Beloved & Co.

When I first decided to go into business for myself I had to come up with a name. When I finally opened my storefront in 2002, the name was simply BELOVED subtitled Spiritual Goods and Mystic Curios. So many people would ask me "Oh, did you see the movie with Oprah?" NO! I didn't name my business after Oprah's movie! Have you ever read Sufi Love Poetry? Devotees of the Love Supreme refer to "GOD" as the Beloved. They believe themselves to be concubines of God...the poetry is quite passionate and borders on erotic! Another point of reference is King Solomon's Song of Songs. It's a book of the Old Testament. It is thought by some to be an allegorical representation of the relationship of God and Israel. But the text, read without allegory is a celebration of the love and erotica between a King and a peasant girl. My business is Spirit based...I choose the name so I would always keep that in perspective. Love is God...not the Almighty Dollar! For me, working everyday just for the sake making money is a very an empty ritual. I need Passion to be infused in whatever I do! I closed my storefront in 2005...I stopped growing and stagnation set in, I was done learning in that environment. "Love is the Water of Life! What is agony of the spirit? To advance toward death without seizing. Hold fast the Water of Life." -Rumi



With my heart in hand, I set out to open my Etsy shop. I decided to change the name to Beloved & Co. I don't think it was really evident at the time why I should change it...I just listen to the Voices! The first person I reached out to was a Myspace friend, Leila Marvel. She keeps a virtual gallery through her Myspace page called the Red Heart Cult, featuring her favorite artists and own creations. We share a common interest in Artwork that embodies both the Sacred and Profane...Religious Iconography, Memento Mori, and Esoterica. She flies the Sacred Heart flag...Leila knows what's up! I admired her graphic design skills and aesthetic and asked if she'd be interested in helping me design an Etsy banner and matching Myspace banner! We sent ideas and images back and forth and she intuitively designed the perfect banner to represent my shop. Deep Forest Witchery and Arcane Delights! When I set off on this little journey, I felt little lost in the forest...a feeling of vulnerability that prevaded all aspects of my life. But there, in the deepest darkest part of the Forest I rediscovered the Magick...the Medicine! Deep within every fawn girl is the the heart of a Huntress...don't let those big doe eyes fool ya! "Passion makes the old medicine new: Passion lops off the bough of weariness. Passion is the elixir that renews: how can there be weariness when passion is present? Oh, don't sigh heavily from fatigue: seek passion, seek passion, seek passion!" - Mathnawi VI



I think it's safe to say that Leila found some Magick of her own! She is now doing freelance graphic design work, has her own Etsy shop, Red Heart 13, and fantastic blog! (Thank you for all your help and for being a great friend Leila...you are a GEM! I wish you all the love and goodness you need in 2009!) This has been a great year...I've met so many amazing people through Etsy and my blog! Thank you all for all for your kind comments, support and inspiration! 2009 is going to be a GREAT year, can't you feel it!?