Meet Kelly-Rae, our Kitchen Witch 🧙‍♀️

"I believe that, in most cases, nature provides us with everything we need."

Kelly-Rae is our resident Kitchen Witch & supplies us with beautiful luxurious hand-made body care products like bath bombs, body oils, salves & body butters. 

Gaia Rising: Tell us a little bit about yourself...Background, where you grew up, just a brief history of YOU....

Kelly-Rae: I grew up in rural Alberta and went to school in a place called New Norway.  There were 500 people in the entire school from K - 12. Very small.. and looking back on it, so fun!  I made my way to BC when I was 26 and after bouncing around the province for a few years and six months in India, I landed in Nelson. I've been in the area now for almost 14 years. I have a 12 year old son who is my absolute favourite human in the world and we have a black cat named Nell and a betta fish named Reddona.

Gaia Rising: How and why did you get into making natural body care products? Why is it important to you that you use all natural ingredients?

Kelly-Rae: I've been interested in natural/herbal remedies and using natural products for quite a few years.  I believe that, in most cases, nature provides us with everything we need.  When I began making products there was just no other option, in my mind, than to use natural ingredients.  I wanted to create something for people to enjoy and nourish themselves with, without having to worry about what's in them.  I LOVE my baths and I just can't imagine sitting and soaking in a tub full of chemicals.  I don't want anyone to do that!  So I strive to make products that are just as luxurious and decadent without any worrisome ingredients OR wasteful packaging.

Gaia Rising: Is the name “Kitchen Witch” significant to you and your identity? Do you identify as a witch? Would you say that you put “magic” into your products or how you make them?

Kelly-Rae: The name is significant in a couple of ways!  Yes I definitely identify as a Kitchen Witch, Hearth Witch.. Eclectic Witch.  I also make everything in my kitchen under the watchful eye of my Grandma's old kitchen witch.  It hung in her kitchen for as long as I can remember and I was always enamored with it.  Now it hangs in mine and makes me feel connected to her.  I love that.

I would say that I do put magic and intention into my products!  Certain products have specific intentions stirred into them; like the "Love" bath bombs, for example...  always clockwise as any kitchen witch would do. ;)  And always loving and positive.  I also use ingredients intentionally for both their magical and medicinal properties.

                               "Love" Bath Bomb by Kitchen Witch

Gaia Rising: I noticed some of your products have archetypal goddess names, are you into mythology? Do these goddesses have significance to you and why?

Kelly-Rae: I seek out archetypes and Goddesses that embody the energy of the product I am creating.  Persephone's Return is a scent that I created in the Spring around the idea of new beginnings and fresh starts.  Lilith.. well she's just such a badass.  She was the inspiration for a Summer scent that was sexy and intoxicating and full of that "I do what I want" vibe.

Gaia Rising: Do you have a particular faith that you follow or do you have some sort of spiritual practice? How did you get into it?

Kelly-Rae: I have spent a lot of time in the last 20 years learning about many different faiths and philosophies and I love so much about so many of them.  It would be difficult to pin down a particular faith that I follow.  I consider myself a witch but am not wiccan.  I believe there is magic in nature and all around us.  I practice certain aspects of Buddhism and Taoism.  I call on Ganesha when I come up against obstacles and sometimes leave crumbs out for the fae.  I think Jesus was a really rad guy who had beautiful things to teach the world.  There are so many paths to understanding the Universe and I find a lot of beauty in all of them.

Gaia Rising: What is your favourite body care product in your line and why?

Kelly-Rae: Right now it is the Weekend at the Cabin Bath Bomb.  It literally smells like you walked into a cedar cabin or sauna and when I use them it just takes me to another world of relaxation.

Gaia Rising: What is your favourite product to make in your line and why?

Making bath bombs is absolutely divine because I'm enveloped in the most beautiful scents for hours at a time! I also love the entire process of making herbal balms.. starting plants from seed or wildcrafting, infusing oil, and finally making the balms.  It makes me feel very connected to nature and the old, wise ways.

Gaia Rising: Are there any new body care products you are planning to try and make in the future?

Kelly-Rae: I'm always dreaming up new ideas and love coming up with seasonal offerings.  People really really love the bath bombs the most, and I want to focus more on creating the most luxurious natural bath bombs with unique scents and ingredients.  Scent is such a powerful tool to get out of your head and into your body.  To create moments of relaxation and reset.  I want to explore this more because I think we all need more of that in our lives.

Gaia Rising: What would be in your shopping bag at Gaia Rising :) ?

Kelly-Rae: Oooooh!  Tarot and oracle cards, books, incense, and a really deep toned wind chime for my mom.

Pop by Gaia Rising to see the selection of Kitchen Witch products we have in store!