(Pronounced ‘shayla’ if you were already wondering how to say it out loud! I generally go with Shae!)

I’m the maker, writer, photographer and imagination behind my company, Oceans Bliss. From Penticton, British Columbia, I left Canada at eighteen with $400 to travel.

You could say that my world adventures became a sixteen-year bliss hunt—a search for a perfect healthy life, a blissful, happy heart, a soulmate, magical healing modalities, finding my life mission, God… I guess for EVERYTHING.

Early on, I learned to trust my instincts, which steered me toward a path less conventional—a life of self-education, self-employment, and self-reliance. My journey was long, filled with many lessons and a lot of time off grid, exploring and studying the world around me. I spent a great deal of time living without running water, electricity, and the basic comforts of life, which drove me deep into my own thoughts, self-discovery and healing.

I experienced 37 countries and lived abroad for 16 years before settling back home in Penticton, getting married and having a baby. Back to the place I was born, only a couple of blocks away from where it all started. Surrounded by the orchards of the Okanagan, living a simple life, growing and canning my own food, in tune with the land and the seasons, side by side with my husband and daughter, embracing family and tradition.

When I had my daughter I wanted to bottle up her baby bliss. Her pure joy and happiness glowed and illuminated the world. I would look at her and reflect on my life and the years that led up to my bliss burning out and then the long and challenging journey to ignite it again.

I promised my daughter that I would help her keep her bliss alive. With the right guidance, she could live her best life.

Oneday when she was napping, I decided to make bread. While I was slowly kneading the dough I heard the words ‘Oceans Bliss’ enter my mind. From that day forward, my mission was clear and I started brainstorming. Dreaming and building a life and legacy that reflected our values and a foundation of learning that would keep her true to herself.

Oceans Bliss was born from the love of my daughter Ocean, and preserving her beautiful sparkly Light, her superpowers, her bliss, is my mission.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

When I travelled the world,  I often exported goods to Canada and sold a variety of items like knitwear, jewelry, wood carvings, and blankets at markets whenever I visited. When I moved back home, I decided to stop exporting goods and instead create a handmade marketplace of my own. This allows me to indulge my creativity, spend time with my daughter while teaching her, and be a part of our local handmade community.

My Maker, Artist Story

My superpower is definitely my creativity. I’m always looking for ways to bring life to my ideas. From a young age, I’ve always loved beading, making jewelry, pottery, drawing, photography, graphic art, and writing. I’ve evolved my skills over the years through studying across the globe, and by reconnecting with the energy of my home.I produce pieces that authentically represent me and my region and I’m proud to share them with others. My daughter and I also collaborate on handmade creations that we sell and donate, blending our creativity and values.

Handmade in Penticton With Bliss

Every item I sell in my SHOP is unique, locally printed and beautifully hand crafted original product made with bliss! I take pride in every step of the creation process, from searching for the best sunrise, to hand wrapping the canvases, to packaging and shipping with eco-friendly packaging materials.