#WordlessWednesday - Magical Knots

$7 - Celtic knot variation on reclaimed fabric by Free Dragon

 

#WordlessWednesday - A Magical Winter

Primitive Hand-painted Winter Witch Wood Sign by The Homespun Raven

#Wordless Wednesday: Vedic Astrology Meet-Up Tomorrow

Featured Favorites Friday: The MD Promotion Team is having a SALE!!!

In case you missed it, the MD Promotions Team is holding a Fall Into Autumn Sale!
From August 15th to the 31st, you can save 5%-30% on spectacular handmade items by using the coupon code "MDFIAS" at checkout!  Over 40 Maryland Etsy shops are participating in a huge sales event!  Check out our captain's blog for the full list.

Did I mention we are having a huge GIVEAWAY too?  You can enter here.


For this weeks Featured Favorites, I would like to share a Treasury Collection of artisans participating in this sale.  Check them out, click through their awesome stuff, and don't forget my own giveaway here.

'Harvest Blue Moon' by ReadingsByKat

Over 50 Maryland artists and crafters are participating in the Fall into Autumn Sale with gorgeous handcrafted designs.Coupon code MDFIAS gets discounts in all these fabulous shops!

Stained Glass Trinket B... katescauldron $29.00	Pinwheel Star Pin Cushi... Springwaterdes... $8.00	Bracelet with Blue & Gr... PurpleDotBouti... $28.00	Pastel Powder Blue Croc... bettesbags $23.00
Beard for a Beanie Hat,... TimeWasJustADr... $12.00	Quilted Coffee Cup Hot ... DebLeeCreation... $10.00	PRICE SLASHED---Sodalit... joyaslindas3 $39.00	Vintage Johnson Brother... MontageDecor $19.95
Toddler Hat and Infinit... CraftMeCrazy $20.00	Turquoise and Jade Crys... RockefellerCry... $21.95	The Blue Lagoon Bag SeasideSiren $70.00	Vintage Glass Mason Jar... rustbelttreasu... $25.00
Nautical Table Topper isewmuchtime $23.00	10 Blue Flower Petits Purplecorner $2.00	Necklace Guitar Pick Bl... TheCraftyPanda... $12.50	Yellow Rose Lavender Ir... RealisticFlora... $40.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Giveaway! Featured Favorites Friday: Papercut Cards and Gifts

Wiccan Rede Vinyl Wall Decal

Welcome back to Giveaway Featured Favorites!  Today I bring you the chance to win a beautiful piece of Paper Cut art from Paula of Arwen Designs.   This artist's unique illustration style is created with hand cut paper silhouettes, collage, ink, and digital art. Silhouette art has a long history in many cultures. From silhouette portraits popular in the 1700’s to traditional cut paper art in China and Poland, it is a beautiful art form using the contrast of dark and light, shadows and illumination.  Having clicked through all her links I must tell you that her OOAK Altered Art My Little Ponies are my absolute favorite!

Paula is offering one of my readers, worldwide, the chance to win ANY item from her etsy shop up to $10 in value.  Read through to the end and then use the Raffle-Copter form to enter.

Halloween greeting card

What got you into your work here on etsy?:

I was looking for a way to share and sell my art when I discovered Etsy. Although I have my own website for my illustration work, it's hard to get noticed and bring web traffic there. Etsy already has the traffic, and they make it easy to set up a shop and join their community. There are so many talented artists and creators on Etsy, I knew it was someplace I wanted to join!

Three Horse Greeting Cards

Where does your inspiration come from?:

My inspiration comes from everything around me, a walk in the woods, a ride on the subway, a good movie or book, or a vivid dream I've had. Sometimes its an instant thought or image jotted down on scraps of paper, which then evolves through a process of sketching with both pencil and an x-acto knife. When I'm illustrating a story or poem, I let the images come to me as I read it, then go back and pick the best ones to work on.

Post Apocalypse Valentine

Which piece in your shop has the most meaning for you?:

My favorite piece in my shop right now is my Post Apocalypse Valentine Card. I'm fascinated with Apocalyptic themes, and it was fun to come up with the imagery. I wrote the poem inside for my husband, so it has special meaning for me.

What's your favorite mythical animal and why?:

A unicorn and pegasus combined was something I always wished was real. I've always loved horses for their beauty, strength, and character. Both the unicorn and the pegasus are beautiful but fierce, solitary and magical.

You can find out more about Paula and see all her amazing works at her website, etsy shop, Cafepress Shop and her Artist Rising Gallery.  Or you can find all these links by clicking through the links in the Rafflecopter form below!  Oh, and as an aside, the MD Promotions Team is holding a Fall Into Autumn Sale and GIVEAWAY too?  You can enter here or here.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends in two weeks at midnight on 31st August 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. **

Tarot Wednesday: The Tarot House Deck

As I continue indulging my tarot card habit collecting beautiful and meaningful decks, I find more and more I am fascinated and drawn to decks released by independent publishers. There's just something extra special about buying a deck from the creator and it feels like 'back in the day' when almost everyone had their own hand-made version of a deck of cards, due to lack of a printing press. I recently ran into a new deck that I just had to feature here, The Tarot House, which is a collaboration between a mother and daughter and employs a combination of Reiki and Tarot.

