Do you have a pretty mug? I have two, and a pitcher and am looking for an excuse to get a bowl. Hughes Pottery in Pennsylvania is my sister's favorite potter and I can't say I blame her. And did I mention they're having a 15% off sale at their etsy shop?
I have this Dragon Scale Mug, which apparently is now out of production so you should be jealous.
And this Oak and Acorn Mug, which was a Kickstarter reward and stunning.
While I may not be a knitter, my fiance is and I'm just looking for an excuse to buy him one of these.
I'm sure by now you all know I provide spell crafting services. I always enjoy my custom work more than anything else because I have the chance to work with a client and really delve into the deeper intents of the spell work. I enjoy adding the details and finishing touches that take a spell from being general to very directed for the individual an their intent. There are some really easy ways to accomplish this for any candle spell you're crafting or casting, even if you just bought the candle off the shelf in the grocery store.
First things first, make sure you like the color of the candle. Yes, the spell says green but make sure it's a green that represents something to you. Make sure the scent is not distracting from your spell as well. Pine might be really positive for a money spell but do you actually like the scent of key lime?
Second, make the candle yours. Warm a butter-knife or other edged object under some hot water and carve your personal symbol, your name, your initials, the initials of someone else or something that only have meaning in your head into the wax. This works for any size of candle, even tea-lights. Altering the candle helps to imprint your energy and intention into the physical object which may increase the effectiveness of your spell. You're adding energy and intention.
Third, be specific. When you write an intention, for instance one your are going to burn, make it specific and personal to you. Bad Example: Abundance. Good Examples: More opportunities for work, A new job in my field, A positive review next week, To meet a new client. Being specific and concise in your wording helps to focus your intention and your energy.
This is just the beginning of the list of tips for spell work. I would love to hear your tips in the comments!
I have a confession... It will surprise no one who knows me... I am a Stuff Witch. I like magick, witchy and pagan stuff. I like having options for any type of altar I could ever imagine using. I like to be able to shift my space to maximize correspondences for any given working. I like the shiny pretty things. And I'm OK with this. As a relatively green-minded earth-loving pagan, I really enjoy the opportunity to recycle or up-cycle beautiful objects instead of buying a new shiny something from my local pagan store. Conveniently the etsy market-place is full of amazing vintage pieces, many of which are altar worthy.
As the wheel of the year truns those of us in the northen hemisphere have recently celebrated the first of the harvest festivals, sometimes called Lammas and other times celebrated as Lughnassah. Today I am sharing with you some beautiful artisan crafted items that celebrate the Celtic God Lugh.
I love the idea of these Magical Melts from Moonlit Herbals. What a creative way to combine multiple magical components together in a way that can be used without an open flame.
Her Light of Lugh Magical Melts are scented with Satsuma Oranges, Cassis and Pineapple and contain soy wax, organic herbs and flowers, glitter, crystals and the highest quality essential, essence and fragrance oils.
This gives me an idea to set up a long-lasting spell or altar, honoring Lugh and the Light to last all day, bringing blessings and strength to my home.
This piece honors Lugh as a sovereign protector and warrior. For Paula, his shield represents ability and versatility,
attributes that have helped us survive long winters for century's.
This tile would be a beautiful seasonal accent for not just an altar but a home as well.
The Whimsical Pixie can also be found on facebook.
This hand-sculpted pendant depicting the Spear of Lugh crafted by Caeruleus Lady of Hooded Crow Crafts just jumped right off the page at me. The detail is amazing and as the paint is metallic it will shine as it moves.
There are many myths surrounding the Spear of Lugh including one that tells the spear head had to be kept in a pot of water or it would ignite and cause fire around it. This pendant surely brings to light that same fiery and powerful essence.
The talented artisans at Hooded Crow Craft would be happy to work with anyone to create a beautiful and meaningful pendant to honor their own gods. Such work makes my hear joyful.
Follow along with the goings on of the shop at their blog.
Mickie Muller is one of my favorite artists when it comes to laying the might and majesty of the Gods onto canvas and paper. I am familiar with her main shop offering various items with her artwork on them but I have just found out that she is also the creator of a Celtic Ogham Divination Oracle called Voice of the Trees. This is SO cool. No really... SO COOL!
