Maïssa Toulet

Just look at these wonderful Curiosity Cabinets! They were created by Maïssa Toulet, a French artist. I found her work on the amazing French blog Le Divan Fumoir Bohémien. Even though I can't read French, the blog is visually wonderful and worth checking out! Maïssa has a new website up! There are 21 Curiosity Cabinets that you can view up close! Marvels, Wonders, Delights!!!

Witch Bling

I've added a Raven Claw to my Etsy shop. It turned out nicely I think...so magickal! This poor bird expired by natural causes...but her spirit lives on!

The Crow is a creature that has elicited much thought and speculation amongst all indigenous peoples and across many cultures and times. Crows throughout the ages are associated with Magick and Mysticism. Crow is the left-handed guardian. He knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law. There are several species of Crow. Raven is one of these and magpies are another. Crow medicine people are masters of illusion. Do not try to figure crow out. It is the power of the unknown at work, and something special is about to happen.

Crow is also the guardian of ceremonial magick and healing. In any healing circle, Crow is present. Crow guides the magick of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality and dispel "dis-ease" or illness. Crow can give you the courage to enter the darkness of the unconscious. He is an omen of change. You can rest assure when ever crows are around, magick is near by and you are about to experience a change in lifestyle and consciousness. Crow carries Souls from Darkness into the Light.

Swamp Medicine

The Alligator has walked on mother Earth for millions of years and are known in many myths and lore as the keepers of ancient wisdom. The eyes of the alligator are positioned high on their head allowing them to remain relatively hidden beneath the water and still see above it. Symbolically this hints to clairvoyant abilities. The power of alligator is its power to survive. They have no known predators. If alligator shows up in your life or in the dreamtime it might be telling you to take care of yourself and secure your basic survival needs.

Alligator visits me often in my dreams to share her wisdom. I made this doll to honor her... The dream scenerio is always the same: me trying to make it through the swamp. There have been times when I was exhausted and without a boat. Alligator carried me upon her back. Snake is a friend too. Throughout history the snake has had many legends associated with it linking them to creation, fertility and transformation. Crawling out of its old skin is very significant for those with this medicine. It is a metaphor for how we shed old ways and habits as we grow into higher spiritual energy symbolizing the death and rebirth process. Some might think the Swamp is a perilous place...actually it is very fertile sacred place where one can regenerate. We can find purpose and meaning in the depths of the swamp...and the courage to change.

Supernatural Specimens

I'm endlessly inspired by old Wunderkammer and Cabinets of Curiosity...
Throughout the Renaissance, the rich collected natural specimens for display in rooms and cabinets called Wunderkamman (Wunderkammern). These collections were precursors of todays museums. The trend continued into the Victorian Era, but science started to demystify the wonders of nature, so the focus turned towards oddities and freaks of nature to invoke awe and wonder. Traveling Wonder Shows (featured things like the legendary Figi Mermaid) and Live Freak Shows soon followed to cash in on this phenomenon.

My own curiosity has led me not only to the exploration of the natural world and oddities, but to the Supernatural world. I'm particularly interested in plant folklore and magickal herbalism. I'm also fascinated with the use of natural materials in creating charms, talismans, amulets, fetishes, ect. I made these pendants below out of old specimen vials. They contain various roots, seeds, bone, ect. collected from different Occult stores and Botanicas. Each one having alleged Supernatural powers. I will be posting about a half dozen more in addition to the ones shown below. Such as graveyard dirt, snakeskin, ect...

In addition to the aforementioned, I'll be adding all sorts of other curiosities to my Etsy shop over the next week. Keep your eyes peeled!

Sunrise~Sunset

HAND-WOVEN Thread Earrings


Amish Reverse Bargello Quilt pretty please...with sugar on top!


ORANGE AND HONEY COLORED AGATE SLICE

Alchemy Art

Steve Quenell's mystical collages really move me. I love collage and assemblage art because the process is one and the same as the *Alchemical process* (see below) SOLVE ET COAGULA — Separate, and Join Together (or Disolve and Bind) VISITA INTERIORA TERRAE RECTIFICANDO INVENFIES OCCULTUM LAPIDEM (visit the interior parts of the earth; by rectification you shall find the hidden stone) The Philosopher's Stone is within...A universal Metaphysical ideology. Om Mani Padme Om...the jewel is in the Lotus! The process is a spiritual path with emphasis on Tranformation and Soul Development, and God-Realization., the goal is to become ONE with the Divine.


*I should mention that I logged onto Steve's Myspace page to grab his blog address so I could link it to his name...it was just there a moment ago...but as I write this, it seems he posted a link to his new Website! Coincidentally (wink), the opening sentences of his bio reference Alchemy being the underlying concept of his work!



"The best-known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into gold (called chrysopoeia) or silver (less well known is plant alchemy, or "spagyric"); the creation of a "panacea or the elixir of life," a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. European alchemists invested much effort on the search for the "philosopher's stone", a legendary substance that was believed to be an essential ingredient for either or both of those goals. The Philosophers Stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable. Starting with the Middle Ages, some alchemists increasingly came to view these metaphysical aspects as the true foundation of alchemy; and organic and inorganic chemical substances, physical states, and molecular material processes as mere metaphors for spiritual entities, spiritual states and ultimately, spiritual transformations." Wikipedia

Thank You!

Christie of Serenity Now awarded me the "Arte Y Pico Award for creativity, design, interesting material and contribution to the blogging community! Thank you sooo much Christie...you have provided much inspiration for me as well! Blog On girlfriend! So now I need to pass it on right? My favorites are ever-changing, there are so many amazing blogs out there! But here's a handful of current favorites:
1. Phantasmaphile Pam knows what's up...what more can I say?
2. The Moldy Doily One of my favorite Artists and Owner of Show Pony blogs her heart out...Love it!
3. Anahata Katkin A Visual Playground (I wish she'd teach one of her workshops here in Chicago!)
4. Kaleidoscope Eyes Yes! Yes! Yes!
5. Bake and Destroy Punk Rock Cupcakes!