Artist Statement
AnnaMariah (Formerly Carolyn Nau) aka "the bodacious lady" -
Who am I and why am I here
Hopefully if you’re reading this you know that gemstones have energy and power. Phwew, there’s one big thing out of the way. Just kidding, but you’d be surprised how many people look at me cross-eyed when I mention that idea.
I am a gemstone empath. In my work I tune deeply to the energy of the stones and listen to their guidance in creating gemstone jewelry that can be supportive and even transformational in myriad ways. Bold Bodacious Jewelry came about as part of my mission to help people become more consciously empowered. Combining my connection with stones and my ability to read and sense auras I have been able to work with the stones in unique ways to bring about combinations that resonate at different levels. In this case the whole is so much more than the parts.
You can look up the meanings of stones and that may give you an overview of what you can expect. But there’s a magic that happens when the connection is made between the wearer and a gemstone necklace. The resulting changes may align with what the books say, and sometimes what I see is a created combined energy that is completely unique and not exactly what would be expected from those particular combinations.
My initial awakening into spiritual consciousness came about due to a stone. I was in New Zealand at the te Maori Exhibition in 1987. In one write up about the exhibit they say this of the stone “The E Tü Ake mauri stone, named Hine Kaitaka. Mauri is the life force that exists in and connects all things, living and inanimate. Hine Kaitaka is a touchstone for the exhibition, anchoring the mauri of everything on display, the visitors and the exhibition’s hosts.”
The stone was placed at the entry point, and you were to touch it to honor the ancestors and give thanks as you entered. I touched the stone and felt electricity run through my body from the top of my head, through my feet and into the earth. At this time in my life I had no awareness that stones had energy and was completely taken by surprise. I looked up into the eyes of an ancient Mauri woman who seemed to be smiling knowingly, and somehow almost gleefully. Only one other person in our tour group of 40 people reported feeling anything. I was deeply moved by this experience, but certainly didn’t expect it to change anything in my life. HA I won’t go into detail but my life turned summersaults for the next few years, I had visions, learned to read tarot cards, experienced my first past-life regression…as, oh wait, here’s a surprise, a Mauri warrior. I credit this stone and my experience at that moment with activating something deep in my soul, and I’ve never looked back.
I was able to reconnect with this same touchstone again in 1998 at a tiny little exhibit in Arrowtown New Zealand. It took my breath away. I was instantly on my knees communing with the stone and soaking up its love and giving back my deep gratitude for its part in my life. Shortly after that I was back in Montana at a meditation and saw and felt that stone again in my mind and I heard these words. “This touchstone holds the energy of love and hate. It’s a fine balance and it’s yours to choose, which will you decide.”
I was reminded of this as I was listening to a call with Tantra Maat 1/13/12 as she was discussing a revelation she had recently experienced. She stated that we must find the balance between joy and sorrow love and hate, death and life, seeing them as the same, and not separate from each other. I’m simplifying here I know, but that statement brought to mind my experience of the touchstone and my initiation into the phenomenal gifts the earth has given us. She continues to give us, even now, with new stones, that have never been experienced by man before, each one bringing with it a particular quality to assist the evolution of mankind.
Tantra Maat also said that we must know who we are and what is ours to do.
As I pondered this directive I know who I am and what is mine to do. I am honored to be a guardian of the stones, and to be called to help them bring forth their light and depths to the world. Each stone I touch is reactivated with the original energy of creation and is tasked to assist the wearer or recipient of its energy to awaken to full consciousness of who they are and what is theirs to do. In this way we step out of the darkness and into our full light of being.
I look forward to sharing insights into the gifts of the earth and how they can assist you on your path.
Namaste
AnnaMariah
AnnaMariah, Bold Bodacious Jewelry (formerly Carolyn Nau – I’m in the process of transitioning into the fullness of being AnnaMariah as an expression of the divine on earth)
https://www.facebook.com/BodaciousWay
I am business Manager for BioElectric Shield Company and owner/designer creating healing gemstone jewelry for my artisan jewelry company Bold Bodacious Jewelry. These two business work beautifully together as they both deal with the healing power of gemstones.