In her Voice of the Trees shop you can find prints, mugs, tarot bags, mirrors and home decor with the deep and meaningful images representing the Trees of the Ogham.
Today I chose to share with you a beautiful wall candle sconce depicting Lugh for the card of Ash. This card represents transformation and action, breaking inertia and taking care of business. I wish all of us the power of this card in the months ahead!
Today for you I have the honor to present a unique crafter of beautiful and personalized pendulums. Brandy of Pendulums by Marlaina takes time and care in making magical tools designed with the witch in mind.
Not only did I have a chance to ask Brandy some super fun questions, she has also been gracious enough to offer one of my lovely readers their choice of pendulum, including the 'Create Your Own' option. Read through to the end and then use the Raffle-Copter form to enter.
Q: What is your favorite part of the Etsy selling experience?
A: My favorite part of the etsy selling experience for me is adding a
new listing to my shop. Out of all the planning, the time it takes to
create each piece etc. Its always exciting to see another item in my
shop so that others can see and enjoy too.
A: What I make and how it supports the craft: I make pendulums. I hand
make them and try to make them unique and use natural, organic and
handmade supplies. I feel that they heighten our spiritual growth. I'm a
visual person and I need to be hit on the head with a brick to see that
something isn't a coincidence. lol. So pendulums have helped me to
communicate with my spirit guides, angels and have helped me through
particular problems with clear and precise yes or no answers to my
questions. Pendulums are a division of your subconsciousness and your
likes/dislikes etc. That's why I was so excited to offer these unique
pendulums. I offered the Design Your Own feature so you may pick and
choose certain charms, fillers and pattern of the chain that your most
drawn to, so that your pendulum can help you attune your spiritual and
psychic ability. I also have the pre-made ones for everyday use.
A: My favorite holiday is Samhain. It always has been even since I was
little. There is always a certain mystery and magic about it. The minute
I wake up I know its Samhain because i can feel this certain energy and
excitement going through me. Anything goes on this day. I feel closer
to my ancestors. I always feel with Samhain I have time to enjoy this
holiday and take time to decorate, participate in sabbats and rituals
make traditional meals and take part in many of the festivities. I love
the colors, sights and sound of the holiday.
A: I have a lot of favorite mythical animals and beings so I couldn't
never choose just one. I love the mystery and magic of Dragons and will
be putting out a dragon pendulum collection hopefully in the near
future. I also love the beauty and playfulness of fairies and have a
pendulum for a wish granting fairy and I'm excited to add more to that
collection soon as well.
You can learn more about Brandy and her crafts through her facebook, twitter, pinterest, and etsy shop. Oh, and enter the giveaway below:
This giveaway
ends in two weeks at midnight on 25th May 2012 . Open WorldWide! All
winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be
verified a different winner will be chosen. The Winner will be
notified by email and has three days to reply or another winner will be
chosen.
***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for
this post. Please note that I am not responsible
for the delivery of this prize and can not be
held accountable if, for any reason, is it not
received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable
for any injuries that may result from the use or
misuse of this product. **
As if one giveaway wasn't enough...
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of introducing to you the amazing pair of artists that power Spiral Hawk Studio, Rachel and Daryl. I found this lovely shop through etsy teams and was very graciously given a beautiful art print that hangs in my ritual space. I asked if they would be interested in appearing here and am very excited to share more about them.
Oh, and if you read all the way to the bottom there may be a RaffleCopter form for a mini-giveaway here and an automatic entry into their giveaway at 100 likes on facebook!
We are Collectors, Miners, Finders and Campers, We are Seekers and
Helpers and Friends to all Creatures.. We keep to Ourselves, but, look
what We Make- from Our hands to Yours, for Creations sake.. with
Blessings and Smiles, and Grateful Hearts- We share with you here, Our
Spirits, Our Arts...
We Love makin' stuff, and findin' treasure..and travelin' for work and
pleasure..We work real hard at minin' stones, stringin' beads and
findin' bones..
We accept Requests, Custom Work..and We are "Trade Friendly"- just convo Us with your thoughts!
