Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Baker.
Kelly, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in a very holistic household, as my dad is a chiropractor. I had a nice solid base of holistic beliefs from the beginning. Fast forward to adulthood! After a few years of college, I decided to join the Army! I did a small amount of time, then went back to college. I just was looking for that right fit. After getting my BA in Slavic Language & Literature from Indiana University, I decided to join the Army again! I had only been in again for less than a year, when 9/11 happened. This cemented my future! I was quickly sent to a unit that was one of the first sent to Afghanistan. During my first tour there, I met my husband. We dated for a little while, endured my second AF deployment, and when I returned in 2003, he asked me to marry him! We has a quick engagement, and were married in January 2004…in Vegas…wearing Hawaiian shirts and Leis, in the drive-through ‘Tunnel of Love,’ with our best friends present! I swear I still believe Sammy Davis Jr. took our pictures!! ;-). After we married, we started a family, and I discharged from the Army. I was a supportive military spouse and stay-at-home mother for many years until my husband neared retirement! I had my Post 9/11 GI benefits still available with the clock ticking down, and decided to look for a school that I could take online, that could travel with us when we moved. I found the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) and fell IN LOVE! They offer a multitude of holistic programs, geared towards the working adult, AND accept G.I. benefits! I started out with classes towards an MS in Holistic Health & Wellness. Within this degree were Herbal Medicine electives, which made me fall in love, and guided me to where I am today! I was able to build my Herbal Apothecary business plan as my Master’s Capstone/Thesis project. This was the start of Peaceful Warrior Apothecary! I now have both and MS in Holistic Health & Wellness, as well as an MS in Herbal Medicine. Currently, I am working on a Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy. I’m a woman, a warrior, and a veteran. Now it is time to channel that into being the Peaceful Warrior!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
The base of all that I do is earth medicine. I adore herbs and stones! There are so many aspects about our health that herbs can help balance. We are a society badly out of balance. I use a variety of methods to help those looking for balance, find it; between herbal remedies, mushrooms, Reiki vibrational therapy, and stones or crystals. Our vibration, as human beings, is closer in vibration to the earth, than to all of the technology out there today. I provide a way for people to find balance through earth medicine, while still smack dab in the middle of ‘it all.’ In my shop, I personally can make tea blends for specific needs (stomach ache, anxiety, men’s health, etc.) with the loose herbs I carry, but I also sell different herbal tinctures, salve, oils and elixirs. I love to talk and teach, so I make it a point to offer a class on some aspect of herbal medicine or spiritual balancing once a month, as well as offer donation-based community reiki circles monthly.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I am so very fortunate! My husband has been my biggest supporter! Since our initial set-up, the business has just taken off and is supporting itself entirely! What I offer was definitely a need in the area, and my clients and customers are very glad to have me! I am so blessed, excited and thrilled to be here!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am in a very small and very cute little log cabin at 3909 1/2 Washington Rd in Martinez, Ga, just outside of Augusta, Ga. My cabin is just behind a local hamburger shop called Gary’s Burgers. I have a Facebook page under Peaceful Warrior Apothecary, and do most of my posting online there. I also have an Instagram page under PeacefulWA2017, where I often post pictures. I have had many requests for a webpage, for online shopping, so this may become an option in the near future. I will ship in the meantime, if someone sees something they like on my Facebook or Instagram! Just contact me through FB, my email at peacefulwarriorapothecary@gmail.com, or call the shop directly at 706-305-9098.
Contact Info:
- Address: Peaceful Warrior Apothecary
3909 1/2 Washington Road
Martinez, GA 30907 - Phone: 706-305-9098
- Email: peacefulwarriorapothecary@gmail.com
- Instagram: @peacefulwa2017
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacefulwarriorapothecary/
Image Credit:
Photos by Regina Bredja & Lisa Oellerich
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