Little Faerie Tales

Welcoming Spring...

2012-01-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

This evening I thought I would share with you a welcoming to Spring that is nearly upon us. When I sat down to start a journal page this evening I had no ideas in mind of what I was going to do, which for me, is actually quite odd considering most of the time I get a specific image in my head of what i would like to paint and usually that is what appears...mostly anyways! Tonight however I made myself a cup of tea, lit some candles and incense, put on some Caprice and sat down at my table with a blank piece of paper. I started thinking of our recent trip to Ireland in November for my birthday on 11.11.11 (it was amazing by the way!) and this lovely Spring maiden started to appear. As I painted her, the following words flooded my mind...

Rebirth
Renewal
New Beginnings
Release
Gratitude

I also thought I would share with you the latest picture of the Fairy Hawthorn Tree at Tara and wish you all sweet Faery dreams tonight.

Joanna

An Additional Blog...

2011-12-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends, lots of changes have occurred in my life and I am not only moving to a new city but also adding a new blog home! You have been so wonderfully patient with me returning to blog land and I do so hope you will also visit me my at me newest blog at:

http://thejoyfullpath.blogspot.com/

This blog will of course stay up as well and will contain my Medicine Journal projects, Journal Pages, art and other creations while the new one will contain articles, online workshops and classes. Stay tuned as this blog will be getting a much needed update and there are lots of goodies in store!!
In love and light,
Joanna

Betwixt and Between A Faery's Herbal...

2011-03-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

I know I have not been around for a while but I have been hibernating in my Faery Cottage finishing my new book which I am happy to announce is now off to print...I am just elated and filled with gratitude, yet absolutely exhausted. I am excited to be able to finally share the name and contents with all of you.

Betwixt & Between: A Faery's Herbal is filled with ways in which we all can connect and work with the Fair Ones. It is part workbook, part recipe book, part art book, but ALL Faery! It contains detailed instructions on how to create incense, herbal balms, oils, infusions and more! I provide some of my favorite herbal Faery recipes that they have gifted me with over the last seventeen years that I have been connecting to them and our beautiful Plant Kingdom. I am really excited to offer this knowledge and I hope that you will enjoy it as well!

I am off to to Ireland in just over a week and really wanted to get it printed and returned to me so that I can present it to a few of my favorite shops there for resale. I am longing for this time of connecting once again to my home away from home, allowing my Spirit to be healed and restored.

Wishing you all a beautiful next few weeks.

In Faery Light,
Joanna

Between Night & Morrow...

2010-12-04T19:52:00.012-08:00

My muse has returned to me thank the heavens and I am working into the wee hours of the night on new art. Enjoy my newest entitled "Between Night & Morrow"

Wishing you all a beautiful night filled with sweet fairy dreams.

Treasured Gifts...

2010-12-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I emailed a dear friend of mine, Amy from Such a Wonderous Place This Fairytale Space,  to tell her I had a little surprise gift for her and could not for the life of me find her address. Life is so amazing as she said she been looking for my address as well and had a few treasures she wanted to send to me! I received my sweet package from her yesterday and it is so wonderful, she knows exactly what I love, I am such a lucky girl to know such a beautiful and loving Spirit. 

I cherish you sweet Amy my dear faery friend and I hope your treasures come soon!

One Breath...

2010-12-01T14:22:00.007-08:00

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love."
-rumi

In Gratitude:

For my husband, family & friends

For the creative energy that gifts me with its presence

For realizing my limitations yet still pushing onward

For the moons soft glow

The light at dusk

For remembering what makes my heart sing

For Never Giving Up

For seeing the sacred in the everyday

My sweet kitty Pixie

For faith in all that is...

For this Moment.

Christmas In Fairyland...

2010-11-26T14:52:00.002-08:00

Greeting dear friends, life has certainly beckoned these last few months and I have had to answer the call. I cannot believe how long it has been since my last post. The move, new job and lots of projects I am trying to fit in between, have kept me incredibly busy. Many of you have crossed my thoughts over the last few months wondering how you were doing and I just have not had a spare moment to even visit your blogs. And just as things are finally calming down on other areas, the holidays are now upon us! So, I send a big hug and lots of love to you all in blogland and hope to connect with you soon.

I wanted to share with you all my Fairy Christmas Tree for this year! Lots of ripe berries, acorns, leaves, dragonflies, butterflies, and of course lots of Faeries all upon a cupcake pink lighted Christmas tree! I have had one fleeting moment to work on an actual art piece which I will share with you below called "Portal to Fayre", the rest of my time has been devoted to something very special to me that will be unveiled in 2011. That is all I can say for now but it is something I am very excited about and is becoming a true labor of love for me. Until next time my dear friends, have a beautiful weekend. Also, please stop on over at Ravens Feather Studio blog for the newest Divine Medicine Journal Workshop!
In love and light,
Joanna

Giving Myself Permission...

2010-09-03T20:18:00.007-07:00

Hello everyone! Well I am now back in my hometown of San Diego! We arrived almost two weeks ago and have been unpacking, doing the whole full day DMV trip to get my license changed back ! Lots of "stuff" going on!

In the midst of this chaos, I am giving myself permission to just "play" this weekend. I have had lots of creations floating around in my mind but have not been able to work on them until now. No obligations, no worries, just time for me to create and play! I will also be working on a new journal entry for Ravens Feather Studio this weekend so look to have a new workshop by Sunday! I wish you all a beautiful and safe holiday weekend!

Moving Back to the Sea...

2010-07-19T13:21:00.008-07:00

Hello everyone, wow this year has certainly been one of change...luckily for me I like change, things can never stay the same forever. We made the decision a few weeks back that we are moving back home to San Diego! Everything is falling into place perfectly and I am just going with the flow.
I have been teaching alot the last few weeks and that has been bittersweet for me as I have enjoyed this last year so much working at Lavendar Moon. I led my last Drum Circle on Friday night and there were many laughs and tears but the energy that was raised was beautiful! I have met so many wonderful friends at Lavendar Moon whom I will always cherish. I will truly not be that far away so much so, that I am going to still be teaching there every other month, so like I said it is all working out. I feel the shifting and changing is not complete yet though, my intuition is telling me to still hold on for the ride, so I will keep you all up to date what happens next.

Wishing you all a beautiful day,
Joanna

Where Bloggers Create II Party

2010-06-18T07:33:00.004-07:00

Welcome everyone! I am so very excited to be a part of this wonderful event this year! Wow! Thank you Karen for putting this beautiful party together! You are amazing! I hope you all enjoy my little studio, affectionately known as Ravens Feather Studio! I cant wait to visit all of your wonderful and sacred spaces too! I guess I know what I will be doing all weekend long!
Much love to you all,
Joanna

My space is so special to me, when I walk into this space each morning with a cup of herbal tea in hand, I just feel magical when I step into it. This is my desk and computer area where I will be at most of the weekend now looking at all the amazing studios out there!

My Meditation area! I love this space, it is so peaceful.

I love my fireplace too! I have to say though, that today it is 102 degrees outside, not exactly the best time for it where I live in Phoenix!

My Crystal Healing grid where I send healing prayers for people that have requested them.

My Robins Egg Blue old farmhouse drop table. This is where I create all of my paintings and creations.

I rent space at a Holistic Center here in the Phoenix Arizona area where I teach classes and offer various forms of Energy Healing Sessions. That little hutch holds just some of my crystals, I LOVE crystals and gemstones, and the top cupboard portion holds some my Essential Oils, Incense and dried herbs.

My Nature Altar

Well there is my magical space! Wishing you all a beautiful day and a huge thank you for stopping by my studio!
Faerie Hugs,
Joanna

I am Still Here!

2010-06-17T13:03:00.006-07:00

Hello everyone, just wanted to give all of you an update that I am still here just REALLY busy. I have been traveling, teaching and working on updating my Reiki website, I created and published a Medicine Mandala Healing deck, I am in a concert Saturday night leading a drum session...lots of stuff going on and I am loving it! I am looking forward to sharing my pics with you of my studio tomorrow for Where Bloggers Create II! I moved things around so it looks a little different, hope you all enjoy and I hope you are all doing wonderful!
With love and light,
Joanna

New Journal Entry Posted!

2010-05-15T15:28:00.003-07:00

Good afternoon and happy Saturday everyone! I am very sorry for the delay in posting the new journal entry! It is now up on Ravens Feather Studio for all to enjoy. I have been finding myself just running to catch up with so many things since the surgery! I feel like I am running in place. I see the light at the end of that tunnel though so I am almost there! Enjoy the new entry and I will post a new entry here soon. Until then...have a lovely weekend!
In love and light,
Joanna

New Postcards & A New Journal Workshop...

2010-05-06T12:47:00.003-07:00

Hello everyone...I hope this post finds you all very well and happy! I just wanted to share with you that I now have some sweet postcards up in my Raven & Me store AND...that I am finishing up the pictures of my latest Medicine Journal entry for all you to enjoy. I should have it posted by Friday evening or early Saturday morning. So off to work I go, I am in the studio painting, trying my hand at creating some whimsical art dolls. Will share with you soon if I get the courage to do so! =)
Have a lovely day!
With love,
Joanna

Blissful Healing Creativity...

2010-05-02T14:14:00.009-07:00

Hello my dear friends, I am feeling more and more like myself everyday...trying to catch up on emails, orders and general life "stuff" that does not stop just because I have been temporarily out of commission! A few months back when all these tests started, I was about to share with all of you my new art that has become very close to my heart. Sit back and grab a cup of coffee or herbal tea and let me tell you a story...
Last year I was in Flagstaff and met the sweetest Raven named Lily at the Arboratum. I spent so much time with her my husband was about to leave me there and just come back and pick me up later! I was so touched and in awe to be so close to her and give her little sticks and twigs that she so gently took out of my hand and proceeded to place in a pile not far by. I had one of my favorite cookies from Paradise bakery in my purse...a sugar cookie with sprinkles...I had too-I broke off a little piece and fed it to her only to see her eyes grow wide and hungrily hop over to see if I had more! I gave her another small piece and laughed out loud to see her beautiful black beak covered in white sprinkles of sugar cookie with head cocked to the side trying to understand my outburst! My first thought was her saying "Cookie...What Cookie?"! That image has been in my head ever since and I often told myself that one day I would paint that image because I wanted to remember it always as it never failed to bring a smile to my face.
A few months ago I painted that picture-not in the way I ever expected or imagined...art is often like that though. The memory came forward as a sweet raven with a more illustrated and folk art feel which I just fell in love with her all over again. Other images came forward like a fever, I was enchanted and could not wait to paint more...life sometimes has other plans though, and as some of you have most likely felt at times...my new found art had to be put on hold.
Now, here I am done with tests, done with surgery and I found that creative spark flowing through me once again-I could not wait to get better to get back in my studio to paint and create. There is NOTHING like art to heal the body, mind and Spirit...beautiful! It was in this healing that "Raven & Me" was born-I hope you enjoy my new paintings and art and that it touches your heart in the way it has touched mine. The prints and whimsical creations will soon be in my Raven & Me Etsy Shop

Recovering...

2010-04-17T09:20:00.002-07:00

Hello everyone, just wanted to leave a note to say the surgery went just fine, I ended up having my appendix removed as well, so It is taking me a little longer than I hoped to be a little more coherent! I am hanging in there and just wanted to say thank you so much for all the well wishes, prayers and thoughts. Have a beautiful day!
Joanna

Riding the Current of Life...

