A Mystical Tree Ring Artisan

Nicole Belanger has always expressed a bit of creativity in her past professional life, but now she gets to do that much more full-time with a unique handiwork - "tree ring" amulets.

"I've always had a creative side even when I was working in advertising for 35 years," said the former resident who now spends most of her time at her Lac Brome home with a beautiful view of the lake and nearby mountains. "I've also dabbled in oil painting and worked with stained-glass for 10 years."

However, Belanger found her latest calling two years ago just sitting in her garden and looking up under a maple tree. Seeing a nice branch, she thought: "Hmm, wouldn't a bracelet look nice on that!" Then she started to develop her tree-jewellery line of products from there.

For the loop, she chose copper for its non-toxic properties, its supposed healing qualities, and its durability. "It's a product that you hang and leave in one place and would age nicely with the tree, taking on a familiar green or blue patina effect."

Each tree ring measures about 12 inches in length, eight inches wide, and weight under one pound. They are said to withstand the harshest of Canadian winters and, with glass, they add much colour to a tree branch on a sunny day, she noted.

Her research also gradually led her to more to the mystical side of trees that have been worshipped for thousands of years. On her Nickadoo website, Belanger has written up quick guides to the mystical properties of various trees and to fairies who are attracted to certain tree rings. If you happen to see a fairy nearby, she advises to stay at least seven feet away - hence the expression: "Lucky Seven"!

She has classified her tree rings in four categories in terms of their help and connection: Picknick symbolizes a wish for delight and diversion; Nickawippi represents a wish for guidance good health, protection and harmony; Saintnick equates bestowment, offering and giving not only at Christmas time but all year-round; and Beatnick exemplifies a wish for peace, love, creativity and garden growth. "I like to send good vibes along with them."

Disliking the big markup that comes with retail, she prefers to sell her beaded tree rings on-line. "Word-of-mouth is turning out to be just fine." When she started to create them, Belanger hung them around her home. Friends saw them and quickly began ordering some and spreading the word about this new outdoor décor. Once on-line, orders have come from elsewhere in Canada, the United States, and even France.

As a full-time activity now, she would like to continue with her creative business and develop other similar concepts for this growing market. "Rather than being locked up in an office, it's great working with my hands and choosing my own hours."