Interview with artisan Kate Rootiebird Lasilla

from la Vie Sirene volume 1 issue 4 - THE NATURE OF NYMPHS

Out ‘n’ About Treesort

Artisan Kate Lasilla channels her talent and connection with the treasures of the earth’s core to overcome anxiety and depression. In the process, she makes beautiful jewelry and inspires others to use their own creativity in tangible, healing ways.

You've been called the gemstone whisperer. How did you earn this monicker?

Basically, I have been channeling gemstone patterns and combinations as well as simple messages from the Ether...this last 'channel' i entered the world of a crystal. I am looking forward to the next time I am honored with another journey.

I was dubbed the Gemstone Whisperer by [friend] Tracie Nichols last year just after I had 'officially' opened for business... I wrote a blog about it here.

You also have a relationship with metals, something many people may not exactly view as a warm and fuzzy type of material. How did you first develop your interest in metals?

Metals are actually warm and fuzzy....each metal vibrates at different frequencies...such as copper is a very male energy and silver a very female energy...this is why they go so well together..yin/yang n all that! I decided to branch out a bit and try my hand and wire work...my next curiosity will be metal work...i am really looking forward to the energies and things that will come from combining molten metal energies with botanicals and animal totems as well as complementary crystals... soooooo very intriguing...how we can use the tools nature gave us, not only as decoration to show our spirit or soul, but also to enhance the light body AND the physical body.

You've mentioned that your "mission is to assist other souls living with depression, anxiety and agoraphobia." What can you share about this mission?

Ahhhh...the mission...two or three years in its infancy as yet. Once upon a time I was riddled with depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. I would like to help others start support groups in their areas by helping out with fees and such associated with these things. Another facet of this is to take part in using creativity as an excellent tool for depression. I am in touch with the local art gallery in my area and we are planning on a class and also awareness.

How did you first get into jewelry making? And what does the activity do for you?

I first got into jewelry making while working as a janitor...one of the other gals was working on a project and i was immediately addicted to 'beading' ...then when I first laid my hands on a strand of gemstones that is when my longest standing love affair began..with the energies of gemstones. the act of beading and wiring (apart from the channeling part of it) is very meditational and soothing to me. I get lost and live in that moment, with the labor intensive aspect of my art, it is difficult to focus on anything else when I am in the midst of this process.

The name of your business, Rootiebird's, is adorable. Where did it come from?

RootieBirds....everyone asks the question...such a simple answer... My middle name is Ruth...and my father called me RootieBird... He has since passed...

What are you looking forward to next?

I look forward to what is around each corner...If i plan on something it is guaranteed it will not work out as I had arranged. So...I simply love to fly by the seat of my pants...see what happens! (But I really really want to work more with metal, leather, wood carving....and explore the vast and fascinating world I have only dipped my toes into ...botanical and animal totems)