Soul Friends - An Etsy Tale, Part 1

In March of 2008 I joined Etsy, a large online community of artists and crafters and started selling my artwork and my soul readings. I talked shop in the Etsy forums (a place for conversation) but quickly grew frustrated with much of the mundane, uninspired conversations revolving around dollars and cents so I started introducing new topics of discussion about metaphysics, paganism, spirituality, dreams, psychics and crystal healing. I would like to introduce some of the Etsy folks I have met and become friends with on my latest thread (conversation) which has over 2000 posts so far thanks to this delightful group of magical souls.

I asked folks to write up a short bio to introduce themselves and to let us know what drew them to this thread, what they like about it and why they stay.

Brenda Mihalopoulos

HowlingCaterpillars.etsy.com

HowlingCaterpillars.blogspot.com

Tropicana DreamWeb

What keeps me coming back to this thread is the reawakening of my "powers" as a magick worker, as a mother, as an artisan and as a resident of earth. I've had true dreams, like the night before 09/11 (ack!) Some of my dreams have become stories that I've written, not published yet though, but getting there. I've always been a spiritual person, connected with dreams, and nature, and most critters. I started the magickal path as a teenager, dropped it for a long time and am now getting back into it after 30 years...I'm enjoying my re-emergence in my Cronage...

I first came to the thread because LuLu is a member of a team that I am in and I also enjoy hearing others' stories and sharing my own. We can commiserate, bitch and complain, piss and moan, help, and celebrate with each other.

Suzanne Maxwell

dragonsmoon.etsy.com
www.underamagicmoon.ning.com

Mini Reversible Tarot Bag

I have always had a deep interest in all things mystical, occult and psychic. I am psychic myself and a reader of tarot cards and astrological charts. Just about anywhere I 'hang out' I look for articles and discussions that fall into the mystical category and that is how I found the discussion started by LuLuDesign.

I really enjoy conversing with people who also have an understanding and interest in the psychic realms and I enjoy helping those who are just starting to explore and question 'strange' happenings. Being part of a group that sees things in much the same way I do is always a delight and makes me feel like I am right 'at home.'

Tarah Russell

aquaintlife.etsy.com
www.aquaintlife.blogspot.com

Sally, an OOAK doll

I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of three girls. I have been happily married to my husband for nine years and we have a pet wolf. I enjoy crafting and hope to make this habit pay for itself. I was drawn to this thread because I have always had a fascination with other-worldly stuff; even if it scares me sometimes. I got my first tarot deck in high school and still turn to it in times of stress. I enjoy the company on our little thread; I can be my usual “weird” self and if I put my foot in my mouth, no one seems to mind. Our little group is very caring and accepting of one another.

Bonita Evans

www.svartr.blogspot.com
www.silverowl.netfirms.com/sparrow

Hand-Knotted Rainbow Hemp Chakra Pouch

I'm a 35 year old Geminian, residing in Alberta Canada. I'm the mother of three, but only have my teenage daughter living at home with me (which is quite enough...!) I also share my home with several feathered creatures... and a husband.

My husband and I, although we are members of a Christian Church, are open to universal/parallel truths that can be found beyond the 'safe' doctrine taught in Sunday School.

I joined this thread simply because LuLu started it. I initially found her thread 'I am an Etsy Psychic' and my first reaction was, "Oh, really?" I was a bit closed to the idea at first, until I started learning a bit more about LuLu and found her to be more genuine than I originally gave her credit for.

I keep coming back because the core group is great and there is a nice, organic flow to the discussion. It's refreshing for me to chat about things that would otherwise freak out my current church-going circle of friends.

Stay tuned for more Etsy Soul Friends, Part 2 - coming soon!

I Document Time Passing

This week as part of The Next Chapter creative blogger's book club I managed to:

- document time passing (while at the movie theater waiting to see "The Soloist" - good movie btw!)
- connect with my inner critic (BLAH to you!)
- trace my hand (in BLUE)
- connect the dots (in RED)
- cut through several layers (OUCH, my book is crying!)
- doodle over The Cover and The Title Page (They honestly liked that part)

I'm still having fun - hope you 're not bored yet!

