Crystal Healing Bracelets by Angela Gentile, Gentle Angel Treasures
In the fall of 2021 I decided that my counselling skills were not going to go to waste. I started seeking out office space that was comfortable, wheelchair accessible and affordable. I found a great office in the heart of downtown Winnipeg in an area called Osborne Village. The office is on the main floor and it overlooks the Assiniboine River. I can see the Golden Boy on top of the Manitoba Legislature from one of my windows.
My client list is growing, and I have a few regular clients now. Some come in to the office, some prefer home visits, some like telephone, and many prefer virtual or “teletherapy.” I use the platform called Sessions by Psychology Today. They also have an app so my clients can use their mobile devices instead of having to be on a desktop or laptop computer. This makes counselling and therapy very convenient!
As my private practice thrives I have to be careful that I take time to look after myself. Burnout can happen to anyone in any kind of caring profession. I have been burnt out before, so I am very careful and will not let that happen again.
To keep myself balanced, a work-life balance, I have decided to work with my private practice Monday to Thursday. Friday to Sunday are my days off. I have also developed a new passion and hobby which allows me to be creative and nourishes my passion for helping people.
In my spare time, I make semiprecious gemstone bracelets. These bracelets are said to have crystal healing properties and some people believe the energy that comes from them can help them feel better. Some wear them for the healing properties, others just like the visual appeal of wearing natural stones. I have been wearing these types of bracelets since my cancer diagnosis in 2017. The designing, creating, assembling, and sale/gifting of these beautiful and natural gem bracelets is very “recreationally therapeutic” for me. I love making these bracelets, and I have also started making custom orders for people. Some of the most popular types of stones I use are onyx, obsidian, howlite, amethyst, rose quartz, jade, jasper, agate, hematite and lava. My supply has grown leaps and bounds since October 2021, and I think I have almost every type of bead now!
Counselling and therapy is hard work. Making crystal healing bracelets is fun and energizing. The combination of these two activities creates a great balance for me. I am very well mental-health wise, and feel energized and grounded. I remember years ago listening to Dr. Laura Schlessinger on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. In addition to her marriage and family advice talk show, she would talk about selling her jewelry that she handcrafted. Now I get it. A therapist who has a creative and fun outlet is better equipped to handle any stress, trauma, grief, and conflict that a client brings to them. It just makes good sense.
If you are interested in booking an appointment for counselling or would like to see what I have for sale in my Gentle Angel Treasures shop, please send me a message in the comment box below.
Looking for a special gift for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer or another health problem? Perhaps they have a mental health issue and they would benefit from some encouragement? Maybe you are just looking for a nice gift or a “Pick me up” for a friend or family member? Consider purchasing one of my Crystal Healing Bracelets from my Gentle Angel Treasures shop to help brighten their days. I have been making these bracelets since October 2021.
Each bracelet is unique due to the nature of the gemstones and the availability of accents and other beads. I use only natural semi-precious gemstones from around the world. The sturdy stretchy jewelry cord style is the most popular. My bracelets are also availble in wire-strung with clasps and memory wire. All of my bracelets are handmade and handcrafted with love.
Other gift items are also available. You will find earrings, keychains, pendants and much more! Something for everyone.
Crystal Healing Bracelets
Crystals and gemstones have been known to have special healing properties for thousands of years. It is understood that the crystals work through the human energy system – the chakras and aura – and not through the human body. Crystals are natural solids made from minerals. They are formed in the earth’s surface. The magical and healing powers of crystals enhance the placebo effect (where something has a healing effect because it changes chemicals in the brain which makes us feel better) and I am a strong believer in mindset when it comes to overcoming our struggles whether it is mental, physical or both.
My bracelets are made with natural gemstones and the wearer can enjoy an enhanced sense of well-being. I know how much I enjoy wearing my healing bracelets! In 2017, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I received three crystal healing bracelets. I believe they were instrumental in my recovery.