2010-04-04T11:53:00.011-07:00

Hello my friends, I am sorry for the delay in posting. I have been busy lately just living and loving every second of it! Life is so amazing when you are fully present in every moment. I know I have mentioned in previous posts that I am really working on being in the moment and allowing that blissful stream of life to carry me down relaxed instead of kicking and screaming the whole way. Trusting in Spirit to take care and provide for me and living in Gratitude for the entire experience of being able to say I am a part of it-no matter how big or small.

In saying that-you just have to laugh sometimes as well as cry a little, when I found myself in the shower to find an extremely painful lump in my right breast. I lost my composure a little, tears streaming down my face telling my husband I must be falling apart! When I got it together again I realized the amazing way this all happened because it was the day before I was to see the surgeon to talk about my gallbladder surgery! I told her about the lump I found and she immediately performed a breast exam and felt some more lumps that were painful but not as much as the first one I found. She ordered a Mammogram and an Ultrasound and I had my appointment on April Fools Day-are you starting to see why I just have to laugh! She said this way, just in case I needed to have any of them removed, she could do the surgery all at once which was fine by me!

Now, I have always had breast pain, never really thought much about it actually, I kind of just thought it was what all women went through. The technician giving me the ultrasound said she had not seen this many fibroid cysts in a few months! I have up to 15 to 20 in each breast! I almost passed out towards the end of the mammogram, it hurt so bad! The results came back just fine though, I have to have one of the cysts aspirated but she will do that when I have the surgery. So thankful!!

In between waiting to have the Mammogram and ultrasound done, I spent a week in Sedona with one of my dear friends who came to visit me from my hometown of San Diego. We stayed at Enchantment resort and it was amazing! We had spa treatments and shopped, it was such a nice break! I also have been teaching classes at the Holistic Center which has filled me with so much joy and gratitude-I just cant describe it. I am truly blessed!

I know I have shared with you that my surgery is a little over a week away-I am perfectly at peace with it and am trusting that everything will be just fine. The Universe just had to make me laugh though when all this happened-I am fine, alive, living and loving every moment!
With love and light & Happy Easter,
Joanna

The Fayre Grimoire & Other Musings...

2010-03-13T13:31:00.013-08:00

Good afternoon my dear friends, just wanted to share with you an update that one month from today I will be having surgery to remove my gallbladder. I have moved past any fear of the procedure and am at the stage where I simply feel ready to get it done to move on. Speaking with the surgeon really alleviated my worries as well, she is wonderful and has done a few of my Mother-In-Laws surgeries over the last few years. So, just wanted to share that with all of you, I am feeling okay, using all of my tools I have learned over the years in my spiritual toolbox, thinking positive, working with my Guides, prayer and accepting all the beautiful blessings that you all have offered me so generously as well.
All will be well because everything is exactly as it should be.

I also wanted to share with all of you more pictures of the book I gave you a peak into a few days ago. I have turned this beautiful vintage album into a Fayre Grimoire. As most of you know, the Faeries are an endless source of inspiration to me and my life and over the years they have gifted me with some amazing herbal recipes that I use frequently. I had all of these on various pieces of paper and in journals and notebooks everywhere and really have been wanting to put them in one place for myself so that is what this album has become. I am using the areas where the pictures normally are for holding the recipes. each recipe is written on real vellum or manuscript paper and then covered with a see-through hand-painted leaf so that you can still read it. Some of the album pages were missing so I sewed in the signature adding fabric that I sewed in and the Raven feather. Enjoy the images and have a beautiful day!
With love and light,
Joanna

A Huge Thank You...

2010-03-09T15:36:00.005-08:00

Thank you so much to all of you who have been leaving such sweet and wonderful posts and sending me emails of healing blessings. I truly appreciate them all! The test on Friday went very well, the doctor found nothing out of the ordinary, did a few biopsies which I wont receive the results on for a while. I was so out of it all day on Friday after the anesthisia, I dont remember getting dressed, talking with the doctor, getting home etc. My husband said I told him the same stories over and over again! I just slept all day and on Saturday and Sunday I was pretty sore in my abdomen and just took it easy. The next step is the appointment with the surgeon on Thursday so I will let you all know what she recommends and what I decide to do. I just want to feel better and move forward!
I will leave you with a little picture I took of a project I have been working on with this amazing old photo album from the late 1800's I found a few months back. I love re-purposing these old vintage albums! I will share more pics with you all tomorrow when I can get some more pictures taken.
With love and light,
Joanna

Tests, Tests & More Tests...

2010-02-27T12:11:00.002-08:00

This month has not been very fun for me, I have not mentioned anything yet because frankly I have'nt really had any answers to share with all of you anyways. I have been having alot of pain in my stomach over the last month and a half and after going to the doctors it has been test after test after test...and then more tests. They feel it is my gallbladder based on alot of my symptoms so I have had two ultrasounds (no stones found!), a HIDA Scan and this Friday I have to have a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy! I am so NOT looking forward to that. When I had my HIDA scan on Wednesday the results did not come back very good, basically the test is to see how your gallbladder is functioning and a normal range is 45% or higher, my test came back that it is only functioning at 13%! So now I am awaiting an appointment with a surgeon to discuss getting it removed or what my options are. Obviously I dont want to have surgery if I dont have to, I have never had surgery for anything, never even broken a bone, I practically pass out at the sight of my own blood! =) So, please send a little prayer my way for all of this stuff to go well, I just want to feel better soon!
Lots of love to you all,
Joanna

The Divine Medicine Journal Workshop #2

2010-02-18T13:42:00.005-08:00

Good afternoon dear ones, I just wanted to let you know that the 2nd Divine Medicine Journal page is now posted at Ravens Feather Studio. This month we will be exploring the Spring Goddess in each one of us and what nurturing and loving qualities we can learn from her and bring into our everyday lives. Enjoy!

With love,
Joanna

This Weeks Nature Altar...

2010-02-17T12:45:00.003-08:00

Hello dear friends, this has been such a busy week getting prepared to teach the Reiki 1 & 2 Class this Saturday! I am really excited about it and have quite a few lovely people signed up for it-I am so grateful and blessed to be doing what I love everyday! Because of this, I am a little behind on our next Divine Medicine Journal entry but rest assured I will have that posted for you on my other blog-Ravens Feather Studio, by tomorrow evening! I also wanted to share with you this weeks Nature Altar, the intention for me this week is for Harmony on all levels, physical, mental and spiritual and I send that intention out to all of you as well and wish you deep peace and love always. I will write more soon, I have a fun project I have been working on (in my spare seconds) that I would love to share with all of you.

Have a lovely day!
Joanna

And the Winners Are...

2010-02-15T08:50:00.007-08:00

Wow, this Magic Carpet ride was so much fun and I never dreamed I would have a total of 303 beautiful and wonderful friends stop by and enter my giveaway! I wish I could have responded with a thank you to each and every one of you that left such lovely comments, but I am telling you all now thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! This has truly been so much fun and I am sorry to say I still had people I could not get to, but no matter what, my promise is to still finish and visit everyone on the magic carpet, meeting everyone and checking out the beautiful blogs has been the best part!!

So without further delay...the two winners are...

Michelle from Faerie Dust Dreams-You won the Queen of Faerie Birdie
&
Sares at Loveleigh Treasures won the journal!

Congratulations to both winners, I truly hope you enjoy them! Thank you again so very much to everyone who entered and I cant wait to visit all the amazing artists and friends I met along the ride and for the next one!
With love,
Joanna

A Nature Altar...

2010-02-07T13:59:00.007-08:00

Last night I was working in my journal and doing a little brainstorming for the direction in which my life is flowing, I was writing down goals and dreams not just for the future but now. Trusting the Universe has always been a struggle for me, trusting that Spirit knows exactly what I need and that everything is perfect just as it is now-even when I cant see it or dont want to believe it. I am learning to trust the flow of life and not go against the current, I lose my perspective and miss the opportunities or lessons that are right in front of me. Patience has never been one of my strongest qualities and it is something I am working on-slowing down, allowing my Spirit to float down the river in a stream of bliss instead of gasping for air the whole way down.

In all of those thoughts as I was working in my Medicine Journal I realized an important part of me that I had stopped honoring-my Altar, a space set aside for me to reflect, honor and feel my connection to Nature and all that is. I started crying realizing how much I have not been connecting with her, how in that respect, I was fighting that current again of who I am. By not honoring Nature and all of its beauty, I was not honoring myself and my own well being-I was not honoring my own healing journey. So this morning I moved things around in the studio to make room for that much needed Sacred Space and set up my Nature Altar.

The thought of Nature represents many things to many people and I love that! Nature can mean Mother Earth, the Goddess in all of her many forms and aspects, the Elements of earth, Air, Fire and Water, and so much more. For me it is the Faeries and the Elements. Ever since I was a little girl I have believed, spoken to and worked with the Faerie Realm and so my Altars of the past have always been adorned with them. I chose to use my large 24" Faery as my focal point and surround her with things of nature; seashells (water), crystals (earth), feathers (air), candles (fire), and incense for (Spirit). Altars are a very personal way for us to connect and help us feel grounded and express gratitude for our many blessings. They can be very small areas such as the top of a small shelf to beautiful and large tabletops, trunks, or shelves. I would like to share with you my Altar on a weekly basis or as I change the items upon it or it's purpose. This weeks purpose for me is healing.
If you have a personal Altar that you would like to share, I would love to see it! Just leave me a comment and I would love to come visit your Altar via your blog!

Wishing you all a day of deep peace and healing,
Joanna

Honoring the Medicine Journal...Springs Embrace

2010-02-01T13:10:00.010-08:00

Hello beautiful friends, I spent yesterday working on a new Medicine Journal. I made a promise to myself that this year I would really focus on taking time out each day to honor myself by recording my thoughts, feelings and dreams in my Medicine Journal. For this one I used the front and back covers of an old vintage book, distressed it, sanded it, aged it, added wax to it, vintage lace and brooch. The focal point has one of my paintings surrounded by an embossed copper frame I created. The inside is filled with two large signatures made with various types of papers that hold up to paint well! It is called Springs Embrace.

I call it a medicine journal because I believe that pouring our hearts, hopes, goals, sad times, happy times, magical times and everything in between, is where the Medicine of our Souls truly lies. To put things on paper is to manifest, to look within, to hold yourself accountable to live this life the best that you can within all circumstances. Live, breathe, love, laugh and remember the magic that is all around us-this is your journey, share it with others but never allow anyone to live it for you dear ones.
With love,
Joanna

**Note: Join me for next months Divine Medicine Journal page entry on 13 February!

Around the Studio...

2010-01-30T14:02:00.015-08:00

Since December I have been organizing the studio, moving things around, painting, arranging...just plain having fun! So I thought since it was actually clean for 5 minutes I would snap a few shots and share with you a glimpse around Ravens Feather Studio! Enjoy your visit!
Lots of love,
Joanna

This is the Robin Egg Blue Farmhouse table where I create everything I do! I just love it! It NEVER looks like this, only for the photo!

My cozy fireplace! I completely repainted this and added the architectural focal point. Those tiles are made of tin and came from a ceiling in an old chateau in France!

The top of the fireplace!

This little grouping is on top of my bookcase, I added branches, feathers, beaded elements, faeries, seashells and a Wendy Addison piece that says Magic!

The blue cupboard where I store my fabrics.

I love this three tiered basket that holds my vintage lace, cabinet cards and collage packs. The wooden Angel on the floor next to the candle was one of many that decorated the floorboards of a church that was being torn down in Mexico.

