Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast

Blending Spirituality and Creativity with Kerry Burki - Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast 28

• Joleen Emery

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Craftonians! In this episode of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast, I’m so excited to welcome the fabulous Kerry Burki! Kerry’s an author, a yoga teacher, an intuitive mentor, and honestly, just an all-around magical human. 

🌟 Guest Bio:

Kerry Burki helps sensitive souls reconnect with their inner magic through her books, Tend To Your Vibration and Stellar Vibrations, and her lunar rituals and yoga practices. She’s all about bringing a little more balance, creativity, and spiritual joy into our everyday lives.

When she’s not working her magic, Kerry loves curling up with a good British or witchy mystery, hanging out with her husband and two teenage sons in Arizona, and leading yoga sessions at the Craftcation conference each April in Ventura, CA.

🌟 Follow Kerry on Social:


🌟 Episode Chapters:

  • 0:00 – Introduction & Joleen’s Authentic Check-In
  • 3:21 – Meet Kerry Burki: Books and Life as a Creative Guide
  • 4:36 – Breathing Exercise: Lunar Breath & Self-Care in Small Moments
  • 10:38 – Kerry’s Journey: From Pre-Med to Yoga & Spirituality
  • 14:26 – The Intersection of Creativity and Craft
  • 17:04 – Embracing Imperfection: Kerry’s Thoughts on “Shoulds”
  • 24:35 – Vision Boarding with a Twist: Vibes over Goals
  • 36:06 – Daily Rituals & Creating Mini Vision Boards
  • 43:57 – What's Happening at Big Raven Farm: Upcoming Retreats
  • 56:16 – Joleen and Kerry’s “10 Questions”


🌟 Quotes from the Episode:

  • "Showing up authentically means it's the unshowered version of yourself, as well as all of the other things." – Joleen Emery
  • "I don’t have the answers for anyone, but I am very good at holding space for people to find their own." – Kerry Burki
  • "Sometimes you don’t need a big block of time for self-care, just a moment to breathe and reset." – Kerry Burki
  • "You're the artist of your life. It’s about knowing what you can control and creating the vibe you desire." – Kerry Burki


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Joleen:

Lynne, hello everyone. Welcome to Jolene. Happy Time. Craft cast, I am indeed Jolene, and it's very wonderful to see you today before I bring on today's guest. You know, one of the things I've been thinking a lot about lately is authenticity, and as a content creator, yoga teacher, art, student of art, and person who presents themselves to the world all the time. You know this is something that I think about, and it's an awareness for me, right? Like that, I come to you and present my authentic self, not a character, but who I really am. And today's authenticity is I have been burning the candle at both ends. So has my husband. It's retreat season here at Big Raven farm in Spring Grove, Minnesota, and we have been so busy, and not, like, the kind of busy where you're like, Oh, I'm so busy. More the kind of busy where we're not really sure that we're getting enough sleep. We're definitely not eating right? And we took a big bite, like, we took a really big bite. And I guess what I wanted to say about that is we know the bite we took, and what we're both working on is showing up as a decent human being when we're in the pinch. And today, I was just saying to Darren that I was so proud of myself that I have not yet broken down and cried about how stressed out I am and how tired I am, and I was kind of like congratulating myself for holding myself together. All that being said, I'm still in my pajamas. I haven't brushed my teeth. I put makeup on top of a dirty face, and I am a person in need of some time for self care, and I know that I'll get there. I know that I will. And I'm also aware of the bite that I took, I took this bite, right? Like I made these decisions, and I need to get through it. And I guess my kind of idea for today is that showing up authentically means it's the UN showered version of yourself, as well as all of the other things. And however you show up is how I'm grateful to welcome and receive you, because I am in no way a perfect person, and I just wanted to share that I'm going through it. I'm going through it, but I know that we're going to get to the other side, which is why today's guest, it's kind of perfect timing, really, because the person that we have today. Her name is Carrie Burkey, and Carrie is an author, a yoga teacher and an intuitive mentor. She's got two books under her belt. One is called, it's vibrations. Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, Carrie, I had it right here. Well, I'll have her tell you about that. But it's two vibrations. Two books about vibrations, and she is got such magic about her, especially for creative people. And so given where I am right now as a creative person, it's just perfect timing. So I know you'll do a good job in welcoming Carrie to the happy time. Craftcast, Carrie, welcome. Thank you so much for being here. Remind me the two names, vibrations.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

We have 10 to your vibrations, 10 to your vibrations, yes, and that's kind of like a guidebook that has like how to learn, like, use nature, breath, imagination, thoughts and energy to kind of get unstuck. You can just open it up to a lesson. And that's really nice. And then my latest one, I co wrote with an astrologer friend, and it's called stellar vibrations living by the Zodiac, and so it teaches you about each Zodiac season and like New Moon and full moon rituals to do each season. Um, but your beautiful share at the beginning was amazing. And I always appreciate when people share like that, especially in our world, like I there's times when I get to a certain point of the day and I'm like, I haven't brushed my teeth, yep. And you kind of do feel this like, because my husband will be like, how could you How have you not? And I'm like, it's just been that kind of day, yes. And apparently he will never do that. So I was like, I appreciate your Oh, I see, because we do have those days. And I feel like no matter when people are listening to this, there are probably people feeling like you are right now. But I thought we might want to pause and start and just do a little like breathing, and just take a moment for Jolene and for all of us. Does that sound good?

