Friday Favorites - "Random things in my house"

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.

And my little one loves her Renn Faire mug.

 
Here's where you can find more of these beautiful things:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Etsy Store

#WordlessWednesday - Magical Knots

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

 

Giveaway! Featured Favorites Friday: Pillow Runes

Deity Diva Imbolg Goddess

I know I don't typically talk much about my daughter, mostly because I don't want her to hate me when she grows up and reads my blog, but I do have one.  She's amazingly cute, a tad precocious and claims Thor and the Goddess as hers.  Don't ask her to name her Goddess, though, because she'll tell you a different one every time.   Quite a while ago I was searching for something to be just as loved by her as the Thor Super Hero Squad figurine but that represented the Goddess.  Of course I searched around etsy and I found a lovely woman willing to trade for a beautiful purple stuffed Goddess doll, and it was a HUGE hit!

Elder Futhark Pillow Rune Set - Samhain

Today I'd like to introduce you all to this lovely crafter, Dana of By Land Sky and Sea.  Read a bit more about her below and then enter to win your very own set of Elder Futhark Pillow Runes by using the Rafflecopter form below.  You can also find her on facebook and her blog.

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

A: After the birth of my daughter in 2010 I was a stay at home mother until she turned 18 months. I was looking for a way to earn some extra income and came across Etsy through a mutual friend of my husband and I from high school. I haven't sold a whole lot since opening up last year, but the sales I have made mean a lot. It really is an incredible feeling to make something by hand that someone else feels is worth enough to buy.

Custom Handfasting Cord

Q: Which piece in your shop has the most meaning for you and/or is your favorite to make?

A: The answer to both of these is the same. It would definitely have to be any handfasting cord that I make, whether premade or custom. My husband and I were married in handfasting ceremony in 2010 and it's a tradition I fell in love with while researching ideas for ours. I love the meaning and symbolism behind it and whenever someone requests a custom order each one is always unique in their own way, from the color combination to beads and/or charms they wish to add.

Trick or Treat Halloween Bag

Q: Which is your favorite holiday and why?

A: This one is hard because it's a tie between Halloween and Christmas. I love the buildup to each, the decorations, the lights... Deciding on a costume every year for Halloween was fun and then running around the neighborhood collecting candy from everyone. With Christmas there is just this feeling of warmth and happiness that I wish we could all feel every day of the rest of the year. Because of this I am definitely one of those people who gets depressed after the holidays are over - though the sales on all the decorations for the next year help. lol

Deity Diva Yule/Christmas Goddess

Q: Where does your inspiration come from?

A: My mom was a huge crafter growing up so I got the crafty streak from her. I'm also inspired by other people and things I see around me. I'm always looking for things to make, but in my own way, with my own mark on it. And from paganism - finding useful, inexpensive ways to make things people need or want to celebrate their faith with.

Q: What inspired you to make the leap into children's items?

A: I was making some ornaments one afternoon and my daughter who is almost two kept picking them up to play with them and I realized, I have made nothing for her to play with. I can sew and crochet and craft but I have nothing for her yet. That's when I decided to not only make stuff for her but stuff to sell as well for children. Especially for those who are pagan and have children that they are raising pagan and want to include them more in rituals, etc. or just want them to have a symbol of their own.

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

My Stuff Mondays: How to personalize a spell

Samhain Remembrance and Celebration Spells and mini-Altar

 Well... it's Tuesday, but I'm close to on schedule :)

Oh yea, and don't forget the giveaway here!

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?

Psychic Power Knot and Sachet Spell

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!

Home Protection Spell Bottle Kit

Featured Favorites Friday: Vintage Altar Pieces

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.

 Vintage Brass Swirled Candle Snuffer by ThisLala $16.00

Vintage 1960s Linen Oval Runner by girlgal6  $18.00

Vintage Brass Moon Candle Holders by Creos $60.00

Vintage tiny wood chalice by genemachine $6.00

Vintage Knife by VintageMementos $17.00

Vintage Brass Censor by LadyMegg $10.00

Featured Favorites Friday: Lugh Time

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.

 You can also find this shop on facebook.

This beautiful hand-crafted Altar Tile featuring Lugh's shield was made by one of my favorite etsy sellers, Paula of The Whimsical Pixie.  The detail is amazing and I love the grain accents along the edges.

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!

You can also find Mickie at her blog and her art website.

Have a great Friday everyone!

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!

13 Goddess WK08: Roman Goddess Vesta

Vesta is the Roman goddess of the hearth, home and family.  She calls us to focus on making our home a place of wonder, safety and hospitality and she will help us to protect it.

Vesta Spirit Doll by Griselda of AwesomeArt

Vestia House Blessing Candle Spell

ReadingsByKat.etsy.com

This spell is best performed during the night of the Full Moon. Spells to bring energy in are done at this time because the energy of the moon helps move things into your life.

Use a pin to carve the ELHAZ the rune of protection and confident warding away of destruction and harm into the candle.  You can add other symbols or words to increase the directedness and power of the spell.

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 three words that you would most like to see reflected in your home (i.e. love, strong, protected, safe, shelter) out a petition paper.  Light the candle, burn the petition paper in the candle flame and say (aloud or to yourself): 

O gracious Lady Vesta, Keeper and Protector of hearth-fire, be Welcome
I ask that you bless this place, protect this place and help me achieve my goals for this home.

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.

New Home Candle Spell

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PS: This goddess spirit doll 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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