Two of my favorite vintage albums! The top one holds my sketches and rough paintings/drawings and the bottom is a huge 9 x 12 vintage photo album.

The little cabinet I keep some supplies in, encaustic wax, gold leaf, glitter, etc. I just love the Fairy House on top! It is called the Crystal Cavern and it lights up with tiny light bulbs inside!

**Update: I had so many requests to see more of the Fairy House so here are the pictures that the artist herself took and I am providing a link to her shop! She creates such magical and enchanting houses! Enjoy!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Centaur1201

The End...Now I am off to mess it up!!....

TaDa....See I already messed it up!! =)

One World One Heart 2010!

2010-01-25T14:17:00.013-08:00

UPDATE: One more item has been added to the giveaway! One of my other creations is ready to fly to a good home! See picture below!

Good afternoon Dear Ones! The Faeries around my studio are so very excited...Lisa from a Whimsical Bohemian is hosting her amazing and wonderful One Heart One World event again! What a beautiful way for all of us to connect, meet and share our art and last year over 900 artisans participated!! This event allows everyone to not only enter to win a beautiful piece of another's heart and soul but also to say hello, meet and discover beautiful like minded Spirits, plus it is international! The event starts today and goes through 14 February 2010, at which time I will start the drawing for the lucky winner!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I will add your name to my beautiful crystal bowl for a chance to win one of my handmade Angel journals and I just added one of my Altered Fairy Art creations as a second giveaway-The Messenger of the Faerie Queen. (see pictures below of both items).
Then you go click on badge above or in my sidebar and go visit all of the other beautiful bloggers out there that are participating and leave them a comment to enter their drawing for whatever goodies they are sharing with the world. How beautiful is that!! What a wonderful way for all of us to meet one another and admire all of the amazing artisans! Please click on the badge above for more information and for the list of all the bloggers participating!

This is one of my favorite creations and this sweet little Faerie Bird is now ready to fly to a wonderful new home!

**WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 14 FEBRUARY!**

The one of a kind journal has an original painting as the focal point that has been covered in Encaustic wax. The frame is created with pages from a vintage Latin book and the paper inside is a gorgeous deckled edge watercolor paper that you can use any type of medium on.

**If you leave a comment and do not have a blog , please be sure to leave a contact email so that I can get in touch with you. I will be using the random number generator to pick the lucky winner! Good Luck!**

Raven Medicine

2010-01-24T10:55:00.006-08:00

Brought back from the void
Embraced by your wings
Awakened
Stronger
Fearless
Safe

Your Warrior Spirit flows within me
Wings black as night
Wrapped around my Spirit
Your Medicine, Healing, Sacred, Timeless

Soaring together side by side
Under the moons pale glow
Love eternal-past, present, future
Your wings, my wings
Unfold to the light
Brilliant
Shining
I am open...

Joanna Rowan Mullane 2010

A Beautiful Release...& The Divine Medicine Journal Workshop #1

2010-01-22T16:07:00.007-08:00

Good evening Dear Ones! The Burning Bowl Ceremony was lovely this evening but I have to admit a bit chilly! Phoenix has been hit hard the last few days with the same storm as California and It has truly been blissful and cleansing as I absolutely love the rain! At the start of the ceremony I had a little trouble with keeping the fire lit as it was extremely windy as well, but ask and you shall receive, as I whispered the wind calm and it offered a reprieve! Thank you all for the amazing amount of emails that poured in to participate, I am honored that I could be of service to you and your journey! I wish you all release from your burdens, light for your present and love for your future.

Now, since all that "stuff" is gone, how about some creative time! I decided yesterday that since I already have a second blog connected to this one called Ravens Feather Studio, that I would simply make that one all past, current and future workshops. That way it will be easier for all of you to find each workshop and not have to hunt through my all of my blog entries since this will be a monthly event. I am also going to add all the other workshops to it as well for any newcomers.

If you are ready to begin, CLICK HERE
Have fun and a beautiful evening to all!

With love,
Joanna

The Faery Heart Shrine

2010-01-18T16:47:00.010-08:00

Hello dear ones, just wanted to share with you some of my newest creations this evening! This little piece is called The Faery Heart Shrine adorned with hand cut and embossed aged copper embellishments, my own artwork aged with the softness of encaustic wax. The finishing touch, a sweet pink glass candle holder to set in front and illuminate it with candlelight. This is now in my mixed media Etsy shop, Reliques (Relics).

I also will be adding some Collage Packs filled with assemblage and altered art treasures over the next few days.
On another note, I am so grateful for all the emails coming in for requests to participate in the Burning Bowl Ceremony this Friday. There is still time so if you are interested just send me an email. Afterwards I will be posting the first Divine Medicine Journal Workshop so I welcome you to come on over and join me for that too!

Lastly for the evening, is this not one of the sweetest pics!!! This is my kitty Pixie and she really did fall asleep on the Fairy Quartz cluster in my studio. My sweet little girl truly lives up to her name!
Lots of love and joy to you all,
Joanna

Burning Bowl Ceremony 2010 & The Divine Medicine Journal Workshop

2010-01-11T17:20:00.011-08:00

Well my beautiful friends, it is once again that blissful time of the new year, new possibilities, new opportunities, new friends, new challenges and new life! Sometimes in order to embrace the new, we need to let go of the old, make room in our hearts, minds and Spirits for the upcoming blessings that the amazing Universe has in store for each of us.

Last year many of you participated with me in my burning bowl ceremony and it was very beautiful. A Burning Bowl Ceremony is a beautiful way of letting go of all that JUNK we all carry around-the woulda, coulda, shoulda's, the guilt, shame, fears, regrets, relationship issues, family issues, etc. etc.

Dear Ones, the burdens have become too heavy for you to carry any longer by yourself, RELEASE them to the Heavens and the Universe to transmute them into beautiful pure white light. I once again invite any of you to participate and let go of what no longer serves your highest purpose. As I said last year, the only requirement for participation is...

DO NOT LOOK BACK!

Once these issues have been burned-they are gone, there is no digging them up again in the future. This is your chance to truly free yourself of old fears that may be holding you back from realizing your true purpose here on Earth.

Release, Forgive and Move Forward!

When you are ready leave a post here on this blog or send me an email at:
earthandskyspirit@yahoo.com with one thing or a hundred things you want to release and I will perform the ceremony on 22 January 2010 at 5:15 Arizona Time (MST). Please have your requests in to me before Noon if possible on 22 January. Once again, please feel free to participate in your corner of the world at the same time and affirm what you are releasing.

THE NEXT UPDATE....

Many of you remember participating in my Spirit Journeys Creative Workshops where I offered various projects on this blog with instructions for you to play and create with me once a month. I sincerely apologize for not continuing them for all of you, I received numerous emails asking when and if they were coming back. Well I am telling you know that YES there will be another Creative Workshop coming this month!

For the last 6 months I have really been focused on keeping, as well as creating, journals and journal pages. Keeping a journal with all of the things that have been going on in my life the last half of the year has been a life saving tool for me and I know many of you have those very same feelings about keeping a journal. So...that being said, the new Creative Workshop is called:

THE DIVINE MEDICINE JOURNAL WORKSHOP

As the last one was, there is no charge for you to participate with me. I will share with you techniques, drawing and writing ideas and more and provide you the steps it took to create the journal page. I thought the most appropriate day to start this workshop is 22 January 2010 after I perform the burning bowl ceremony for all of you. I thought it would be a wonderful way to leave behind the old and bring in the new with a wonderful new creative monthly project for you and I to share together. You do not have to let me know if you would like to participate but I would be very appreciative if you would not mind placing my Divine Medicine Journal Banner below on your blog and if you would like to share a picture of your journal page, I would love to see it and share it here on my blog too!
I am so excited about the New Year-our blank journal pages, and sharing it with all of you in Blogland. We are all so connected, and yet why do so many feel so alone, we are all beautiful blissful beings, and yet why do so many feel unloved and not worthy? YOU are so precious, so worthy, so loved and so very beautiful, do not let anyone have that kind of power over you to take it away, as it is only an illusion that we are ever without. Love is all around and within my dear ones.

In love and light,
Joanna

The New Healing Space & Burning Bowl Ceremony for the New Year

2010-01-07T15:16:00.003-08:00

Good afternoon dear ones, I wanted to be sure and wish you all a very beautiful and Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! I also wanted to share with you a picture of the healing space I am renting at Lavendar Moon Holistic Center in Goodyear Arizona. If you live in the Phoenix area I would love for you to stop by and see me and check out the beautiful center and shop they have as well. This month I have two wonderful classes I am teaching:

16 January: Working with the Faerie Realms
29 January: Drumming Circle

In my next post I have will announce the date for my yearly Burning Bowl Ceremony for the New Year and how you can participate! Wishing you all a beautiful day,
In love and light,
Joanna

Winter Solstice Drum Circle & Burning Bowl Ceremony

2009-12-22T18:16:00.000-08:00

I hope this beautiful evening finds you happy, healthy and ready for the upcoming holiday! I am just about ready-I still have some cards I need to send out and gifts that need wrapping, other than that-I am pretty good!
I wanted to share a little about the Winter Solstice Drum Circle & Burning Bowl Ceremony I led on Friday evening. It was wonderful and this time I had a group of five beautiful Goddesses attend the class! Last month I had twelve but it was a mixture of men and women. It is amazing how different the energy is when you have all women, in a good way most definitely, just completely different. I enjoyed the evening so very much and the burning bowl ceremony was lovely. We did that part outside where we each wrote what we wanted to release from this year, burn the paper and then start drumming the ashes up to the heavens. I created a special Winter Solstice Hearth Herbal blend and added them to the fire as well, the scent was beautiful. The rest of the time was the drum circle in honor of the coming Winter Solstice and there was some wonderful shifts and release happening that evening. All in all, it was a perfect night and I was so honored to be in the presence of such beautiful Spirits.
I snapped the picture above before the class started of the room that I hold the Drum Circle in and I had just empowered the crystal grid in the center of the room inviting the Angels, Faeries and Guardian Spirits to attend-I LOVE that I got an orb in the picture above the chair! Is it a Faery, an Angel-whatever it was some of the ladies had some wonderful journeying that evening and saw spirits within the room while drumming!
Have a beautiful evening and a very Merry Christmas. Love and cherish your family and friends this season.

In light,
Joanna

Forest Guardian

2009-12-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you one of my newest paintings entitled "The Forest Guardian". I have a really special piece of art that I am adding the finishing touches to and will be able to share with you soon.

Yesterday I taught my Introduction to Working with Crystals class and it was wonderful with a beautiful bunch of ladies. The night ended beautifully with a lovely concert by the amazing Mark Hofgard, a gifted musician. He asked me to lead a drum session and he would then create a song on the piano to go with it-it turned out amazing! Everyone did so beautifully on the drums and the song was pure joy and very spiritual! I loved every moment of it! This Friday I have a very special Drum Circle planned for the Winter Solstice. I am adding a burning bowl ceremony to release anything that no longer serves our highest purpose. We write them on a piece of paper than add it to the fire and drum the ashes up to the heavens for release! Any of you that are in the Goodyear Arizona area, please feel free to come by and join me!
Wishing you all a beautiful rest of the weekend.
In light,
Joanna

Out of the Darkness...& Into the Light

2009-12-13T14:29:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends, it has truly been quite some time since my last post. There has been many changes within my life the last few months-none of which I expected, but have now accepted and embraced. The journey has taken me to places of darkness...only to return fully embraced by the light. I love sharing with all of you, many of you have followed me from blog to blog as I try to find my way home. I believe that through all of this, home is what I have found and dear friends is what I have gained, I cherish each one of you as sisters and brothers along this winding path of life. Some things though are too truly painful to share, or rather, I am just not ready to share, not that I wont, but there is a time for everything and my heart is just still too vulnerable. What I will share with you is that over the last few months I have been working on mending the relationship between my husband and I. We actually just celebrated our 10 year anniversary! Life gets so busy...time escapes us and all of the sudden you realize the mess of your own wake.
Family members and friends have been diagnosed with Cancer, my brothers MS, a dear friend dying...it has all taken its toll.