Joleen:

Yeah, for sure. Guide, guide us. Carrie,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

okay, well, it's funny. I think we'll just do a couple different breathing exercises. I had one planned, and I think we're going to add maybe two more, just for your sake. So in my, one of my books, it's called lunar breath. Um, you think it was in the cellar vibrations one, but it's actually in the other one, but it was like, and what it is, it's a calming breath. Yes, and you breathe only through your left nostril, and there's more information. So I'm just flipping through my book, but you're on the left nostrils, associated with more feminine energy, and it's calming, and it is nice if you're feeling anxious, you know, frustrated, or just, you know, overwhelmed. I have one yes,

Joleen:

yes, yes. Breath, yes.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

We have solar breath. And I think maybe we could end the call with that to give you energy for the rest of your day. So I do want to mention it's not recommended for people with low blood pressure. So if you have low blood pressure, you're just going to breathe through both nostrils. But if you don't and you feel comfortable doing this, what I'm gonna have us all do is close our eyes and let's actually just, I always have to do a couple shoulder rolls, so just like, lift your shoulders up. Feel like you're shrugging off your morning, shrugging off your day, shrugging off your week, and you might just be shrugging it off for the time that we're together today, or maybe you're shrugging it off for good. That always just kind of sends a little signal to the body and mind that we're pausing. We're releasing some stress, taking some time to ourself. Okay, so then let your shoulders relax, and what you're going to do is you're going to take two fingers on your right hand, and you're going to close your right nostril, and your mouth will be closed, and we're just going to gently start to breathe through our left nostril. So what I want you to focus on first is just see if you can make that inhale a little bit deeper than it was before, and make your exhales a little bit longer. So that might be, like, really long and really deep, or it might be just a little smidge deeper than it was before. So usually when we're got a lot going on, and I know Jolene knows all of this as a yoga teacher, but like your breath ends up being more in the chest area. So I want to see if you can maybe feel like you can get your breath to feel like it expands, maybe in the rib cage area. If you have a little more space, you might even feel like your next inhale can expand down into your belly and your low back, and then when you exhale, feel if you're getting it down to the belly. Feel like you hug your belly button back towards your spine as you exhale. That'll make your exhale longer, so that your next hip inhale can be even deeper. I just be quiet for a moment. Let's do a couple more rounds on our own. You Let's just do one more and let those right fingers come down, keep your eyes closed and just take a couple deep breaths through both nostrils and and so just, you know, by having this call Jolene, you know, ended up having time aside for a little self care moment so you can open your eyes. And like, one of the reasons I have that my first book, 10 year vibration is because I was a yoga teacher, and then I feel like when I had kids and my life got busier, I had a hard time having a long practice every day. Yeah, and so I was looking for ways to bring small, like things, small feelings from my practice, or pretty much like that feeling you get at the end of a yoga practice, how to bring those off the mat and into my day. And that's when I really got into breathing exercises, and you know, just setting sometimes they just do three rounds. If that's what you have time for, like, you three times or I love that. We all have timers now with us, like on our phones or your watches, and you set a timer for like, one minute and just do that. And sometimes we think we need so much more. And obviously there are times when it's nice to take that, but if you can work some of those smaller things into your day, it's just a beautiful practice.

Joleen:

And I mean, Carrie, you've beautifully demonstrated that it is a it's a nugget, it's a scooch, right? It's a it's a blip of time where I'm so grateful for the reminder, because, like I said, I'm I'm in it. I'm in the middle of the bike that I took, and like the only way out is through, and I would like to go through as a whole, wonderful person, and not a stressed out, frazzled, angry, short tempered, you know, version of myself. And I think that this, you know, two minute activity is a great reminder that it's still accessible.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

It is, I mean, and I feel like I'm learning to be gentler with myself, sure that when I'm feeling right, like wound up, or like how you're feeling, it's like, I'm like, Oh, wait, I'm not doing what I. Already know, right? Like, I

Joleen:

know this one, wait a second,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I know. And I feel like running around. I'm short with people, yeah? And then I'm like, oh, it's because I'm not practicing what I preach. And then that's what happens if anybody's listening, when you're a business owner, and you do start to share what you know, you know, like, I know so many like, people, creative business owners, and all of a sudden you have left less time for your craft, right? All of a sudden other things are taking that time that you really do have to be intentional and remind yourself, or be open to having those reminders come to you from other people, from the universe. Yes. So

Joleen:

Carrie, can you tell us a little bit. So like, you know, in my introduction, I mentioned you have, you know, the two books, the 10 to your vibration and stellar vibrations. And you are a yoga teacher and you are a mentor and intuitive guide. So like, when somebody says, hey, Carrie, tell me a little bit about yourself. Like, what do you say?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Well, it's so funny. I took this course years ago that was saying, you know, like, you're supposed to have that, like, elevator pitch, yeah, like, two minutes, yeah. This person said, because it's so much more fun, just to say the last fun thing you did for work, right? And I was like, I like that. So, like, right now, I mean, somebody asked me right now, I would say, I said, Oh, you know, I just released, you know, I had a book published called stellar vibrations that I co wrote with my friend, who's an astrologer. And her intention she had saw my first book, and my first book, you can see my creative side. It's like every page is very colorful. You can just open it up. But she loved how you could open it up and learn something. And she was saying, like, with astrology, astrology books are very text heavy, and can feel like a lot to take in. So we want to, like, and this kind of a way, like, I express, like, my creativity, how to take something that's larger, it would take a lot of time. I mean, it's like, I said, like, how did I take, like, my yoga practice and, like, put it throughout my day. It's so then that's kind of what we did, is you can open this book and learn a little bit about Scorpio season really quick, and learn what to do. Like, there's a New Moon in Scorpio this Friday, November 1. And so some of the like, it's a little ritual, and so it's the same thing that's like a form of self care of, like, the take a little bit of time away. So I say my big thing, and something I'm kind of even coming into better if there was an elevator pitch is, I don't ever, I don't really feel like I have the answers for anybody, but I am very good at holding space and inviting people to take a little moment away from their lives, right? I create the space that is just welcoming and that then people end up can quiet their mind and like have something drop in for based on whatever they believe. Maybe it's from, you know, their heart, maybe it's from an ancestor. Maybe it's from their higher self, you know, and then all of a sudden it gives them maybe that perspective, that clarity, or that next step they were looking for that they weren't getting before, when you're feeling like everything's coming right at you and you can't keep up

