WESTERN SLOPE APOTHECARIES

DANCING WILLOW COURTESY OF VISIT DURANGO

Words by Julie Bielenberg

Apothecaries were America’s original pharmacies. Today, the niche health and wellness emporium is rising in popularity once again. On the Western Slope, there are numerous brick and mortar stores stocked with tinctures, herbal teas, supplements, oils, lotions, shampoos, soaps and more for natural, organic and local goodness for the body, inside and out.

The downtown Glenwood Springs apothecary is a mecca for all things natural, even plant life. Topical offerings include essential oils, roll-ons, sprays, hydrosols, facemasks, lotions and an entire men’s line. There is a lined-wall with bulk herbs, and you can make your own tea blends. For those who reuse containers, there is a station for soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and more. A garden section is devoted to seeds, plant kits, books and tools. We love their new mushroomgrowing kits! Browse the pantry section with locally-sourced goodies, including their own line of pickled vegetables, jams, spreads, etc. HōMSTED also offers seasonal classes.

This Grand Junction boutique is stocked with over 1,000 items; don’t get overwhelmed! Head straight to the organic tea, spice and herb section to indulge in hundreds of harvests from local farmers. There are nearly 200 herbal, black and green teas in addition to 200 organic culinary spices, many that you can sniff and experience before purchasing. The shop is adorned with dozens of local artisans’ work, including painting, craft and jewelry.

Their premiere location is North Main Street in Gunnison; however, Rooted Apothecary also operates limited hours at their Elk Ave., Crested Butte location and a thriving online community with multiple education components. This is the

COURTESY OF HOMSTED

I

Owner Chrissy Lee-Manes

definitive, modern-day apothecary. Products include candles, CBD, oils, foraging preservation, gut health kits, hair care, cleaning supplies, salves, remedies, skin/spa care, elixirs, herbs and much more. On trend in the mushroom boom is the apothecary’s new mushroom tinctures, such as Fung Fu Fighting. There are physical and online classes, plant camps, mini courses and an updated blog. All products are either naturally or organically-sourced and wild-crafted.

Started by Joshua Geetter and Judy Godec, Medicine Ranch combines their love of healing and natural ingredients. The breadth of product is enormous: tinctures, metabolites, organic skincare, essential oils, inhalers, body salves and oils, CBD products, bath salts, minerals and more. “We sell house-made tinctures and oils formulated by him and me,” explains Godec. “We also sell my small-batch skin care line, Venus and Vetiver, along with jewelry, bags and many other gift items.”

Dancing Willow Herbs is one of the largest apothecaries in the Rocky Mountain region. It’s an insanely stunning display of body goodness that is all created in the Dancing Willow laboratory, located behind the retail shop. The woman-owned, herbal apothecary focuses on sustainable and organic products, with an emphasis on local herbs and other indigenous plants of the Southwest. There are thousands of products: herbal tinctures and teas, aromatherapy, bath and body lines, salves, linaments, oils, a line dedicated to women’s health, mother and child and more. There are also classes throughout the year, including our favorite, the Eating Healthy Cooking Series, which is offered online. Stay up to date with their extensive blog and social media.

Owner and founder Cheyenne Martin created this modern-day herbal and flora home from her love of the earth. “We have moved out of our physical location and are focusing on creating more of an online presence. That leaves more room for me to stay present with my family and still create and serve my community and our planet. The world has transformed into such a mobile space (thankfully for many of us). This type of balance we can create in life is so fulfilling,” notes Martin of her Rifle-based company. She sells home essentials, such as candles, toothbrushes, kitchen utensils, soaps, oils, gardening needs and classic apothecary elements, like herbal remedies and supplements, including a mushroom line, tinctures for dozens of body ailments and, of course, bulk herbs and teas. The Butter Me Up – Powder Series and Good Earth Lotion Bars will become a must in any Colorado sports bag. :

Take a guided tour of this pharmacy, depicting the Wild West, with the oldest prescription in Colorado! There are more than 700 hand-blown pharmacy bottles, many with the original drugs inside. Tours are private and need to be booked ahead. ourayalchemist.com

Words by Lauren Farrauto | Photos courtesy of Hygge Life

As the weather outside gets chillier and we migrate indoors for the season, you may start to get sick of your surroundings. Spending more time indoors with little change can make you feel cooped up, but with a few refreshers to your home that mark the changing season, you can transform your space into a cozy refuge that you love coming back to at the end of the day. Take some extra care to prepare your space for the dark, cold days ahead with these easy to implement recommendations.