These bohemian or boho style (natural and unique) bracelets can be dressed up, or dressed down. They can be used every day or just on special occasions (depending on the bracelet).
Some people like to wear more than one bracelet, and that’s called “stacking.” Different colours, stone sizes, metals, or other properties can be combined.
Beads come in different sizes (e.g., 4, 6, 8, and 10mm) and are either polished or have a matte or frosted finish. Some are smooth and round, while others are cubed, tumbled, or faceted. A faceted bead has many sides which help it sparkle (think “Diamond cut”).
Some bracelets come in sets. Distance sets are for couples who can’t be together, “Soulmates,” “We Belong Together,” “A Piece of Me,” or “Mom and Me” are other examples of sets.
Two or more crystals put into one bracelet can have a synergistic effect, which means the crystals work together to create a new, unique, and intensified healing property. These bracelets can also be considered “intention” bracelets.
Each bracelet has a unique and individual style to it. Some people like plain, simple, one type of stone while others like a combination of colours. Some stones are opaque, some translucent, and some completely transparent. A variety of interesting effects can be found. For example, labradorite has a blue shine to it. Moonstone is magical. Tiger’s eye has what looks like a cat eye effect. Others glow in the dark or look cool under a black or blue UV light!
I often like to use different findings such as charms, spacers, rondelles and I prefer glass, crystal, or metal (versus plastic or acrylic). I also have a selection of wood, shell, and bone beads and rondelles to complement the gemstones.
The creative process of designing and assembling the bracelets brings me much joy and I always feel even happier when someone else likes what I have created.
Custom orders available, for an additional $5.00 (CAD) surcharge. Ask me for more info!
Pricing: My bracelets and other gifts are listed well below most competitors. Each bracelet is priced based on the cost of the supplies and the time and effort it takes to make it.
Shipping: Cost to ship one, two, or three bracelets in Canada is $3.00 (CAD). Cost to ship one, two, or three bracelets to USA is $10.00 (CAD). International shipping is approximatley $15.00 (CAD).
Resizing: Any of the bracelets can be resized once, for no extra charge. After that, it’s $5.00 (plus the cost of any extra beads or components needed).
Repairs: I can give you an estimate on how much it would cost to repair your bracelet.
Special Orders: If there is a stone you would like that I don’t have in stock, I can order it for you. I will require a deposit that goes towards your purchase to initiate the order.
Satisfaction: If there are any quality issues, please let me know as I am working hard to make sure all my components and assembly are top notch. Examples are: bracelet breaks, rhinestones fall out, metal tarnishes, charm falls off.
Consignment: Bulk orders available for consignment deals or other projects like fundraisers or gift box subscriptions.
Bracelet Sizing
To determine your bracelet size, measure your wrist with a measuring tape (or string) where you would like the bracelet to fit (like where you would wear a watch). If you like a looser fitting bracelet, add another 0.5-1 cm.
XS – 13 cm – 14 cm (5 – 5.5″)
Small – 15 cm – 16 cm (6 – 6.75″)
Medium – 17-18 cm (6.75 – 7.25″)
Large – 19-20 cm (7.5 – 8″)
XL – 21 cm (8.33″)
Half sizes also available. Don’t have a measuring tape? Here is a video on how to measure your wrist with a piece of string, paper, and ruler.
Working with Crystals
You can experience the beneficial effects of crystals simply by placing them near you, holding them in your hands, or wearing them against your skin. You can also meditate upon them. You may also choose to enjoy having beautiful crystals in your environment while harnessing the special energies that they bring to your home and environment.
Common Crystals and Semi-Precious Gemstones used in my Bracelets and their Healing* Properties:
Agate, Bamboo Leaf Agate: Good for sight and the health of the lymphatic system, colon, pancreas, and circulation. Good for emotional security and energy.
Agate, Black Banded: Good for endurance, change, new beginnings, and finding answers by seeing things differently. Good for yin/yang balance.
