Featured Shop: Indigo Rain

Gina with her daughter, at the beach

This week's challenge winner was Gina Brooks from Indigo Rain. She's a mother, a homeopath, a graphic and web designer and owner of a successful greetings card company! Phew - she's one busy lady and we're delighted that she was able to find the time to talk to us. 

She describes her Etsy shop as 'A bit of whimsy for the child in all of us. 

Lelaine from Pebble Creek Candles asks

Which typography in your shop is your favorite one right now?

Gina

Mmh, I don't really have one - There is one print that has a special place in my heart but it is not a typography print. It is a nursery " Red Bunny Print" called 'Where do wishes go'? The idea was born while vacationing in Italy ..when one night my 3 year old daughter gazed into the sky and said "Mommy this moon seems so much bigger than ours, and then she asked me where do wishes go?".. Mmmh, I guess that one stuck with me :))

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Lina from The Attic Princess asks

Will you share with us a bit of your daily routine? And since summer is approaching where is your favorite vacation place and why?

Gina

I wake up around 7 - 7:30 ish sleepwalking until i had my Pu-Erh ( it's a delicious tea -and there is a print in my shop " I love you more than Pu Erh" :) including a tea tutorial- (ha!)

So my first endeavor is to get my 7 year old daughter Sienna ready for school which in itself is an adventure, first of all because i am not a morning person ( i come alive at night ) and ... it usually involves fashion shows, Teak Won Do and debates about fruit loops and broccoli. 

I am lucky enough to be able to walk her to school so on my way back home I breathe fresh air while visiting the farmers market, doing yoga classes or taking a 20 min hike up a beautiful, steep mountain called Horse Hill. They are rolling hills hovering above our neighborhood. (There is a lot of history and drama behind it ) And when I reach the top i am greeted, up close and personal by 12 of the most stunning horses that live on the hill:)

From 9:00- 3:00-ish I tackle a variety of projects. New ideas, creating new prints, processing orders, and practicing Homeopathy. After I pick up my daughter from school we get to go to the park or play tennis and after that, while she is tackling homework, I move into the kitchen. I love to cook, so most nights i will whip up a semi - healthy dinner - Greek, Indian, German, British (not my favorite!)- but as I am married to an English man I really don't have a choice :0 So when its British night we usually settle for Shepherd's Pie.

I like vacationing anywhere as long as I can discover the texture and taste of a new place. However, I have not really vacationed in a long time as we have been moving for the past 5 years from L.A to Spain (Mallorca), from Spain back to Portland and then back to California. Now we live in Mill Valley, the beautiful North Bay area of San Francisco. 

In the summer I usually take my daughter back home to Hamburg (Germany) for a month or so, she gets to be with her grandparents and learn the language and I get to be reminded of why I left. During that stay I carry a bag of mixed emotions. Germany is beautiful but having lived in the states now for over 20 years. I guess this is where I am home. 

Monique from Toasted Glass asks

You mention that you are a homeopath in your Etsy profile - can you tell me a bit about homeopathy and how you came to practice it?

Gina

My passion for Homeopathy began after I fell ill for 5 years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a sneaky and debilitating immune disease. It stripped me of my vital energy and kept me in and out of Doctors offices for years. Apparently there was no cure.  So I set out to do my own research since I have always believed in energy healing - in the law of nature;

 I began to read about natural cures for disease, nutrition, and read ‘The Lessons of Mindfulness in Medicine’ by Saki Santorelli. My initial, wobbly attempts to heal myself included a strict nutritional protocol, acupuncture and herbs but I saw only minimal effects and they weren't lasting. Amazingly I did recover - five years later with the help of a Homeopath. I didn't really know what it was at that time. In Homeopathy healing takes place on three levels; mental, physical and spiritual. Medicines are diluted and potentized, so the healing occurs naturally and gently without any side effects. It promotes integrative healing of body, mind and spirit. Free from our dis-ease.

When a close friend of mine sought (alongside other therapies) successful homeopathic treatment for her son who suffered from Asperger's Syndrome ( a form of autism) my curiosity about this form of medicine grew even stronger. It was then when I made a commitment to studying homeopathic medicine full time. Along the way (it’s been 6 years) I gained a wealth of knowledge about our own capacity as human beings our limits and how we can combat suppression thru prescription drugs by healing from within out.

I decided to dedicate my life to the well-being of children and adults with physical, emotional and mental health challenges thru the use of integrative therapeutics and homeopathic medicines in order to maintain their vital health. I have realized along the way that Homeopathy is not only interesting and worth pursuing but it is my responsibility to give back and to help create awareness.

Of course there is not only one path to wellness but it is a large piece of the puzzle for a wide variety of illnesses and chronic diseases.

Unfortunately my time is limited and I have not opened my own practice as of yet. I am not ready to give up my Graphic Design, and as I have a busy family life for now I can only practice on a part time basis:) Whatever my role might be, I sincerely wish to impact someone’s life the same way mine had been impacted a few years before. 

Monique

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us and giving a real insight into your life and especially the fascinating subject of homeopathy. x