“We love the change of seasons,” says Koen van Renswoude, co-founder of Hygge Life, a home décor shop in Avon, “and by working your decor a little bit, you can emphasize the change, setting you up for cozy moments and more time indoors.”

Pull out cozy throw blankets that have been stored away in cupboards for the year. Bonus points if they’re thick and made from natural materials, like wool. Arrange extra pillows with the blankets on couches and beds for a comfy look, while keeping functional cozy items within reach.

“Lighting is really important to set the scene, as well. From a good floor lamp to fun rechargeable and portable accent lights to having plenty of candlelight around. In the evening, try turning off the overhead lights and using only floor lamps, table lamps and candlelight. This will create a cozy low-light sense of calm when you are winding down after a long day,” advises Renswoude.

“Make sure lamps have a ‘cozy’ setting,” adds Carey Matthews, marketing manager with The Christi Reece Group, a Western Colorado real estate agency, “whether that be three-way bulbs or LEDS that allow you to change color temperature and intensity. Harsh, cold color temperature bulbs are a no-go for hygge.”

Hygge is a Danish word that describes the ultimate feeling of comfort and contentment found in the small moments. Winter is often considered peak hygge season, because we naturally gravitate towards coziness during this time of year. “A fireplace is of course a great way to feel cozy in a home, and decorating the mantel seasonally creates a great focal point,” suggests Stephanie Ryan from The Christi Reece Group. “Colorful felt garland or fir garland brings some fun to the feature. If you don’t have a fireplace, consider an electric fireplace. There are some really realistic ones available now, and they provide warmth!”

You could also brave the elements and start a fire in your backyard or patio. Bundle up in your favorite sweater, grab a mountain of blankets and a hot drink, and invite friends or family to gather. “Embrace the colder temperatures and get outside. With a sheepskin on the back of the chair and a thick wool blanket on your lap, you’ll feel like you’re in a cozy sleeping bag, and you can sit outdoors for hours,” believes van Renswoude.

If you can, make it intuitive to enjoy these comforting moments. Stack books on the coffee At ReGenesis Plastic Surgery, Dermatology & Spa, helping you look good, feel good, and be happy in your own skin is our goal.

• Plastic Surgery • Dermatology • Facials • Dermaplane • Brow and Lash Tinting • Face and Body Waxing • Hydroluxx Facial • Skin Peels • Microneedling • ADVATx Laser • Laser Hair Removal • CO2 Treatments • Botox® • Xeomin® • Belotero® • Juvéderm® Ultra • Radiesse® • Volbella® • Voluma® • Vollure® • Kybella® • IPL Photofacial • Body Contouring • Massage Therapy

Give us a call and let us create a custom plan just for you. Because you are worth a beautiful investment—yourself.

2515 Foresight Circle, Suite 100 Grand Junction, CO 81505 970-242-8177

table to enjoy a relaxing evening curled up on the couch, corral puzzles and board games in a basket for family game night and keep slippers by the front door, so you can slip into comfort as soon as you get home.

It can tend to feel dark inside during the winter, so add pops of color by placing bowls of seasonal fruit on the kitchen counter, including apples, clementines, pears and kumquats. Or, forage for fresh greenery to place in a vase on the dinner table, adding lovely seasonal smells in addition to color.

Another way to brighten your space, Matthews suggests, is to “clean your windows! Sunlight streaming in from clean, clear windows is an instant warmth generator (literally and figuratively) for a home. You’ll be amazed at how different your home feels when your windows are clean.”

Regardless of how you choose to heighten the cozy vibes in your space, van Renswoude reminds us of the most important thing: “Make it yours! What are things that remind you of moments past, travels you’ve been on or things you love to do. Art, photos and prints are a great way to add in a lot of personality.” Only you can style the cozy home of your dreams. :

Words by Laura Mills | Photo courtesy of FOCI Coffee

Iwas scrolling through Spoke+Blossom’s followers on Instagram when FOCI Coffee stood out to me. A quick snoop of their page followed by a link to a YouTube video in their bio piqued my interest. The video was artfully ambiguous, highlighting a literal hole-in-thewall café and plastic flamingos; little did I know what kind of story was going to unfold.