A: We had been urged onto the internet by friends and family; previously we had simply set up tables at our local flea market and at random local shows. We found Etsy to be pretty much perfect for us as an outlet for the things we make to find a home!
Q: What is your favorite part of the etsy selling experience?
A: The Etsy selling experience has been fun! We have shipped orders
to France, the UK, Germany, Canada, Poland, and every region of the USA.
We never would have reached these customers with a local shop! And
being able to follow up, get feedback from your customers and answer any
questions they have after the transaction lets you really connect with
people as the the maker of the item and the user of the item.
Q: What's so important about what you make and how you choose to make it?
A: Ritual tools such as wands and personal stones, staffs and jewelry made with various semiprecious stones are not usually easily accessible. Even with the information age and the internet, it can be hard to find tools etc that are affordable. We mine the minerals we use ourselves whenever possible and harvest our own materials (wood, shed antlers, etc). We are Eclectic and prefer not to label ourselves as belonging to any one Religious Group. We have deep spiritual connections to the Earth and Nature; we're shamanistic in our rituals and methods of thinking, and this comes through in the things that we make.
A: I really enjoy making wands. Each piece is made from wood that I
harvest myself with reverence and respect; each crystal is hand-picked
for each particular wand. And carving, to me, really puts a piece of YOU
into what you're making.
We have a vast array of products in Our Shop- surely something for everyone, and New Items of every sort showing up almost daily! We take Requests & Custom Orders! Just Convo/msg Us your thoughts, and together lets bring your idea to life! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway This giveaway ends in one week at midnight on 27th April 2012 . Open WorldWide! All winning entries will be verified. If a winning
entry cannot be verified a different winner will be chosen.
The Winner will be
notified by email and has three days to reply or another winner will be
chosen.
SpiralHawk Studio is a working MultiCraft Studio/Shop- sawdust and beads
speckle the floor, stripped saplings lean against the walls, Tools of
All Sorts for so many Crafts are here and there and otherwhere..! There
are Gemstones and Rough, Leather and Stuff, Beads and Bells and Ocean
Shells- Papers and Books, Boxes with nooks, even some Art in a frame..
Coppers and Silver, Glass from all over, salvage, vintage and antique..
Minerals, Drusy, Crystals and Stones- Fossils,Teeth, Fur and Bones.. We
just Love to Create!
***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. Please note that I am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. **
Today I am so happy to bring to you a giveaway from Sandi's Enchanted Garden. I came across her shop and fantastic blog and was delighted to trade with her for some super fun cascarones. I have to tell you that the quality of her items is exemplary! All of her wares are hand made using quality ingredients! Here you will find only authentic and witchy wares such as premium spell candles and holders (wax and glass), incense, herbal mixes, wood work, and glassware and many other Kitchen Witchy crafts all designed by Sandi herself.
Read through to the end of the post to enter via RaffleCopter to win any item in the shop up to $15 in value.
Sandi has been a practicing pagan, herbalist, and reader of Tarot for almost 20 years and, like me, enjoys working on custom and individual projects. She has been designing her own herbal blends since 1995 and selling crafts and candles for over ten years. Her candles are decorated through painting, printing, carving, and many other -ings to make them beautiful and unique! Her spell tarts are a fun way to be able to cast a spell and let it sit and build power without having to watch it or worry about their house burning down!
Sandi's candle waxes:
Are 100% vegetable, made with Pure Soybean oil, GUARANTEED!
Are all NATURAL and biodegradable.
Are manufactured meeting FDA standards.
Are Kosher Certified.
Are NOT tested on animals.
Contain NO palm wax.
Contain NO petroleum, paraffin or beeswax products.
Contain NO pesticides and NO herbicides.
Contain NO toxic materials.
Contain NO Genetically Modified Material.
Are considered GRAS under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Recently over on her blog Sandi announced some new fun things coming to her shop. I have to tell you, I am so excited about candles for Dark Goddess energy as well as the bath salts.
Even just looking at the pictures of Sandi's products anyone can see the love and caring energy that was put into each part of the crafting process. I must tell you, I am totally enamored with her spoons!
This giveaway ends in two weeks at midnight on 27th April 2012 .
Open WorldWide! All winning entries will be verified. If a winning
entry cannot be verified a different winner will be chosen.
