Life & Work with Apryl Martinez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Apryl Martinez.

Plum Brilliance is the story of a small girl. A free-range child allowed to explore the idyllic rural setting of southern California. She was encouraged to climb through sage-covered coyote trails. She became the queen of granite tables filled with fairy pools in spring—transformed by the natural world, a water sprite in creeks full of teeny tiny frogs and crawdads. Her loyal subjects were the faithful dogs that kept watch and her confidants, the plants. She would come home exhausted, dirty, scratched, scraped, and drenched in the perfume of sagebrush but rarely “lonely.”

Plum Brilliance is the story of a woman. A wife and the mother of three small children. A woman trying to keep up in a society with no time for creeks, coyote trails, and magic. Filled with an ache to return to the plants and earth that shaped her early years, she began crafting. She wove bits of pine with sweet wild rose into ethereal body oils. She layered juniper and sage into earthy, grounding soaps. When she anointed herself with these bits of alchemy, she found her connection back to the natural world regardless of where she was.

Plum Brilliance is the story of you. Sage, Juniper, and Pine speak. It is soft, it is subtle, but when you listen, you can hear their voices. They whisper of connection and belonging. We are drawn to nature, and nature is drawn to us; the world is within us. Plum Brilliance is for you, wanting to connect with the coyote trails, the fairy pools, and the creeks with teeny tiny frogs. Plum Brilliance is a state of being and a simple reminder of the profound wisdom you already possess.

Born of necessity and passion, Plum Brilliance Apothecary officially bloomed in 2016 and has been growing wildly ever since.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Crafting from wild plants requires that I observe seasons and plant health. As a steward of this magical place I call home, the health of the land is my priority. This means that not all products are available all the time.

In a world of immediate gratification – I was worried that folks may not support a business that took a different approach to production. I follow the unhurried pace of nature opting for small batch and month-long infusions to create truly effective botanical products.

The response from my customers has been so encouraging and I am grateful for all their support and enthusiasm. Folks want to connect with the natural world, but not all of us have the opportunity to wander the mountains and hills. My goal is to bring nature home and encourage a new level of self-care.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve been studying herbalism for nearly ten years. Growing up in a rural community, I’d always had an affinity for plants and nature. I crafted “potions” as a child, grabbing bits of twigs and plants and infusing them into earthy brews – usually rainwater and buckets that would stagnate quickly. I had the enthusiasm but none of the knowledge.

When I discovered herbalism, it was like a whole new world opened before me. I realized that “potions” were real, making beautiful products with some plant knowledge.

As with anything a person is passionate about, plants are my obsession. Learning plant constituents and energetics is incredibly fulfilling. I garden and grow many of the plants I use. I wild harvest others that thrive in the wild landscapes of our region. My pleasure reading consists of Jeppsen manuals and field botany guides.

I strive to share this connection, the love I have for Southern California, with my customers. My work is intentional; from the first harvest all the way to bottling, each step is an opportunity to add wishes of love and well-being into the items I craft. Many folks have told me they can feel the energy and intention in my products, and I am so humbled and delighted that I can bring a bit of joy into each person’s life.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Connection with the earth, ourselves, and a true connection with other humans. It’s funny to say – I’m highly introverted – but the connection is what feeds us all.

The earth offered a healing path for me; in a time of deep depression and anxiety, I found solace in the dirt, trees, and plants. They led me back into connection with the world and those I love the most. Through herbalism, I discovered ways to balance my body and mind, leading to an empowered journey of healing. If I can help or inspire someone, that is my goal.

Rooted deeply in love, all of the things I make have the intention of health and kindness within them. Intended to encourage us all to slow down and cultivate our inner compassion. What better time to do this than through the daily routine of body care and grooming? It is a time when we engage in touch; by merely directing heart energy and love to areas we are tending, we can realize profound effects.

Thank you for taking the time to read about a turning point in my journey. May you be filled with love and compassion for yourself and for all beings. Be well.

Contact Info:

• Email: apryl@plumbrilliance.com
• Website: plumbrilliance.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/plumbrilliance
• Facebook: facebook.com/plumbrilliance
• Other: pinterest.com/plumbrilliance