Libra New Moon Artists

New Moon in Libra
October 17, 2009
10:33 pm PDT

Venus-ruled, airy Libra is a mentor of the arts. Beauty, harmony, cooperation, and poetic flow are her gifts. It's a good social-gathering time when the moon entertains Libra. Both friendly attractions and love connections can be delightful. Balance bonds within yourself and significant others in your life. (Excerpted from the We'Moon Datebook 1998)

A Libran New Moon Challenge Just For You!

Libra teaches us how to bring beauty into the world as we seek common ground for accessing lofty, refined, and aesthetic experiences. My New Moon Challenge for you is to create something, anything that radiates pure beauty and then to share it with others, including me - by emailing me with your creation so that everyone can see it here on my blog on the next New Moon in Scorpio - November 16th.

This month's featured artists both work with fabrics: Rhena hails from Minneapolis and Ning from Las Vegas. I hope you enjoy their gorgeous creations and are inspired by their words as well - Librans worship beauty, serenity and peace.

Being a Libra definitely influences my work. Indecisive, well..not sure if I want to call it indecisive. It's not that I can't decide, it's just that it always takes me quite a while to make a decision. I have to really think it through and make sure I will not regret anything afterward. So when I make my garments, I usually take hours and hours just brainstorming about what the design is going to be. Sometimes it takes days (and tons of sketches).

I'm not sure if nit picky is part of Libra's characteristics or not, but I certainly am. When I see a crooked seam or sloppy sewing I always cringe. I have to change and correct it even if I have to start all over again. I've tried so many times to not think about making imperfections in my sewing, but it just results in me thinking about those imperfections day and night.

Impatient, yes, that's me too. When I want something, usually I want it right here and right now. After I decide which design to make, a lot of times I will go straight to my cute little sewing room, and start making patterns, cutting fabrics, and sewing them. A lot of times I want to do it all in one night (it's usually when I work the best) which is of course impossible to do. I always try to remind myself that high quality work can't be achieved if I work in a rush. So with that in mind, I'm able to overcome the impatient side of myself. Reading Dalai Lama books usually helps too, he has a very calm and soothing way about him.

Another side of me, not related to my work, is that I consider myself a sensitive. I can talk to my deceased friends and families and sometimes get premonitions through my dreams. Sometimes I can connect with them if I meditate hard enough, but I hardly have time for that nowadays.

I've seen things that are literally "out of this world". I've seen people cross over and I've seen the dream realm (the realm when spirits enter our dreams). I rarely share these stories with anyone because it would probably sound too surreal and they might think that I'm bananas, lol. Maybe I should just start putting them in paintings!


Librans love to surround themselves with beautiful things and harmony. A lot of my work includes items for the home that work harmoniously within each piece. There's nothing more satisfying than receiving feedback about how the colors and patterns work perfectly in the space they were intended for!

As a Libra, I'm also very practical. As it says in my shop announcement, I like to balance form and function within my items. That's why I'm drawn to making bags, bowls, and scarves that are beautiful but also useful.


My Libran obsession with communication and fairness carries through in both my business dealings and my custom orders. I never begin work on a custom item until I'm sure all the needs of the buyer are being met!

You can read more New Moon artist features here.

Virgo New Moon Double Artist Feature

New Moon in Virgo
September 18, 2009

11:44 am PDT

New Moon in Virgo, my favorite (hint, hint, I'm a Virgo!)

The Moon in Virgo asks us to consider what needs healing. It's time to study, learn, train, organize and turn our compassion into pragmatic action, but don't get stuck in your head! Moon in Virgo teaches us how to diagnose and heal our soul and the soul of the world. She offers us practical compassion and ancient wisdom.

Suggestions for celebrating the Virgo New Moon:

1. Buy or borrow that book you've been longing to read all summer, but haven't had time for, 'cause now that you're extra busy, it's the perfect time! I like to read just before bed and just after I wake up.

2. What needs healing? What are you willing to work on this month to make yourself feel better? Self-care is the word of the day! I plan to get a massage from Laurie Reynolds (soul healer & psychic masseuse!)

3. Giggling is good for the soul, didntcha know? The Buddha taught with laughter - it raises our vibration and releases good energy into the world. I recommend Edward Gorey & "Harold & Maude" (my favorite movie) for a dose of quirky, dark humour. Oh, and my Lefty Oracle guide "Chicken Suit" (who also happens to be in the collection of Will Ferrel who is also good for a giggle or two, especially when he's streaking ... not!)


