Scoliosis Sisterhood

This photo series focuses on the beauty of the scars that make us uniquely us, through the narrative of scoliosis.

Courtney, a mother in Minnesota saw a photo series on my scoliosis journey and contacted me about her daughter, Mary who recently underwent the same surgery. Together, her mother and I planned a surprise trip to Seattle from Minnesota, a portrait session, and a gallery reception on Wednesday, July 24 with the portraits taken earlier that day. It was therapeutic for me to plan and execute this shoot. As I tried everything in my power to help Mary feel beautiful and empowered, it felt like a second chance for me to rewrite my teenage years. I spent my adolescence feeling ashamed and trying to hide inside my turtle shell of a back brace. This experience taught me to find strength from my scars.

Just a reminder to:

Let your pain give you purpose.

Let your wounds give you wisdom.

Let your fear give you freedom.

Let your scars give you strength.

This photo is inspired by a Japanese art form called kintsugi, where broken pottery is pieced back together with lacquer and sealed with gold. The object’s golden scar makes it more unique, beautiful and strong.Mary and I began the day strangers, bu…

This photo is inspired by a Japanese art form called kintsugi, where broken pottery is pieced back together with lacquer and sealed with gold. The object’s golden scar makes it more unique, beautiful and strong.

Mary and I began the day strangers, but ended as sisters. This photo represents how we are connected by our scars and experience. I decided to gold leaf our scars as a metaphor for this personal kintsugi process.

Too many of us feel broken emotionally, spiritually, physically. This golden repair embraces our imperfections, battle scars, vulnerabilities, and lessons learned. Life is rarely what we plan. The path is not straight. In our case, neither are our backs.

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Couples Workshop: Build a custom live-edge wood coffee table

Hey YOU! We've got an exciting announcement! We are now hosting woodworking workshops! We have a special offer for Valentine's Day.

You’ve built a beautiful life together.

We want to help you build more beautiful memories together.

Let’s gather around the table for a woodworking workshop.

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This valentine’s day give an experience. Give a statement piece you built together with your own hands. 

We’ll provide: A catered meal. The tools. The live edge wood slab that will in 3 hours transform into your gorgeous coffee table. (Delivery options available)

It’s like a woodworking double date. Just Mike, Stephanie, you and the love of your life.

When you arrive we'll begin with a 20 min styled couples shoot. You’ll receive ten digital images. It’ll be cozy and relaxed. Then I’ll be snapping some photos of you two throughout the workshop, so you can preserve these fond memories forever. 

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It's first come, first book. Book fast because once you do, you'll get first dibs on your custom wood slab and date. 

Process:

WORKSHOPS ARE ON SALE NOW! We’ll send you a schedule and information. (Must book within February-March to receive the Valentine's Day Special). Once we’ve received payment, we’ll send you photos of the wood slabs. You reserve a slab that best suits your style.

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Workshop day:

We’ll kick off our evening together with a quick couples shoot by Stephanie Jarstad Photography.

Next, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of woodworking. As a couple you’ll make a coffee table that will look like you walked out of West Elm with a $2,500 coffee table. But we’ll definitely go eaaasier on the price tag.

Our philosophy:

“When you have all that you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.”

We want to invite you to the table to learn all the woodworking knowledge we’ve gained along the way. We are happy to share with you all of our "what-not-to-dos" as well as the tried and true techniques.

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About Mike and Stephanie: With a shared love for nature and the Pacific Northwest these live edge tables and projects fit our personality and home perfectly. Projects are our love language and creating things together really brings us closer together as a couple. We want to provide you with a similar experience this Valentine’s day.   

 

If the workshop is not for you, browse our finished tables and other live-edge wood home décor here. 

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We can't wait to see you in the shop!!