Our Story...
Hello magical souls, thank you for being here. Let me introduce myself...
I am Laurie & I started Of The Forest back in 2017/2018 whilst trying to find a creative outlet for myself. As a busy home educating mother to two young children at the time, I was struggling with lack of time for me, time to explore my own creativity and who I was. I felt that although motherhood was everything I'd ever wanted and more, I was somehow sacrificing who I was along the way. I needed to find the artist in me again. It all began with a love of Macrame. My journey of weaving began. I would get lost in the process of creating something for hours on end during the evenings. Eventually I had made so many pieces that I decided to take the bold move and begin selling my work...
In taking that bold move, I did something for myself that changed the trajectory of my life and the way in which I valued myself and my time.
As I have grown and evolved, as has my family (now a mother to 4), and so has this business. I expect that will continue happening, which I love. Of The Forest is now so much more than it was. I now create potions and blends using the magical plants that bloom all around me. I offer energetic healing through reiki & offer sound healing therapy, as well as running women's circles and retreats. In 2022 I began my journey with womb healing ; a combination of womb yoga, womb massage, womb wrapping, closing of the bones ceremony, tea ceremony, yoni steaming and more.
For me, I want this business to be an extension of all that I am passionate about, all that I love and all that I want to share with others.
I have a deep connection with plants, with the Earth. My journey in working with the plants began almost 5 years ago. I took an interest in foraging, learning the plant names and properties and being in absolute awe at their endless healing powers. I couldn't believe that all this time I had been blind to these wild spaces filled with so much wonder. As time went on, I began to forage for herbs and plants to create healing tea blends and oils for my family and friends. It is so important to me to reintroduce the use of our plant allies within our homes and to reignite the connection to plants. This connection we all carry in our blood, it is a part of our history and lineage.
As I connected deeper with the Earth, allowing my children to be wild and free among the trees within the forest, learning through nature, I realised that I should be doing this with a community around me. I found myself yearning for a sisterhood, my soul ached for that spiritual, emotional and physical connection with the feminine. Other women to raise my babies with, to learn about the plants with, to share stories with... I decided to create a women's circle, the vision came to me as clear as anything and I knew it was my journey. Almost 7 years later we have created a magical circle of women that continues to grow and expand into so much more...
In September 2023 myself & my beloved husband, Dan made the brave decision to open the doors to Of The Forest Barn Temple, now better known as 'The Barn Temple'. Nestled in the quaint village of Pontblyddyn in North Wales, located next to the river & surrounded by hills, mountains & trees. We are striving to create a sacred space for community to grow and thrive. From this temple is a variety of healing modalities offered from local practitioners who are passionate about creating accessible healing for all.
"Laurie & Dan have longed dreamed of creating a space where community gather. Part of this vision was to create healing upon the land, where people could feel deeply connected to the trees, the plants, the waters and to each other.
Both Laurie and Dan are passionate about creating accessible healing for all and it has been so very important to them to bring in practitioners and facilitators with the same vision and passion. It was equally important for them to create a space that felt like a home away from home. Somewhere you can head to after a long day or week, kick your shoes off and melt into whatever you've headed to receive, be it a sound bath, yoga class, qigong, reiki or massage...
Since opening the doors to The Barn Temple, Laurie and Dan have been blown away with each and every one who has come along to experience all that The Barn Temple has to offer.
With 4 children of their own, Laurie and Dan want The Barn Temple to be a place that welcomes families and people from all walks of life. To normalise coming together and supporting one another - that's where healing really begins..."
And so,
The weaving continues...