Colorado local Ben Haver, born and raised in Palisade, Colorado is the founder and creative leader behind the FOCI movement. FOCI Coffee was an idea born from a project at university that quickly turned into a brand, a craft cold brew coffee and, now, multiple interactive experiences.

“Foci is plural for focus. I couldn’t decide on a name or really what I wanted to do, so FOCI is perfect for multiple focus points and everything that we want to do as a brand moving forward,” Haver says.

Haver is a freelance graphic designer, with FOCI being his true passion project. Though he works remotely, he stays close to his Western Colorado roots not only for the versatility of recreation but also for the community.

“We are making it happen here. In a bigger city with more resources and people, we could be moving quicker, but I couldn’t ask for better feedback than what we received currently in Grand Junction. That shows me that we’re doing something that people are enjoying, and it’s working here,” Haver explains. “It’s allowing us to build slowly and with intention.”

Haver and his supportive and likeminded creative friend Cole Ervin collaborate on interactive experiences that they share with the community, based around the pillars of their brand. The main pillar is craft cold brew coffee — with vanilla extract personally made

by Haver himself. “I was looking for coffee on-the-go in stores. The canned stuff wasn’t something that I really liked and was filled with a lot of ingredients I didn’t align with. I grew up in agriculture and pride myself on eating healthy and clean. Knowing the back end of how food is grown, I wanted to create a clean product,” Haver confidently states.

After the pillar of the craft cold brew coffee was created, they started on the Tiny Café, the literal hole-in-the-wall that caught my eye. Modeled after the tiny wine windows used in France during the time of the plague, Haver and his team would serve their delicious, caffeinated beverage out of a window, just small enough to fit your hand through, once a month for select hours — sometimes accompanied by other local creatives like crêpe girl, a Grand Junction resident with strong ties to her French background who can be found slinging delicious crepes and also performing musically.

Haver and his team simply like building cool, unique and memorable experiences for people to immerse themselves in, but at the base of FOCI is a way for creatives to build each other up and support one another in their growth. FOCI is an umbrella that welcomes like-minded individuals to bring attention to the artistic community that resides and is developing in Grand Junction.

“How can we prop you up with either materials, funding, brand reach, design and marketing knowledge or outreach as your own entity, while also providing us with more leverage moving forward with your ideas or skillset?” asks Haver when explaining the questions and thought processes he moves through when working on the development of what FOCI is and can be.

FOCI has few parameters, and that’s the way they want it to be — an open door for creative opportunities to help nourish the community of unique thought processes and one-off experiences or goods. Winter is a time for development and brainstorming for those who align with the FOCI crew, but big plans are ahead. Keep an eye out for what’s to come in the Grand Junction art scene and how FOCI is going to be a part of it. :

Words + Photo by Jayme Henderson

Let’s give a traditional New York Sour cocktail a

YIELD: ONE COCKTAIL

2 ounces bourbon whiskey ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice ¾ ounce spiced simple syrup (recipe below) ½ ounce dry red wine

1. In a mixing tin, combine the bourbon, lemon juice and spiced simple syrup. 2. Add ice, and shake well. 3. Strain into a cocktail glass over a large cube of ice. 4. Slowly pour the red wine over a spoon so that the cocktail remains layered.

SPICED SIMPLE SYRUP Combine one cup water with one cup sugar in a small saucepan. Add a cinnamon stick, a couple of whole cloves, a few allspice berries and a star anise. Over low heat, bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat after simmering five minutes, let completely cool and strain the solids. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, and use it in seasonal cocktails for an extra addition of spice. :

TASTE AS RICH AS THE HISTORY SNOW CAPPED CIDER

Words by Erin Phillips | Photo courtesy of Snow Capped Cider

“I want people to taste our ciders and think, ‘Wow! I didn’t know cider could be like this,’” says Kari Williams, owner of Snow Capped Cider. “There is no way you could get a higher quality cider than doing it on these farms. Would I make cider and make this a company if I didn’t have the fruit? Absolutely not!”

The proof is not only in the fact that Snow Capped Cider is coming out of 2022 one of the top awarded cideries in the nation and has been awarded #1 heritage cider two years running, but it’s also in the great responsibility she feels towards representing the century-old family history in Colorado’s commercial fruit industry.