Every New Moon I welcome several guest artists to talk about how their Zodiac sign influences their work and their life. This month I welcome Annie Ciszak from Anchorage, Alaska, Heyar Padron from Miami, Florida and Conchita Macarty from San Francisco, California.

Annie Ciszak

AnniePants.etsy.com


I have been told by many that I am the epitome of a Virgo ... which is not always the highest compliment, but it most certainly is the truth. At least we know what we’re working with, right? As with all art forms one needs to pay great attention to detail . Metalworking, which is my specialty (though I have been known to draw and dabble in other areas,) is no exception. As a Virgo, I am sometimes *overly* concerned with the nitty gritty, but I feel this makes for a better final product. I create pieces which are meant to withstand the test of time, be it wear and tear and constant handling, or occasional hardy usage.

Virgos have a tendency to nitpick those around them, yet we are not so good at seeing our own faults. I admit, I may be guilty of this (see how I sidestepped that? lol) ... however, the imperfections in my work are my attempt to see through things as I search for perfection ... a paradox indeed, but a needed one. My Virgoan tendency for details is countered by the rough, hammered and sometimes imperfect style I have acquired.

"Spot of tea Govna?"


As an earth sign I am drawn to the dirty side of things - physical dirt, and the finishes and patinas in my work truly resonate within me. The changing seasons (which I rarely get to see in Alaska) can be seen in the process of transforming flat metal into forms and objects - this makes my heart leap!

Heyar Padron
aflairforpaper.etsy.com
aflairforpaper.blogspot.com

My name is Heyar Padron and I am the creator of A Flair For Paper. I am a graphic artist by trade and a paper fanatic at heart. In fact, I’ve been in the paper business in one form or another for the past twenty years.

As a Virgo artist, I am meticulous about details and extremely critical down to the very last pixel. My Virgo sign is represented by the way I approach design in general. I am whimsical, but precise, earthy and grounded, and I always find a way to leave a feminine mark on everything I do. I am a bit of a neat freak and I love to bring order out of chaos. I am patient, unemotional (for the most part,) and shy. I find inspiration in every day things and view my surroundings with unsullied eyes in order to find the beauty in the mundane. I love color, texture and especially the beautiful muted hues and character of Fall.

The New Moon is a very significant time for me and brings with it unexplainable excitement and mental clarity. I find that I have more energy and that my creativity soars - I call it my Virgo energy. This energy is all about work that is both accurate and focused, driving me forward through whatever lies ahead. Don’t get me wrong, on any given day my goal is nothing short of perfection, but for these few days I feel as though I may actually achieve it.

Personalized Ladybug Notecards

With each New Moon, I get to know myself a little better and my creativity and spirituality is enhanced as I become more aware of my own creative energy, not just the energy that helps me design, but the creative energy that connects me to All That Is.

Click here to read more New Moon articles.
If you are interested in a New Moon Soul Reading please go to my website at: http://KathyCrabbe.com

Virgo Moon - Harvest Moon

New Moon in Virgo
September 18, 2009

11:44 am PDT

Suggestions for celebrating the Virgo New Moon:

- Buy or borrow that book you've been longing to read all summer, but haven't had time for 'cause now that you're even busier, you'll actually be able to find the time! I like to read just before bed and just after I wake up.

- What needs healing? What are you willing to work on this month to make yourself feel better? Self-care is the word of the day! I plan to get a massage from Laurie Reynolds (soul healer & psychic masseuse!)

- Giggling is good for the soul, didn'tcha know? I recommend Edward Gorey (writer and illustrator) & "Harold & Maude" (my favorite movie) for a dose of quirky, dark humour.

Every New Moon I welcome several guest artists to talk about how their Zodiac sign influences their work and their life. In Part 1 of my Virgo series I welcome soul-based Virgo artist and skin care specialist, Conchita Macarty from San Francisco, California as she shares her Virgo secrets with all of us.

Conchita Macarty
ConchitaCreates.etsy.com
LaConchitaNaturals.etsy.com
ConchitaLoves.blogspot.com

Virgos are all about the details and this is useful for me because I create and formulate everything in my product line from the raw materials to the design, labeling and marketing. The negative side of this can be the Virgoan tendency to be overly self-critical, but I choose to see this quality in myself as an on-going challenge in the journey towards perfection.

