Blue Wave Healing Arts

15/08/2025

Something from real women for real women!

Magazines have a certain magic 🪄 the aroma, the thrill of the unknown. But let's face it, they've also been a source of insecurity for many. That's why Curve Rapport is a game-changer. This magazine is redefining beauty standards, proving you don't have to be a size 6 to be stunning. It's not just a magazine, it's a powerful statement!

15/07/2025

This highlights the importance of giving everyone in the community a voice! 💖🥰

"They said she couldn’t be a mom… But she raised a teacher."

When Grace was born, doctors told Sophie she should give her baby up for adoption.

Sophie had Down syndrome, and they said she wouldn’t understand how to be a mother.
They said the baby would suffer.
That it wasn’t safe.

But Sophie held her newborn and softly said,
“She’s mine. I’ll try my best.”

And she did — every single day.

Sophie didn’t know big words.
But she knew how to comfort Grace’s tears.
How to smile even when tired.
How to cut peanut butter sandwiches into heart shapes.
How to fill story time with extra cuddles.

People stared.
Some whispered.
But Grace never saw anything wrong.
She saw her mom dancing in the kitchen, singing lullabies off-key, and telling her every single day:
“You are smart. You are loved.”

As Grace grew older, she helped her mom — reading letters, making shopping lists, explaining the outside world.
But Sophie kept teaching her, too.

She taught her to slow down.
To enjoy the little moments.
To lead with kindness.

When Grace got into college, Sophie cheered louder than anyone.
When Grace became a teacher, Sophie wore a proud pin:
“My daughter teaches. I taught her first.”

Now, Grace teaches 3rd grade.
And every first day of school, she tells her students:
“The wisest person I ever knew never went to school — she raised me with love.”

💔📚

The world said Sophie couldn’t be a good mom.
But she raised a leader, a teacher, a kind soul — all with heart, strength, and unconditional love.

And Grace never forgot her very first lesson:
Kindness is the highest form of intelligence.

24/11/2024

Happy Potters Totems of Hope Sculptures...
I'm finally uploading the journey that started on 19th January 2023...
What an amazing journey... these Sculptures have found a forever home in the Stanthorpe Whistle Stop Heritage and Community Garden ... it first started with a brief from council for Sculptures in the main street, but wanting these to be from the people for the people members of Happy Chat - Stanthorpe first made their own based on Trust, Confidence, Hope...
Visit the garden and experience for yourself...
Stanthorpe On Facebook
Stanthorpe Uncut
Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery

05/08/2024

We are in new times, this is an example of looking to the future...

24/12/2023

The Happy Potters of Happy Chat - Stanthorpe with Jennifer Gill Arts made an essence Christmas Tree with their presence giftings... please share the first gifting...

04/10/2023

The following is the content of the news article about the Totems of Hope at the Stanthorpe Whistle Stop Heritage and Community Garden ....

Happy Chat Stanthorpe using artistic expression to help heal minds
A hidden gem in Stanthorpe has become a sanctuary for participants of a community support group, who have found healing and a sense of peace through art expression.

The not so subtle grip of workplace burnout felt all too tight for Happy Chat participant Jenny.

With mental health support services limited in the Granite Belt region, Jenny’s road to recovery wasn’t always smooth.

Engaging in what available supports she could access, she ultimately felt they weren’t making a difference.

Jenny had previously heard of Happy Chat’s support group and worked up the courage to start participating in the weekly sessions.

“Each Tuesday we make a meal from the food box we receive from FoodAssist, with just whatever has been supplied,” she said.

“I was in charge of making lunch this week and we had BLT’s, which are my favourite.

“I’ve been a participant for about three or four years and I honestly wouldn’t be here without it, I’d probably be in the ground.”

The mental health support group introduced pottery workshops at the beginning of the year as a way to bring the participants and wider Stanthorpe community together.

INSPIRING: Happy Chat's 'Totems of Hope' are the proud creation of the group's participants.
INSPIRING: Happy Chat's 'Totems of Hope' are the proud creation of the group's participants.
Artist and counsellor Jenni Gill is the driving force behind the workshops, wanting to provide participants with an outlet to express themselves creatively and give them a sense of community.

Proposing the idea ‘Totems of Hope’, Ms Gill envisioned the totems would inspire participants and give them a creative avenue to self-expression.

“The thing is that it’s not an art class, and it’s not art therapy but it is therapeutic, and they do learn new skills,” she said.

“It’s all about the process, not the end product.”

Ms Gill graciously and humbly volunteers her time each week to conduct the Wednesday pottery sessions.

The rising costs of living saw Happy Chat participant Bryce priced out of his Stanthorpe rental in 2022.

Bryce’s weekly rent skyrocketed in less than a year from $225 to $375, leaving him to face the grim reality of homelessness.

Before joining Happy Chat’s support group, Bryce’s agoraphobia often left him confined and isolated from the outside world and contributed to his decision to live out on the land.

Happy Chat participants 'Totems of Hope' sit high among the fields at Whistle Stop Community Gardens.
Happy Chat participants 'Totems of Hope' sit high among the fields at Whistle Stop Community Gardens.
“Last year I could barely leave my house and now I’m here (at Happy Chat) every week,” he said.

“It’s been the best experience (being part of Happy Chat) and I think (the totems) will be great for the community.”

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterised by a specific fear of certain places or situations that induces anxiety and panic attacks.

Slowly but surely Bryce, with the help of Happy Chat and its volunteers, has been able to reintegrate and become a social butterfly in the group’s community.

“I actually have clay out on my block of land, which is how I came to meet Kath and Jenni,” he said.

“I’d come into town to donate some to the pottery club and we got chatting and that’s how I found out about Happy Chat and the workshop.”

Happy Chat founder Kath Ives says writing in her journal is one of the many ways she looks after her mental health.
Happy Chat founder Kath Ives says writing in her journal is one of the many ways she looks after her mental health.
For Happy Chat participant Megan, her father and support person Laurie, the experience has been life changing.

Megan also felt the blow of the rising costs of living, moving from Brisbane last year for the peace and serenity offered by the Granite Belt.

“It’s given me something to look forward to (pottery class) and creating the totems reminds me there’s better days to come,” she said.

Megan’s late mother Anna worked in Stanthorpe Hospital’s mental health unit and is how she came to learn of Happy Chat support group.

From the outside looking in Megan’s father Laurie has observed not only his daughter’s life transform, but the lives of other participants.

INSPIRING: Happy Chat's 'Totems of Hope' are the proud creation of the group's participants.
INSPIRING: Happy Chat's 'Totems of Hope' are the proud creation of the group's participants.
“Watching everyone just come out of their shells and the difference (Happy Chat) has made in their lives is so rewarding,” he said.

Quite the artist himself, Laurie curated with the help of like-minded community members a vibrant mural for the hospital’s mental health unit in memory of his late wife Anna.

“It was her ultimate wish to bring colour to the mental health unit, she always thought it would help to brighten the patients,” he said.

The group have also been hard at work creating totems which will feature in the centre of Stanthorpe, providing a communal place of serenity and admiration for all.

Happy Chat’s ‘Totems of Hope’ pottery exhibit will officially open at Whistle Stop Community Gardens on October 12.

18/09/2023

This news article holds statements from the Totems of Hope participants of Happy Chat. It has been and continues to be a joy supporting these workshops.

A Stanthorpe community support group is inspiring hope in its participants, giving them a creative outlet through pottery 🎨🫶 See their inspiring journeys here ➡️ https://bit.ly/46ejshU