Williams Family Orchards sits in the Surface Creek Valley of Colorado’s Western Slope at 6,130 feet. This unique microclimate creates an unsurpassed terroir to grow fruit with the right knowledge and innovation. Williams says her husband Ty’s great-grandfather “froze water from the lakes on the Grand Mesa above and buried it until it was time to bring it down. He hand-wrapped the apples, placed them into wooden boxes made on-site and loaded them on rail cars to get them out of the valley.”

Nowadays, as the only estate cidery in Colorado, some has changed, but not much. They are a zero-waste facility and cultivate a healthy biodynamic system with the land. “Everything that is a negative and a positive here is heightened,” Williams adds. Increased exposure to UV light distresses the trees, resulting in high sugar content. By micronizing the water system, there is an increased nutrient delivery to the soil. The slower system reduces soil erosion and salt back to the Colorado River. The snowmelt is directly sourced without fossil fuels or electricity, and the use of trellises allows the sunlight to penetrate more to get really highdensity, high-quality fruit. Williams says if Snow Capped Cider is not nurturing and caring for its fruit, over 70% of it becomes disease-ridden and dehydrated.

“We do the labor,” shares Williams. “It’s a pride thing to do things the way this family has done. I’ve watched this family lose 2 million dollars in orchards two years ago when we had a freeze. I know how harsh the conditions are. My family works seven days a week. I’m just so fortunate to be able to make cider the way I can.”

Snow Capped Cider will soon be releasing their Elevation series, a blend of cider and traditional culinary apples labeled with a topography map of where the apples came from. “I get to have the fun job experimenting with flavor profiles. I feel like a kid in a candy store,” laughs Williams. “I want to make the family legacy proud, to represent what we do through my ciders, and provide the highest quality French and English ciders that can actually be made here.” Not a single drop leaves the Snow Capped Cider doors without a flavorful blast of passion, intention and history. :

CREATED FROM SEASONAL SURPRISES WINTER RECIPES

Words by Maureen McGuire | Photos by Cat Mayer

Some of the best things about the holidays are the joyful surprises that make me really appreciate this time of the year, especially in my kitchen.

During the holidays, with a little attention and a lot of luck, I still have things growing in my garden. One year, I had Swiss chard make it all the way until January. If I am careful, and the weather cooperates, I can have greens and more hearty herbs almost by the end of the year. In my kitchen, we often embrace what we have. Sometimes, we have greens a couple of times a week in the fall and winter just because that is what is growing. This spring, my mother-in-law planted mystery cucurbit seeds in her garden. It was acorn squash. We ended up with six acorn squash plants, which grew produce the deepest green I have had the pleasure to remember, and are so beautiful to see on my kitchen counter and on my plate.

Even through all of my complaints about pulling weeds, the bugs and the water bill, I am always excited to see what we end up with that will last through the holidays, because it is always different. Sometimes, it is a gift. Last year, three boxes of apples from who-knows-where showed up on my porch in November. We are still eating the applesauce I canned, and I am so excited to flex my creative culinary muscles to continue to make things from that surprise. I hope that you can experience a surprise that makes you smile for a long time this holiday season, like I will with all of the beautiful acorn squash I will be eating. :

SERVES 2

1 large acorn squash, halved, seeds removed, roasted 1 cup brown rice (or other grain), cooked 1 Tbsp butter 4 ounces oyster mushrooms, finely chopped 1½ cups raw, hearty greens (such as Swiss chard), chopped ½ small onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced ¾ cup ricotta (can substitute cottage cheese or soft goat cheese) 1 egg ½ cup chopped pecans 1 sprig fresh thyme (or a pinch of ground) Salt and pepper to taste

1. Use an already-roasted acorn squash with the seeds removed. 2. Sautée onions, mushrooms, garlic, thyme and greens in butter. Remove the thyme sprig. Let cool, so that you can touch it without it burning. 3. Mix sautéed medley with rice, ricotta, pecans and the egg.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Stuff squash to heaping, using your hand to mold the mound of stuffing and make it stick. 4. Bake at 330˚ for 40 minutes (or longer if needed), until browned.

