Day One... Spirit Doll Workshops - Prayer Sticks

Hello friends... I'm listening to the seagulls as I make this post this morning. Even though it's been mostly raining... it has be absolutely beautiful here at Birch Bay.

So, here are some pictures of our first day.... PRAYER STICKS
 Lili of Joyfull Essence, is auditioning a collection of feathers and trims, tuning into the Chakra colors.

 And Brigit, of Brigit's Beauties, is measuring and cutting lengths of fibers....

 We were SO FOCUSED! very little conversation was going on.... really, a BLISSFUL way to create!

 Lili is adding some beautiful crystal beads to her Spirit Doll face.

 And here are our three Prayer Sticks.... Mine is on the left, Lili's in the middle, and Brigit's on the right.

Bliss... after a happy day creating!

Busy Weekend Blessed by Goddesses!

Here are a few of the beauties that came to me this Weekend. Soon to be listed on Etsy.

This ancient Crone... turned out a bit blurry in the photo... but she is the keeper of much wisdom!

 I found some amazing vintage netting to adorn her grey locks... you can't quite make out her wisdom book and her sacred pouch.

 How do you like the character and image of her face... she seems to speak such wisdom!

 She is mounted on a beautiful wooden block made by a 98 year old man.

 Here is her Sacred pouch... perfect to stow away sacred stones, crystals, or charms.

 And here is her Wisdom book, all blank for you to jot your words of wisdom. Button is the Choku Rei Reiki symbol of oneness.

 and from the back...

 Again... sort of a blurry picture.  This is "Too Muchness"... I've yet to come to her 'real' name... but she represents all of us who have been labeled 'too much'.

 I love her raving red hair. She has a fabulous vintage netting cascading over her hair. Note the 'too much' layers of beaded necklace. Her breast plate depicts her sacred bosoms, and hieroglyphics of ancient lore.

 Many steamers of Sari Silks flow from her extended arms.

 She has such a wistful gaze... dreaming of possibilities!

 Closeup of her prayer stick. You can't quite make out the Selenite crystal energizing the prayer stick.

 And from the back, you can see the multi-fabric of her tunic.

 And here is the Ancient Crone.... her face is made from an Apple! (Apple dolls are a craft of the past..) I love her crinkles and wrinkles!

 Her necklace is strung beads with some sort of claw wrapped in Native American braid.

 A side view of her prayer staff and cascading feathered headdress.

 Another close up... her face looks so real!

 And from the back.  She is mounted on a thick chunk of driftwood collected near Klamath, CA.

I'd love to hear your feedback... what you liked, suggestion for names? Thanks so much,
Sweet Blessings, Chris
PS These will be soon listed on my Etsy site.

HESTIA Goddess of Home and Hearth

Hello dear ones.... As I was assembling my latest batch of Sacred Faces to photograph and list on Etsy... one of the faces spoke to me!  Here she is....

 In Ancient Greek religion Hestia is a goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She came to me today in the form of a vintage hearth broom. I followed her guidance as she chose fabrics and beads that spoke to her. Does she speak to you? To me, she seems to be offering great understanding and compassion for the sacredness of our hearth and home.

She is listed on my ETSY SHOP.

 Her face and adornments are made from terracotta clay, staying true to her organic nature, (not the plastic polymer clay). Painted with layers of Stewart Gill paints. Her clothing is painted and dyed muslin and beautiful, flowing Thai Silks. I was about to iron the silks and her guidance said, "No. I represent the imperfect in all of us, transforming to beauty. Much like trying on your mother's clothing. So leave the wrinkles." And I did.

Her necklace is of terracotta clay impressed with an 'Impress Me' primitive stamp. All of the red/orange beads you see are harvested from a vintage Czechoslovakian necklace I own (yet hardly ever worn).

 She hangs naturally from her broom hanger, perfect to hang on your hearth. She hangs 14" from the top of her head (not counting the hanger part) and measures 11" arm to arm.

Here she is, still on her painting tile, amongst her sisters, also now listed on Etsy. (Make your own Spirit Doll!)

 

New Devine Feminine Spirit Doll Faces...

Hello friends. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful Fall Saturday! It's going to be sunny and warm here in the Redwoods. Also a perfect day for the beach! lol... I'm going to be in my studio, for a full, uninterrupted, day of art making!

This week a new Goddess You can see more of the faces on my Etsy site. Yes. I'll be selling these so you can make your own!(CLICK HERE). Please feel free to ask for help or guidance. It's a fun process and easy to do. Most meaningful if you gather embellishments from your environment.

face emerged, made from a new mold from an antique angel statue... bringing forth some beautiful new "Devine Feminine" faces.

How these spirits emerge... I have a 'thing' about being as organic as possible. So all faces are made from real, terracotta clay. (Not plastic, polymer.) They are air dried for a few days in the California Sun, filtered through the Redwoods, naturally.

When the clay is still soft and wet, I often place holes in places where it would be convenient to secure them to a Spirit Doll body. Then an Etsy customer asked for one without holes and I discovered I can easily drill holes where ever desired. I think maybe these faces would be great for jewelry making? mixed media assemblage?

Once they have dried, each face 'speaks' to me, as I begin to layer glaze upon glaze of the amazing Stewart Gill Byzantia paints. Stewart Gill paints are all hand made with love, by a small family company in England. I was introduced to their wonderful quality at an Art and Soul retreat in Portland, over 6 years ago. They truly are amazing! I've tried other similar paints, ones much easier to find/purchase.... but these are well worth the effort!

My stash from 6 years ago  has dwindled and I found a more local source:  "Artist Cellar." This is what they say: Drawing inspiration from the art and architecture of the Byzantine Empire, Byzantia paints are incredibly rich, luscious and intense simulating cloisonné jewel toned enamels in a water based formula. AND! They shipped them immediately!! FREE!

Painting the faces is a sweet time of contemplative meditation, as I allow each spirit to 'speak' to me. I'm never quite sure what will appear. And I'm always surprised, pleased, and so honored when I get the message "Complete. Do no more."

Hugs to all... xoxo Chris
Here are some close ups. Each face is unique and has her own ancient Wise Woman presence!