SharedBliss: Artist & Soul Reader Kathy Crabbe of LuLu Design

This blog article was originally written by Christine C. Reed for her blog BlissChick on May 13, 2009.

In the midst of someone's dying, it can be difficult to see anything but your own sadness over losing them. Your own grief that they will be gone -- or at least their gross self will be gone. Their subtle self is never gone.

A few years ago, though, I did not know that. Even after being given the gift of a near death experience, I still doubted, and I got to the point of utter denial. I got to that very soul deadening place of over-intellectualizing everything, and in thinking I was so smart, I was living pretty dumb. Then two big deaths came and cracked open my hardened heart. Thank God!

At the time, it felt like the crack might just do me in, but of course, it is that cracking open that allows the light to enter, allows the real life to begin.

With my newly opened heart, I decided to stop listening so much to my closed mind, and I headed, for the first time in my life, to a place near hear called Lily Dale to meet with a medium.

What?! My smarty brain self was saying. What the hell are you doing? Are you becoming some sort of freaking freak?

I told my brain, via my heart, that I would rather be a freaking freak with people who remain open to all possibility than to be closed off and cynical with the people who think they are so smart.

And that was that. I still fight that urge, sometimes, to question, to scoff, but mostly, deaths that felt so awful ended a part of me that needed to die.

People like Kathy Crabbe are here to help us with our hearts.

An artist and soul reader, Kathy Crabbe shows you where the cracks are and helps us to let the light in.

You can find her art here and you can even get a virtual reading through here.

Cards that Kathy designed and uses in her readings.

Describe the PrimaryBliss of your life. How did you come to know that this was your PrimaryBliss?

Currently, my primary bliss is working as a soul reader, psychic-medium, and spiritual healer in a one-on-one relationship with clientswho are seeking transformation and inner knowing so that they can live the life of their dreams.

Previously, I had been a full time artist, but when I started getting closer to age forty I started yearning for an even deeper connection with my clients. I wanted to communicate with them, not just on a visual level, but through words as well.

What types of choices and sacrifices did you make to be able to craft this bliss-filled life?

I made the choice to spend the majority of my time exploring soul, spirit, and the divine in ways that enabled me to express my own innate gifts and strengths. Instead of working with my weaknesses and trying to improve upon them, I decided to focus instead on my strengths. (The StrengthsFinder test that I learned about in my coaching sessions with Jenn Lee of Artizen Coaching helped me identify my strengths.)

I don’t feel as though sacrifice is a word that applies to my life. I prefer to work with the word ‘choice.’ I have chosen a life that allows me plenty of free time, solitude, peace, and quiet so that I can progress in a way that benefits my work and my clients.

How does your PrimaryBliss radiate out into the rest of your life?

My belief is that one should “walk their talk” so my hope is that by living my own life in a positive, caring, and soul centered way, it will inspire others to do the same for themselves.

What are some other activities that also give you this sense of bliss? Things that make you lose track of time?

Dancing, music, walking, swimming, being in nature, meditation, reading, laughing with friends, painting, sketching in nature, traveling with my husband, and playing with my dog.

What is your daily or weekly spiritual practice?

I work on soul readings 5 days a week. In preparation for a reading,  I work to center myself in the present through 15 minutes of yoga, followed by playing my Native American flute, meditation, and prayer. I end my readings with prayers and healing blessings. I also get out in nature and walk my dog every day, which to me is a spiritual practice!

What music is your bliss?

I really enjoy Celtic music and electronic trance/dance music.

Name books or authors/poets or people who are your bliss, who influenced your bliss.

My favorite author is Margaret Atwood, for her brilliance and biting humor, plus she connects me with my Canadian roots, as does the poetry of Al Purdy, another blunt, humorous and brilliant thinker, who also happens to write poetry about beer.

I love reading the Seth books in bits and pieces along with the astrological and channeled books of Barbara Hand Clow.

What advice would you give to someone who feels they have not yet discovered their PrimaryBliss?