I’m passionate about making jewelry and sharing the BioElectric Shield with others because they’ve changed my life.
BS – before Shield…I remember times when I’d go to a trade show or other crowded place and the overload of energy would be so great that I’d be spacey, have a headache, even have trouble breathing – one time I ended up out front hyperventilating and crying. I had to forego a lot of things I wanted to do because of this. I knew spiritual protection techniques and what to do, and it just wasn’t enough. The Shield has changed my life, and that of so many other people. I love knowing what I do makes a difference. The Shield changed my life, from energy sponge, to empowered woman.
More Ramblings about Who I am, and Why I'm Here
I used to think It all started when I was Six and got my first sewing machine, but maybe it really started before I was born, as I looked at the life to come and chose to bring forth my gifts with stones.
Since I was a little girl making Barbie clothes on an old treadle sewing machine and jewelry out of tiny beads and thread, I've had a passion for creating beautiful things. That passion has grown to encompass a desire to help others feel beautiful inside and out. I'm a gemstone intuitive and Reiki master and have learned to use those abilities to create more than just jewelry. I create energy enhancing tools to help you be your most bodacious.
I have a confession about how I made jewelry back then, it wasn't always with beads and thread. My sister and I would take beaded pins, cut them short and then "Stab" them into Barbie and Midge's necks and ears to make earrings and necklaces. They looked very decorative, not sure how thrilled Barbie and Midge were though.
I feel that creative expression is something we all need to really keep in touch with our souls, our inner selves. It doesn't matter if it's just creating a nice flower arrangement or a nice vignette on a table, the important thing is to find a way to create beauty.
I could go on about the details of my life which have taken me to a lot of places, some planned, some completely unexpected. My life hasn't taken a straight path from one place to another, but followed a lot of twists and turns.
The one constant has always been a need to keep growing and creating.
I'm Not Selling Jewelry -
an amazing revelation and how it came about
Most of you know that I make jewelry, but do you know that it's more than that? Probably not, because I don't really say much more than, "I work with the energy of the gemstones". Wow, really, what does that mean?
That doesn't really say very much, does it? I have to share a funny story with you that unfortunately stuck with me and caused me to doubt my ability to really share from my heart the truth of what I do.
My husband and I started a business making gemstone collars (In addition to the people jewelry). We were at a craft show in Wisconsin and all day people would come in and exclaim over the pretty collars, and get totally disinterested when we mentioned that they also had specific healing properties. Before we started the second day, we decided to just say "Yep, they're pretty", and see if we could actually sell something.
The first woman in the booth started talking about her therapy dog and how wonderful it was that her dog could help people in nursing homes. I stupidly assumed that if she had a therapy dog, she would be into healing energy. I said "Well, then you're going to love this. These collars have gemstones that can actually help your dog energetically." She turned around mid sentence and RAN out of the booth. I kid you not, she was running like the devil was after her.
That incident made me wonder if perhaps I should just sell jewelry, and let people think that's all it was. So I jumped feet first into applying for art shows and showing my jewelry at a lot of traditional venues.
My biggest thanks this week goes first to all those shows, exhibits and events that I attended, spent loads of money to be part of, and came home feeling tired, discouraged and frustrated. (I won't go into the badly run shows, overbooked jewelry vendors, misrepresented and just borderline rip-offs here, that would be another whole blog.) Some of you like the Annapolis show put on a great show, but when it's 95+ and humid, no one really wants to shop.
You've all helped me to realize something. I am not selling jewelry. Sometimes it's the things that don't work that are most important in showing us where our true passions and gifts lie. It may seem obvious to other people, but sometimes we have blinders on and are so busy working it, we don't see that perhaps it isn't about "working", instead it's about making connections and allowing the magic to happen.
I've spent over two years trying to market my jewelry using all the traditional marketing methods, website, art shows, craft shows, meetings, home parties. If I hadn't had many great experiences where people really connected with and purchased my designs, I would have been seriously questioning my abilities.
