Kelsie's real passion behind pursuing her interest in Kintsugi stems from a desire to help others to feel seen. The symbolism found in Kintsugi resonates with her due to her own journey of recovery. She wants others struggling with trauma to be able to recognize the beauty and resilience within themselves, scars and all.
Kelsie founded The Mend & Bloom Foundation to act as a charity allowing handcrafted Kintsugi pots to be donated to survivors, including but not limited to: survivors of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, sex trafficking, sexual assault, etc. After being uniquely and individually crafted with care, a succulent is planted within each repaired pot. These are meant to be a simple symbol of hope to survivors, helping them to know that they are more than their scars. Succulents are often seen as a symbol of resilience. A vessel repaired using the Kintsugi method paired with a young succulent can serve as a reminder of the beauty, strength and resilience that each survivor innately has within them. It can also be a symbol of growth and new life, reminding survivors that this is NOT the end of their story.
For every class held through Kelsie's Kintsugi or purchases made through our store (to come), 50% of all proceeds will go towards funding the Mend & Bloom Foundation. Free classes are also held through Mend & Bloom, allowing the general public to participate in creating Kintsugi pieces to be donated to survivors. To find out more about the Mend & Bloom Foundation, please visit: mendandbloom.org