Joleen:

right? So Where, then, where can our listeners find you, and where can they find your books?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

So I'm most active on Instagram, okay, and it's Carrie underscore Berkey. And then I have a pretty once this last book came out. Now I'm doing monthly New Moon and full moon circles, both in person at my home in Scottsdale, Arizona, and online, okay? And those are, you know, just a way to kind of tune in and get quiet. You don't have to come, you know, twice a month. You kind of see, maybe what the theme is and what your schedule is, and, you know, those are changing. And so I really like to kind of get into seasonal living, like I do, like equinox and Solstice yoga classes. So I'll have a winter solstice yoga class coming up that'll be online. And so my website is Carrie burkey.com

Joleen:

Okay, well, I'll make sure we link all of that in our show notes, so that people know how to find you. So can you tell me? Then how, like, how do you connect you know what you do with your authorship and mentorship and how that relates to art and craft?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Yes, well, it's like so I thought I was growing up. I wanted to be an artist, yeah, but I can't. I don't want to use that word. I'm not the best natural drawer

Joleen:

me either. I can't, I can't do it.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Don't think I understood, and I don't think I knew all of the ways to be creative, right? But so when I was in college, I started, I actually started pre med, and that was because I thought I should know. And then I learned that, and then I took a Hinduism class as an elective. At the same time, I took my first yoga class. This was at Northern Arizona. University. And I mean, just I was like, I don't know what you know, who in the universe brought those to for me to do it at the same time. And then in my Hinduism class, I just kept raising my hand. My background was, I was Catholic school, so a Hinduism class, I just had so many questions, and I was raising my hand so much more than in my, like, chemistry and physics class. So I ended up switching to that and became a religious studies major. And then, when I even think about it, it would be interesting. Like, I remember, like, Tibetan Buddhists came in town, and they did this big, like, sand mandala. And, you know, there were some, like, I remember, I think it was, it was Hari Krishna. And I feel like that's, like, always, like a college thing. But like, they had, like a dinner that was like a creative ritual. And so it was interesting when you start studying, like, how much creativity is in, like, religions and spirituality, and then it just kept, like, showing up. So I went on from, like, getting my degree in religious studies to becoming a yoga teacher, and I found that was a way for my creative creativity to come. I had this like book that, like an empty notebook when I would, like, sketch out the the, like a little person doing a yoga pose, yeah, right, and coming up and pulling stuff in, and I was, like, starting to go, like, oh, there's so many different ways to be creative. And then I ended up to supplement that. Like, this is in my 20s, I got a job. It was called waste, not paper, and it was the, I think it still exists. It's the wholesale side of Paper Source. And I still remember when I saw the ad for that. It showed, like, their paper, and it just there was, like, a big, like, yes, in my body, like the creativity and seeing that. And so then I was able to, like, travel to their like, the New York Gift Show and The San Francisco Gift Show and the stationery show. And I was just like, gosh, I love being around.

Joleen:

I just, I can't hold my oh my gosh. Like, no, my thing is paper and like that must have been, like, I would want to touch it all and play with it all, and, like, keep all the scraps and like, that must have been amazing. I

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

still have scraps. And I was like, that was a while ago, because I do I love and that really did. It started like a love for paper, and it was me, like the designers and the and I love the travel. And so I feel like I used to feel, okay, that's my pug, Leo in the background.

Joleen:

It's a safe space for four legged friends. No worry,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Leo, you're good. But then I it was, you know, when you're younger, too. I kept feeling like there were some shoulds, you know, like, oh, I should do yoga. Hey, hey, Leo, come here. You're okay. Okay. He keeps me safe,

Joleen:

my little pug, of course, he sounds like a great protector, yes. So I would

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

go, you know, like, oh, I should be teaching yoga more. And then

Joleen:

Carrie, we lost your audio.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Got pregnant. Oh, my lap, a little bit like I got pregnant, and I, you know, didn't want to be going to the office all the time. And then I ended up getting a job for this woman who had a company called handmade success, and she had like, a like, teaching people how to sell on Etsy. Okay, okay. And so then I helped her out, and I was really good with the like, in, like, like, working with all the clients, making connections, yeah, and kind of just learning how to weave in, what I knew with yoga, with people who you know were in the arts, which I feel like, you know, I learned a lot when you, like, travel, meet people like you are doing right, like You're you're kind of burnt out. And sometimes when you try to get your business out there, more than your craft falls to the side. Your self care falls to the side. And what I've learned over the years, and that's why, like, my first book is called, tend to your vibration, is, if you know, if you're in this like, sense of, like, lack or, you know, tension. It's hard for some of those opportunities to flow in, or for you to see them when they do, or for you to have the bandwidth for them when they do.