Thank you to all of you who took the time to "feel" the energy of the stones and realize that there was a special connection when you found "your" piece. You kept the spark alive and reminded me over and over why I'm really doing this. But somehow it still didn't dawn on me that perhaps, just perhaps, I should allow my true abilities and passions to all come together and to stop "marketing" and instead help people to see, feel and understand the benefits of an energetically matched piece of jewelry. When the stones, the design and the wearer are in alignment, it's no longer jewelry, it becomes a sacred tool, an amulet, if you will, that can work with you to deepen your life experience in myriad ways.
When I stop marketing, I can realize the depth of what I do and allow it to speak for itself. I started the tarot reading and gemstone insight meetup honestly as a way to get more people interested in my jewelry, and because I thought it sounded like a lot of fun. Yes, it was fun, but it was more than that. It brought a new depth and meaning to how people were experiencing the stones.
The process has helped to merge and synthesize what seemed to be disparate talents, into a cohesive whole that allows me to give more value. I had a talk the other day with Lynne Porzel as part of her Trim Tab Coaching, I told her that I was not very clear that art shows, vendor events and the like really don't work for me. We talked a little longer and as we talked I saw very clearly that I'd been looking at this all wrong. I'm not selling jewelry. That's right, I'm really not selling jewelry. I am creating energetic tools that will enhance your life, support your energy and help you achieve your goals, stand out from the crowd, feel confident, show your uniqueness, help you sparkle, find your passion, express yourself, and so much more.
What would it be like to look fantastic in your jewelry and know that it's a partner in your soul's evolution?
That's what can happen when you work with me to help you choose the jewelry that is best able to work with you on a very deep level.
After talking with Lynne and feeling a renewed excitement about what I truly am offering, I reconnected with two potential customers who'd felt that connection to their necklace but decided to pass for now. I took a deep breath and went out on a limb and told them exactly why I thought the necklace would be a good tool in their lives right now. I had spent about an hour with Nancy earlier that afternoon. I'd done an in-depth Tarot reading for her. Then based on that reading we looked at jewelry and as she held the pieces that spoke to her, I looked for that magic spark that happens. I spoke a little about the property of the necklace that really resonated, but didn't go into much depth about it.
After talking to Lynne I realized that by not sharing all the information, I was doing myself and my clients a disservice. How can they know the true value, if I don't come out and tell them?
It's hard in today's economy to justify spending a hefty sum on a necklace. But when you realize that it's a transformational tool, then it all makes much more sense because it's no longer a luxury item, it becomes part of the healing and growth process, even a power piece to catapult you forward.
Here's the email I sent to Nancy,
"Dear Nancy, I loved doing the reading for you, and keep going back to that Lapis and Aquamarine necklace you were looking at. There was definitely a "spark" when you put that on. Here are some of the properties of those stones, and together they create another energy altogether, and then when you put it on, it transforms even more. I'm still looking for ways to describe what happens but I'll do my best.
This necklace fits your goals so perfectly. I'd love to see it helping to support you as you move forward. What I see is that wearing this necklace you will find it easier to move that sense of integrity and clarity more easily into your life and to communicate it to others with confidence. The more of your inner truth you project into the world, the more the others are going to see you for who you truly are. You are a shining light and that's coming out more and more. The name of this piece is 'Inner & Outer Communication".
I went on to list more of the properties of the stones in that necklace and how they worked together.
Here's her response
"That description of the necklace is awesome! I am thinking I will budget it as a Christmas gift to myself! The reading was just awesome! And I went and checked out Lynn's site for the sounding workshop next week - great stuff. Can't wait!"
The following morning I sat down and wrote a similar email to a woman who I'd met at a Mary Kay party at Pattie Mancini's house. She'd been very interested in a particular necklace and asked me to hold it for her. Which I happily did. But when I emailed her the other day, she said she wasn't going to take it, so I shouldn't hold it any longer.
Again, let me share my email and some of her response.
“Dear Jane,
At Pattie's we didn't really get a chance to talk about the jewelry that I make and the fact that it's more than just something pretty to wear. I realize that I am doing clients and potential clients a disservice in not sharing more of this information and the true reason I do this work.
I've been doing some new work with really taking time to clarify why I feel a piece would be beneficial. Actually that's not quite accurate, I already know that, but what I'm working on is how to communicate to you that you are buying so much more than a piece of jewelry. You are purchasing a sacred tool that will empower your uniqueness and help you project that from the core of your being into the world.
