Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Wow, it's been a while! I seemed to have dropped off the Earth, as I've been having a non-virtual life. My virtual life has suffered! Somehow, I have to balance this. It all comes down to balance, doesn't it?

In May, Sacred Paths Center closed its doors. It was very sad, for many reasons.We had our Kids N Kin classes there, some cool pot lucks & parties, concerts, and the Goddess Art Show. The gift shop there was a regular customer, and open to trying my new creations. I will certainly miss them & the interesting people I met there. So, I have to pick up the business pace elsewhere.

My goal this month is to list something on Etsy every day, starting last Monday.

One of my first items to list was this Pink Lemonade NecklaceEarrings.  I wish I could photograph this set to show it off. I will work on that some more.


 This Fuschia Pink Candy Jade Necklace & matching earrings got listed also. This set is both dainty and attention-getting. I love the bright drops, the austrian crystals, & the vintage bone beads. I remember buying those beads in 1988, on Lake Street in Minneapolis, in a little shop called Isis Beads. The owner used to wear flowing robes and her beads had lots of stars & moons on them. I've treasured those beads for a long time, and they seemed to go perfectly with these drops.


This week, I also listed some new Amphora with a fresh, citrus theme. And a Luck Amphora Necklace with Chrysocolla, and a Believe Amphora Necklace.

I thought summertime was the right time to list a few other pieces in my Etsy Shop. These pieces make me feel like summer:

Fiery Carnelian Necklace, with Swarovski crystals sterling silver.

Bright Kissy Fishes


Fantasy Sea Horse & Sea Stars similar to Christi Freisen.



Glow in the dark Sea Stars with Amazonite & Rose Quartz.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Amphorae/Amromatherapy Vessels



Last month, while I was visiting my friend out of state, we visited one of her fave shops in a nearby town. It's a fabulous aromatherapy/alternative/new-age shop, Celestial Body with some great proprietary skincare products. I had packed up to visit my friend straight from my last Gooselake Artfarm show, so had a bunch of my creations with me. How fortuitous! I showed them my items, and now they carry some of LilYkaT Studios masks, spoons, earrings, pendants, & requested that I design some aromatherapy vessels for them out of polymer clay.


I had a ton of fun, designing these amphorae! Some are out of glow in the dark clay, and have inspirational words or symbols.


The bottles are glass-lined polymer clay. They can be for holding aromatherapy blends, herbs, or any small amount of liquid or dry materials. The light colored ones incorporate glow in the dark clay, for some extra energy. And cuz I'm a glow in the dark clay geek! LOL! The amphora below is a glowy one.

The fun thing about these is that they can be used for prayer bottles, spell bottles, to hold a lock of hair from a loved one, memory jewelry, or to hold chips of rocks or sand from special places. I have made a few more elaborate ones that I am stringing with semi-precious stones. Can't wait to take pics of those!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Goose Lake ArtFarm Endeavor




May 14th, halfway into the month of May, Spring should be in the air, only 5 weeks from the longest day of the year. It should be in the high 60's or 70's in Minnesota, right? It was freakin' c-c-cold! On the first day of the Goose Lake Artfarm.



I haven't done a craft show for years. I was working, had my stuff in a couple shops, teenaged child needs alot of attention, loads of reasons. I enjoy shows, all the interpersonal contact, other creative people around. Well, I'm still unemployed, this show is close, & weekly, thought I'd give it a try. The location is a pleasant surprise! It's at a beautiful farm/winery, nestled in some scenic rolling farmland. You are greeted by dogs & chickens as you drive up. Miniature goats rush the fence & bleat for attention. A peacock struts across the gravel driveway. Wow!

The vendor space is in a very open & roomy greenhouse. Other vendors are friendly & helpful. We were right next to the cookie vendor. Yummy deliciousness! And they give away free bite-sized samples. But it was sooooo cold, that some people wouldn't even take their hands out of their pockets to get a free sample of a cookie! Not much wallet-reaching going on either.





By the time I got home, I couldn't feel my icy, blue toes! OK, that's a slight exaggeration... but I was chilled to the bone. I turned the heat back on in the house (and I'm very frugal, so this is really something!). Thankfully, we'd brought along extra cozy gear, so we didn't get really freezing. As we were unloading at home, Hubby got hit with some sleet/snow pellets. The poor people who went to opening fishing... I've been out on lakes in this kind of weather. Not fun! I'll take a cold craft show any day! LOL!