Joleen:

You know, I think so. Some of your language that I really identify with is like, space or like, like, sometimes I as an artist, I feel like my next great idea, it's just on the other side of the ridge, you know, like, it's because, you know, I have got some, I've got some great designs. I mean, I've made some great stuff, you know. And whenever I make something, I'm like, Oh, I can't wait to make it again. But then I never really do, because I'm more excited about figuring out and constructing the next great thing. But as an artist, I feel like it dangles in front of me, almost like a like a carrot, you know? And I just keep chasing it, um, and when you said, I think you use the word seize, like, sometimes it just can't get through. Yeah. To my man, like, it can't manifest because I'm just so busy and preoccupied with all the other things. And like, I would love to figure out a way to be a little bit more open so that the next great idea can find me. You must hear that a lot. Yes. Well, I

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

feel like even just that little practice we did at the beginning, with that breath, if you then, after doing like the breath, if you gave yourself maybe just one minute to sit there, I feel like that's often when something like drops in, right, you know, like your mind, or after doing that, when you go like throughout your day, after what I have had to work on is having less noise in my ear, like always listening. I mean, I love consuming other people's creativity, but like making sure that you also don't have that going on all the time, and you just building it in your day. And I feel like people are different, but like, I know I can't have it at the beginning of my day, and I can't have it at the end of my day. Like, I mean, it's been years since I've, like, grabbed my phone in the morning, but it took me a while to realize that that just stifled me to have everybody else's creativity in my face before I had done anything, right? Yeah, if an idea did come in, I was already comparing it to what I'd seen, you know, that day. And so that's I, it is. It's funny that you said space. And I do feel like that's right. Are you creating that space for something to come in? And then I need to give yourself a little bit of grace, like for right now, for you, I feel like you manifested all this stuff, like you said. You took the bite, you took the this, and then for you to be like, good things, other ideas are going to come later, yes time, yes and to like, pat yourself on the back for all the stuff you did manifest, right?

Joleen:

Like, working in arrears, right? Like, like, back then, when I was manifesting, it showed up now. And so, like I said, you know, we took the bite. And I think, you know, as a as a creative and as an artist, I I appreciate nuance, and I appreciate that. I think we talked about it on my last show, but we were talking about if, if I live my life like I am on a line, or, like, on a train, like anything can bump a train off the tracks and it gets derailed, like it can't pivot a train can't, like, all of a sudden, turn right or left, but a raft, a raft hits the rocks, and it kind of slides up, and it like, goes down the river, and it can adjust, and it can pivot. And so I keep thinking about my life as a raft and not a train. That makes any kind of sense, but it's like, we, you know, we hit the rock, and we kind of slide this way, and then, you know, we write ourselves, but we're still heading down the river, you know, like we're still getting there, but we're better prepared for, like, the pivots and the adjustments. And artistically, that helps me too, especially when, like, as an artist, thinking about more time to play and explore, and not having such a train like mentality of getting to the end of a project.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Well, I like that, because I was thinking like a raft usually doesn't stop, right? To go at different speeds, where it's like a train really does hit, like a big thing. Then it's like the train stops, everybody off. This is going to take a while, yes, right? Like, and then it's like, does that keep happening? Right? And then you almost feel like you're, you know, almost like you're starting from the beginning again, whereas you're right, like, the raft can get the response. And sometimes the raft could be going slow, sometimes it could feel like rapids.

Joleen:

This depends upon the current, right? Like, this is such a great analogy, because, like, right now I'm in a pretty heavy current. It's just going, you know, the only way to the end of the river is to ride it so, but maybe, you know, when you think about, like, the analogies and like being an artist and getting through and finding space, I sometimes just need that little something that helps me understand, you know where I am and what I'm feeling, and I know you have an idea too, about, like a favorite project or a medium or technique, that kind of is another metaphor analogy. Would you like to share that with us, your project for today? Yes,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

well, something that I always thought about is that when you are like an artist or a crafter, I feel like you already have that, like you do, tune out the world and step in and work on your project, and so it's like you're already doing that. But I think sometimes it's nice if you do something that maybe isn't, like, maybe you're not doing it for a profit, or something

Joleen:

like just a good outcome. You're not doing it for like, an outcome.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Yeah, right. Um, but something, I. I felt called to do recently, and I do teach. I've taught, like, vision board workshops over the years, and like, just another way to kind of be creative. And I love it when I do it with I teach at Craft cation, which is Raptors conference in April every year, and I teach these DIY oracle cards. And it's just fun to do that where everybody's a crafter. I was like, they're just, they're just over the top. Uh, amazing. But so a vision board, a lot of times, you know, you're looking at things you want to manifest, and you're pulling it on there. But I felt called to recently, was more fine to create a vision board, and I made it small. And so, like, if there's video, I'm showing the video, this is actually like a Paper Source long card. But so it's just, instead of it being this big board that, like, hangs up, yes, I felt like I wanted something smaller that could be, like on my desktop and where I meditate that I could easily grab, and I wanted it more to like be the vibe I want to feel in my life, instead of it to be things I want to manifest,

Joleen:

right? Things are outcomes. Rather, I love that idea, and a lot of my crafty friends that are listening are art Journalers or junk Journalers or, you know, visual journal people. So the idea of creating like this, it's almost like a mini insert that you can move and carry around in whatever form of journaling you do. I love this idea. Love love that. I love

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

like, you could make it like small, like on an index card, or if you did have, like, an eight by 11 card stock, and you just cut it in half, make it like a long thing. And then, so, you know, use just, you know, grab magazines and catalogs. And then at first you just start, like, cutting whatever's just jumping out at you, and to try to maybe even do a little breath work before you start so you're coming more from your like, heart or your gut instead of your chest, yeah, instead of being like, oh, I should want that, or I should want to feel that way, like, just kind of, what makes you go, ooh, and like, start cutting those things out, and then, and so then I always say, it's like, the gluing part is last, like, so cut just everything out. Because some of those you might like, I like to have a little like envelope, or I put things in that make it on the board for later, your