Sometimes patience is all that’s required. It takes time to really understand what’s important. I never did find the perfect guide or mentor; I learned in bits and pieces from everyone and everything, taking and leaving what worked and what didn’t work – it’s all a patchwork quilt, every life is unique, so don’t expect any one person to have all the answers – that’s advice that pertains to me, but again, it may not pertain to you!

Do you have a favorite quote you would like to share?

“When in doubt, twirl.” (Ted Shawn, Choreographer)

I think that may be one of my favorite quotes to show up in one of these interviews. I thought, yep, that would totally work -- just twirl.

I also love that Kathy points out something that is so obvious but that I think we forget in this perfectionist, Puritan-leaning culture: to do what comes naturally, to work with your strengths, rather than focusing on your weaknesses and trying, trying, trying to "improve" them.

Who said it was supposed to be that hard!?

We are sent here with natural gifts, and those gifts will lead us to our Great Work if we allow them to.

What would happen to your life if you simply focused on your strengths day to day, hour to hour?

In Honour of Fathers Everywhere

I am having a Father's Day Giveaway on my my Fan page - the winner will be randomly chosen tonight at midnight and will receive the silk art print pictured above titled "Lazy Day." To enter the contest I am asking folks to "Tell me everything you learned from your father" - and it's not too late to enter! These are some of the responses so far: WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY FATHER:

He taught me to see the good in people, to stand up for myself and to love life.

I learned a great deal from my Dad. The one thing that really stands out in my mind is compassion. My Father is "True Blue". When my grandmother died in 1964, he took care of his brother, who was mentally challenged, until his death in 1988. When my Mother was going through chemotherapy treatments my Dad was there every step of the way. He was there for my sister also when she developed cancer. I am blessed with a wonderful Father who is full of compassion and always puts his family first. I will be forever grateful for this wonderful Parent in my life.

My Dad taught me all about crabbing, a passion of his and mine too now. He taught me about plants in the yard and over the years we've gotten closer.

My father taught me how to live a life well lived. From him, I learned to love theater, good film, and to enjoy the best life has to offer - trips abroad, the Met... and the small things - a walk in the park, a good bowl of ice cream....gracias papa! I learned from my father... overall to be a good person. This is what I learned from my dad: Forgiveness has amazing rewards and you can only experience them through forgiving. I miss my pops. thanks for posting the give away question, Kathy. It made me think.

My relationship with my father taught me about compassion. I am grateful for the depth and complexity of my connection with him.

My Dad instilled in me to always work hard and to do the job right!! Stand tall an be proud, walk with your head up, and carry yourself with dignity! He also taught me to tie my shoes, recite the Lords Prayer and to sing "Take Me out To the Ball Game" I tear up everytime I atttend a baseball game and sing that song, but I know he's singing it too! Gosh I miss him!

Most people would not find many favorable things to say about my dad, even though I was the one he hurt most.

But yet, he still taught me so much that I treasure.

He and I shared a love for horses - he raced them before I was born. When I started riding, he was a wealth of knowledge and had a great horse sense about him. I became a better horsewoman because of him. Maybe this is a small thing to be grateful for, but it was during these times our relationship was what it should have been all along. Both my mom and dad have passed on, and I miss them both.

Friday is for Gran & The Fiddlehead - Part 8

Friday is for my Gran who lives in Ottawa! This post documents a recent family trip to England as we toured the Leicester Loop - 5 boats, 35 family members, 2 weeks! What a blast!

Lovely flowers everywhere - the English do love their gardens!

These are pages from my journal. I spent most of my time documenting the trip; lazy days painting and writing while tooling along at 4 m.p.h. - just enough time to paint the green green hillsides and the border collies that we spotted everywhere! Gran even suggested starting up a Rent-a-Dog service because every canal boat needs a dog!

This is what the inside of our canal boat looked like - we were 6 people in all on this paricular boat. We did all our own steering, cooking, everything. There is even a bathroom with a small shower on board.

This is Pete, my brother and he's single! Email me for more details ;)