Amethyst: Good for overall protection, and physical, emotional, and mental balance. It helps with coping with responsibility and change. It heals the causes of dis-ease. Good for hearing, hormone regulation, insomnia, headaches, cancer, and arthritis (as an elixir). Good for the health of the immune, circulatory, and sympathetic nervous systems, bones, heart, stomach, skin, teeth, liver, and endocrine glands. Aids detoxing and blood cleansing. Helps with anger and violent tendencies. Calms passion, nerves, oversensitivity, tension, emotional energy, and grief. Enhances the aura, self-esteem, meditation, spirit contact, and spirituality.
Angelite: Protects travelers. Good for the brain and intellect. Helps study, communication, and courage. Builds tolerance and responsibility. Makes things happen. Good for the kidneys, lymph, body fluids, blood, teeth, and eyes. Helps swollen glands, water retention, and swelling. Improves eyesight. Cooling in hot climates. Brings calm, compassion, spiritual awareness, and development, and reveals the truth about yourself. Helps judgmental attitude. Brings you in contact with your inner and higher self. Good for centering and meditation. Gently washes away blocks in chakras. Clears pollutants (when used in visualization). *Do not get wet.*
Aquamarine (blue to blue-green variety of Beryl): Known to help build up courage. Brings calm, compassion, and spiritual awareness.
Aventurine: Good for motivation, decisions, yin/yang balance. Good for the muscles, lungs, heart, adrenal glands, and urogenital system. Protects, calms, and soothes emotions. Aids relaxation. Facilitates contact with spirit guides. Prevents “energy vampires” from sapping energy.
Carnelian: A “feel better” stone. It helps with memory, inspiration, speech, and the voice. It can relieve laziness and apathy and bring vitality, self-esteem, compassion, courage, and personal power. Good for digestion, tissue regeneration, and revitalizing the blood. Helps appetite. Helps anger, envy fear, rage, sorrow, confusion, and jealousy.
Chrysocolla: A blue/green “feel better” stone. Good for: Stress, phobias, tension, and guilt. Can help to mend a broken heart.
Chrysoprase: A green or yellow “feel better” stone. Good for general mental health and healing.
Citrine: A yellow, golden, or lemon “money” and “feel better” stone. Brings abundance and wealth. Good for the digestive system, eyesight, heart, kidneys, thyroid, thymus, and liver. Good for decision-making, learning, teaching, studying, creativity, awareness, writing, problem-solving, new beginnings. Good for relationships, self-esteem, getting rid of emotional toxins. Helps with anger and yin/yang balance.
Fluorite: Focuses the find and creates order out of chaos. Good for decisions, concentration, and relationships. Helps with the early stages of cancer. Good for meditation. Helps over-excitement and stress (allows the mind to work effectively in stressful situations).
Garnet: Brings courage, creative energy, vitality, abundance, flow, change, and awareness. Enhances the health of the bone, spine, heart, and lungs. Brings emotional balance. Helps depression, chaos, disruption, and emotional trauma.
Hematite, Black: Brings strength, love, courage, and personal magnetism. Good for mental processes, thoughts, memory, dexterity, and working with numbers/maths. Good for the blood and helps with anemia and insomnia.
Jade, White: Aids in problem-solving. Helps proneness to accidents and reaching dreams, goals, and ideals. It brings balance, justice, modesty, courage, wisdom, compassion, and longevity. It is good for the skin, hair, lymphatic system, bones, joints/hips, spleen, bladder, heart, immune system, gallbladder, kidneys, muscles, and the entire female reproductive system. Helps acne, fertility, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual problems, period pain, asthma, bacterial and viral infections, eye disorders, general malaise, high blood pressure, and schizophrenia. Good for emotional balance, confidence, and grounding. Helps negativity. Promotes dreams and dream recall (when placed under the pillow). Brings connection to ancient civilizations and wisdom, protection, peace (both inner and outer), and shamanic access to spirit worlds.