Joleen:

little COVID spotter. Yes,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I know I have a couple, because I was like, I do, I do love collage and and then to start to play with, like, what feels good for now. So I feel like mine ended up having a little bit of, like a fall, winter, like vibe, just the colors and it feels very earthy to me, but, like, I had found a photo of somebody doing tree pose and yoga and but one of the things I liked so much was the colors like, so they were out in nature, like, like on the grass, bushes behind them, and then, like these maroon yoga pants, and then, like a, like a pink top. And so I had put it out there. So, I mean, I did end up. I just found I manifested those pants. So my intention wasn't originally to manifest the outfit, but the outfit and, like, the picture, just it made me feel good, and I want, like, as a reminder to do, you know, to continue my yoga practice, right? And it's actually gotten me, like, putting this on here has gotten me back in the habit of doing tree pose when I brush my teeth. Oh yeah, I like, stand on one leg for the bottom, no teeth, and then I stand on the other leg for the other and then last week I got in, you know, or like, the name of a company just popped into my head, and they had these pocket leggings. And I looked them up, and they had that color. And so I ordered them

Joleen:

a couple things that like really sang out for me. So the first thing you said that I wanted to talk a little bit about was, you said, it feels good right now. I i love that ideology, because what feels good today might not necessarily feel good next week or next month. And I love the space for I mean, we are situational creatures, and the things that we need is variable, right? And so I really like find what feels good right now, because that might be different. And then the other thing I wanted to say is, you do tree pose while brushing your teeth, I either do squats or I get the dust buster and I dust up bugs because, you know, I live on a farm, and so Box Elder bugs are all over the place because the farmers just brought in the fields. But I have to say, couple. It might have been last week I was brushing my teeth, and I was. Vacuuming up the bugs, and I put my hand on a wasp. And so the Wasp stung me, but I had toothpaste in my mouth and my toothbrush, and so I was like, you know, like swearing and like, having a moment of like, you know, being stung by this wasp. And my husband was like, are you okay? But I couldn't

Unknown:

I but

Joleen:

I was telling, I was telling my kids this, and they were like, Mom, you can't just stand still and brush your teeth. And I'm like, No, I I feel like, as a Gen Xer, like, I just, I am driven to productivity even while brushing teeth. But anyway, that's what came up for me. Is Like, sometimes

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

funny, I feel like my husband would say that too, like, you can't just brush your teeth. Yeah. I'm like, I mean, you know, might as well, you know, take the time. So now then I'm like, Oh, I get my tree pose in every day

Joleen:

management. I say, okay, so, so you created a vision board, though, more about a vibe and more about like a feeling than necessarily outcomes or things. And so if people wanted to take this technique at home, you've recommended a quarter sheet of paper, a half sheet of paper, cutting out all kinds of things that feel good right now, and then gluing them down. And then, did you also have some sentiments on yours? Did I see some text?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Yes, like I feel so one says, Be in nature. And then that's like above. I mean, I like I said, the yoga person is in nature, and there's like a cabin in the woods by Lake, and then a new or, I'd say, for the past year, I've been working on, like, raising my vitamin D and getting up, watching the sunrise, watching the sunset, and then getting out in the sun during the day. So I have Rise and shine, and then I had, like, there was like a little sketch from magazine of a of a sun. And then I have yoga on here, so Rise and shine. And then I found one that said sunrise, sunset. And I was just like, I mean, it's just so fun when you start flipping through and you just think of, you don't even have to think of what you need. You know, everybody just knows, like you're just looking at stuff. And then I have peaceful reflection. And that is over, there was a reflection, like on water. I was like, there's like, trees and there's a reflection on a lake. And magical is a word I have on here. I just kind of, I mean, I kind of can think of, like spirituality and magic and science are all trying to say the same thing. And then Earth, I been trying to make a point of standing barefoot on the earth, like taking time. I try to do that when I watch the sunset, see, like we're combining our things, yeah. But I just like you said, you know, just how you're feeling right, like I can just get so up in my head, so caught up in everything. And then I grounding is something that I need to remind myself, like that earth energy slow down. And then meditation is another thing I have on here and there actually things I'm all doing. And like I said, it's like the vibe on here is the, you know, kind of like the version of myself. You know that want to be like, doing things consistently, that and then, like, when you do those things consistently, I mean you just like, kind of the things I say when I teach is like you create the vibe in your life. Like figuring out, what do you have control of? What do you not have control of, like, so the things you do have control of, how can you kind of create the vibe you desire?

Joleen:

Well, and, you know, I just was watching a video yesterday, actually, on Tiktok. I cannot remember the Creator. She's famous. She's got a large following. She's got blonde hair, big, chunky, black glasses. I'll find it and link it in the notes. But she had on, like a neuroscientist, and they were talking about, you know, manifesting, and like, it was manifesting in a way that it had, like this science, scientific approach. And this neurologist was saying that a technique to try is writing something down, reading it out loud, and then So, writing it, reading it. And I'm not describing it very well, but the idea was that we pull it into our self conscious because we've given it so many senses, right? We wrote it, we read it, or maybe we cut it right, like we did something, and then we keep it fresh in our awareness, so that it is easier to come to us, because we've put it in there so many different ways. And so I guess my point is, is, if you're not quite sure how, like, a vision board works, or how manifesting works, there's, like, definitely some science to back up these artistic a. Approaches to it in that it is, you know, tackling all of our senses and so that these the world unfolds right in more intentional, purposeful ways. Can you describe that any better than I did Carrie like, that's, well,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I know I did like a transformational life coaching program. And there's like, the particular activating system brain that when your mind sees something like you said, reading it, and then like it gets filed in there. And then I don't pray there is more science, but I will say, I will learn the science. I'm never good at repeating the science, right,

Joleen:

exactly. But the idea is that you know, like you, have it, you write it, you read it. And like his example yesterday was in the art of writing it, it, you know, comes into your neurological business the same way we're saying cut it and glue it right. It's the same ideology. I'll have to link it. It was absolutely fascinating. But like, how often, then do you refer to this mini little piece of art that you've made? So

