Soul + Earth + Joy
A message from the artist – Kimberly Virdure
The Soul Stone Store is a division of Knowing Soul LLC – a company I founded in 2011 when I began providing Soul Readings. You may also be familiar with my work as a genetic genealogist.
Knowing Soul is a term I use to describe the natural state of being we all know when mind, body, Spirit, and Earth align with our most life-affirming intentions. Soul Stone vessels are one of infinite creative expressions of my flavor of Knowing Soul.
The common thread among my products and services is a celebration of our human stories and the legacies we create as part of the cycle of life here on our precious Earth.
Read on to discover more about:
The artistic vision of Soul Stone vessels
I create Soul Stone purely for the joy of it! The entire process is a sacred grounding activity in my life, as I hope each vessel conveys by sight and feeling. Each Soul Stone item emerges from my reverence for life on Earth.
Just as we embody Spirit arising from and integrating into Earth, the artistic intention is for crystals, pigments, and minerals to naturally emerge from, and integrate into, cement.
Achieving this intention requires a delicate balance of materials and techniques. As wet cement envelops whatsoever it comes into contact with, many Soul Stone vessels have buried treasures of crystals.
How to use Soul Stone vessels
Soul Stone is perfect for burning incense and smudging (with palo santo, sage, and the like). The censer bowls are perfect for smudging on the go.
Other usage ideas
- display your favorite crystals,
- catch-all vessels,
- unique additions to a tablescape, or
- sacred vessels for ceremonies, meditations, and rituals.
The Nature of Cement and Concrete
Soul Stone products don’t look like plastic, ceramic, jesmonite, resin, or anything other than what they are: cement or concrete.
Cement is a porous material with infinite variations of texture that develop according to production methods. Though some Soul Stone pieces are smooth and shiny, others have dimensions of texture (small holes, color variations, crevices, and grooves) that make them unique.
Each Soul Stone product is original and one of a kind.
Soul Stone Ingredients
- Cement or concrete (cement mixed with sand and aggregates)
- Natural pigments
- Water
- Acrylic fibers (for strength)
- Some combination of crystals, minerals, or mica pigments
- Penetrating sealer (for water and dust resistance, strength, the vibrancy of color, and sheen)
The Production Process
- The Vision. Combinations of shapes, colors, textures, aggregates, and crystals arise spontaneously.
- Preparation. Positioning of crystals, minerals, and pigments hand-picked for the vision of the piece.
- The mix. The mixing of cement (or concrete) is the most essential part of the process. Temperature, humidity, and many other factors influence the texture and strength of the mix.
- The pour. Placement of cement (or concrete) in molds and the application of techniques to meet the objectives of the project’s vision. Small batch pours ensure each product receives undivided attention.
- The cure. Soul Stone is cured in a temperature and moisture-controlled environment to ensure an even moisture loss as the cement (or concrete) hardens.
- Sanding to smooth rough edges and drilling of holes for incense holders.
- The Seal. The final step is the application of a penetrating sealer for strength, protection of color vibrancy, and aesthetics. The sealant also makes Soul Stone water and dust-resistant.
Care and Maintenance
Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Use a mild detergent as needed.
Precautions
- Keep Soul Stone products out of reach of children and pets. Crystals and metallic elements create items that may look like candy or toys. Also, smaller components pose a choking hazard.
- Oils stain Soul Stone products due to the porous nature of cement. Avoid exposure to oily substances and items.
- Harsh chemicals may adversely affect the finish.
- Waxy or sticky substances that require scraping or scrubbing to remove may lead to scratching and dulling of the surface.
- Soul Stone products are not suitable planters (the lime in cement prohibits plant growth).
- Soul Stone vessels are not food-safe, dishwasher-safe, or microwave-safe.
Product Pictures and Color Variations
Photographs of Soul Stone products are of the actual piece – what you see is what you’ll get. Each product is photographed in natural sunlight and indoor lighting to capture unique details and nuances.
How your device renders photographs in the Soul Stone Store may not exactly match the product’s colors and sheen. The rendering of color and vibrancy on your screen depends on the device you’re using and the screen settings of your device.