Jasper, Lilac: Helps prevent illness and acts as a general tonic when you are feeling down with a minor illness. Good for the nerves. Helps loneliness and keeps your spirits up.
Jasper, Ocean: Good for responsibility and patience. Good for digestion, detoxing, and the prevention of dis-ease. Good for meditation and circular breathing. Helps ease emotional stress.
Labradorite: Good for inspiration. Helps reduce feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and stress.
Lapis Lazuli: A “feel better” dark blue stone that brings vitality, wisdom, mental endurance, and creative expression. Good for relaxation, relationships, dreams, yin/yang balance, and all psychic abilities. Helps depression.
Lava Rock: Known for its grounding properties and is wonderful for calming emotions. It gives strength and courage. Helps with stability through change. Check out this article for some great info.
Malachite: A green stone that is good for endurance. Helps with physical balance, eyesight, and detoxing at a cellular level. Good for the immune system. Encourages restful sleep. Brings calm and emotional balance. Helps depression and manic depression.
Moonstone: White/cream/yellow/brown/blue/green or rainbow stone. Good for: wisdom, passion, change, new beginnings, endings, intuition, insight, and creativity. Brings good luck and a happy home. Good for: circulation, skin, hair, eyes, pituitary gland, and fertility. Helps women in terms of hormones and sexuality. Soothing and good for the inner self and emotions generally. Releases energy blocks. Brings calm, control, balance, confidence, composure, peace of mind, and caring and compassion. Helps oversensitivity, pessimism, and combats cycles/repeated patterns.
Obsidian: Black volcanic glass is known for protection, creativity, male qualities, and intuition. Good for digestion and survival instincts. Grounding.
Onyx, Black: Brings luck and happiness to the home. Good for bone marrow. Helps grief and lack of self-control. Helps you take charge of situations (strength and power). Good for yin/yang balance, contact with “god”, and connecting to your roots.
Opal: Good for creativity, inspiration, imagination, and memory. Aids detox. Helps infections. Promotes good and bad characteristics and allows bad ones to come out so you can deal with them.
Quartz, Rose: Known to be good for the health of the adrenal glands, heart, blood, circulation, kidneys, and spleen. Helps with general aches and pains. Good for forgiveness, love, romance, and relationships. Like a bubble bath for the emotions.
Strength & Love – Rose Quartz and Black Onyx
Rhodochrosite: Pinkish stone that brings courage. Good for memory, passion, sex, and making music. Good for the spleen, heart, circulation, and kidneys. Helps aging and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Good for flow and yin/yang balance. Helps mental breakdown, 21st Century stress, and emotional trauma.
Sodalite: A blue stone that is good for ideas, perception, creative expression, and endurance. Good for physical balance and the health of the metabolism and lymphatic system. Helps with high blood pressure, insomnia, autism, aging, diabetes, and calcium deficiency. Good for calming, self-esteem, mental health and healing, and communicating feelings. Helps with confusion, inadequacy, mental unrest, oversensitivity, and fear.
Warrior Spirit – Sodalite and Black Onyx
Warrior Spirit – Sodalite and Black Onyx
Sunstone: Orange stone that brings vitality, abundance, and longevity. Brings strength and energy. Helps with fear and stress. Offers protection from “evil spirits.”
Tiger’s Eye, Yellow Silverite: “Feel better” and “go for it” stone. Good for intuition, courage, new beginnings. Helps digestion and digestive disorders. Good for balance, calm, and grounding. Helps fear, worry, depression, turmoil, inhibition, negativity.
Tourmaline, Pink: Enhances healing ability and offers protection on all levels. Good for mental health and healing. Calming and good for self-confidence, balance, and removing blockages. Helps fear. Relieves a restless or troubled mind.
Turquoise: Good for creative expression, courage, communication, wisdom, Compassion, romance, love, and friendship. Helps with public speaking and writing. A multi-purpose healer for the body. Alleviates the harmful effects of radiation.