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I try to look at it every day, but it could just be like a glance, sure, or sometimes, like part of my morning meditation. It's like, I will look at it and then kind of feel the feelings, and then, like, how you can work with it, and if you want. And I did this on my calendar, like I didn't write anything on the back of this, but you could write on the back like a statement of like, what your life would feel like if everything on there was right true. So I made on my calendar like a daily mantra that shows up in my email. Like, it's on my schedule, you know, yeah, when I wake up, when I do check my email, it's there, and I click on it and I read it, and one of the things is saying, you know, like, I get spend at least five minutes a day getting into this like, you know, calm,

Joleen:

chill, great idea.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Magnetic version of myself. Usually, by that point, I've already done that. And then, if you like, if you do like, to journal like, whether like art, journal whatever it's like, after you spend time kind of looking at it, close your eyes, get into the feelings of it. And then, you know, open your eyes and just journal, like, what came up and sometimes. So I feel like when it comes to manifesting, they always say, like, don't focus on the how. Like, let the universe do that. But to get your brain going right, and they'll kind of tell the universe that you're serious. Is that you could after, like, looking at it being like, what are some ways that would make me would bring that into my life, and then you jot them all down, and whether or not that's how they all come in, right? Doesn't really matter

Joleen:

well. And I love, I mean, who doesn't love to collage? Like, collaging is so fun and free, and there's not a lot of rules, like, no rules, right? And there's no, quote, unquote perfect collage. There's no collage Olympics, right? Like, there's nothing to judge it against.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

It is, and everybody has such different takes. Like, I right. I always love it. Every time I teach it, like, I'll even show people like, sometimes, like, I like to pull like, like, like, certain colors and stuff together, and I'll, like, say that, and then, like, have the people be like, well, whatever,

Joleen:

right? I'm not doing that right for all of us. I

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

love it because I'm like, that. That's what I like to do, right? Exactly you like to do. And even the way people cut things out, like, some people like to follow a form I love, like, all around that. And then, like, I'm like, Oh, I tend to be a little boxier, yeah, stuff. And then like, I'll but I'll layer stuff. And it is so it is. It's fun. And then it is neat to see how other people do it, because it really is about getting you into a vibe. And you look at it and you're like, Oh, I feel good just by looking at it.

Joleen:

Carrie, I love this idea. And like, I can't even, like, as you were talking about it, I was like, I wonder if I could, like, make a collage a day, you know, like, do I have, like, Could I sit down and just do like, a four by six index card? Like, ooh, wouldn't that be so fun? And like, have a year's worth. See, I'm always, like, I can't just do the one for a while. Like, I'm always, anyway, I know what my issues are.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

So that's my like, DIY Oracle Card class is make four by six, and then you laminate them. And then you cut them. What

Joleen:

your crafters doesn't love a good lamination story.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

You cut them so that they each have, like, a little laminated border, right? And then, as you, like, get more, but you could, like, hold them in front of your heart and be like, What do I need to know today? And then, like, a shuffle, and you pull one out. And then for those, like, if each one kind of has a different vibe, or there's something on there, like those ones, I usually I might have like, a theme for each one. And then that's kind of your message, like, maybe it's gratitude. So then that means that, like, I want to notice something that day that I'm grateful for. So you should consider, like, if you do, like, make a. Like, right? Like, make a bunch, yeah, and then right, because, so that's why I end up collecting stuff. Like, now I see things so differently. Like, I tell people, when you're flipping through magazines, I go, it's not just photos when there's like, a striped, striped wallpaper in an ad, you know, like, cut the wallpaper out, like, all the patterns, right? Collecting all the patterns, and then they end up fitting in with other things you find. And it is, it's a really fun

Joleen:

So, okay, so Carrie, you've got your two books, and we can find those on your website. You are facilitating at Craft cation, which is coming up in April in California, and then the Oracle class that you just mentioned, is that calendar specific, or is that evergreen? Like, how can folks get in on, like, you can

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

come to craft cation, I'm teaching it there. Okay, awesome. And then I was thinking about doing that in January, person and online.

Joleen:

Well, we will like have to keep our eyes open for that, because that sounds like all that sounds awesome. So thank you for that awesome discussion. And if you can believe it, we're getting near the end of our time, and I want to make sure I have time to ask you our 10 questions is kind of a fan favorite, like we do this with everybody. But before I get there, I just wanted to talk a little bit about what's going on at Big Raven farm, if you all been following along. So like I mentioned at the beginning of the show, we have taken this big bite, and we're almost done. We've got a really big event this weekend that we are definitely looking forward to. I mean, get this for an idea. So we have a young couple that is getting married at our farm on Sunday, but they're having like a wedding retreat. So they're coming on Thursday, and then 16 of their friends and family are coming on Friday, and Friday and Saturday, they are playing games, doing crafts. I'm leading them in yoga, they're building bonfires, they're just hanging out and having time with each other. And then on Sunday, the breakfast, we have breakfast, and then they're getting married at four o'clock in the afternoon, and 15 more people come. So it's a wedding for 30 but it's like a whole wedding weekend. And Darren and I couldn't be more excited, like it just is going to be so great. It's going to be so great. But we've been working on that, and we love this couple so much. They've just been so delightful to work with, so much so that, like, they had two guests more than our our home will accommodate. And so we gave them our bedroom and we built a bedroom for us in our basement. Now our basement is unfinished, and I swear to God, Pennywise lives down there like these are not stellar accommodations, but we love them so much that we become basement dwellers. Anyway, it's gonna be great. So after that, we then have our last cooking retreat of the season. That one's been sold out for months, and we're really excited about that one. So we've got three cooking retreats coming up in 2025 we've got several art journaling retreats, yoga retreats. We have a taro retreat. We're even doing a resin retreat, and we're trying to, like, put the finishing touches on an embroidery one. So keep your eyes open on our retreats page. We're hoping to get all of those registration pages organized by the first week in November, maybe the second week in November for everything that's happening in 2025 so keep your eyes open, because it's all unfolding as we speak. But really, really exciting stuff. So thank you for giving me a moment to talk all about that. So Carrie, back to you. I have very important questions for you. Okay, the first one is, what is your favorite word?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I am Well, it's funny, I think vibration. I have two other books they I'm like, if that that's going to be in the title. So I could have thought more about that, but I'm like, No, it's vibration that