Monday, May 2, 2011

New Inspiration!


It all started when we went to a MN Swarm game.... well,... we tried. A vendor of DH's gave him tickets, said they'd be at Will Call. So we pack up the family & make the haul 45 minutes to the Exel Center. Then pay for parking. Get to Will Call, no tickets. Under his name, rep's name, company name... nothing! Call the guy, he doesn't pick up his phone (he later swears that the tickets were there). So... we are in downtown St. Paul, with teenaged child in tow. What to do? The Science Museum is right across the street, I almost had them going... but, look! A motorcycle show! I'm outvoted, and we go to the motorcycle show. Not my first choice, but I decide to make the best of it. Well... OMG! I think all the really talented artists are painting motorcycles and inking tattoos. Who knew? Besides the wonderful people-watching, it really was a feast of colors, textures, and lots of really incredible artwork on those bikes. So, thanks irresponsible rep, for jumpstarting my inspiration.

Then, when I get home, I check on the library website, and they have some books on tattoo art. This stuff can translate to woodburning pretty easily, and they really have some great tribal designs. My new batch of spoons has benefited greatly from this new inspiration.



I brought the top batch of 8 spoons into Sacred Paths Center today, and Teisha agreed that this group shows some artistic growth, without losing the whimsy. I'm sending them "sell" vibes. Feel free to join me!



Sunday, March 6, 2011

DIY Mask: Mask Base, Part 1


I made a custom mask & thought I'd share how I did it.
Materials:
Cardstock
Pencil
Scissors
Heavy iron-on interfacing
~ 1/3 yard fabric for mask base; I used blue polyester crepe-backed satin
Thread
Sewing machine
Embellishments of your choice:
Lace
beads
sequins
polymer clay
paint
charms
shells
stones

I started out with a mask template. Fold cardstock in half, find position of eye holes. Make sure they are large enough, or you'll have tunnel vision. I don't know about you, but that makes me claustrophobic. Then shape the outer lines of the mask. If you are making a fabric base, like the one pictured, less curved lines are easier. The satin I chose for the base frays like crazy, probably not the best choice, but it sure is pretty!


Once your template is drawn, Transfer it to your iron-on interfacing. Cut it out. Now do it again, as you'll need 2 of these.



Iron onto wrong side of your base fabric, leaving 1" around all edges, except eye-holes. Cut out each piece, with at least a 3/8" seam allowance.



Place mask pieces, right sides together & sew outside edges, making sure to sew just inside the lines of the interfacing.



This reduces fraying. Leave a 2" opening at the bottom side, for turning. Do not sew the eye-hole edges! Clip curved edges carefully & turn. Turning the mask is kind of a pain. Alternatively, if you plan to embellish all the outside edges, or if your fabric doesn't fray badly, you can place the pieces wrong sides together, & zig-zag all edges.

Zig-zag stitch around eye holes. You now have a mask base, with all kinds of embellishment opportunuties!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Project in the works



Trident bead that is part of a project that I've been working on. Full pics to come later!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Prosperity Correspondences




So, I was going through my files and stumbled across this list. Since many of us are looking for a more prosperous fresh start in 2011, I thought perhaps others can benefit from it, too. I believe it was a team effort of the old Disorderly Witches who originally compiled the beginnings of this list, and it got added to over the years. As always, if you use these herbs, keep your health & safety in mind - ingest only herbs that you are sure are safe, keep candles in a safe place & don't leave fire unattended.


Prosperity, Abundance, Success & Wealth correspondences

Colors: Green, Gold, Silver

Day of the week: Thursday, Sunday

Element: Earth

Goddesses: Aje, Aida-Wedo, Amberella, Anu, Ashiakle, Benton, Bona Dea, Chichinguane, Copia, Fulla, Dzivaguru, Gonzuole, Ganga. Gollveig, Habondia, Hada-Bai, Jacebed, Kamadhenu, Kuan-Yin, Kumu, Lakshmi, Lan Ts'ai-Ho, Liberalitas, Louhi, Maruwa, Mbombe, Mokosh, Mutyalamma, Msomeka, Ops, Sarah, Selekana, Surabhi, Wanne, Thekla, Yaparamma

Stones: Amazonite, Ametrine, Andalusite (Chiastolite), Aventurine, Bloodstone, Calcite, Cat's Eye, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Coal, Emerald, Garnet, Jade, Jet, Lepidolite, Malachite, Marble, Mother-of-Pearl, Olivine, Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, Salt, Sapphire, Sardonyx, Smoky Quartz, Spinel, Stauroite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz, Green Tourmaline, Zircon (brown, red, or green).