The Tarot House by Tricia and Jenny House

The passion to create this unique blend of Reiki and Tarot began with the younger member of the team, Jenny, who wanted to bring the intuition and guidance of the Tarot into her Reiki healing sessions to help expand the experience for the people she was helping. Once this decision was made she searched for a deck that fit her needs; something beautiful, positive and created with love and came to the conclusion that the artwork of her mother, Tricia, would make the best possible deck.

Each card has been induvidually painted by Tricia, the meanings described in detail by Jenny and, after four years of work, the finished deck is a beautiful tool.

You can find images and meanings of the Major Arcana, Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles on their website, The Tarot House. The deck can be purchased on etsy as well as through their website directly and has recently been reduced to a (more than fair) price of $24.99 (£14.99) that includes a lovely brocade bag (choose from six wonderful colours), a spread card with layouts of Celtic Cross, Past Present and Future and Chakra spreads, a leaflet with short divinitary meanings, and Reiki healing for harmony.

The beautiful artwork is also available as greeting cards from Etsy and ArtistPublishers.

I love a couple of things about this deck.  The images themselves feel so real, I think because they are not digital creations but instead digitized versions of paint and love on a canvas.  I love that the color pallet is bold but not distractingly so.  The texture and details in each of the pictures just add more possibility for a nuanced reading, and I am very jealous of the creative talent required to paint 78 individual images.

Tarot House Spread

In wandering about their website I also came across a spread that I may have to start using as it just looks like an interesting way to have the cards relate to each other, and after all... isn't that what reading cards is all about?

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PS: All these images are used with permission from the artist.  Please take a moment to click through and check out her other wares.

PPS: Enter to win a full set of printable BOS pages from a pagan-run small business here.  

PPPS: Enter to win a Tarot Tips Sheet just for spreading the word about a Pagan Publisher here. 

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Featured Favorites Friday: Mail Alert #2

I enjoy participating in giveaways.  It's so exciting to get mail and I have won some beautiful items by amazing crafts people, just take a look.

This beautiful 5x5 moon art photo traveled across the Atlantic and now resides on my living-room wall.  Suzi of MoonDreamin was amazing and so generous to send some extras along too!  Please check out her shop, she has some amazing prints and items available!

5x5 Moon Photograph by moondreamin won from Kalstek Photography

Here is some more artwork that I won from Andralynn.  I love her style and color choices!  My munchkin and I actually sat down together to pick out what she wanted in her room and I think my munchkin made perfect decisions.

Whimsical Mouse, Felt Kitty, Hello Sunshine (original) by Andralynn

Speaking of my munchkin, this is my absolute favoritest ever prize won to date.  Franchesca of SmallBirdStudios did an amazing job taking one of my most loves pictures of me and the munchkin and transferring it on to distressed canvas.  Now I will have this moment forever and I think $22 is so worth it.

me and the munchkin from SmallBirdStudios

These vinyl wall decals from CherryWalls are so super cute and they came carefully packaged with detailed instructuions, an applicator and super cute extras!  You even have lots of colors to choose from!  These silver butterflies are going to a special set of twins for their birthday!

Butterfly Wall Decals from CherryWalls

See, told you the munchkin had a blast picking our my her winnings :)

Please click through the links and check out all the other amazing things these shops have to offer!

Tarot Wednesday: Self Published Decks

When I look through my plethora of Tarot and Oracle (and other) decks, I am fascinated by how differently each idea comes across in the art works.  In the age of internet publishing it's easier to find variations from a variety of talented artists, some of which I am happy to share with you today.

The BlueDogRose Tarot by Nakisha is full of beautiful domestic animal images created in ink and watercolor and professionally printed on playing-card stock.  This 2011 deck  is a full 78 cards made up of 22 major and 56 minor arcana.  Swords are represented by Cats, Cups are Birds, Pentacles are Rodents and Clubs are Dogs while the Major Arcana also have goldfish, guinea pigs and rabbits.  I love the vibrancy and personality of this deck!  Check out some of Nakisha's other decks, such as the TaRat, for beautiful are with some standard Tarot imagery.  She can also be found at her blog and facebook page.