SERVES 6

Pie pastry for one 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store bought)

FILLING 1½ cups applesauce ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp each of mace, nutmeg, allspice, cloves (optional) 1 Tbsp tapioca flour or cornstarch ¼ cup sugar

CRUMBLE TOPPING ½ cup flour ¼ cup brown sugar 1 Tbsp butter ½ cup pecans ¼ cup dried cranberries

1. Cut the thinly-rolled pastry into 4-inch circles, and fit the circles into a greased muffin pan. 2. Mix the filling ingredients and fill each crust, leaving space at the top for the crumble topping. 3. Place all of the ingredients for the topping in a food processor, and pulse into a coarse crumb. 4. Top tartlets with crumbs to cover the filling.

Bake at 350˚ for 30-40 minutes.

Words + Photo by Kim Fuller

Meals and Drinks for Adventurous Days and Cozy Nights BY MARNIE HANEL + JEN STEVENSON

“P eeking out the window to see a world quieted by freshly fallen snow is a matchless joy, promising a day filled with wintry adventures bookended by a warm, nourishing meal. As brisk weather slows our daily pace, we find more reasons to gather and time to cook, because as much as we love skiing, sledding, skating, snowshoeing and snowball fighting, ultimately, when the wind is whipping up outside, we take a shine to being inside.”

As the preface of this sweet cookbook so beautifully states, there’s nothing quite like finding that perfect amount of cozy in the deep winter months. Whether you’re in need of satisfying snacks to get through a day of hibernation, planning a menu for a snowed-in dinner party or searching for a hearty breakfast before a long day of powder-filled adventure, The Snowy Cabin Cookbook is filled with fun and inspiring recipes. Readers can try the Snowbound Stromboli with Arrabbiata (a grown-up version of the Hot Pocket), Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts with Parsnips and Apples alongside Brrrisket with Parsley and Pomegranate Seeds, or Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup with Bacon and Chives.

Fully illustrated by artist Monica Dorazewski, this cookbook also has a number of delicious desserts and cocktails to practice making and to enjoy, like a Blood Orange Negroni alongside Almond Tangerine Trifle. Try the Snowed In cocktail (our beverage featured here) on those days when staying in makes more sense than venturing out.

The authors have also created fun tips and charts on living your best winter life, like advice on how to build a better snowman and 99 ways to use a mug. This thoughtful book is truly well done and will inspire cozy time in the kitchen and throughout your home all season long.

THE BEVERAGE SNOWED IN

Inspired by the ingredient of sherry (fortified wine), this cocktail demonstrates great balance and has a festive look when served in a coupe. Sherry offers depth and richness to round out the mezcal, grapefruit and lemon in this bright libation.

2 ounces mezcal 1 ounce oloroso sherry 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice ½ ounce fresh lemon juice ½ ounce Demerara syrup 1 lemon twist

Combine the mezcal, sherry, grapefruit juice, lemon juice and Demerara syrup in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with the lemon twist. :

Compiled by Lexi Reich

Colorful Colorado Collective is a community that encourages photographers of all backgrounds to share their diverse perspectives of the state. Scroll through this page for incredible photography by talented photographers and artists.

I-70 Things continues to grow in popularity for its hilarious way of capturing the chaos on one of the most hectic highways in America. Through scenic imagery and memes of traffic jams or unpredictable weather, this page is worth a look.

Located at the base of picturesque Mt. Garfield, The Blue Beryl is a new, family-owned, boutique winery and vineyard. If you’re looking for beautiful Palisade wedding photos or to get a first-look at new wines and community events, be sure to give them a follow.

This fun podcast — which defines “gremlin” as a creature of the wild — covers everything from embracing your inner wilderness and developing a healthy relationship with running/ training to navigating dating and more. Host Mak Shea Smith is an elite obstacle course racer, ultramarathon runner, full-time engineer, certified life-coach, backpacker and content creator.

From Colorado Public Radio, ¿Quién Are We? is a podcast that explores what it means to be Latino, Hispanic or Chicana. Through the stories of people from various walks of life, this podcast explores identity, relationships and more.

Kara Cutruzzula created Do It Today podcast to offer listeners the inside scoop on creating meaningful work, with doses of encouragement along the way. By asking friends and notable figures across creative industries about what they’re doing that day, this podcast shares insight and inspiration on doing your best work.

Words by Lexi Reich | Photos by Matt Powers

Every year, Coloradans flock to the state’s world-renowned ski slopes — some to get in fresh powder, others to sport their new seasonal look. Yet, no one does mountain fashion quite as well as Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW).