Foods: Abundance & Fertility: Apples, Bananas, Barbequed Foods, Basil, Beef, Berries, Cabbage, Carrots, Coconut, Corn, Figs, Fish, Grapes, Honey, Kiwi, Lettuce, Milk, Mustard, Oats, Olives, Oranges, Peaches, Pork, Rice, Tropical Fruit, Walnuts.

Prosperity Foods: Alfalfa, Allspice, Almonds, Bananas, Barley, Basil, Beans, Berries, Cabbage, Cashews, Chamomile, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cloves, Dill, Eggs, Figs, Ginger, Grapes, Lettuce, Maple Syrup, Marjoram, Milk, Mint, Oats, Onions, Oranges, Parsley, Peanuts, Pears, Peas, Pecans, Pine-Nuts, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Rice, Sesame Seeds, Spinach, Tea, Tomatoes, Wheat.


Prosperity Herbs

Alfalfa -- prosperity and $

Allspice -- burned as incense to attract $ or luck and added to sim. Mixtures.

Almond -- kernels, wood, or leaves used in prosperity & $ spells. Climbing an almond tree said to ensure success in business ventures.

Almond Oil - in Prosperity rites and $ incense

Aloe -- aloe trimmed garlic wreaths hung in home in Mexico for luck and money.

Ash -- burn ash wood at Yule for prosperity

Banana -- leaves, flowers and fruits of banana used in prosperity $$$ spells

Bayberry - prosperity in the home “luck to your home and gold to your pocket”.

Benzoin -- cinnamon and basil – burn to attract customers

Bistort -- for $ attracting sachets and added to wealth & $$ incenses

Black Snakeroot – carried to attract money

Blackberry -- leaves and berries used in wealth spells

Bladderwrack (Kelp) – scrub floors and doors of business with infusion to attract customers and bring good vibes into store. Also, in money spells. Fill small jar with whiskey, add kelp, cap tightly and place in kitchen window. Ensures steady flow of money into the household.

Blue Flag -- carry root for financial gain. Also, root in register to increase business

Bluebell -- luck

Briony root-- $ near a root will increase as long as it remains there

Bromeliad -- protection/money

Buckwheat -- ground and in circles while working magic. Add to money incenses and keep some in kitchen to avoid poverty.

Calamus -- root in kitchen corners protects against poverty

Camelia -- riches and luxuries. Blossoms for prosp/$$ rituals

Cascara Sagrade – money spells --- also sprinkle infusion around home before going to any court proceeding. It will help you win your case.

Cashew -- prosperity & money

Cedar -- in wallet draws money ----in incenses

Chamomile – to draw money

Chamomile -- to attract money. Infusion as hand wash by gamblers to insure winning

Chicory -- promotes frugality

Cinnamon and Cinquefoil – for money, love, health, power and wisdom. To increase riches: Cinq, cloves, lemon balm, and whole vanilla bean or tonka bean

Clove -- burned, attracts riches, and to stop others from gossiping about you

Clover -- leads wearer to money or treasures (5-leaved)

Comfrey -- in suitcases on travels prevents theft. Used in $$ spells

Devil’s shoestring – carry when asking for a raise

Dill -- money spells

Elder -- prosperity, grown near home bring it

Fenugreek -- add few fenugreek seed to mop water (or small amount of infusion). Half-fill small jar w/F and leave open in house to attract money. Add few seeds each day till full. Empty jar & return seeds to ground. Begin again.

Fern -- guides to treasures

Fir Wand - Used for prosperity rites

Flex -- Seeds used in $ spells; in shoe protects against poverty; seeds in wallet, pocket, or purse.

Fumitory -- infusion around home or rubbed on shoes weekly draws $$

Galangel -- in leather sachet with silver draws $$

Garlic -- anti-theft

Ginger -- roots planted or powder sprinkled in pockets/money draws $ success spells

Goldenrod-- flower dowses for lost objects or treasures. Grows suddenly near door, good fortune. Money spells

Goldenseal -- money spells

Gorse -- money spells; attracts gold

Grains of Paradise __ in $/luck sachets

Grape -- money spells

High John the Conqueror – anoint root with mint oil and tie in green or purple bag to attract $$$. As oil for anointing.