The Steampunk Tarot purports to "builds a rusty metal bridge to the edge of your subconscious" and looking at the listing I believe the artist, Charissa Drengsen of curly-cue design, has achieved this.  This digital collage tarot deck is a full 78 cards that blends "post-modern and tribal, ancient and contemporary, traditional and subcultural" images and themes.  The deck is available in multiple sizes and has a large or pocket sized companion book.  I have a soft spot in my hear for steampunk and it looks like this deck does a marvelous job of cohesive digital collage and filling the cards with meaning.  Swing over to the shop and check out some of Charissa's other work as well, such as paper dolls and steampunk patches.  She can alse be found here.

This Oracle Tarot Deck by Lisa Chow is stunning in it's intricate simplicity.  I love the stark contrast of the pen against the paper and I appreciate that she pulls in just a touch of color when it counts.  The artist was drawn in by the classical and intricate art work of the tarot and rose to the challenge of imparting her own spin on the standard imagery and this full 78 card deck is the result.  The prints that color the rest of her shop attest to her artistic eye for color, line and space.  More about Lisa can also be found here.






Thanks so much and please don't forget to enter my current giveaways here and here!

-Kat

13 Goddess WK09: Mayan Goddess Ixchel

Ixchel is identified as the goddess of medicine and midwifery.  She calls us to open ourselves up as a channel for divine healing energy.  Interestingly she is typically found to be portrayed as the grandmother aspect of the Moon.

Mayan Moon Goddess by TigerHouseArt

This work is best done during the time of the full or waxing moon.   

Prepare your work area by setting up any tools you may use in addition to your spell candle. While setting up your area, CONCENTRATE on the purpose of your work. Envision what it is.

Use a pin to carve a moon into a white or light blue candle.  Use your intuition to draw the phase of the moon that comes to mind.

Hold the candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your energy into the candle.  Using silver (if possible) or blue ink, write out a petition paper.  In your own words state your intent for this spell. Include things like protection, safety, freedom from illness, strength to the immune system ect.  Light the candle, burn the petition paper in the candle flame and say (either aloud or to yourself): 

Lady Ixchel, I ask for guidance from the divine.

Help me to bring health to me and mine.

If possible, focus and meditate on your desires until the candle is almost burned out.  Combine the ashes and left over wax together and bury it in the earth as close to your home as possible.

Health and Healing Candle Spell

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PS: This goddess print is from an amazing etsy.com artist who has been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out his other wares.

PPS: Enter to win a full set of printable BOS pages from a pagan-run small business here.  

PPPS: Enter to win a Tarot Tips Sheet just for spreading the word about a Pagan Publisher here. 

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CLOSED - Mini-Giveaway Featured Favorites Friday - Spiral Hawk Studio

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!

Set of 8 Bookmarks

 About us: Daryl & Rachael Roy, with Our artistic powers combined We Are..SpiralHawk Studio!

• We Create Unique Handcrafted Art, Jewelry, Walking Sticks, Wands, Decor and so much More...!
• 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...
• Sticks and Stones, Gems and Bones and Silver things to Adorn you! Custom Creations, Vintage Sensations and more than Obscuria for you..! (...and, Free Gifts with Every Order!)
• 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!
• "Our Shopscape" is everchanging!! 
• You can find us on etsy, on facebook, at our blog, and through our sister shop StrangeBrewsVintage

Trio of Wooden Owl Beads

Q: What got you into your work here on etsy?

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.

Carnelian Nuggets with a Glassfilled Spiral Shell

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.

Carved Spiral Poplar Wand

Q: Which piece is your favorite to 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.

Phantom Crystal Triskellion Staff

Q: Which piece in your shop has the most meaning for you?

A: This one

Phantom Crystal Triskellion Staff

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.

Goddess Artwork by Daryl Roy

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. **

13 Goddess WK07: Hindu Goddess Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of prosperity, light, fertility, wisdom and courage and is believed to protect those who follow her from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.  She asks us to have faith and remember that the future is bright.  Sometimes we need to clear our hearts of fear as it is a block to visualizing and manifesting the light.

Lakshmi Artwork by Sue Halstenberg

Lakshmi Cleansing Candle Spell

ReadingsByKat.etsy.com

This spell is best performed during the waning Moon towards the last quarter. Cleansing spells are done at this time because the energy of the moon helps move things out of your life.

Use a pin to carve your name or personal symbol into the candle; keeping your intention in your minds.  Hold the candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your energy into the candle.  Visualize a beautiful many armed goddess of light standing with you, reminding you that the future is full of brightness.  Light the candle saying:

Lakshimi, Goddess of light and manifestation

Help me to clear my heart of and fear

I release this astral slime
And all darkness which is not mine
I let go of all that may have harmed.
Negativity released; I am charmed

If possible, focus and meditate on your desires until the candle is almost burned out.  Combine the ashes and left over wax together and bury it in the earth at a cross-roads if possible.

Psychic Cleansing Candle Spell

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PS: This goddess image is from an amazing etsy.com artist who has been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out her other wares.

PPS: Enter to win one handmade item up to $15 in value from a pagan-run small business here. 

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