Zoisite: Good for laziness and idleness. Good for the heart, spleen, pancreas, and lungs. Helps negativity. The Ruby version (Ruby in Zoisite) has red in it.
How to Spot a Fake
For more information on gemstones and minerals, visit Minerals.net – The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom. If you are wondering how to tell if a gemstone is real or not, here is a helpful article called the List of False or Misleading Gemstone Names from the International Gem Society.
Caring for your Stretch Crystal Healing Bracelets:
Roll the bracelet on and off your hand to help preserve the elasticity. Keep it dry and if it gets soiled, wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Stacking them with other bracelets won’t damage them or reduce their effectiveness. There are a variety of ways to recharge and cleanse your crystals, which include putting your bracelet in direct sunlight or under a full moon. Some people like to use a sage smudge. I do not recommend putting them into saltwater due to the potential of damaging the elastic and some crystals and metals may not like the water (such as Angelite). If your bracelet has metal on it, store it in a sealed plastic bag or container to help prevent it from tarnishing. If your bracelet breaks or if you need it resized, please contact me as I aim for your complete satisfaction and enjoyment.
*There is no scientific evidence that crystals and gemstones can “heal” but they can offer a placebo effect of improved well-being when the wearer believes they can help. I wrote a chapter on integrative medicine and complementary therapies in my book, Cancer Up the Wazoo (this chapter is available as a free PDF). Safety Note: Please note that while the description of the properties of some crystals refers to healing benefits, they are not intended to replace diagnosis of illness or ailments, or healing, or medicine. Always consult your doctor or other medical or mental health professional in the case of illness. – The Little Pocket Book of Crystal Healing by Philip Permutt
Follow my Gentle Angel Treasures account on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, username @gatreasures. I encourage my clients and customers to send me photos of their bracelets on their wrists as I like to post the pictures on my Gentle Angel Treasures social media accounts for everyone to enjoy. Please forward me any photos you may have!
I have been offering Friendly Computer Tutor Services (Tech Support and Teaching) for the last month and I love it! I have been learning a lot and I find satisfaction in helping people who are struggling with technological issues. The mobile phone, laptop, tablet etc. that you have been frustrated with or given up on can finally be dealt with. I know how important it is to have computer-driven technology that works. It helps us stay connected, aids us in our work and play, and offers so much more.
Today I learned more about a company run by Best Buy called the Geek Squad. On the Best Buy website (as of this date, October 6, 2021), it shows a review of 1.4 stars out of 5. That is quite a low rating. I think that is for good reason, as I will explain below.
At a house call today I learned that my client is a paying member of the “Geek Squad Home Membership.” The Best Buy website has the following listed as a description of the Geek Squad and what they have to offer:
“Geek Squad Home Membership is one membership for all your devices—from Best Buy or not. For just $19.99 a month you’ll get unlimited support from our Agents, virus protection and data backup for your devices, huge savings on in-home services, and much more!” bestbuy.ca
The interesting thing to note here is that my client and I called the Geek Squad, and they said they had no record of her account (she has been a paying customer for almost two years). To have a one-time only assistance with her problem (on a Best Buy HP laptop), the Geek Squad operator said it would cost her $190.00. We were shocked! We decided to come back to this issue next week. We are planning on making an in-person visit to the Geek Squad at Best Buy to get this sorted out.
If you or someone you know is struggling with something to do with technology, please contact me and I will see how I can help. I can help troubleshoot, as well as advocate for you on your behalf. I know the language and how to navigate. I will help you call who you need to speak to and get ‘er done!
Aging in place is the process of staying in your own home as you grow older instead of moving to an outside facility. To properly age in place, you should create a budget, discuss options with your family, connect with home health services and identify necessary home modification projects.
Nearly 80 percent of adults ages 50 and older want to remain in their current homes as they age, according to American Association of Retired People (AARP). Aging in place is often more affordable than transitioning to institutionalized care and allows someone to retain independence in a comfortable, familiar setting. However, aging in place isn’t right for everyone. It requires careful planning, research and coordination.