Joleen:

makes sense. That makes sense. Um, this week, um, my favorite word is, I don't know what it is. I know what the feeling is, but it's like whatever the word that means slow and steady, like whatever that is, right? Because I'm trying to get through a really busy time, and I know that it is a marathon, not a sprint. It's like,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

grounded, right, right? Like, rooted, or, yeah, yeah.

Joleen:

You know what I mean is that whatever that is. That's what I've been thinking about a lot. So then, do you have a least favorite word?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

It's not mine, but you say it, it just always my kid. When my kids is, it's, and I think it's a lot of people's is moist right now, mine is. Always is like, oh, it makes him like you said. It affects his vibration. Yeah,

Joleen:

awesome. I think this week, my least favorite word is in the category of bro bra and bruv. And I do not know why my 20 year old son insists on ending everything he says with bro, bra or bro. You know, I'm like Charles. I'm Mom, mommy, Like mother, like any one of those, but I'm not bro. I

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

heard that of kids saying that to their mom, and they're like, what I

Joleen:

feel like for it's just become like a tick, like, he just ends every sentence with bro, bro, like, sir, I am your mother.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Anyway. Oh my gosh, that's so funny. Okay, so

Joleen:

what is the best kind of sandwich? What is the

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

best kind of sandwich? Is? Uh, anything on a croissant? Oh, yeah. I was like, I love a good

Joleen:

though. Is

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

that so smart? Yeah, it always makes me happy.

Joleen:

You can't go wrong. Like, I can't think of anything that would be wrong on there. I'm kind of right. Now I'm in a phase of so Pru from British baking show. She's like, my favorite, favorite person in the food world, and she wrote a book about toast. And I just love toast. It's like, my favorite, but one of her ideas is, like some kind of protein, and then, like a soft cheese, and then blackberries and a spicy sauce with arugula. Like, arugula is the key. It's so good, I highly

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

recommend. Yes, I'm gonna have to look into that.

Joleen:

Yeah, it's like the sweet and savory, like it's all it's all good. Oh my gosh, maybe on a croissant. Let's just blow our minds right there. Okay, so what does being an artist or creative mean to you

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

that you are kind of aware of your creative power, and it does not matter the medium. I mean, I feel like you're an artist of your life. And think if you look around the world right now, so many people don't understand that they are, that they could be right. So when you're like, when you're always curating things and pulling things together, that go well. And I feel like you're seeing things, you're like, oh, that didn't really work. And and I also say like an artist, like somebody who's willing to make mistakes,

Joleen:

right? You? I love that. I love that you are an artist of your life, like, I'm gonna keep that in my life. I love that Carrie. That's like, such a great way of saying it. I should maybe put this question before because it's a little bit more trivial. But what? What is the scariest animal?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

What is the scariest animal? I'm like, Okay, what would like, really? Oh, well, I don't even know if it's an animal. I was like, does a Bug count? Yeah, totally. I was like, What is something that I really just do not like and it's a cockroach? Funny, I lived in Chicago when I met my husband, and even if I lived on like, the eighth floor and there was a bug, I'd like, open the window in the middle of winter and, like, put it out and then back to Arizona, and, like, as soon as it got hot, there was a cockroach in our house, and I, like, went after it with the shoe. And my husband was like, Who is this? Right? Never seen the side of you. And I was like, oh, cockroaches, I don't let them. They don't live, right?

Joleen:

I I'm gonna agree with you that, that it's just kind of, I was like, yeah, yeah. When, when I first moved to Baltimore, my starter husband and I, we, we had a home that had these bugs, and, like, our landlords knew that we were from Minnesota, and, you know, just had a college, and they told us that the roaches were water bugs.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Oh, gosh, oh. Like,

Joleen:

that makes it different or better, but yeah, like, I have so many memories of, like, getting a glass and like, like, putting the glass over the bug. And I'm totally with you. I agree. I agree. So is there a sound or a noise that you love, noise that

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

you love? Um, I'd say right now, it's my cat's purring and my pug snoring.

Joleen:

Oh, that's,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

he's like, a little pig. Like, they like, yeah, he's, like, snorts, you know, like, he's very loud. And then my I have with this one cat that just, like, when I, like, will, like, sit down, or, like, recline a little bit, just gets right on my chest and purrs, and I feel like I'm like, it's like, you've been brought to me to stop and just listen to your purse. Be in the moment. Yeah, right. I mean, that's the animals are so good.

Joleen:

I talked about this on several shows. And like, I'm not usually too judgy about people and about things, but like, I do have a bit of judgment about people who don't like animals. I'm just like, I don't really understand you. Like, how is that even possible? Because they're, like, the best.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Well, I know it makes you wonder, because you're not taking a little bit of time like they do. They bring me into the present moment. They make me have, like, a moment of gratitude throughout the day that I'm just like, oh my gosh, thank you for letting me stop for a moment and have to, like, focus on you, or take care of you. We're just rubbing your belly. Or, yeah, I know, oh for sure.