Alas...the darkness cannot survive the light, I stepped into my own light and the light of family and friends and am stronger and more blessed for it. So here it is the good news that has come of it all...I am now renting a space at a local Holistic Center called Lavender Moon in Goodyear AZ offering Reiki sessions, Crystal Healing Therapy Sessions, Aromatherapy and more. PLUS I am teaching there, offering monthly Drum Circle classes for the New and Full moon, classes on Crystals, and the Faerie Realm. The clients thus far have been wonderful and I could not be happier in all areas of my life right now.

So in saying all of that, these are the reasons I have been away from the blogging area for a while. My art is now coming back into the forefront of my life and I am so grateful for that too! I can now say that I am actually doing both of my dreams-creating and helping others-that is all I have ever wished for and I am so thankful for all of my blessings.

Lots of Love,
Joanna

2009-09-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

DREAMS

Oh! I have had dreams
I have had sweet dreams of childhoods bright and sunny hours
when I wander'd all day by the sparkling streams
And called for my mother the gay wildflowers
When I wove her a wreath of the green wood bine
And twined in it berries and violets gay.
And I crowned her pale forehead and she kissed mine
Ah, she like the flowers has faded away
She has faded away, faded away

I have had bright dreams of the old elm tree
Beneath whose branches spreading wide
I have sported away in childish glee
The fleet winged hours of the even tide.

I have dreamed of the friends once gathered there
To frolic away the long summers day
Untrammeled by fear
Unwearied by care
But they like the rest have faded away
They have faded away, faded away

I have had bright dreams as I've wandered alone
When still midnight in silence reigned
When my own pale star shone bright from its throne
And in visions of hope
My Soul was chained
But the cares of Earth would come again
The heart would grow sick with hope's delay
And the visions I wove of my destiny then
Ah they like the rest have faded away
They have faded away, faded away

I have had sweet dreams of a fairy form
That was ever around me there
Of her bird-like voice with it's silvery charm
Floating away on the evening air
But alas for the flush and the wasting breath
Alas for thy terrible power decay
An Angel beckoned her home from the Earth
Like the morning star she faded away
She has faded away, faded away.

I came across these beautiful words quite by accident tonight when I was going through my stack of old vintage sheet music. I had painted the picture above earlier today and somehow it seemed like they belonged together.

The painting is Called Courage of Heart. It says: " Summon the Courage to walk through the doorway of your heart."

Enjoy and have a lovely evening!
Joanna

Ireland...Calling Me Home

2009-09-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

The time is nearly upon us when we start planning our yearly trip back home...back to Ireland. A few nights ago I had the map and all of my books out-plotting the course of where we would visit new this time and which of our favorite places would we lovingly visit once again. As I sat their scribbling down notes, one of my favorite songs by Loreena McKennitt started playing on my ipod-The Old Ways. If you have never heard this song, PLEASE go to Itunes right now and play it...(go ahead, I will wait for you). The first time I heard that song it made me cry and not just a few tears, we are talking borderline sobbing here! Every once in a while it still hits my soul in a certain way and I cry again, even though I have heard it many, many times now. It is not a new song, but if you have never heard it, it will be new for you! So after the song was done I had a strong desire to break out the paints and this lovely Irish lady was what came through. The words written around her say: The thundering waves are calling me home...home to you.
I thought I would add the complete song lyrics below, it is one thing to hear the song and another to read them as if it was a poem-just beautiful.

The thundering waves are calling me home to you
The pounding sea is calling me home to you

On a dark new year's night
On the west coast of Clare
I heard your voice singing
Your eyes danced the song
Your hands played the tune
T'was a vision before me.

We left the music behind and the dance carried on
As we stole away to the seashore
We smelt the brine, felt the wind in our hair
And with sadness you paused.

Suddenly I knew that you'd have to go
My world was not yours, your eyes told me so
Yet it was there I felt the crossroads of time
And I wondered why.

As we cast our gaze on the tumbling sea
A vision came o'er me
Of thundering hooves and beating wings
In clouds above.

As you turned to go I heard you call my name,
You were like a bird in a cage spreading its wings to fly
"The old ways are lost," you sang as you flew
And I wondered why.

Have a lovely evening!
Joanna

Earth and Sky - A Healing Sanctuary

2009-09-16T15:16:00.005-07:00

Good afternoon everyone! Just wanted to share with you the re-opening of my other Etsy store-Earth & Sky. There you will find uplifting and loving tools to help you on your journeys. All items are created by me with love and light and empowered with Reiki energies. I am just starting to add items but so far I have Crystal Aromatherapy Mists, Healing Balms, Reiki Empowered candles, crystals and gemstones, healing artwork and various healing sessions. I hope you will take a moment to visit and simply relax.
Sending you All much love and light,
Joanna

A Spiritual Walk

2009-09-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

Today before I left to take my walk around the lake, I was inspired to bring my camera with me. I love taking walks around the lake because it is my time to connect with nature and Spirit before I start my day. We have alot of ducks there that I just love so I always bring a few pieces of bread to feed them. It allows me to stop and see the beauty in the everyday and be thankful for all I have. I love it when I get unexpected surprises such as finding feathers, or seeing rainbows, those little things remind me that the Angels are near me, near us all.

As I am writing this post I feel compelled to remind all of you that If you or a loved one could use some healing Reiki energies, I would be honored to do so. You may click HERE for more information or to sign up. I send healing energies out everyday to the people that ask me to as well as peace and healing for the world.
Sending my love and prayers as well to the family, friends and victims of 9/11.
We Will Not Forget!

Have a beautiful day,
Joanna

Grateful...A Painted Memory

2009-09-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

Good morning, I wanted to share with you one of my latest mixed media paintings entitled "They Painted the Sunlit Sky". Alot of my paintings or journal entries, are my own memories of experiences or emotions that I dont want to forget because they are so precious to me. This painting is one of those memories that I always want to remember.
I love dragonflies, they are so beautiful the way their wings retract and reflect the light, shimmering and performing a beautiful dance in the sunlit sky. When I take my walks around the lake I often see them here and there skimming across the water, flying just out of reach and they always make me smile. A few weeks back I was taking a walk around the lake when all of the sudden dozens of dragonflies started flying all around me, very near to me, surrounding me like a protective shield. I just stood there, frozen, in awe of the experience that was happening and feeling my heart fill with such joy and love. I did not want to move because I did not want the dance to end, I just watched in complete silence with only a smile and upraised hands held to my heart in gratitude. This painting depicts that beautiful day as I never ever wanted to forget it.

The message on the painting says-"They painted the sunlit sky, I will always be grateful to you".
Have a lovely day,
Joanna

News and New Art

2009-09-06T22:06:00.006-07:00

Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a lovely holiday weekend! I wanted to catch you all up with what has been going on in my little world. First off, the crystal class went wonderfully, I am so very grateful for the sweet spirits that attended my first ever in person class. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous at first, but once I got going and focused on the purpose, the being of service to others, it made it beautiful and all I can say is thank you to everyone that attended.

I have been in the studio alot this week and sometimes you have to just go with it and not stop once the inspiration comes flooding in. It was very special for me because I saw my art evolve a little right before me, and it just kept building upon itself. One idea would come forward with another just behind that one so that it became like a beautiful dance of creativity!
Love to you all and have a beautiful rest of the holiday weekend!
Joanna

Faery Inspiration Abounds...

2009-08-25T14:53:00.006-07:00

Hello sweets, I have returned from my trip to Fairyland, made it through the brambles, vines and hedges, across the moss and heather covered sidhe mounds and passed through the veil betwixt and between our world and theirs. The inspiration they provided was ethereal and enchanting so I lit the candle upon my farmhouse table, got out the sewing machine and began my work like a little fairy cobbler-speaking of shoes...what do you think of this one, granted he is missing his other half, I am finishing him up this evening but had to share this little guy.

This sweet quilt was inspired by the natural world of Faery, soft muted colors and lots of texture!
Hand dyed fabric, vintage lace, feathers, leaves, gold leave, beads, organza, hand painted texture and a woodland fairy, all hanging from a Birch Branch on twine. This little piece of art will be in my Faery Alchemy Etsy store within the week along with the Fairy Herbal Course. I have received alot of emails asking when the course will be available-by the end of this week!
I will be working away into the wee hours of the evening tonight with my head full of whimsical ideas. Will share more soon, until we meet again, have a lovely evening.
Joanna

A Sweet & Special Gift!

2009-08-24T10:21:00.007-07:00

My husband and I were away this weekend in Flagstaff again and I came home to a lovely and beautiful surprise from a dear and cherished fairy friend-Amy at Such a Wonderous Place This Fairytale Space
I was just about in tears when I opened it up as it was so very special I almost could not believe it! The wrapping was so sweet and whimsical, just lovely. She is such a beautiful Spirit and If you have not been lucky enough to come across her sweet blog, please visit, it is truly a wonderous fairytale space.

"Thank you Amy, from the bottom of my Fairy heart, it brims over with love and gratitude for this cherished gift. As a token of my appreciation, I bestow upon you the first ever Little Faerie Tales Fine Fairy Friend Award. You are wonderful!"

When I created this little award this morning, I was reminded of many other sweet Fairy Friends and Artisans that have touched my life through this amazing world of blogging, either with their lovely comments they leave or are simply amazing artisans that I admire. There are so many special and dear bloggers out there and I am grateful to each and every one of you. I would like to send out this award to a few others this morning:

Faerie Luna
Gossamer Creations
Enchanted Garden Studio
Couture de Papier

Have a lovely Monday everyone!
Joanna

Within A Fairy Forest

2009-08-17T10:22:00.005-07:00

Lately I have been back in my studio with one of my favorite mediums-watercolors. There is just something so magical about watching the way the soft colors blend together and transform a white piece of paper into something beautiful. I painted two faeries last night both of which are to be used in two fiber textile quilts I am putting together. I have been so inspired lately by working with fibers and texture and have made that a focus of my art as of late. It is something I have never really delved into but I am loving it thus far! When I tried to fall asleep last night, my mind was racing with new ideas of how to work with my new found medium, that I actually had to get up and find a pen and paper to write it all down! So this morning I immerse my heart and Soul into the magical world of Faery once again...I will let you know when I return to share with you the ideas they bless me with!
Have a lovely day!
Joanna

A Fairy Garden

2009-08-13T22:00:00.006-07:00

Good evening everyone, I thought I would share with you a glimpse into my enchanted fairy garden! This lovely terrarium holds some fairy favorite flowers and herbs that I then dry and harvest for my own fairy goodies I create. Growing now in the garden is Vervain, Yarrow, White Sage, Rosemary, St. Johns Wort, Wild Thyme and Hollyhock! The faeries take such good care of the garden and in return I leave them sweet honey nectar, sometimes crystals or sweet cream or milk! The garden is entirely organic from the herbs themselves to the soil. It is a special place that I love to see when I first walk into the studio in the morning!