I have found that the most positive quality of Virgo is the ability to find creative solutions to problems. For example, I was shocked when I discovered that most commercial body care products contain a great deal of cheap fillers and potentially harmful ingredients - I knew there had to be a way to ensure that the products I was using contained only quality ingredients and none of the potentially harmful additives. In true Virgo style, I became obsessed with learning everything I could about the cosmetics and personal care industry and my search for a solution that had begun with a spark of passion was followed by years of meticulous research as I perfected my own formulas to create my product line.

Sprinkling Clean - Rose-All Natural Complexion Cleansing Powder with Real Rose Essential Oil
I find that I very much exemplify earth sign qualities as reflected in the natural foundations of my product line: natural and earthy colors, textures, and essences appeal to me and I like things to be as close to nature as possible. My "Sprinkling Clean" line is a good example of this - it allows you to customize your own skin care with an all natural, earthy blend of clays, grains, nuts, seeds, and pure essential oils. Combined together, these ingredients naturally cleanse and detoxify skin without having to rely on synthetic cleansers containing chemicals and preservatives.

"Golden Magdalen"

When meditating on classic Virgo qualities, the word 'perfection' continued to come up. Virgos are often pegged as perfectionists and although this is sometimes the case, I find that there is much more to this than a Virgo's propensity to criticize. I have always been a very creative person with a keen eye for detail and perhaps a slight obsession with perfection. In my art, this perfectionism can hinder creativity because I tend to get caught up in perfecting the details rather than seeing the 'bigger picture'. In this sense, painting becomes an almost therapeutic practice. In school, friends created a term for my tendency to re-do a painting over and over; they called it 'Conchita-ism'. As humorous as it was, it is a very real challenge for artists who also happen to be perfectionists.

To read more New Moon Featured Artist posts please click here.
If you are interested in a New Moon Soul Reading please go to my website at: http://KathyCrabbe.com

New Moon in Leo Triple Artist Feature

New Moon in Leo
August 20, 2009

3:02 am PDT

The New Moon (or dark moon) rises at sunrise and sets a sunset. So get ready folks 'cause now is the best time of the month to plant your seeds of intent for the month ahead!

What do Leonine seeds look like? Well, Leos are ruled by the Sun, not the moon and the Lion is their representative animal, ever heard of 'pride of the jungle'? Well, Leos like attention, and in fact thrive on it. Even if you're not a Leo, everyone has some Leo in their chart. So get ready to make an entrance, get noticed and spread some sunshine for all those in need of a little brightening up! Leos are all heart and inspiration so get out the finger paints and the costumes and stir up some drama - create a puppet show for granny, inspire your neighbourhood, find beauty in the mundane and share the spotlight with a friend who needs some cheering up.

Leo Keywords: idealistic, creative, vain, romantic, optimistic, generous, self assured.

This month's featured Leo artists are Angela Hogan in Manchester, England, Katrin and Ina Lerman in Boston, Massachusetts and Shani Neal in Pittsburgh, PA. I felt that their colorful, playful styles worked well together. Lot's o' Leos this month, including Finnish clothing designers, Vaisto!

"September Gold" - Original Mixed Media on Canvas

As a Leo artist, creativity and playfulness are very important to me. I often think the process of making art is very child-like. I love having the freedom to try new materials, experiment, and just ... well, play! I really feel like it's good for the soul. I've always liked the quote "creativity is the freedom to make mistakes, art is knowing which ones to keep".

Leos love luxury, and I certainly find rich colors, fabrics and ornate designs very sensuous! I am also, though not exclusively, very drawn to the typical warm "Leo" sun colours - reds, oranges and yellows - and often use them in my work. In some mixed media work I add bits of metallic gold - we Leos do like a bit of glitz!

Leo is also the sign reported to rule the heart - strangely enough, I have always been drawn to heart motifs, and have been making canvases with repeated heart motifs for years!

"Rose Hearts" - Original Mixed Media on Canvas

I am a painter and mixed media artist living in Manchester, England. I have exhibited in various galleries and shows in the UK and also sell my work online.

I'm inspired a lot by nature, color and texture, and I also love working with re-cycled bits and pieces; I'm fascinated by things that already have a "history", and I love making something new with them!

I seem to be repeatedly drawn to certain subjects - particularly feathers, hearts, Buddhas, birds and trees.