Honesty (money plant) seedpods resemble silver coins. Place one beneath green candle, burn down to socket or place in purse or pocket to draw $$

Honeysuckle –Ring green candles with H to draw $$, or in vase in house. If grows near house – good fortune

Horse Chestnut – Wrap $1 bill around buckey, place in sachet. Carry to attract $$. Also, for success in all things.

Hyssop - to increase finances

Irish Moss -- beneath rugs to increase luck/ensure steady flow of $ into house and pockets. Stuff luck/money poppets.

Jasmine -- flowers will draw wealth and money if carried, burned or worn.

Juniper -- anti-theft

Kava-kava -- luck

Lucky hand -- sachets and conjure bags for luck/success. Soak in rose oil. Remove and wear in pocket, wallet or purse for $$

Lunaria - otherwise known as money plant. Seed pods look like coins. Through sympathetic magick & the law of attraction, this herb is said to draw money to the person who carries it or grows it.

Mandrake -- whole root on mantel – protect/prosperity. Money (esp. silver) beside Mandrake said to double.

Maple -- money rituals

May Apple -- (Belladona) money

Mint - prosperity spells to increase business. Leaves and scent in money spells. Leaves in wallet or purse where money is kept.

Moonwort-- (money spells.) in box or bag produces silver.

Moss -- carrying graveyard moss in pocket ensures financial luck

Myrtle -- money spells

Nutmeg -- money spells – ground and sprinkled on green candies

Oak -- Plant acorn in dark of moon to ensure receiving $$ in near future

Oats -- prosp/$$ spells

Onion -- burn onion peel or skins to attract riches

Orange -- added to prosperity powders, incenses

Oregon Grape- draw $$ and financial security

Patchouli -- $/prosp. Spells. Sprinkle onto $$, add to purse, wallet and around base of green candles

Pea -- shelling brings fortune and profit in business. Dried peas used in money mixtures

Pecan -- $/prosp. Spells

Peony - for customers, success in bus. Good fortune

Periwinkle -- attract money

Pine -- money spells

Pineapple -- dried peel or flesh added to money mixtures

Pipsissewa -- carry to attract money

Pomegranate –branch dowses for concealed wealth, attracts money to possessor, dried skin added to wealth and money incenses.

Poplar -- buds and leaves carried to attract money, add to $4 incense

Poppy -- carry dried seedpod or seeds as prosperity amulets

Poppy -- eaten or carried to attract luck and money

Prosperity incense = parts clove, nutmeg, lemon balm, cedar, poppy seed. Moisten with few drops of honeysuckle oil, almond oil – on Thurs. in waxing moon.

Rattlesnake root – infusion rubbed onto hands or feet to lead the anointer to money

Rice -- added to money spells

Rowan -- used in power, luck and success sachets

Sarsaparilla-- mixed with cinnamon/sandalwood powder and sprinkled around premises to draw money

Sassafras -- in purse or wallet to draw money. Also in incense

Sesame -- jar of seeds left open in house draws cash to it. Change the seeds every month

Snakeroot -- good luck talisman. Leads bearer to money.

Squill -- (sea onion) in jar or box/add silver coins

Star anise -- luck

Straw -- luck

Strawberry -- luck

Success incense – cinnamon/benzoin in equal parts/ success in business

Sumbul -- worn for luck

Sweet Basil – to attract business and money

Tea -- (black tea, china tea) burn leaves to ensure future riches. Add to $$ mixtures and sachets

Tomato -- on mantle to bring prosperity to home

Tonka -- beans – worn/carried to attract money, bring luck

Trillium -- attracts money and luck

Tulip -- guard against poverty

Vervain - assists in obtaining material objects and stimulate creativity especially success in performing and creative arts. Bury in fields to increase crops.... money & prosp. Spells; wealth buried in garden or placed in the house, wealth will flow and plants will thrive

Vetivert -- money spells and mixtures. In register to increase business. Carry for luck; burn for anti-theft

Violet -- bring change in luck and fortune

Wheat -- Wheat in home or in sachets to attract money

Winter’s bark -- carry/burn for success

Wood rose -- carry for luck and fortune; in home to ensure luck.

Yellow Dock -- $$$ spells/incenses, infusion sprinkled about business attracts customers

Sources:
Cunningham's Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic
about.com, http://www.adamastarfirereiki.com/prosperity_herbs.htm, Goddesses And Heroines by Patrocia Monaghan, Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble, by Patricia Telesco