Can You Spot the Fairy Garden Caretaker?

I am currently finishing up writing a three week Fairy Garden/Herbal course that I will be offering to all of you very soon within my Faery Cottage! It has wonderful fairy information for you to enjoy including Faery Herbal Lore, Faery Gardens, Faery recipes and more! So whimsical and fun! Enjoy the rest of the Fairy Garden pics and here is wishing an enchanted evening to all.

Faery Garden Blessing

I ask a fairy from the wild,
To come and tend this wee garden-child.
A babe of air she thrives today,
Root her soul in the Goddesses' good earthen clay.
Fairies make this twig your bower,
By your magic shall time see her flower!

Blog Giveaway!

2009-07-28T14:17:00.008-07:00

Hello everyone! Please head on over to my other blog to enter my first ever Ravens Feather Studio blog giveaway! I am giving away three wonderful vintage prizes that I hope you will enjoy!
Ravens Feather Studio Blog Giveaway
All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment! How easy is that? =)
Have a lovely day sweets!
Joanna

I Am Still Here...

2009-05-04T13:32:00.003-07:00

Hello everyone, just wanted to say hello! I have been really busy with some new ventures and I am anxious to reveal them to all of you very soon, my sweet husband has been helping me with all of it for the last 2 months so please, please, please dont forget about me, I am still around just working like a mad little Pixie to get it all done! Have a beautiful day!!
Joanna

New Blog Look!

2009-04-19T20:41:00.006-07:00

Good evening everyone, today I felt very creative as I had just recently painted some new pictures and thought I would update my blog with a fun new look. Before I started the new artwork I had smudged and cleansed my studio and snapped a picture just after I lit my Peace candle. I am working on lots of new projects AND I have this months Spirit Journeys Workshop ready to post this week as well. I apologize for missing last month but with everything that was going on with my brother, the training classes I was in and just life, I just did not have the time to put it all together. I hope you enjoy this months workshop, nothing too series, just a playful Soul Journey Collage! I hope all of you that participate have fun with it as that is what Spirit Journeys is all about!
Wishing you a beautiful evening!

WOW, Lots of News!

2009-04-08T17:27:00.008-07:00

First off, let me sincerely apologize for how long it has been since I have posted! It has been an incredible month and lots and lots of things happening! Great things, exciting and wonderful things! A month full of huge healing experience for me, of release, forgiveness, realizations, and extremely powerful messages from my Spiritual Guides. I can hardly put it into words, and that is okay, because I dont think I really need to. Some things that I have been struggling with over the last few months on which path to take - that path became fully lit for me and I am now ready to implement and start this journey! I am so grateful to be on this path as a healer, helping others has always been my desire and my calling and everyday when I perform my morning Reiki and prayer request ceremony, I ask the Universe, the Angels and my Guides, to help guide me on the path to fulfilling my purpose.
So after saying all of that-I finally have taken the steps to start teaching my own classes here in Goodyear Arizona. On 29 August 2009, I will be teaching a beautiful full day class on Crystal Healing. I have reserved a beautiful spacious room with a view of the lake you see in the picture above! I am so very excited about this opportunity and I hope and pray that you all will want to join me for this wonderful day! For more details, you may visit the following link to my website: Crystal Healing Class.
I would be so honored to meet and share this course I wrote with all of you! The cut off date for Sign Up is 1 July 2009, and I need to have at least 12 people attending by that date or else I cannot cancel and get back my deposit! Eeeeekkkk! =)
More info to come soon, I just wanted to share this news with all of you! Wishing you all a beautiful day!
In love and light,
Joanna

One more item-I have added a section on my Reiki website offering some Free Reiki attunements. Please feel free to visit the following link and ask me to send you one or a couple as I am happy to share Reiki with you!

Mythcraft Musings...

2009-03-11T09:31:00.007-07:00

Hello everyone, I dont know really where to start this post and I have been putting it off for a few weeks now just because I feel like there is enough going on for everyone out there already! I just returned this weekend from visiting my brother in San Diego, we found out a few weeks ago he has MS. It has hit him pretty hard and of course the entire family, especially his wife as they just had a sweet baby boy last October. I went out to give Brian a Reiki treatment as well as attune my Mother and my brother's wife to Reiki 1 & 2, so that they could in turn help Brian as well. I tell all of you this not to bring anyone down or make anyone feel bad, but because it is how we deal with these situations throughout our lives that shapes and molds who we are as individuals. I say this because I feel like there are so many internal struggles going on with so many of us that it is difficult to stay afloat. I dont know about all of you, but between the media, news, friends, internet and all the other various outlets for doom and gloom, it had been getting a little difficult to stay positive! When all around you is nothing but negative energy and "the sky is falling" outlooks, it makes it difficult to be that light in the darkness that you want to be.

I finally had to say enough is enough! When I allowed the negativity to get to me, I only brought more of it to me, I had this week where it was like this black cloud was following me, I lacked energy, I was not creating anything, I was basically having a pity party for a table of one-Me! By nature, I am not that way, I am generally a very happy and positive person, when someone first meets me I often get the "Are you always this happy?" question! It is not a matter of always being happy-it is a matter of CHOOSING to be. Of course I have my good and bad days, we all do, but like attracts like, that goes for everything within our lives. So in saying all of that, I chose to dive into the light of creativity. It is my touchstone, the gift that shapes and molds who I am, allowing me to enter that place of pure peace and love. I found my gratitude there as well and I hold to that with every fiber of who I am, I am thankful for the blessings I do have in my life and I dont want to take anything for granted. Find your touchstone-find your peace and your sacred space-we will all get through this storm together, maybe a little battered and bruised, but stronger and wiser for it too!

I also wanted to share with all of you that the Mythcraft Zine Volume 1 is now complete and in my Etsy store. That has been a true labor of love for me getting it finished but I am pleased with the way it turned out and I hope you all enjoy it as well! Some of you have already found my new blog Celtic Mythcraft that is connected to this one, if not, I would love for you to stop by and visit! It is my new turning point, or my new evolution of myself as an artisit. Like the seasons, I enjoy allowing time and experiences to shape and mold who I am as an artist. I enjoy challenging myself and my imagination! I hope you enjoy it, I wont say much, you will just have to visit the blog! =) My hope is that the creations will speak to you on a deep spiritual level and resonate within you a feeling of hope and healing.

Have a beautiful day everyone!
With love and gratitude.
Joanna

Spirit Journeys Workshop #3

2009-02-23T16:33:00.017-08:00

For this months workshop we will be creating what I like to call a Myth Shrine. This month I want you to think of someone that inspires you, or has the qualities you aspire to be in your own life. It could be an ancestor, a loved one, a hero, an athlete, a Deity, or as I chose, a Goddess; Anyone! This is your personal Myth Shrine that you may keep in a special place in your studio or sacred space, there to remind you of the qualities that you admire and to help remind you of your aspirations and spiritual purpose. You may decide to make a couple for a few different people, as each one will be unique and as individual as you. As I have told you since the workshops began, there is no right or wrong way to create anything I offer to show you, just let yourself have fun and dont overthink anything, after all, this is your Myth, your spiritual offering to a beautiful Spirit. Also, I try to create projects that should not cost you much money, in these times, we can use all the help we can get! I know alot of you are like me and have wonderful stashes of goodies in jars, boxes, and chests just waiting to be the perfect adornment for your project. Nature itself is one of our best resources! Dried twigs, leaves, branches, rocks, crystals, moss! Combine it all with the trinkets you already have and you should be able to spend next to nothing!
As you all probably know by now, one of my passions in life is studying the myth, history and folklore of the Ancient Celts. For me, the ancient celtic gods and goddesses are one of my biggest inspirations, they personify such beauty, will, strength, creativity, and healing, that most of my art is in some way touched by their spirit. They are what bring me back to Ireland every year, seeing the ancient sites, stone circles, artwork, the symbols, the craftsmanship and the way they honor the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, it is an ancient beauty to me that my Soul calls out for. For my Myth Shrine, I chose the Celtic Goddess Airmid, the Goddess of the Healing Arts. I chose her because of her healing abilities with our beautiful plant kingdom. I have been working with herbs and flora for over 13 years of my life and I often turn to Airmid for guidance. If you are unfamiliar with her story, I will provide a condensed version below and then proceed to the workshop! Enjoy this workshop everyone and please email me or post me a note with a link if you would like to share your creation, I would love to post it here!
The Next Workshop will be: March 23 2009

Airmid's father Dian Cecht, jealous because he could not compete with Airmid's brother Miach's surgical skills or Airmid's powers of regeneration, killed his son and confused the herbs that grew from his grave so that mortal humans would not share in the power and immortality of the Gods.

After that, Miach was buried by Dian Cecht, and three hundred and sixty-five herbs grew through the grave, corresponding to the number of his joints and sinews. Then Airmed spread her cloak and uprooted those herbs according to their properties. Dian Cecht came to her and mixed the herbs, so that no one knows their proper healing qualities unless [she] taught them afterwards.

Airmid's herbs, spread upon her cloak, were scattered by her father. Yet Airmid still remembers the powers of the herbs, and can teach us their secrets. Through her, we may learn to use and appreciate the sacred power of plants and healing waters.

Step 1: Choose your Myth Shrine, it could be an altoids tin, a candy tin, even a Tin Nicho or small box or matchbox!

Step 2: Think of who you are creating this shrine to represent, think of colors, textures, quotes, trinkets and treasures. All of this will play into the final feel of your Myth Shrine. I choose to distress and paint the larger metal tin. You will want to use some fine or rough grit sandpaper before applying the paint as it will adhere much better if sanded. After I painted it I rusted the edges and sanded it again for a more earthy and ancient feel.

Step 3: Gather all of those treasure together, even some you may not use, I thought for sure I was going to use that picture frame locket on the front but I had been really wanting to find the perfect creation for that broken vintage flower broach and this was it! I know alot of you are like me, little collectors of bits and baubles that you just hoard and hold onto until the perfect art piece presents itself! LOVE it when that happens! So I used a decorative corner stamp and some Celtic spirals around the edges. I found a lovely Pre-Raphelite picture that I felt would be a beautiful representation of Airmid.

Step 4: Here is a trick with metal that I love: if you have one of those heat guns, hold it over the metal a little closer than you normally would and watch the paint and metal bring forth a lovely burnt look. PLEASE be careful though-the tin gets very HOT! Dont touch for a few minutes after doing this.

Step 5: As Airmid is a Goddess of Healing I broke out the dried flowers, ferns and mosses and also velvet leaves and flowers. As in the story, I knew I wanted one side to represent her cloak and the 365 herbs that were spread upon it. I used raw blue silk for the cloak and used the glue gun to make ripples in it, I then glued the leaves and flowers around the edges. The opposite side holds her image and was glued down with Modge Podge glue. Be sure and have more than you need next to you, things you may not have thought you would use, suddenly become the perfect treasure for your creation.

Step 6: I finished adding the extra flowers, leaves and treasures to the inside now I start on the front. I used Modge Podge once again and added Ferns and Maidenhair Fern to the front. I then printed the name Airmid and placed it within the rusted name plate. The final touch was the broken vintage flower broach.

Step 7: I then added a touch of glitter to the edges and the name plate. (Have to have some glitter!)

The Final Front, AND....