I am also inspired by beauty in unexpected places - the patterns in shattered glass, the cracks in paving stones, the colors of rust. Someone once said that art is making someone see something they otherwise might have missed - I like that quote!

Embroidered crochet felt bangles

In my creative path I am very much a Leo. I am always thinking about new designs and about every little detail even when I should be doing something else; it is very hard for me to pull away from it all. Leos are good leaders and that plays a large role in my life as well. In most of my jewelry designs, I work closely with my sister and she can attest to my being bossy. If I arrange something a certain way, I like it to be done that way, but arts and crafts seldom work out as planned and they do feed on the unexpected. And when you work with another creative person, the outcome can be so much more.

Embroidered leaves felt necklace


So at this point, I am trying to stop envisioning a piece of jewelry from start to finish and just let
my sister work on the embroidery and appliqué that she does so wonderfully. That allows me to concentrate on how to combine and arrange everything and allows both of us to have our creative freedom so that we can work together creating a product that we are both proud of and would not have been able to create separately. I am trying to overcome my bossy side and instead focus on feeding my creative energy.

I am not at all a pessimist and I do not like or understand art that is dark and pessimistic. So all of my designs are very happy and colorful - to say the least. I love life and like to celebrate it and I like to brighten up every wardrobe with color and designs that will make you smile.

Shani Neal
ShaniNeal.etsy.com

Treasure Bowls

Leo is all about self expression and creativity, so needless to say, I have been a creative person my entire life. Although the medium that I have chosen to express myself in has evolved over the years, my main love has always remained a constant, color! I have a deep love and attraction to bright and bold colors, and feel the need to marry them together in any way that I can.

Every one of my designs begins with my initial attraction to a particular color that I feel the "need" to make into something. Once I have been bitten by this particular color my process begins to snowball. More colors will come to mind that want to be with the first and then I start to imagine a design. I often feel like this just happens, and I can't think it over too much or it becomes lost.

Fish Clutch

It is said that Leo rules the heart, and when I create I have the overwhelming feeling of creation coming from my heart through my hands. I can also feel and see that Leo affects my choice of designs as well as my color palette. Leos are the rulers of children and I definitely have a childlike spark deep in the belly of my soul and my deep appreciation for childrens art is often reflected in my designs.

Being a professional artist and selling my work just came so naturally to me that I have to assume that it was in the stars. I create so many things that they just have to find loving homes. There are only so many purses that I can shower on my friends and family, if you know what I mean, so selling my build up was the next natural step. As a Leo, the love is in the creation. For me, Heaven on Earth is a room full of colorful supplies!


To pursue the meaning of this month's Leo New Moon in your own life and birth chart please contact me through my website to book a New Moon Reading.

To see other New Moon Artist Posts please click here.

Get Ready for the New Moon in Leo - Finnish Artist Feature


New Moon in Leo

August 20, 2009

3:02 am PDT

New Moon in Leo says "ROAR - Let your inner Wild Woman out to play"!

This month's Leo artists are Hanni and Koshka of "Vaisto" from Helsinki Finland. I love their work and their spirit expressed in a distinctly Leonine way...grrrrr!

Vaisto

We're two Leo ladies with a passion for beauty. We want to give every woman the gift of feeling strong, sensual and beautiful - to feel that little warm purr inside that makes her move with dignity, like a feline.

When we work, we really work hard to hunt down the sweetest zebra, and when we rest it's all about occasionally twitching an ear to fend off the flies.

Our creative process comes in a burst of brilliant bi-polar energy and results in a fat stack of sketch papers, later to be sorted and polished sharp and shiny before the actual production takes place.

"Enigma" - long skirt with tatters - red silk & brown jersey


It's like this: color, shape, lines, tones...our little visual carnivore hearts start beating faster.


Add texture, weight, drape...we're together running for the prey, tiring it down.


And then detail, fitting, final snips...it's there and we're feasting, dancing around the room wearing it, making poses, laughing, taking photos.

The imagination demands to be materialized, there's nothing we can do about it. We walk with the Sun and the Sun shines with us.

"Amazon Queen" halter top & mini skirt



You can find Hanni & Koshka's work online at:
Vaisto-Instinct.com
Vaisto.etsy.com

To see more New Moon Artist features please click here.

Are you interested in how this New Moon might effect your own life in the month ahead? Please contact me through my website for a New Moon Reading.