Joleen:

So our so for me this week, my favorite sound is I'm definitely a white noise person when I go to sleep, and so the fan that sits right on my bedside stand and like blows right in my face, because I'm a woman of a particular age and I'm hot all the time. It's the sound of that fan that indicates this day is done. You may lay down your weary head and get some rest. Like that has been, oh, like my most favorite sound so much. Love it. Is there a sound or noise that you hate?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Um, fingernails on a chalkboard there?

Joleen:

That's the worst. That is the absolute worst. Even just soon as you said it, I got like, I had a vision, right? It just comes right, like it's right there. I totally agree. I think Carrie, there's going to be a time when people won't get that reference because of more whiteboards.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I know you're right. I'm like, gosh, do my Yeah, huh? Right, funny, right?

Joleen:

Because, like, I, I think my kids all know what it is, but I don't know that their kids will, since we're, you know, kind of into whiteboards. But yes, that's interesting, signals that were Gen Z. It's so is there a profession like other than your own, that you would like to attempt?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I Yes, I'm totally obsessed with Susan branch books. Do you know like I'm obsessed, and I actually started this summer asking people, like, for ideas like summer, like, I want to kind of make it, like my type of stuff, like, yeah, like seasonal, like spiritual stuff, but have it look like hers. And then I was thinking about asking a friend to team up with me on it, and I still kind of am, but then I was looking at her autumn one this morning, and I was like, you know, maybe as something I could do, and not with the intention of it being something maybe teach myself watercolor, right and but, like, learn how to do it, maybe in reference to some of my like ideas, like, like, like, fall related stuff, see if I can do a watercolor pumpkin like that would. And I feel like, just as a way, like, I'm good at some of the stuff, but I really would like to get better at that. Like, on tuning out the world, I'm sitting down with my paints. And I do do that for fun occasionally, but I wish I could. I'd love, like, oh my gosh, that would just seem dreamy. Like, write books and paint water colors and teach, right?

Joleen:

Kind of been thinking that I wish I I mean, maybe I can still do it, I don't know, but, like, I would like to be like, an installer, like, art, yeah? Like, some of my, like, some of my projects are so big and it's like, you know, my book wall of 100 right? It's 100 folded books. And it was a huge project to fold the books, figure out the grid, you know, get it installed. But, like, sometimes, too, I think about, wouldn't it be cool to have like, an entire wall of of book flowers, right? Like, I'm talking like, like, huge, like, airport size, you know, like, if that's a job, right, if. And it could, like, be about, like, the the perspective, could be about, like, all of the books that end up in landfills and, and what are some of the creative things that we can do with them? So I don't know if that's the thing that, right. Like public art and even coordinating, it could be kind of cool, but I don't know if it's another profession or if it's an extension of the profession I already have, but I think about that kind of stuff a lot. There's

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

a public art thing that starts next week called canal convergence here up to it that is one of the like that's they look for those people public art and public art installations, public art creators. So yeah, keep that file. That's, I

Joleen:

definitely, I didn't even know that was the thing. It's just thinking about that, is there a profession that you would not like to do?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Clean port A potties? Oh,

Joleen:

and Carrie, so specific. But I Yes. I actually have a fear of those things from seeing movies where people tip them over, like, I don't understand,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

anybody actually cleans them. You might just pick them up and haul them somewhere, but whatever, um, I'm

Joleen:

with you. I'm not doing that. No,

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

I'm very grateful for the people that do right? It's like I will also, yes,

Joleen:

fair enough. So years, years ago, one of my good friends and I did the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the 60 mile one. We did the 60 mile walk, wow. So it was 20 miles a day over the course of three days. And the thing that we learned was that you do not want to be in the at the end of the pack, like when you get to, like the break points, because of the whole port of potty situation, because they are in a different state if you're at the end of the group. So we were, like hauling focus just to get there so that we weren't at the end of the group. Enough said, I believe I've created a visual. You know what I'm talking about. Alright. So finally, last question, what? Oh, what brings you the most happiness?

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Um, my home with my family in it. Yeah, like I worked. If you're in astrology, I might I'm a rising cancer sign, and that's very home, focused, which I didn't even like, make that connection, but what you see likes behind me. I mean, just everything, everything needs to be cozy, creative. Have meaning, you know, be from somebody. Be from somebody I like. I know that I created, or that my kids created, or and then just when they're all here, I feel like I've done a really good job creating a space where everybody feels good. They also feel represented. That I do. I really love being here.

Joleen:

I love that I I've learned recently. I used to think that it was like, kind of getting lost in my art, or like having the opportunity to, you know, connect with the ability to make things. But I discovered, really, what makes me the happiest, other than, you know, observing our children in their happy times, is that I really love taking care of people, and like, I love seeing people and just being like a student of observation, and like when people come into our home, connecting with them, for sure, is my most favorite thing. And like this job that I have is really rewarding. I got so lucky. I

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

love it. I know So sounds like you're doing what you what brings you most happiness, right?

Joleen:

I did. I totally am. Maybe that's how I'm getting through my bite anyway. Well, I can't thank you enough for spending this time with me. And in our show notes, I will make sure that I link people to where they can find your books, where they can find you craft cation, um, I'll even like link a little Susan branch in there, so if people are familiar, they know who she is, because that an incredible artist just so warm on the insides, um, so I will do all of those things. So thank you so much for being here today. I really appreciate it.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

Yes, thank you. I was going to say, if you need energy for the rest of the day breathe through your right nostril. Oh, thank

Joleen:

you. That goes for all of you, all of you listening. So if you've been on with us, live, thank you so much for your comments in our comment section. I see you, and I appreciate you. Be sure to keep your eyes on the happy time craft cast so you know what's coming up next, everybody. Please have a good day and we'll see you next time.

Kerry Burki, HTCC guest:

No. Thank you so much. Yep, okay, bye, bye.

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