The Final Inside. Enjoy everyone and thank you so much for allowing me to share another workshop with all of you! Have a beautiful evening!
xoxox
Joanna

Quick Update!

2009-02-21T13:48:00.005-08:00

Hello everyone, I just wanted to say I am sorry for the delay in responding to a few questions I have received through email and also posting some pictures of some of your beautiful work for the workshops! I will be posting everything before the weekend is done! There has been a bunch of things going on some not good but I will share with you soon. I also have the next workshop all complete and ready to post as well and will try and get that up on the blog a few days early for all of you. Wishing you all a beautiful day and weekend and I will post soon and be responding to emails/questions.
Joanna

Notes On the Raven Journal

2009-02-17T17:17:00.003-08:00

I have received a few questions on the Raven Journal below about how I did the tags and also about the signatures. I apologize, I meant to add a few comments about some of those things but I forgot, too busy story telling I guess!
The tags were ordinary white hangtags and I left the string on them. There are four of them that act as the dividers for the four sections of the journal. The four sections are entitled:
*Goals & Affirmations
*Crystals
*Life Fragments
*Magicka
The hangtags were just painted a few different colors to match the book and then an image was printed, cut out and glued on each tag. I then cut out the words for the sections and glued them on as well. Each of the divider tags were then placed in the section of the journal I wanted them and glued only half way on the paper so they would stick out of the journal slightly. I then ran the page through the sewing machine over the tags to keep them securely on. Thats it!
As for the signatures, I created three large ones and they are each sewn in the middle and sewn into the books spine by needle and waxed irish linen thread. (see notes on my Spirit Journeys workshop #1 if interested). Hope that answers the questions. Have a great evening!

My Raven Journal

2009-02-17T13:51:00.010-08:00

Thank you everyone for all your well wishes for my cold/flu I had. I am just fine, it was almost 2 weeks ago and I am sorry if I made it sound like I was sick at the time I wrote my last post! I appreciate it though very much!

As promised, I am sharing with you the remainder of the pictures of the journal I made that is very close to my heart and special to me. At one time I promised I would share the story so here it goes.

A few years ago when we lived in our home in San Diego, we had the most wonderful beautiful backyard that Patrick and I just loved. It had lots of wildlife, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and tons of birds. What we overlooked was a nature preserve and in our backyard was a beautiful very tall Eucalyptus tree. Well, every day, once in the morning and once in the evening like clockwork, 100's of Ravens and Crows would come stop by and visit and sit in that tree. It was perfect because they would be there before I would go to work, and they would be there when I returned home from work. So everyday I would sit out on the patio with them and we would just commune with each other. As most of you that follow my blog now know, I love Ravens and they are one of my Spirit Animals so I have a very special place in my heart and soul for them. Making the decision to move was extremely hard, one I was moving away from this beautiful backyard and home, and two, I was leaving my beloved Ravens as well knowing I was moving to a place that actually did not have any. A few months before we were moving as we had sold the house almost right away, I asked the Ravens silently to myself to please gift me one of their feathers so that I might be able to keep them with me wherever I go. I explained how sad I was that I was moving to Goodyear, an area where there was not a Raven or Crow to speak of. Well the very next morning out on the patio there lay the most beautiful and perfect Raven feather you have ever seen. I was beside myself with tears of gratitude and joy. It makes tears well up in my eyes now just writing about it. I thanked them and left them a shiny trinket at the base of their favorite tree as a gift of my gratitude. Well then.....I am not kidding-the next day there were more Raven feathers, it was like they did a fly by and just dropped them down for me! There were wing feathers, tail feathers, little tiny feathers, I could hardly believe it, I think I completely freaked my husband out at that time, which is rare because he is pretty used to these kinds of things happening since I came into his life! =)

So now for the second part to that story. I told you how there were no Ravens or Crows in Goodyear AZ, Sedona has them, Flagstaff, Prescott, I am not sure of Scottsdale but I have been there and looked to no avail, I am not for sure though. Well, we have lived here now for over 2 years and about a year ago, I saw one flying in our neighborhood area when I was driving home. I just about got into a wreck because I thought I was seeing things! I rolled down my window and kept driving, following him, he was flying towards my house, I thought, no this cant be! He was flying above my car and I was now driving on my street, he flew ahead and I promise to all that is-he landed on the roof of my house and just looked at me, we looked at each other for what seemed like minutes and then he flew off. Since then I have seen him flying about many times, he is like my lone guardian up here and now there are more than just the one. I have seen more of them flying together! My husband is just beside himself-he now knows they are just a part of my life. If you ever get to come visit our house, it is a Raven haven inside, I collect anything Raven or Crow or Celtic in nature! So after that long story, I share with you the journal I created to honor them and I share with you the little piece inside of the journal that is so special to me. The see through material holds one of the first beautiful Raven feather that was left for me inside of it. I love this journal, and the design of it, as you can see, was where I got the look and feel for the Mythcraft Zine. I hope you enjoy the book, I hope you enjoyed the story, and I really hope you all dont think I am crazy! I really am not, they are just a part of my life, one of my favorite parts! Have a beautiful day my friends,
In love and light,
Joanna

Where Has the Time Gone??

2009-02-10T14:36:00.005-08:00

Hello dear friends, I am very sorry for the delay in posting!! I have been a busy girl for the last few weeks, in the middle of that I got a horrible flu bug that just zapped all of my energy! Then I was working on a new project PLUS trying to finish up my new Zine-Mythcraft! I am sorry to say that it is looking more like closer to the end of February when they will be done. I am really liking the way they are coming out though and I just love how when you have an idea in your head and the Universe decides to take you down a completely different path! Hey-I am just along for the ride! I also have a wonderful picture to share with you of another beautiful artists Spirit Journeys workshop #2 creation! I posted the picture and a link to her blog as well below (scroll down to see it). If anyone else has had time to create their project please let me know so that I can give you props! I know we are all very busy, but one of my whole points of starting Spirit Journey Workshops was to give you that permission slip to create and play! I am giving you a quick sneak peak of the project I just finished and will have more pictures with details by the end of this week. Here is a hint: it is a very special journal that is close to my heart! Sending love to all of you,
xoxo,
Joanna

The Mythcraft Zine Volume 1

2009-01-22T17:58:00.006-08:00

I have been working away on the first volume of my Zine - Mythcraft and thought I would share some of the progress. I am starting to be able to set the sections up in a sort of assembly line production. I hope you all really enjoy them-each one of them will be a one of a kind limited edition and I will be making 11 of them. One original I will keep and one will be offered in a Blog giveaway I will be having the first week of February! Every page is hand painted and will have beautiful quotes, affirmations, artwork, and workshops to stir the creative Soul! There are wonderful sewn in pockets, little envelopes, hang tags, handmade papers, just something to delight the eyes and mind as well as have a wonderful textural workbook. The goal is still to have them all completed and posted in my Etsy store by the end of January. (I think I can, I think I can!) The front covers are hand painted around the edges but the central image is a print. I just knew I would have a pile of messed up papers on my floor of all the screwups I would have on getting the stamp images to come out just right! I used my old printer blocks to spell out Mythcraft and then I found this beautiful and amazing old textile stamp design from Nepal, I knew it had to go on the cover! Have a beautiful evening my dear friends!
Joanna

Beautiful Treasures!

2009-01-20T20:15:00.003-08:00

Here is another beautiful treasure box created by Suzanne at the blog Antisocialite
Just beautiful!! Thank you so much for participating!!

I am so excited to share with you the first absolutely stunning Dream Box for this months workshop! This beautiful treasure was created by my beautiful friend Sage Moonstone at Whimsical Witch. I just LOVE it and it is so wonderful to see others works of art! Thank you so much Sage for sharing with everyone! This project will be going on until 23 February, that is when the next workshop will start, so if you create your own Dream Box, please do send me a picture or a link to your blog for me to share it below as well!
Have a beautiful evening everyone!
Joanna

Spirit Journeys Workshop #2

2009-01-18T14:18:00.017-08:00

Being a San Diego native, I have found myself longing for the Ocean as of late so I thought I would base this months workshop off of a Mermaid treasure, Ocean theme! This project will be something light and fun, like a beautiful day at the beach! Nothing to complicated just a little creative lighthearted fun. You could of course use the box to store your special mermaid treasures, I decided to make mine into a Treasure Dream Box. I am going to fill mine with all of the goals and dreams I would like to happen for 2009. You could also fill it with prayers or even a bunch of your favorite quotes and affirmations and than choose one each morning to start your day. I am happy to showcase your beautiful creations when you are done, just send me an email with a link to your project to share with all of us. Enjoy!

THE NEXT SPIRIT JOURNEYS WORKSHOP WILL BE 23 FEBRUARY 2009!

Who would be
A mermaid fair,
Singing alone,
Combing her hair
Under the sea,
In a golden curl
With a comb of pearl,
On a throne?

By Afred Lord Tennyson 1830

Step 1: Gather all of your treasure together, seashells, sea glass, river rocks, gemstones, crystals, driftwood, glitter, whatever you would like to add to decorate your box with. I chose a small wooden rounded top chest that was very inexpensive from the craftstore. You may already have a perfect box at your home right now. For the top of my box I used a product that you can purchase at your local hardware store-it is called Premixed Adhesive Grout and you can get it in pretty small tubs in many colors for under $10.00. You wont need much depending upon how big your box or chest is that you are going to decorate. The color I used was white because it reminded me of the white sandy beaches.

Step 2: Place a gemerous nice thick layer of the grout onto the top of your box, I used my finger actually, you could also use a trowel but I wanted the top to not look smooth and even but rustic and time worn like it was found in a beautiful sea grotto cave. You dont have to stress too much on time, the grout takes a bit to dry. If you are creating a large box though maybe do half the top first and then the other. My box was fairly small so this entire project took me about an hour with some drying time in there as well. You could get really creative and creative beautiful patterns and spiral designs with your seashells and bits & baubles too. *Note: I only decorated the top of my box, if you are planning to decorate all the sides as well, you would do that now.

Step 3: Here is my box top pretty well finished and dusted with a turquoise colored glitter. You will want to do that when the grout is slightly wet.

Step 4: I have a bunch of bronze and rusty decorative pieces that I have picked up over time. The picture above shows some of the options I was thinking about. The little latch that was on the box was bothering me so I removed it and decided to create a more decorative closure. I chose my pieces and set them aside then decided to paint the sides of the box. I chose a sea blue color and I then distressed the edges and paint with a piece of sandpaper and added a little gilded gold rub to the edges as well. You can use crackle paint too for a weathered look or paint it a light color first, let it dry and paint a darker color over it. Once that is dry you can sand off the top layer in some areas to allow the bottom color to show through.

Step 5: Oops, I guess I got a little ahead of myself above! This picture shows you the closure piece I created by just glueing together 3 different pieces of bronze decorative elements. I used the hot glue gun-take it from me, the metal gets hot when you use a HOT glue gun! (Duh Joanna!) Be careful! =)

Step 6: I decided I wanted to extend the grout to the entire lid and place the decorative metal pushed into the grout so it looked like it was meant to be there and not just glued on. This way when the lid is lifted it all looks like it was meant to be this way! Hee Hee! (I meant to do that!)

Step 7: Tah Dah! Here is the final piece all ready to be filled with the goals and dreams for 2009! Have fun everyone!

One More to Share...

2009-01-16T22:54:00.004-08:00

I thought I would share one more collage with you this evening-the beautiful Goddess of Compassion and Mercy - Quan Yin, She is so inspirational to my spiritual path.
In love and light,
Joanna

Happy Friday!