The Winner will be
notified by email and has three days to reply or another winner will be
chosen.
***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for
this post. The opinions expressed in this
review are my own and were not influenced in any
way. Please note that I am not responsible
for the delivery of this prize and can not be
held accountable if, for any reason, is it not
received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable
for any injuries that may result from the use or
misuse of this product. **
Ahhh, the fantastic powers of Google
auto-fill. When one enters 'pagan g' and pauses (skipping past the
inevitable variations of 'pagan gods') the first interesting computer generated
possibility is 'pagan gifts'. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind
is presents followed by powers (psychic gifts ect.); both interesting to dive
into, one this week and one next week.
Different cultures and different families all seem
to have different customs and traditions with respect to gift giving, and let’s
be clear – the giving is the important part.
My family is a card family, meaning that I have always received a card
for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day, Easter, my birthday,
Halloween, Thanksgiving and (of course) Christmas, signed and stamped and
typically through the mail. My Godmother
made it a point to send me a gift box for every made-up holiday that I was in
college and my mother is doing the same for my cousin. My daughter receives cards and notes the
whole year through from my Aunts and Cousins and even from my parents who we
see in person every Wednesday.
Each of these cards is physical representation of a
connection between (at least) two people.
Many pagan paths place quite a bit of importance on the power of
connections. Each of us tries to make a
personal connection with the divine and typically an energetic connection with
people we share ritual with. Energy work
and healing are both dependent on intra and interpersonal connections. Perhaps you’ve never thought about it but
choosing to give a gift is initiating a connection.
Some of the cards and letters that I have received over
the years have been saved and when I think of them or especially when I take
them out, I feel that old connection between myself and the other person. My spiritual sister has cards from me tapped
to his door, keeping my connection with him present in his life.
If cards are a minor physical representation of a connection,
gifts can be a major one. Many of the
pieces of my altar were given to me as gifts either from people or the universe;
every time they are taken out I remember where it came from and my attention
strengthens that connection that exists between myself and the giver. When I use pieces from my magical tool box I
choose them because of the connections and these connections add layers to my
magick.
As a pagan when I choose a gift for another practitioner
I do so with thought and care so that when they use what I have given them,
their magick is also strengthened by the connections between us.
One of my absolute favorite parts about the amazing sellers on etsy.com is trading with them and I have been very blessed.
One of my most recent trades was with a very talented tatter Karen from TattingForSpirit. I was first drawn to her amazing mini-medallions followed by the beautiful Goddess Within Knots and traded for a medallion for inner balance and a set of beautiful knots.
Her packaging was fantastic.
And the pieces are truly beautiful. I very much appreciate the time and effort that went into all of them, especially her research and choice of gemstones to include in the medallion.
The next beautiful creation I'd like to show you was not originally a trade but simply a generous moment by a Witches Cottage team mate, Rachel from SpiralHawkStudio. Not only does this amazing seller have jewelry, wands, and worked glass they also have amazingly detailed and beautiful spiritual artwork. I expressed an admiration of this Goddess print and she just offered to send it to me (so I sent her a little biit extra in her order). It's amazing and I am so thankful!
A Few Notes: I guess I will be posting twice on Fridays, but that's OK because those of you interested in the Pagan Blog Project posts will also get to benefit from being exposed to:
When I was in college I had less space but I guess I also had less stuff taking it up. I had two milk crates stacked up with books in the bottom one, altar stuff storage in the middle and an ever-changing altar on the top. It seems like my magic was ever-present and much more organic as it was changed, reinforced and supported all the time because my altar was in the center of my collegiate crossroads crucible.
Then I graduated, got a job, got married, moved out of my 'rents, eventually had a little one... and somewhere along the way I lost that physical manifestation of my magic and my faith. I tried to re-capture it a couple times.
I asked the (now ex) husband for a third bedroom for all my witchy stuff, but that's not in the center of my world
I have all my witchy books in those same milk crates, but they're sitting un-read and the cat's window seat is on top of them
I have an heirloom bookshelf that holds all my stuff (cause I'm totally a stuff witch), but the top is for lamps and boxes and bottles... not an altar space
Thankfully I'm finally with someone who actually does support all the witchy stuff I do (and there's a lot of it) up to and including setting up an altar with me on the top shelf of our new bookcase. It's tall enough that the munchkin will have trouble grabbing things. The shelf space will be tall enough for candles. I can re-arrange it whenever I want. My DBF gets to add his stuff to it too.
