Carolyn Trotter, the artist and owner of Mandala Blooms Creative, is at the heart of this unique initiative dedicated to merging art, personal health, and mindfulness. Mandala Blooms Creative offers meticulously designed mandala meditation mats, cushions, and yoga mat towels that use sacred geometry and natural elements to promote growth and transformation.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Mandala Blooms Creative is an initiative committed to the integration of art, personal health and daily mindfulness. I create mandala meditation mats, cushions, and yoga mat towels to help people set their sacred space. By using sacred geometry and natural elements that represent growth and transformation, my designs help people set their sacred space no matter where they are, providing them with a tool to support their practice.
What made you want to do this work?
I went through treatment for breast cancer and found that yoga and meditation were critical in supporting my recovery. As an artist, it became a mission of mine to find a way to use my artwork to support others who are recovering from illness or are looking for support in their healing journey through meditation.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
When you are recovering from illness or injury, it can be very difficult to imagine a time when you will feel better. I found yoga and meditation helped me get there more easily and enabled me to become aware of thought patterns that didn’t serve me. I learned to live more mindfully and to respond to my situation in a healthier way. I wanted to find a way to help other people struggling with their recovery.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
From the novice to the experienced yogini, therapists, counsellors, spiritual practitioners, and retreat centres. My meditation designs are used as personal altars, cacao ceremonies and even in tarot card readings, just to name a few. My customers are located all over the world and support people with different spiritual practices.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
I paint the original designs in my Vancouver studio, using acrylic paint, ink, and pastel. The artwork is scanned at a high resolution so that the brushstrokes and integrity of the artwork aren’t lost in printing. I work directly with a supplier in India who is knowledgeable and experienced working with textiles like mine. They understand my intention for these designs and help me to thoughtfully produce beautiful, well-made products printed on natural fibres. The production options for digital printing on natural fibres in Canada are pretty limited, which is what originally led me to my supplier. Finally, once we are happy with the product, I sell online and at local trade shows.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
I primarily sell through my website or on Etsy. I will sometimes attend trade shows around Vancouver if the theme aligns with my products.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
This is a tough question for the kind of work I do, since I don’t know of anyone else who is doing the same type of work. Because of this, I am asked about the intention of the products, which will often lead to a discussion about meditation. The most frequent comment I hear from people is that they can’t meditate. I love being able to support people with this.
One of the biggest challenges of establishing a consistent meditation practice is getting grounded and finding focus. Many people struggle with this. Here’s what I usually tell them:
- Whether you focus on music, a visual tool (such as a mandala or a candle), a mantra or your breath, using tools in your practice will help you to find stillness.
- If you have a special space that you are comfortable in, you are more likely to develop a regular practice.
- Consistency is very important in meditation. It’s better to sit for just 5 minutes a day rather than an hour once a month. Start for 5 minutes before you get out of bed and let it grow from there.
- It’s called a “practice”, so just keep practising.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best = Community is important. I love supporting people and sharing our experiences.
The worst = The cost of doing business and keeping prices low enough to ensure they are accessible to everyone who needs them.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
The term “woo woo” when describing the spiritual aspect of this type of business. I learned technical drafting and architectural illustration in school, which aligns well with sacred geometry, but the intention of this work and the spiritual connection makes it so different from the other artwork that I create.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
It’s hard to choose just one! There are so many people that are part of the healing community and are doing great work.
Teza Zialcita is the owner of Crystal Vibes, a crystal and metaphysical shop located in New West Quay. Teza does amazing healing work and has been a huge conduit and promoter of members of the local spiritual community.
