Do you have any advice for mothers who are struggling emotionally? How can they find inner strength?
My answer is conscious self-care. Listen, I was fearful to wake up each day, and what I learned to do was to acknowledge what I was grateful for as soon as I woke. At first (for many months), I didn’t believe I was grateful for anything I was saying. But then eventually, gradually, I realized my thoughts were not forced. These positive thoughts lead to a slightly better morning for me, which also led me to becoming self-aware once again. I also recommend checking in with one’s self-talk as often as possible in the day. Perhaps while driving or washing dishes or while in the shower. If you hear negative self-chatter, switch your thoughts to anything positive. Combine this practice with going for walks and adding the vitamins you need. The next step is talking about your struggles with people. Moms can and should lean on other moms. Lastly, wearing or reading a daily reminder that this struggle is temporary, and you will come out of it.
I created Kaura at a time when I was seeking inner strength and courage. My hope is that these pieces help you to feel powerful, too.
So back in 2011, I was thrown for a loop when I became a stay-at-home mom to a newborn daughter who had extreme colic the first nine months of her life. I had dabbled in making jewelry before she was born, but my profession had been in environmental consulting.
In my unfamiliar role as a stay-at home mom with a crying infant, I found myself completely off balance and a sense of hopelessness. Within a year of giving birth, I fell into severe post-partum depression.
Thankfully, my scholarly curiosity was intact and in 2012, a voice inside me saved me - I was reminded about the stories my grandfather had shared with me, growing up.
She can do anything. Sasha is a dancer and I first met her when I was downtown in the jewelry district chatting with my friend Joel, the owner of The Small Shop LA. Joel introduced me to Sasha and I learned she was performing at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, on the weekend. I connected via Instagram with her and decided to see her perform with my daughter.
“I found a book with a lot of shields and swords made out of gold and ruby and emeralds and engraved with beautiful animal imagery. Something connected. I felt like if I wore something that represented protection, like a shield or a sword, then maybe I’d feel strength or balance within me.”
Harvinder Kaur Keila wasn’t supposed to be a jewelry designer. “No one is an artist in my family, period,” she says.
Founder and designer for Kaura Jewels, Harvinder Keila meets with mega Disney star, Zendaya. The custom made ring titled, "Strength of a Star" was inspired by the star herself.
When I met Jen Araki at Neiman Marcus in 2015, we just clicked. We have a lot in common. Yes, we are both Canadian, however, from opposite ends of the country.