2009-01-16T16:15:00.004-08:00

Hello Sweets, I just thought I would share with you my very first Digital Art Collage! Wise words indeed from Ascended Master Buddha. Have a beautiful Friday!
xoxo
Joanna

The Winter Journal Artisans!

2009-01-13T09:51:00.008-08:00

I have been receiving some wonderful emails with beautiful pictures of these artisans Winter Journals from my first Spirit Journeys workshop! They are so beautiful, magical and unique, I just love to see other people's interpretations and ways they made it their own! Thank you so very much for sharing them with me and participating! I have added the pictures I have received thus far along with links to their blogs below, not only are they extrememly talented artists but they have become dear friends too! If you have completed your journal and would like to share it with me and others, please send me an email and I am happy to add your picture below as well! If you sent me a link and I missed it, please let me know too!!

The next workshop starts this weekend so I hope you all will join me!

Dream With the Fishes Winter Journal:

Woodland Wanderings Winter Journal:

A Magickal Melis Winter Journal (I am so sorry I missed yours Sweets! Its beautiful!)

This beautiful Winter Journal is from a sweet friend of mine, Wanda, she does not have a blog (yet!) but she sent this to me to share! Just beautiful.

Sweet Release!!

2009-01-10T17:09:00.004-08:00

Good evening everyone! The ceremony is now complete and It was wonderful! The presence of my Guides and the Angels was very powerful, I am truly blessed for their support and blessings this evening. I wish all of you a beautiful year without this extra "stuff" we dont need to carry with us. I thought I would share a little of the set up and the beautiful Full Moon at twilight! Much love and light to all of you!
Joanna

Tonight's Ceremony

2009-01-10T12:52:00.004-08:00

Hello everyone, I am so amazed and extremely happy for the emails that have been coming in from ALL OVER to be included in this burning bowl ceremony! Some of you have been as far as Japan, Germany, Russia, London! WOW! I am so happy that so many of you felt comfortable enough to take the time to take that step and release these things that hold you back from being the beautiful person you already are! I am humbled and grateful...thank you!! There is still a few more hours left and I am open to anyone still wanting to participate.
I have everything all prepared, everything is written on small pieces of paper, to top it off, it is an absolutely gorgeous day here in Phoenix and I found it very appropriate that tonight will be one of the largest full moons of the year-A Wolf Moon no less!

Everybody Howl at the Moon Tonight, Howl at anything that keeps you from realizing your dreams and full potential!

Remember...DONT LOOK BACK-MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS MOMENT ON!

With love and healing light, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and wish you peace in your minds and hearts from this day forth!

Joanna

New Creations

2009-01-06T14:41:00.006-08:00

Hello everyone, I thought I would post a little on what I have been up to the last week! I am finally sitting myself down and taking the time out to create some of the ideas I have had written in my little idea book I carry with me wherever I go! As anyone who reads my blog knows - I LOVE trees, love to draw them, paint them, be near them..they are just so amazingly beautiful to me. My second love is Ravens which you all probably knew that one as well! (More on that later!)
Anyways, I truly enjoy creating things that help others along their spiritual path, whatever that may be for each individual. These three creations I made above are things I use in my daily life and wanted to share them with you. I hope you enjoy them!

The Forest Drum is hand painted and comes with a handmade tom tom beater that was created with an apple wood branch (naturally fallen of course). The tom tom is made with a beauiful soft teal leather that I have filled with fresh Lavender, Sage and a lovely clear crystal point.
The Tree Spirit Medicine Pouch is handmade with soft camel colored leather, various Crow Beads, silver jingle cones, Amazonite beads and a lovely silver leaf charm. I have hand painted a lovely tree spirit on the front and added a spiral to the trunk. It is a large pouch measuring 5 x 7 just for the pouch itself and not the fringe. You can carry it or wear it around your neck to carry the forest floor findings you find on your forest walks!
The Fairy Journal is one of my favorite paintings, this journal is entirely handmade from scratch and is also hand painted. She is holding a lovely Amethyst crystal point in her hands and the colors are so beautiful and vibrant in person! It has two signatures inside with lovely parchment paper. Would make a beautiful Crystal Journal or just a journal to hold your dreams and aspirations!

These will be in my Etsy store this week!

Within the next couple of days I will be sharing some glimpses into the making of Volume 1 of my Zine called Mythcraft. It is turning out really well so far and they are going to be really special as each one is just a little different and unique. I am only creating 10 that will be signed and numbered, (I will be keeping number 3) as they take alot of time to complete and put together. Most of the pages are hand painted either with acrylics or watercolors and it will have lots of wonderful quotes, affirmations, beautiful and meaningful projects and much more. It really is turning out to be more like a spiritual journey workbook / Zine I suppose. I hope to have them finished by the end of the month and I really hope they bring some beauty into your life and Spirit. I have another project I am working on that is special to me and I will be sharing more on that soon.
Sending love and light,
Joanna

The Burning Bowl Ceremony 2009

2008-12-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

I always love the end of a year and the start of a new one. It is such a wonderful feeling to me, like a blank canvas, a starting over...a rebirth. I dont make New Years resolutions, but I do perform a different type of New Year ritual. I perform a Burning Bowl Ceremony in January. We all have regrets, fears, things from our past that we hold onto for one reason or another. Is'nt it time to finally let those negative energies go, to make space for Divine Love, healing and acceptance to take their place? If this speaks to your heart and you truly wish to rid yourself of some unwanted baggage than the Burning Bowl Ceremony is a wonderful way to release and let go of the past.

This year I thought it might be nice to invite all of you to participate with me! If you have a bunch of old "JUNK"; fears, habits, stresses, things from the past, even relationships, that you want to finally be released from and get rid of - than simply send me an email with a list to the following address:

earthandskyspirit@yahoo.com

I will write everything on small pieces of paper and burn all of the fears, issues, past relationships; all of it, and release it to the universe by allowing the smoke and embers to rise to the heavens. I will then perform a small Reiki ceremony asking the Angels and my Guides to please fill your Spirits with healing and love and to transform all of the negativity into pure healing white light to disperse where the energies are needed most. There is no cost for you to participate but my ONLY requirement is this:

DO NOT LOOK BACK!

Once these issues have been burned-they are gone, there is no digging them up again in the future. This is your chance to truly free yourself of old fears that may be holding you back from realizing your true purpose here.

Release, Forgive and Move Forward!

The Burning Bowl Ceremony for 2009 will take place on 10 January 2009 at 5:00 in the evening Arizona time. (For those who subscribe to my Reiki Newsletter, I apologize, I gave you the wrong date!) The ceremony is a spiritual and very powerful event. It is performed outdoors with lots of candles, crystals and Sage. You are welcome to participate in your own way in the comfort of your home or backyard as well. I will take pictures that evening of the set up to share with you when it is done.

This is a wonderful way to start off the New Year, with a fresh and renewed sense of Spirit. I look forward to hearing from anyone that wants to participate and starting a wonderful new year!

My Sacred Space

2008-12-27T22:37:00.003-08:00

Good evening dear friends! I hope you all have been having a beautiful holiday! I have been working on my Reiki website tonight, giving it a fresh new look for 2009! When I was working I looked over at my favorite corner of my studio-my sacred space I created just for my Reiki sessions, Attunements, and Meditation, and thought I might share it with you this evening.
The large Crystal Singing Bowl in the corner is where all of your healing requests go. Every morning, healing Reiki energies are sent directly into the bowl and then the bowl is played. If you or a loved one need some healing energies sent your way, I offer free distance healing through my crystal grid every day. Just click here if you would like to sign up.
Maybe think about setting up a special corner of your own place just for you this coming year! Enjoy!
xoxox
Joanna

Little Faerie Tales Creative Workshop #1

2008-12-21T17:11:00.000-08:00

A Winter's Rebirth

Happy Winter Solstice and Welcome everyone to my first Spirit Journeys creative workshop! Everyone and anyone is welcome to participate! As I said before, it will not cost you one cent, just the time and effort you desire to put into it. For my first workshop we will be creating a Winter themed journal that you will be able to record your dreams and aspirations in for the coming new year. Come Spring time, I will have a Spring themed creative journal project so that if you participate all year, you will have four journals inspired by the four seasons.

I will provide you a story, some words, quotes, some images for you to use and alter in your project if you wish, as well as some bits and pieces of some of my poetry. This is just to set a tone or mood and help inspire your creativity. This is your creative journal, you will not be graded, you wont have to show and tell at the front of the class-just have fun and let your heart and mind open to WINTER. A time of deep inner reflection, for turning to thoughts of your own purpose and dreams.

Picture yourself in a dark forest. The full moon overhead, you hear the wise Raven call out to the night above. The night sky twinkles above you, a reminder of how fragile we really are. You see an amber glow up ahead through the trees and walk towards it. You start to feel the warmth and heat from its fiery presence. A voice of a woman asks you to please sit by the fire, warm your soul and have a cup of herbal tea. She is kind and holds the wisdom of the ages within her eyes. She asks why you have come to this part of the woods-the realm in between, betwixt and between this world and that. You smile while softly blowing your hot tea, and look up to find she is gone.

A soft whisper hangs on the winds embrace:
"All of the answers, all of which you seek, lies already within thy own heart."

You sit next to the fire until all that is left is the soft glow of the smoldering embers, watching the sky turn from dark blue, to purple, to shades of twilight pink and blue. Something inside you awakens and stirs, a dream, a desire, a treasure waiting to be discovered. You hold the key, it is up to you to decide what to do next on your journey...

Just a little story I wrote to help you think of what you truly hold close deep inside of you. Do not be afraid to journey inward, we all fear what might be there. But if we never take that step, we may never know the beauty that truly lies within each of us.

EXPLORE
CREATE
EXCAVATE
HEAL

A Winters Rebirth released the frost of the moonlit night-
Enchanted
Joanna Mullane

And in the moons pale light
A soft glow is cast on all things
Like candlelight
Everything becomes beautiful and mysterious
Joanna Mullane

Everyone has certain things that remind them of winter. For me it is dark trees in a dark forest, the moon and Ravens or crows. For you it will most likely be something completely different and special to only you. For this journal, I want you to create it around your favorite things of winter, whatever or whomever it is. Below are the steps I took to create my Winter journal so you may create one similiar or create an entirely different one. Have fun with this and take as much time as you want. Here are some pictures that you may use if you wish in your creation. Some are from our trips to Ireland and my dear sweet friend Rachel was nice enough to send me some gorgeous pictures she took of snow covered trees where she lives as I dont think I will be getting snow anytime soon here in Phoenix Arizona! Thank you Rachel!

If you would like to show me your journal, the cut off date to put a picture of it on my blog is the 11th of January 2009. That will give you about 3 weeks to play and create. On that date, if you drop me a blog note I would love to post your picture here on my blog with a link back to you.

