Audrey Cantwell

I just ordered an awesome Asymmetrical Hoodie (with an oversized druid hood) from Audrey Cantwell's Etsy shop, Black Market Baby. I love her designs! Her work reminds me of Odyn Vovk, except it's for women! Or maybe even Rick Owens without the devastating price tags. Her new line "SALEM" is inspired by Witches...swooon! audreycantwell.com

spider magicks...

Kirra Jamison


Simen Johan

Pictorial Webster's: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities

Dictionary fetish anyone? If not, you probably will after you see this one! It has over 1,500 engravings that originally graced the pages of Webster's dictionaries in the 19th century, this chunky volume is an irresistible treasure trove for art lovers, designers, and anyone with an interest in visual history.

Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule

Currently #1 on my book list is Conjunctio – A Graphic Grimmoire by Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule. "Conjunctio presents mirrored pairs of Sacred Twins and Divine Lovers from various cultural pantheons coupled on facing pages. They are aligned in such a way that when the pages are turned the figures are United in holy conjunction by the alchemical reader. Different reflective relationships – alchymic opposites and complementaries – are explored b e t w e e n the pages."



Orryelle is quite a fascinating character: a sonic and visual artist, magician and Alchemist, and ritual tattooist. Orryelle founded the Metamorphic Ritual Theatre, a company devoted to the combination of ritual and theatre where the magick on stage is a gateway to a deeper magick. The aim is transformation of consciousness. The actors don't just act their characters, they invoke them. And the audience are not merely spectators, but potential initiates. Orryelle runs iNSPiRALink Multimedia Press, which publishes DVDs of his Metamorphic Ritual Theatre and SilKMilK Magizain – a sampler of art, text and music from various members of the international HermAphroditic ChAOrder of the Silver Dusk. The Silver Dusk is a counter-point to The Golden Dawn, a magickal order established by poets and artists, the Silver Dusk is an art movement instigated by magicians and sorcerers! In addition to his new book, he also created the Book of Kaos Tarot.

one lump or two?

I just love tea, don't you!? What's even better than a good cup of tea is tea that's good for you! Bittersweet's Apothecary is a new shop on Etsy that offers all natural, organic therapeutic teas. And the packaging is fantastic too! Perfume Elixirs coming soon...

300 Blog Posts, a Giveaway contest, and a Soap Sale!!!

300 blog posts! Let's celebrate, shall we? I'm having a BUY 1 GET 1 FREE SOAP SALE throughout November!!! I want to move my current stock out to make room for new product! In January, I'll be officially launching my line of bath and body care products. Nicomi "Nix" Turner has been working hard to help me create my labels. I've been driving her crazy with all the little details...no doubt! Lucky for me, she has the patience of a Saint! I'll have a new line of jewelry to introduce this New Year as well...but more about that later!



I'm also having a little giveaway contest: the winner will receive one of my Butterfly Specimen Necklaces! Just drop a line in my comment section. One name will be drawn on the next Full Moon, December 2, 2009! Good Luck and Happy New Moon!

Catbird

I just finished packing up a wholesale order of Butterfly Specimen Necklaces...I love how this batch turned out! They will be available at a sweet boutique that specializes in indie designers called Catbird. They have a wonderful selection of jewelry, clothing, shoes and gifts! Make sure to check out their online shop! I'll be re-stocking these necklaces in my Etsy shop soon too!



A delicate butterfly wing rests in a tiny glass specimen vial (approx. 1.5 inches) and hangs on a bronze chain (approx. 30 inches.) Butterfly is a powerful symbol in myth and religion representing the Soul. Call upon the butterfly for guidance in transformation and happiness. She brings with her messages of change, joy, love, and freedom. Listen to Butterfly's gentle requests that we dance to the natural rhythms of life. Allow yourself to emerge from your cocoon transformed into a bright and beautiful free spirit! *Please note...no butterflies are harmed to make this jewelry. Specimens are obtained from a butterfly sanctuary where they are collected after expiring naturally*

a little shop update!

I just added a few goodies to my Etsy shop: a fierce Black Forest Relic pendant and a lovely set of Gypsy Witch Fortune Teller's teacups! These were made by ALFRED MEAKIN LTD, England circa 1930's, as a promotional item for Lipton Tea. I have a matching set of teacups available at this time, but I've listed them individually. Happy Sunday Darlings!

Chris Pell

I stumbled across artist Chris Pell on a late night google excursion. Go to his website to check out the photographs and illustrations that he created to illustrate his story called Hoku'vale. The story is accompanied by two large A1 digital prints as well as four photographs. There's an amazing African Based Religious vibe to these photos...Congo Spirits! More specifically the Bantu Cults: Reglas de Kongo, Palo Mayombe...but that's just my opinion! Chris Pell cites the following influences, "fantasy worlds, alchemy, soca music, mysticism, the internet, horror movies, sparse marshlands, medieval armour, elaborate quests and cats".

As promised...

the Halloween party pics...I was so busy looking around, talking and drinking I didn't take many photos! Fortunately there was a professional photographer (dressed as Karl Lagerfeld) on hand so more photos should surface soon enough! I don't even have a photo of myself! My friend JoJo, was the savior of the day! I went to this place, Fantasy Costumes earlier in the evening to rent a period costume which was quoted at around $85-100, but what they didn't tell me on the phone was there was a $275 deposit! I didn't have anything near that amount on my debit card so I totally freaked out. I grabbed a masquerade mask and a black robe that was actually part of a overpriced Voldemort costume. By the time I got to my friend JoJo's place, I was in a serious panic! He saved the day and got me dressed head to toe. I told him I wanted to be a "Phantom Oracle" since I was reading the Tarot that night. He said "time to pull out my bag of shadows" He really tapped into my ancestor's Italian Gypsy vibe...I looked like a raggedy wandering gypsy ghost with a fancy Dia de los Muertos skull face, replete with glitter and sequins. My friend SAL-E snapped one of me by candlelight reading the Tarot, I hope he emails it to me! Anyway, here's my dear friend JoJo pictured on the right with the fabulous SAL-E! Don't they look amazing!?



The night's event revolved around a very theatrical fashion show featuring the clothing and accessories sold at Bonnie & Clyde's. Other evening highlights: a talented accordion player and violinist, the Absinthe and Champagne bar, and this guy's Lucifer Rising jacket that I was lusting after, his jacket that is...not the guy! Lucifer Rising is the name of a Kenneth Anger film, in case you didn't know.






When I arrived at the party I found out that I would be splitting the night with another Tarot Reader. It kinda sucked because I thought I would be making more money, but I didn't really mind because reading for 3 hours straight is exhausting! I only exchanged a few words with the other reader, but she seemed lovely. Here's a photo of her in the little vignette created for us, one of many "live" art installations at the event. After my last reading was over, the night ended with me breaking the leg off of an expensive Maarten Baas chair! The leg of the chair slipped off the edge of the little stage I was on, which catapulted me out of the chair and off the stage! Luckily I'm endowed with Black Cat magick and I landed on my feet!!!

Tricks and Treats!

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! I have so much to share with you all but I've been so busy! Within the next few days I'll be doing a little shop update, a GIVEAWAY contest, and I also have some fun Halloween pics to share! Love you all! xo Lavona