Community Highlights: Meet Nicole Latham of Crystals & Curiosities

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Latham.

Hi Nicole, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello! My name is Nicole, owner of Crystals & Curiosities, located inside of Treasure Village, a vendor’s mall in Columbia, TN. It is a new age, metaphysical & magical place, specializing in Crystals, Gemstones, Sage, Books, Tarot cards, Candles, and so much more! My journey began when my sweet mother passed away in 2015. I was grieving deeply and desperately looking for ways to connect with her.

I eventually found my way to crystal & gemstone groups on Facebook. I had never heard of using crystals for metaphysical purposes and was intrigued. As a child, I was in love with nature and would explore the woods near our house, often searching in creek beds for fossils and pretty rocks. Little did I know that stones were used to help people with grief, anxiety, stress, love, etc. This discovery was how my passion began. As my rock collection grew, I started to feel better and smile again! Somehow the stones , with all of their different healing properties and beauty, turned me into a crystal collecting fool ;), but this wasn’t enough. I wanted to know exactly how “crystal energy” worked and embarked on a year long course with Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy, who teaches the scientific basis of crystals and the energy they give off, and also how to use them for self-healing and healing others through the use of crystal energy.

Understandably, my husband was not thrilled at how much money I was spending on the “collection”, and I knew I had to do something to support my habit. At first, the answer was selling some of my collection so that I could keep buying bigger and better pieces. For two years, I sold on Etsy, Ebay and Facebook, overcoming natural shyness in order to build a persona and a live auction following.

One morning, I woke up with a burning desire to open a physical location where I could sell all these beautiful stones! I wasn’t quite ready to open my own brick and mortar, so I decided to try to find a small space inside a vendors mall. That’s when I found Treasure Village in Columbia.

It started with a very small shelf in the back of the store in 2017. Fast forward to the present, and I am up to about 600 square foot of space packed with crystals, gemstones, fossils, books, sage, candles, tarot cards and so much more! I also like to have unusual “curiosities” in the shop. You just never know what I am going to have in stock week to week! My little shop offers unique, magical and fun things to help you on your spiritual journey. To find me on social media, or for more information, directions, etc, please visit my website at www.crystalsandcuriosities.com. Blessings! XOXO

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been smooth sailing. When Covid hit, I admit I was worried. We shut down the shop for several days, and lost a lot of business. I was worried it might be the end of Crystals & Curiosities, but we survived! People started coming back out, and still visited the shop, and for that, I am very grateful every day. I love what I do, and I love making people happy!

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I learned to never give up on my dreams, and keep going even when I think I can’t. If it is your passion, and it is meant to be, the universe will make a way!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.crystalsandcuriosities.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/crystalsandcuriosities/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crystalsandcuriosities1/