There are moments when an idea arrives fully formed.
And then there are those that seem to leave little pieces of themselves scattered along the path, waiting patiently for you to realize they belong together.
This, it seems, is one of those.
For some time now, something has been taking shape quietly behind the doors of Cat's Ass Boutique.
Not quite a renovation.
Not quite a beginning.
And most certainly not an ending.
Perhaps it is better described as an unfolding.
Those who have known my work for many years may remember Crystal Chrysalis, born in 2010 from my search for one natural quartz crystal pendant that I simply could not find. One creation became another, and another, until a name that began with a single crystal came to represent years of handmade pieces, discoveries, collectors and stories.
Crystal Chrysalis has travelled with me ever since.
And lately I have found myself wondering:
What happens when something you created has grown beyond the home you originally built for it?
Do you close the door?
Do you leave it behind?
Or perhaps...
you build it a room of its own.
Something old is finding its place within something new.
Crystal Chrysalis Haus is slowly becoming more than I first imagined it would be.
A Haus, certainly.
But beyond the shelves and cabinets, other rooms are beginning to appear.
There are Vintage & Estate Treasures waiting to tell their stories.
Natural crystals and gemstones hand chosen and gathered from here and there.
Curiosities tucked into unexpected corners.
An Auction House preparing to open its doors.
A Curiosity Cabinet which, as you have now discovered, apparently has a habit of keeping journals.
And somewhere within it all, something very dear to me has been waiting patiently for its place.
Not retired.
Not forgotten.
And, as it turns out...
not going anywhere.
It is simply coming home.
The Crystal Chrysalis Haus
I have owned the name for some time.
Perhaps, without knowing it, I was simply waiting to discover where it meant to be.
Now I know.
Behind one of the doors taking shape within Cat's Ass Boutique will live The Crystal Chrysalis Haus — Home of My Crystal Chrysalis Collection.
A place devoted to my original "Old World Designed" handmade creations.
The natural quartz crystals and gemstones I hand-select.
The pendants and pendulums I create around them.
The fittings, details and Old World influences that have followed my work from the beginning.
And the pieces that, after all these years, still seem somehow to know whom they belong to before I do.
Original Handmade Creations • Est. 2010
There is something rather lovely about realizing that moving forward does not always require leaving something behind.
Sometimes the past simply needs to be given its rightful place in what comes next.
And that is exactly what a Chrysalis is supposed to do all along.
But I won't show you everything yet...
Some doors are still being built.
Some names are still being written above them.
Some cabinets remain locked.
And I'm rather enjoying working on the "Haus" quietly in the shadows.
So, for now, consider this merely a glimpse through the keyhole.
One day the doors will open.
When they do, those who knew Crystal Chrysalis will recognize the familiar signature "Old World Designed", One Only Handmade Creations as an old friend.
Those discovering Crystal Chrysalis and my Quality Natural Quartz Crystal and Gemstone Pendants and Pendulums for the first time will have a little history to uncover.
And those curious enough to wander beyond the obvious...
Well.
You may discover there is considerably more to this place than what is displayed in the shop window.
Until then, listen...you will hear the steady work behind the walls.
Something is being built.
And I have a feeling we're going to need a map.
— Kareline, Founder & Curator, Crystal Chrysalis Haus 2026 ~ Crystal Chrysalis Est. 2010
0 comments