For its 45th anniversary last year, AGSW drew in people from all around the world for a spirited downhill competition that celebrated diversity while raising funds for AspenOUT, the nonprofit that grants over $100,000 each year to college students, mental health counselors and more.

Returning this year January 15-22, 2023, ASGW is open to everyone — and the costume contest is a can’t-miss. Mariam T, the fabulous drag queen from San Diego, will host the downhill again.

“We hope to have 10 to 15 teams competing,” shares art director Lukas Volk. The colorful competition will be judged by a roster of personalities, including gay ski week legend Mariam T. :

Learn more at gayskiweek.com.

Every year, AGSW draws in thousands of attendees, making it the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, all in support of LGBTQIA+ nonprofit AspenOUT.

The Gay Ski Week Pass is every attendee’s key to the week, offering access to all of the hot galas and parties that make AGSW such a blast. The downhill competition and costume contest is a crowd favorite.

Words by Lucie Hanes | Photos by Madison Rahhal

— HELEN KELLER

Carrie Calvin sees herself as a storyteller first and foremost — just not in the way you’d expect. Instead of using words, she stamps her narratives into clay and metal. Each piece from Sunward Jewelry features simple shapes accented with colors and textures that Calvin brings back with her from every adventure.

The name Sunward bears a long history in and of itself. “My dad passed away when I was in high school,” Calvin explains. “He would always say that attitude is everything and remind me of the Helen Keller quote: ‘Keep your face to the sun, and you will never see the shadows.’ I collected little suns growing up for that reason and also wanted to channel the Western mentality. ‘Sunward’ brings all these things together for me.”

Calvin comes to jewelry making from a background in graphic design. She first discovered the joy of working with a laser cutter through a former employer and found inspiration in the geometric styles that the tool so cleanly produces. But, most of Calvin’s work in graphic design lacked a physical component. She wanted a way to get her hands dirty and create a finished product that she could feel. Jewelry making stood out to her as a way to combine the virtual and the tactical.

“The idea that I could blend my design skills with technology and a physical outcome was so alluring,” gushes Calvin. “Creating something I could hold in my hands felt good.”

After some experimentation, Calvin quit her full-time gig in graphic design to dive in deep with her craft. She works out of her cozy home studio where she’s installed her own laser cutter — the first big investment she made in her business — and creates two main styles of jewelry: laser-cut leather combined with metal linework and silver combined with precious metal clay.

Carrie Calvin

JACE STOUT

“I use precious metal clay, because it holds so much texture,” Calvin says. “It’s basically recycled silver made into a powder and then into clay form. It’s more rustic and organic than other forms of clay, too, and shows the whole process from A to B.” She uses the precious metal clay to pick up prints from natural features, like leaves and rocks, so that she can tie pieces of the places she’s been into her work.

The subtlety of those prints alongside the stark lines of the geometric leather merges organic and man-made beauty. It reminds the wearer of how we fit into the natural world around us, distinct but still harmonious.

On top of jewelry, Calvin’s been exploring a range of other creations, including leather clutches and hatbands, engraved drinkware, wood-carved coasters and even personalized denim jackets. She has a soft spot for all things Western and enjoys weaving together modern design and classic “cowboy” culture.

“My husband used to run a horseshoe business,” reflects Calvin, “so the ranch life feels very peaceful to me. Then, I make those memories more concrete and urban by blending them with crisp shapework.”

Calvin is still processing the growth of her business over the past year. “It used to be just all my friends wearing my jewelry. Now, I see it on people all over the Vail Valley!” she exclaims. Now, she’s focused on finding the balance between accessible and elegant. Calvin uses materials like leather and brass, because they’re easily obtainable but far from bland. These components give a piece an air of sophistication without ramping it to a much higher price range. She wants to foster a real connection with her work, rather than have it be something people admire from afar. Experimenting with other materials that have the same grounding effect will drive her craft forward in the future.

“2022 was my year of ‘yes,’” Calvin states. “It got me started in a messy but fruitful way. Next year will be one of expansion to see what other magic combinations I can find.” : Calvin sells her jewelry and other creations at shops, popups and markets around the Vail Valley, including the ARTSPaCE gallery in Eagle and the annual National Western Stock Show, as well as on her website at shopsunward.com.