Crystals aren’t just pretty things to look at, they also carry healing properties and can help with everything from aches and pains to headaches and depression. So believes Judy Baum, who first stumbled upon the alternative healing method after going through a rough patch in her own life, a time where she felt “defeated” and like she had nowhere to turn.Her daughter Lori had suffered a stroke and Mrs Baum had to learn to adjust to the challenging role of caretaker for her adult child.She didn’t agree with taking pills for depression, so she drew closer to her spirituality to find the encouragement and help she needed.She said her journey started when a friend introduced her to some books on meditation and she started giving herself a time and space to meditate each day.Her interest only increased after reading self help books and experimenting with healing crystals.Mrs Baum is now creating a line of jewellery designed to help others find mental, physical and spiritual balance.She told The Royal Gazette: “Crystals are so powerful and the energy we feel from them is unbelievable not too mention healing.“So, with that and talking to people I discovered someone that makes jewellery for healing and I bought some pieces from her.“I decided right then and there I was going to make jewellery and help people with their healing properties.”After moving from Bermuda to the US, she said it was easier to get stones and find tools needed to create the pieces.She then taught herself how to make the accessories, through trial and error — not to mention some prayer.“I started my first piece and I actually shocked myself because from the little bit I read in a ‘Jewellery 101’ book I had created a beautiful necklace,” she said.“I continued making them and added earrings and bracelets too.“If I make three or four in a day I cannot sleep from the energy I get from the stones.”To date she has completed nearly 2,000 pieces, including stones from all over the world depending on what she needs. This includes pieces for people suffering from cancer, MS, depression, addiction, stroke and lyme disease, but also for those looking for spiritual enlightenment and support during their pregnancy.“I have helped many people and continue to do so whenever I can or am asked,” she said. “My line is always open to everyone.”In addition to crystal jewellery, Mrs Baum also offers angel card readings and reiki sessions.She said those she works with are never sceptical about the alternative healing methods because it’s only the believers that call.“Healing crystals work if the wearer truly wants to be healed and believes,” she explained.When doing the angel readings, she looks to analyse each card’s meaning and tune into any thoughts and impressions to give people guidance on a situation or question in their life.At first she was only doing them for friends and family, but after getting inundated with requests she decided to charge for the service.“I do them through e-mail unless one prefers a phone call,” she said. “It takes one and a half to four hours to do a reading and I often continue getting messages for a day or so. In which case I do continue to e-mail the client the messages.”Reiki is an ancient system, which operates under the principle that all things are made up of energy.Once this energy becomes blocked in some way, the ‘life force’ is low and people are more likely to get sick or feel stress. If this is high, they are more capable of being happy and healthy, Mrs Baum said.It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.Mrs Baum said there are many people in the world who are intuitive and capable of healing, but do not use their ability.“For many of us we don’t realise or understand this holistic healing path,” she said. “My advice is read. There are so many books out there that will educate you and help you to understand the spirit and our job on earth.”When Mrs Baum is back in Bermuda, she offers her services at My Sereni Tea on Reid Street, Hamilton.She can also do angel card readings over the phone or by e-mail and encourages anyone interested to contact her at baum.juwa@gmail.com or phone 1-814-308-8602.Useful website: www.jbcrystalcreations.com.