**THE NEXT WORKSHOP WILL START 18 JANUARY 2009!**

Step One: For my book, I chose to take apart a very old book that was from the late 1800s. Feel free to use any journal though, even one that is store bought. You can certainly glue various papers and materials to the existing journal! Gather together various papers such as handmade variations, pages from old books, fabric, tissue, and lace. Be creative and find lots of texture.
Step 2: Take your front and back cover of your old book and cut away the spine area. You will need Gesso, your winter colors or just ones that are your favorite, and a few brushes.
Step 3: paint on a decent amount of gesso, I let some of the old book show through as the book was in really bad shape (which I love anyways). I also poured a small amount of my paint colors next to me as I am working on a large piece of craft paper so clean up is a cinch! (get messy, draw a smiley face on the paper with your finger!) Allow to mostly dry.
Step 4: After your gesso is mostly dry, just slap on the paint. There is no right or wrong way to do this, just mix the colors, heck, you dont even have to use a brush, finger paint if you want to. I did not want mine to look perfect-perfectly imperfect was what I was trying to achieve!
Step 5: Now for some fun-I took sand paper and scraped and buffed until the old book cover was showing through in some places and even some of the white gesso. After I had the look I wanted, I added copper tape to the edges of the covers. Once again, this is your book so create it however you wish. These are suggestions and the steps I took to finish mine.
Step 6: Now you need to create a new spine for your journal. This can be a nice thick fabric, or damask, or book binding even. I chose this great light blue leather I found on sale a while back. It is buttery soft and needed a bit of aging! Way too perfect! I burnt the edges of the leather and used the flames smoke to add a film of soot. Then I used some copper rub and added that over the soot for an even deeper dark look. You could use walnut stain as well which I use later.
Step 7: Based upon the size of your book covers, you will need to fold over your cut papers and fabrics to create a signature. I ran mine through the sewing machine using a simple zig zag stitch straight down the middle. Please Note that depending upon how strong your sewing machine and needle are, you may need to use less paper or remove some that may be too thick.
Step 8: At this time you will need to break out some glue. I used Soft Gel Matte to glue down the seams of my leather spine. Be sure you measure how thick your signature(s) are before gluing your spine down as you dont want too much spine, or worse, not enough! You can use an awl or a Japanese screw punch to make 2 to 3 holes along the spine and through your signature. I used Irish waxed linen and a large needle to just hand stitch the signature into my book spin. You could add beads or ribbons along the spine if desired as well.
Step 9: I wanted my book to have a wrap so I did a very simple solution of just cutting a small strip of leather, gathering a decent amount of fibers and measuring them around the book as I wanted them to go around 3 times. I simply laid the fibers on the back of the book and glued the leather strip over them. I then aged the leather as I did the front before. Instant book wrap!
Step 10: Now for the real fun part, the decorating of the front cover! I chose to stay with my winter theme of the branches and the Raven. The raven image is transparent on a piece of Mica and the twigs are made of silver. When the book is wrapped closed, the fibers hook onto the tree branch to hold it shut. Here are the rest of the finished pictures.

I hope you enjoyed my first workshop! Wishing you a wonderful creative time with this project and wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday season!
Joanna

And The Winner Is...

2008-12-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

Drum Roll Please......

"Nelly" of Bella Nella's

Congratulations Nelly!!! And thank you so very much to all of you that participated in my first blog giveaway!! I will have many more in the upcoming future (think New years! hehehe).
Wishing you all a beautiful and wonderful holiday and I hope to see you all back here on Sunday to check out the free workshop I will be offering.
Nelly, please send me an email with your address so that I can get your goodies out to you right away!

One More Day...

2008-12-18T11:18:00.001-08:00

Until I draw the lucky winner of my blog giveaway! If you have not yet entered the give away just post a comment below before tomorrow afternoon! Easy as that!

I had a really fun evening last night creating some fun creative collage packs (above) and little supply packs for my Etsy store here. I hope they might inspire the beautiful artist in you!

One last reminder:
Please dont forget about the workshop here that will start this Sunday!
You will have three weeks to complete it, but only if you want to post your creation on your blog so others can see what you made. You are welcome to just create the project and not show your work-nothing about this is to add any additional stress to your life, it is just a fun, creative outlet for all of you to enjoy! Have a beautiful creative day my sweet friends.

Time for the Blog Giveaway!

2008-12-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

It is finally time! Here are the pictures of the stash of goodies I am giving away for my very first Little Faerie Tales blog giveaway! There are some wonderful mixed media and altered art supplies that I just know you will love! Everything is new, except of course for the vintage book pages I am including. The collage pack is all beautifuly packaged up ready for you to create and play with plus it has a few surprises tucked away in it too that I did not show you in the pictures...hehehe!
All you have to do is just post a comment to this post and your name will be entered, I will draw the winners name a week from today, 19 December! These little treasures would be wonderful to use for the workshop I will be having on 21 December too! I am so excited! Please find the detailed list of the goodies below! Good Luck everyone and enjoy!
xoxo
Joanna

Ancient Page Dye Inkpad in Sandalwood
A wonderful Large Pewter Heart
Color Box Pigment Pad in Robins Egg
Shiva Artists Paints 3 color sampler with "Medium Pink, Dioxazine Purple, and Teal Blue
A 5x8 Moleskine Journal with lined paper
New from Ranger-Stickles glitter in Crystal & Baby Blue
Gorgeous handmade woven paper in Soft Turquoise
A beautiful bundle of wool roving in a twilight blue shade
My own handmade aromatherapy votive "Studio Candles" in Spirit & Light scent
Some of my favorite Numi tea in Velvet Garden White Rose
Plus
A few added surprises!

Spirit Journeys Workshops

2008-12-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

I have had this idea floating around in my head for such a long time now, lots of scraps of paper, sticky notes, and the backs of receipts that I can no longer find, hold little pieces of me. I was finally able to collect it all and compile it into one treasure that I hope you will want to participate in with me.

Starting on the Winter Solstice this month, 21 December, I will be offering a free creative workshop I call "Spirit Journeys". This will be a monthly occurance and something, I hope, that you will look forward to! Some months it may be creative journaling or a mixed media project, other times it may be a collage or a more involved project. Whatever it is, my purpose of offering these workshops is to not only just be creative together and share with one another, but also to allow you to journey inwards, to realize the beauty that is already inside of you, to allow you to dream, be inspired, to play! There is no pressure to participate, I realize we all have alot on our plates especially at this time of year. If I only have one person participate I will be happy, everyone and anyone is welcome to be a part of Spirit Journeys.

The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. It is a time of deep reflection and turning inwards, letting go of the old and reflecting on what is the most important part of your journey. As you can probably tell, these themes will be based on our first project together so you can reflect on those words until then. I will provide you a basic guideline of instructions, usually an image from my personal collection that you can use in the workshop how you wish, quotes, themes, etc. I will also at that time show you my sample for the workshop and give you a timeline to complete it, usually it will be 2 to 3 weeks. The last week before I present the next workshop, I would love for anyone who particpated, to post their work on their blogs so that myself and others can see your Spirit Journey creation!

Just to make it clear, this will not cost you anything, only your time and the effort you desire to put into it. We all have enough to pay for and worry about with this economy the way it is right now. Over time, I will be offering my own Zine called "Mythcraft" that will have beautiful images, quotes, inspirations and more, to help get your creativity flowing while at the same time letting you journey deeper into the heart and myth of your own Spirit. Those will be very limited in my Etsy shop, but again, the Zine is just a side idea that came out of all of these ideas and not something you have to purchae by any means!

Starting this Friday I will be offering my first blog giveaway (on this blog) and will have a picture of all of the goodies I am offering that day as well. Also on the sidebar of this blog, I have a little "Spirit Journeys" blog banner that you are welcome to put on your blog if you wish to show your support for my workshops. Wow, this was a much longer post than I realized, I hope to see many of your beautiful and amazing talents and creations starting in a few weeks and dont forget to enter the blog giveaway this Friday!

In Love and Light,
Joanna

Gifts For Spirit

2008-10-20T10:14:00.001-07:00

Good morning everyone and Happy Monday! I hope you all had a beautiful weekend! I have been working alot on getting my Reiki site up to date this weekend and I started to add small handmade gifts and gemstones to the site as well. It was just not working mainly because of the Paypal setup I have with that site. 95% of the items I sell on my Reiki site I dont charge shipping for so I just could not get it to work correctly to have the few items I was going to sell on there charge a shipping cost. So I just opened up a new little Etsy Boutique for just those handmade items. I will also be offering Gift Certificates there to use between my website and Etsy Boutique. Please stop by and let me know what you think: Earth & Sky Boutique. I only have a couple items up so far but plan to offer some of my Healing Mandalas and some of my other artwork as well in the near future.

I painted the one above over the weekend, it is called "Inner Harmony"
Enjoy and have a beautiful day!
xoxo,
Joanna

Sweet, Sweet Organization!

2008-10-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

I have a sort of love - hate relationship with my closet! I am sure I am not alone on this one! Over the past 6 months I have probably tried to organize my craft supplies at least 5 times, with plastic bins, baskets, canisters-you name it! I FINALLY just invested in these wonderful stacking cubes and I finally...LOVE IT! Finally there is peace restored! I have a pretty small studio so I really need to have things as organized as possible and easy to put away because boy do I make a mess when I create! It is an art in itself really!
I also painted this cute little old spice rack and use it to just keep my glitter bottles in! It is so cute in person!

All that organization made me want to pour a glass of wine, light some candles, and pull out the paints tonight...or maybe the pastels...oh yeah-pastels! Hope you are all having a beautiful weekend thus far!
xoxo,
Joanna

Something to Crow About...

2008-10-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

When I started this new blog, my vision was to have it be the more personal side of who I am because I feel like, as much as I love my other blog, An Altered Fairy Tale, it is just my creations, and I dont really say much about my day to day stuff or my life. I get emails every once in a while asking about ME-things like "I love your work, but I would love to know more about you too"! Or friends that know me ask me why I am so reserved on my blog when in actuality I am a spaz and a little girl stuck in a 35 year old body! I embrace my inner Nerd! =)

So anyways, I am trying to make this blog more personal-I am happy if you read it and get a laugh or two-maybe even a tear or two, as life always has it's moments, but most of all, it is just - me - the one who loves to sing in the car only when alone, who still watches Saturday morning cartoons-okay I watch cartoons WAY more than I should, who married her Prince Charming, who can be really stubborn but is still trying to work on that, could spend all day watching Kung Fu movies (I am a huge Jackie Chan Fan!!), who was in the Air Force for four years, who believes her main purpose here is to help others in any way she can, who is on an amazing Spiritual journey that I hope never ends, who has an absolute love for Ravens and Crows , and speaking of Crows...

Tomorrow will be exactly 1 month until my birthday and I am so excited because we will be in Ireland at that time! I saw a commercial today talking about some new beauty cream that is supposed to get rid of Crows Feet. I have them, quite a few actually- I laughed to myself thinking how I really dont mind them-I smile and laugh ALOT-I have those Irish Eyes Are Smiling thing going on!

You know what....I like crows feet, because I like crows!

And on those words, I bid you all a good night!
xoxo
Joanna

Etsy Additions

2008-10-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I hope you are all stopping by my other blog and entering my blog giveaway! Who does not like free stuff! Happy Monday everyone!
xox
Joanna

My New Blog!

2008-09-29T18:46:00.001-07:00

I know, I know what your thinking...she barely updates her other blog! =) I am REALLY going to try and be better about that I promise! This blog is for my paintings, collages and sewing creations-yes, I said it-sewing! Ahhhhh...I am still learning, he he!
I have been painting for a few years now-no classes, no formal training, just me and my imagination which does prove to be difficult at times because my mind has something fantastic dreamed up, and then just mush gets splattered all over a perfectly good canvas!
I will be adding a bunch of new goodies and creations to my Etsy store this week as well so please stop by and say hi to me...please, no really...please! =)
Have a wonderful evening!
Joanna
xoxo