What Is Aging in Place?
Aging in place occurs when someone makes a conscious decision to grow older in their current residence instead of moving to an assisted living or long-term care facility. Aging in place works best for people who create a plan, modify their home and establish a supportive network of family and home care services. Affordable, accessible and suitable housing options also make it easier for older adults to age in place and remain in their community for years to come.
The choice to either age in place or transition to assisted care is a complex and personal decision influenced by emotional, physical and financial factors.
Is Aging in Place Right for You?
Staying in a familiar setting is a priority for many seniors. But aging in place isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Maintaining independence can become increasingly difficult as age increases and health declines.
Everyone’s situation is different. It’s important to evaluate and be realistic about your own circumstances.
For more information on Aging in Place and the RetireGuide website> www.retireguide.com
I have been working on my books and I have two updates to tell you about.
Now in hardcover: “Flourish or Fade”
My newest book, “Flourish or Fade: A guide to total well-being for women at midlife and beyond” (2021) is now available in hardcover! This is the first book that I have been able to make into a hardcover version. Amazon had approached me to see if I would be interested in trying out this new feature they were offering, so I took them up on it. Let me know if you decided to get a copy of it in hardcover. I would love to know what you think.
Paperback updated for 2021: “Caring for a Husband with Dementia”
I have updated the paperback version of “Caring for a Husband with Dementia” for 2021. I have taken out some links that no longer worked. Many of the links were from the “Alzheimer’s Reading Room” which has been removed off the internet. I have also added a reference to a book by Marie Marley and Daniel C. Potts which has a lot of the information that was in the links which have been removed. Their book is called, “Finding Joy in Alzheimer’s: New Hope for Caregivers” (2015).
Retirement is not the end of the road; it’s the beginning of the open highway.
On the heels of the launch of my sixth book, “Flourish or Fade,” and after 21 years of working full-time, I have made the decision to retire. I have been working in the healthcare field for most of my social work career, with positions in long-term care, home care, and most recently geriatric mental health.
Retirement at this stage in my life means retiring from a job that no longer suits me. It’s been eight months since I started thinking about leaving my current position of 11 years. Perhaps it was the Covid-19 pandemic that was the icing on the cake. I had burned out while working in Home Care, so I didn’t want it to happen again. I wasn’t able to find a more suitable position so I decided to retire. My last day with my current full-time job will be on Monday, June 7, 2021. 15 more working days. The countdown is on!
I have heard it said in order to not be disappointed in retirement, an attitude of retiring TO something, versus retiring FROM something can help with the transition. With that said, I am retiring to a lifestyle where I can decide if I want to work, how much I want to work, and what kind of work I want to do. I am blessed with a great pension, some savings, and a supportive partner who helps makes this possible.
I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life. To kick off my retirement I plan to slow down, take stock, and reflect on what I want and need. I am not sure what my next steps will be – but I am keeping all my options open.
My husband, Agapito, has been cycling to work for the past 30 years. He remembers back in 1991 when he made the decision to ride his bike to work. We were married in 1990, and that winter we had moved into our first house. He had started taking the bus to work, but he found he didn’t like the public transit system. So, he started riding his bike. He never looked back.
Spring 1992. No helmet!
30 Nov 2020
He rides in all kinds of weather. Winnipeg winters can be brutally cold.
26 Jan 2021
His face covering gets all frosty in the cold weather. The winters are hard on bikes and he figures he went through about 7-8 so far. He has always bought used bikes.
04 Dec 2014 – “Tip of the day: Lots of free, all-day parking all over the city, even downtown.”
04 Sep 2015 – “Got a bit of rain on the commute home. Managed to keep all my valuables dry under the garbage bag.”
He rides rain or shine!
I wonder how long he will continue to ride his bike?
27 Dec 2021
Congratulations on 30 years of cycling, Agapito! I wish you many more years of riding your bike.
Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW 