The Threads That Bind Us

The Threads That Bind Us was started in 2005 by Amber Stinson, who had a dream of a retail space that was also a service to the community, and she started up a thrift store which donated to charitable causes from its profits.  She also expanded it to be a meeting place for artist's gatherings, poetry groups, and drumming circles, to name but a few things.  Her original cause was the Vernon Treatment Centre.

In 2007, Amber sold the store to Heather and Craig, a young couple who shared Amber's vision, and they began to open the store to more esoteric interests.  They gathered more local crafters, a tea leaf reader, and a young Tarot reader to offer their services at the store.  They continued to donate some of their profit to charity, now the Good Food Box.

In 2008, Heather and Craig were obliged to move and they sold the store to the Tarot reader - me.  I maintained the original vision of a retail store which supported charitable causes in the community, but also expanded on the esoteric aspect to making metaphysical crafts and offering a dedicated Tarot and Reiki room.  I also maintained donating some of my profits to a cause, now the Vernon Women's Centre.  I tried to keep my day job as well.  But a few short months after I bought the store, my husband was in a horrible accident, and I needed to drop everything and stay with him in Vancouver while he was in the ICU.  Fortunately I am blessed with supportive family, such as my mom and my sister, who kept the store going in my absence.

My husband eventually recovered, but when I returned, I had no desire to keep working at my day job, and my husband required me to have a job where I could be available for his care, and so I took it as a sign from the Universe that I should devote myself to the vision that was the store.  I began to invest some money and a lot more time into our store, and I believe we have begun to create a haven of peace and enlightenment that effectively serves the needs of the metaphysical and Pagan communities of the Okanagan Valley (and beyond).  With each passing day we expand our available metaphysical and holistic health services, our available products, and our accessibility to the community.  And there's only more great things to come!

Pirates for the Cure

The Threads That Bind Us helps to sponsor the team "Pirates for the Cure," which is our team for the Run for the Cure, the largest event nation-wide to raise money for breast cancer awareness, education and research.  Last year we raised $364 for the cause, and this year we hope to do even better!  Our team fundraising goal is $1000; each of us hopes to raise at least $200.  Won't you help us out?  Come in and drop your change into our shop donation tin, or donate here by using our convenient PayPal button below, or donate directly at our Pirates for the Cure Team Webpage.  Better yet, join our team!  You can run in any city and still be part of our team!  Just sign up and wear your pirate best on the day of the run!

Check us out last year's run on our Videos page!