I am offering tarot readings to help you focus on choices and options. I'd love to connect with you again by phone or in person if you would like to explore more about how this necklace can be of benefit in your life.
The name of this necklace is Keys to Heaven and some of the properties of the stone are: Pietersite Links daily consciousness to the spiritual. Access higher levels of awareness, stimulating the third eye and increasing your inherent intuition. Support your willpower, Strengthen inner guidance, Recognize truths.
The silver in this necklace is all Karen Hill Tribe Silver which is a 99% pure silver. It's more expensive than sterling, but it tarnishes much less and has a feel and clarity that I really like energetically.
My feeling was that the stones in this necklace will help support you as you are going through some major changes in your life, and perhaps assist you in finding a deeper meaning and truth. My feeling was that the stones in this necklace will help support you as you are going through some major changes in your life, and perhaps assist you in finding a deeper meaning and truth.
She responded almost immediately, "Your email is refreshing. I definitely will reconsider. I loved the necklace and probably should do something different and go for it!! Let me get back with you next week and will look forward to seeing you when we set something up. Do you do your reading at your house and if so what is the address Thanks so much again for your warm message. Jane"
Thank you to these two dear women whose responses have warmed my heart and helped me understand more clearly the depth of what I'm offering and the value in sharing my truth fully.
Thank you, Lynne, for again helping me clarify some of the puzzlements of my life. Deep thanks to all the amazing women who continue to touch my life so profoundly.
Live the Bodacious Way, the life you were meant to live.
Being Open to Possibilities - My Life Path Changed "quite by accident", and I love it
It's not every day that going to a trade show can totally change your life. It did mine. I must have been ready for a drastic change. I just didn't know it.
I guess I've just always been a natural Quester. I was in a low point in my life in June of 2008. I normally like what I do and enjoy going to work. That wasn't the case, in addition to working part time for the BioElectric Shield Company, I was working in an office as an accountant. Normally my accounting jobs are interesting and have some creativity. Not this time. The work was dull and with only one exception I didn't feel supported. I was seriously depressed, not a normal state for me. I was looking for a change, when quite by chance, I heard the ad for the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee.
I was off work at noon and on my way to the show. I was powerfully drawn to go, but the funny part is, I didn't know how to make jewelry, but I love gemstones and shiny things! The show is an entire convention center filled with beads, baubles and semi-precious stones. I found some beautiful clay Kazuri beads that really inspired me, I bought some incredible (expensive) red coral from Abe, who was soon to become one of my favorite vendors. I spent a bit, but not too much. I got home, pulled everything out to drool over it and show it off to my husband, when I realized I didn't have enough of the clay beads for earrings. So I went back with a friend who normally is the voice of reason. I thought if I got carried away she'd help me stop.
Ha. Joke was on me. I was unable to resist all those incredible goodies. My friend turned out to be a very bad influence, she'd find fabulous things and hold semi-precious and even precious stones in front of me saying "Have you seen this?" with wonder in her voice. How can a woman resist all that beauty? I can't! I couldn't. I walked out with a suitcase full of beads and stones.
The only problem was, I didn't even know how to make jewelry. I spent the summer taking classes, reading books, practicing jewelry making. Immediately people were stopping me in the street asking about the jewelry I was wearing. It finally dawned on me that just maybe I was meant to design and share my creations. Thus Bold Bodacious Jewelry was born. I still laugh about this whole process. Obviously the Universe or someone was guiding me. Looking back it should have been obvious that I was buying enough to start a business. But at the time, it just felt like the right thing to do. Not a conscious plan. Sometimes following your gut can change your life.
I was surprised to discover that magic happens.
I made 5 or 6 necklaces that first month, and was getting a lot of compliments. I still had no idea that I was going into business. I was at a dinner party and one of the women I just met was in love with what I was wearing. She followed me home so she could see what else I'd made. She put on one necklace that I'd worn and it was nice, not fabulous, just okay. MaryAnn put it on and it was magic, the necklace and MaryAnn both transformed, she was glowing even more than usual and the necklace went to nice to flipping stunning! She paid me on the spot and left thrilled. I was in awe at what just happened. I began to think that maybe this was all for a purpose and I was meant to make jewelry.
