Check Out Beth Blair’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Blair.

Beth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Beth Blair, and I am the creator of Blue Jean Oracle, LLC. ”Ingenuity for a Colorful Life.” I’m an artist, a Feng Shui Practitioner, and a Master Teacher/Mentor of Reiki. Let’s start the conversation with the artist aspect of Blue Jean Oracle. I have been playing with art for years and took my creativity seriously eight years ago by placing my art in a café for sale. I am a self-taught artist, meaning I haven’t taken formal classes. I use various media, with the focus of my art being energetically intentional and abstract. I want it to evoke feelings in others through color, texture, and shapes. Plus, I repurpose materials such as shells, sea glass, old jewelry, wire, wood, frames, etc. As a Feng Shui Practitioner and a Reiki Master, art is one way to change the energy of space, bringing inspiration and joy. 

My background is in wellness, being a retired massage therapist. My work through Blue Jean Oracle is still a way of offering healing and wellness. My art and conversations with customers at the market are ways of connecting and seeing others. It helps in this world where so many people feel isolated and alone. Art and energy speak where words don’t. 

Feng Shui is something that I decided to get a certification in during the early part of COVID. My massage practice was shut down. It allowed me to stay in the energy-healing world without the “touch” practice. Everything is energy, and everything is influenced by energy. Feng Shui is the art of bringing harmony and balance to your environment for your (and other’s) well-being. I’ve started slowly building my consulting aspect of Blue Jean Oracle because I relocated to Wilmington last year. I am establishing myself in the place I am glad to call home. I have held a few Feng Shui classes and am building my 2024 calendar of events, so stay tuned. 

Reiki is an energy healing therapy I have studied extensively and taught for years. I took a break during COVID and was recently encouraged to bring back the offer of classes as a Master Teacher. Reiki is a beautiful way to connect with the energy around us and offer healing through light touch on or off the body or meditative self-practice. Many benefits of Reiki could be an interview in and of itself. 

Circling back to my art for a moment, I create with intentionality trees made of wire and beads. I love nature and feel the loss of the many trees that fall for “development and improvement.” Even though my trees do not create oxygen, my hope is that they represent the importance and beauty of nature and the living, breathing trees. Maybe others will be inspired to plant a few …or many. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are so many lessons. I have had many careers along the way, with massage and wellness being the longest. Art and creativity are my life’s blood. It is what I am here to do, whether the art sells or not. Being a creative, it is difficult for those who aren’t to understand what goes into a piece of art or a creative project. It’s not just hours or minutes that go into each piece, and it is life and life’s experience. So, when someone asks that innocent question, “How long did that painting take?” My answer is 57 years, 6 hours, and 37 minutes, plus or minus. Everything that I am and learned goes into what I do. 

There are many challenges to making a living selling art. So, that’s not how I pay my bills; it is how I live. There is a huge difference, which has taken me some time to understand. Making a living is not all dollars and cents. It is about causing change. The change is in me and those influenced by my art and our interactions. The challenge is to show up at every market, every conversation, every interaction ready to be authentically yourself no matter what. That is not always easy. 

Another challenge is the false idea that artists have to struggle for their art or give it away until they make a name for themselves. Pricing art is a hard lesson, too. Many artists struggle with self-worth, so putting a price tag on something created from your soul and feelings can be a punch to the gut or an anxiety-weaving ordeal. Much of our culture misunderstands what it means to be creative and places little value on the time and talents of artists. Being creative is who I am, not what I do. It’s hard to put a price on that. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned, I am a Feng Shui Practitioner. I offer consultations and suggestions for moving 27 things to improve homes and offices. I teach classes and will be offering more classes in 2024. My hope is to resume my blogging to share more information as well. 

I sell my art monthly at Seaglass Monthly Market, 5601 Castle Hayne Road, Castle Hayne, NC. This market is held every 3rd weekend of the month, with additional markets in November and December. You can find Seaglass Monthly Market on social media or seaglassmonthlymarket.com. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Wilmington is home to me. It has been a place I dreamed of moving back to for years. I finally did it last year. Coastal life and nature here are what I love best. There is history, culture, and art here as well. 

The traffic is what I like least. There are so many people here! 

Pricing:

My pricing has a wide range from small art pieces for $22, like a decoupage oyster shell to an art canvas for $750. My class prices vary based on length and modality. I am available to speak to small groups, podcasters, and other interviewers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bluejeanoracle.com
• Instagram: @bluejeanoracle
• Facebook: bluejeanoracle

Image Credits
Gayle Hardy
Elaine Riley