And most of all it's in the center of my little apartment world, a place I can re-assert my magic and faith everyday without penciling time into my (ridiculous) schedule. I am so excited.
**Imagine a picture here that I will add when I finally get home**
Firstly, thank you and congradulations to the winners of my Yule gift giveaway:
I will be contacting you ladies soon to arrange your readings. I totally look forward to it!
Moving on, one of my 2012 goals is to have at least two listings up for every Sabbat so here are my offerings for Imbolc:
Imbolc/Candalmas Brigid's Flame Candle Spell to bring passion and motivation into your life
Yellow 4" Ritual Spell Candle charged with power and intention
White tea-light candle that has been charged and then lit with Brigid's Flame
I received Brigid's flame at a weekend intensive from a Reclaiming witch who had brought this fire back from Kildare. Brigid is a goddess of many things, including the inspiration of the bard. I am happy to share this gift with those that wish to kindle the flame of their own passions.
The Fire and The Well: deluxe ritual and spell kit
You will receive the following neatly and safely packaged in a light-green travel tin:
- White birthday candle that has been lit with Brigid's flame
- Hand-painted green faerie mini-bottle of Brigid's water
- Hand blended mix of cleansing herbs
- Mini Altar Cloth in a beautiful green with Celtic knot-work
- Set of three ribbons for a knot spell
- Red votive spell candle, charged with intention
- Full page parchment ritual and spell instructions
- Light green travel tin
I look forward to putting the finishing touches on these spells and getting them in the mail!
I take my time setting up the altar, making sure I have all four elements represented as well as the Divine Feminine and Masculine. It's important to me to keep the spirit of the season so I will probably bring in some evergreens to scent the air.
The longest night begins and it with it, my ritual.
Winter is one of my favorite seasons. Between Samhain and Imbolc even with the craziness of the modern holidays, the chance to chill is great. This weekend I finally had enough time to put some new stuff together and get it actually listed in time! Check it out!
First the simple and festive use of color magic, oils and scents, and some basic tree lore to have the Holly bring positive opportunities into your life. I love that this spell is so simple but could be very effective in bringing the spirit of the season into your home.
Red is a color of passion and renewal through fire and the blessed and dressed candle will help focus your intention.
Holly is known as a plant of protection and in this spell you will use the leaves to protect your magical intention through the winter so you can see results as the spring approaches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My second offering of the season is a two part spell kit that is designed to honor and celebrate the Longest Night and then to welcome the return of the Sun. Included are two spell candles that will be blessed and dressed with oils, a hand blended spell mix and a mini-altar cloth covered in blue stars.
With this kit my goal is to help people take a few moments and celebrate the Sabbat within the Wheel.
First, welcome to my visitors from PrettMuchDana! I'm very excited to be sponsoring another giveaway here with two prizes. Readers, please swing over and check it out!
I'm not only a practical witch, I'm a stuff witch and an Elemental witch. I love beautiful and interesting items to use in my spell work and to decorate my altar and to honor the divine and the elements.
These Runic Altar Honorings from Marc Victor at RunesRock are a beautiful, portable and really powerfully practical way to honor the divine and the elements. I love the personality of them as well as the power involved in handcrafting.
Diane De Maun at DeBaunFineCeramics has some of the most stunning divinely inspired ceramics I have ever seen, including this Universal Goddess Shrine. Her use of color, stamping and respect for the symbolism of many world religions has really drawn me to her products.
Coop & Katrina from SignsOfSpirit never fail to make my day working at the Maryland Renaissance Festival just a little brighter. I have been thankfully able to take a few of their pieces home and I have always enjoyed giving some as gifts. This Elemental Pentacle is one of favorites and it incorporated the talents of both artisans in the carving, wood burning and painting of such a fantastic piece. The store has a bit of everything all made with love, respect and care.
.jpg.opt425x388o0%2C0s425x388.jpg)