Remember that boring, depressing job? As I found extreme joy in the act of creating jewelry, going to work became simply unbearable. The contrast was just too huge. In one week my doctor, massage therapist and chiropractor all pointed out that when I talked about jewelry I was joyful, when I mentioned work I was crying, sometimes sobbing. Hm, yes, something had to change. Virginia Brown at the BioElectric Shield Company was thrilled, I could increase my hours working with her if I quit. So I took a deep breath, quit my job and created my first website!
In the fall of 2008 I began examining how various gemstones could enhance the protective and healing effects of the BioElectric Shield, I'm the business manager and have worked with them since 1994 (Read more about the Shield and how it's changed my life).
I also wanted to wear great jewelry and my gold and diamond Shield at the same time. I started creating "Shield necklaces" so I could do that. After making a few "Shield energy necklaces", I began to realize fully that not only was my jewelry beautiful and fun to wear, it had additional healing qualities as well.
I began to notice that I could hear and feel the energy of the stones. I instinctively knew how they needed to go together and when they were in alignment. When the design was right the necklace took on a life of its own. Over and over again, there was that magical moment when necklace and wearer combined energies and both simply glowed. 
One friend kept telling me to make smaller things. She changed her mind though when one day she fell in love with a necklace I'd just made and it was fairly large. She tried it on and I kid you not, she danced around the room looking joyous.
What I realized in that moment was that a necklace that is large for the sake of being large, is just that, a big honking necklace. But when the stones and wearer are in alignment it doesn't feel too big, it simply feels bodacious.
Since 2008 I've been immersed in studying stones and their properties, paying particular attention to the magical transformation that happens when stones are combined. Much like the Shield, the combined properties of the stones in my jewelry are more powerful than the same combination of stones loose in your hand.
To view gem properties and styles to complement your shield, please visit Shield Energy necklaces and on the more delicate Beaded Chains, both make lovely jewelry on their own. If you're interested in ordering use coupon code BODACIOUS10 for 10% off the BioElectric Shield, Beaded Chains, or Energy Jewelry. (these pieces can also be worn as just jewelry without a Shield, and the beaded chains can work with your own pendants)
Michelangelo said "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it"."
I have that same feeling about jewelry. I read books and magazines about jewelry designs and look at a lot of inspirational idea. But when it comes time to sit down and make something, all that goes out the window. My creative process consists of opening all the drawers in my bead cabinet (all arranged by color) and waiting for the beads to call to me.
Then I wait for them to let me know what they want to become. Sounds odd, perhaps, but I feel that each bead has an energy and a purpose and they truly help to inspire. Years ago, I designed clothing the same way, I would layout a bolt of fabric and then would wake up in the morning with a vision of what it was to become. Jewelry is even more intuitive than that, and much more immediate. I pull out a collection of beads, and then sit with them for a while. Sometimes I have an immediate picture of what I'm making, other times it evolves completely on its own as I work. It's a fun, and often surprising process.
The other part that continually surprises and humbles me is the interaction that happens when my jewelry finds its owner. How to explain this? When the right person puts on a piece, it completely transforms into something much more than it was. I feel a huge "rush" when this happens and know that I'm doing something that is much bigger than what I can understand. I've also seen, felt shifts in the energy of the wearer as they connect with the piece. Jewelry is a beautiful decoration, but it can also connect us with parts of ourselves that we may not have fully expressed, or strengthen those that we have.
I am deeply humbled to be able to work with the energy of the stones and by doing so connect with beautiful, bodacious women, and assist them in stepping more fully into their bodaciousness. But at the same time, I'm having more fun than I've ever had in my life.
If all this sounds too "out there", then let it go, and just see what pieces attract you, my jewelry is beautiful and can accessorize your wardrobe beautifully.
Have fun with it and live the Bodacious Way
AnnaMariah, aka Carolyn
If you're interested in a Tarot Reading and/or personal gemstone consulation call 703-763-1655 or email me carolynnau@gmail.com
