Art by Gladys. She will be selling her traditional bead and leatherworks.(Click on the attached link)

✨️Thank you to Stephanie Tate, Economic Development Officer with Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) and sponsors for the invitation.✨️

🌲❄️Should you have time available please come and participate.❄️🌲

The K̓wséltkten ("All My Relations") Farmers and Artisans Market is a community market in Kamloops

05/14/2025

If Your Honey Has Crystallized, Here’s What It Really Means

If you’ve opened a jar of honey and noticed that it looks grainy, thick, or even solid — don’t worry. This natural process is called crystallization, and it’s actually a sign that your honey is pure and high quality.

What Is Crystallized Honey?

Crystallization happens when the natural sugars in honey — mainly glucose and fructose — begin to separate. Glucose forms crystals, while fructose stays liquid. Over time, the crystals grow, turning the honey from smooth and golden to thick, cloudy, or even grainy.

Why Does Honey Crystallize?

Several natural factors affect how quickly honey crystallizes:
• High Glucose Content: Honeys like sunflower, clover, and wildflower crystallize faster than acacia or tupelo honey, which have more fructose.
• Cool Temperatures: Honey stored below room temperature (especially under 10°C / 50°F) crystallizes faster.
• Pollen and Wax: Raw or unfiltered honey contains tiny particles that give crystals a place to start forming.

What Crystallized Honey Means
• It’s real: Crystallization is a good sign your honey hasn’t been overly processed or diluted with syrup.
• It’s raw or minimally filtered: Natural components like pollen, enzymes, and wax promote healthy crystal formation.
• It’s safe and still nutritious: Crystallized honey retains all the enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties of liquid honey.

Can You Use Crystallized Honey?

Absolutely. Crystallized honey:
• Spreads easily on toast or bread
• Is perfect for baking or sweetening tea
• Can be returned to liquid by placing the jar in warm (not boiling) water for 10–15 minutes

Avoid the microwave, as overheating can destroy honey’s beneficial enzymes.

Final Thought

Crystallization is not spoilage — it’s nature’s seal of quality. If your honey has turned solid or grainy, celebrate it. You’re holding a jar of pure, unadulterated sweetness, just as the bees made it

05/08/2025

✨️5 new cases of 4 Direction Medicine vials that I created and filled each one with a blend of 7 plant medicines.✨️

Each vial is 1 oz.

You can use this medicine for smudging, an offering, carrying on you and aromatherapy, to name a few.

🌷🌿Love creating and blending this medicine...so good🌷🌿