art

Oracle cards: Creating a sacred spiral

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Inspired by a picture of oracle cards arranged in the shape of a spiral, I decided to try it with my cards. I thought it was appropriate, considering I call them Sacred Spiral Oracle cards.

Spiral of oracle cards

Since my cards are 4×6″, it took up a decent amount of space to include all 41. There was some meaning to how I laid out the cards: It tells a story that begins with confusion and resistance, leading to self-exploration and journeying, and ending in feeling powerful and at home.

Card Spiral from the side

I have to say: The drums and the rainstick that live in that corner of the living room look pretty good with the cards.

Sacred Spiral Oracle: Finding meaning in the cards

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img_0385-1
When I’ve introduced my cards to people, and they pull a card, a common question is: “What does this card mean?”
 
I refer to the book that comes with my oracle cards as a “book of insights.” I have created guiding questions and an overall description of the potential meaning of each card. Ultimately, the question I often want to ask: “What does this card mean to you? How does it apply to your life? How do you relate to the theme of the card? How are you aware of this theme in your life?” 
 
In other words, I do not view these cards as having just one fixed meaning. I don’t see them as having reversed meanings, either – where the cards while mean something different if pulled facing upside down. 
 
I see these cards as intuitive tools, and my hope is that they help people strengthen and trust their intuition. I hope they help guide people.
 
When I pull my oracle cards, I see it as similar to a conversation. “Okay, so what are you telling me?” Sometimes my response when I pull a card is like, “Yeah, yeah, I know. Thanks for the reminder.” 
Sometimes people like to do oracle spreads – laying out multiple oracle cards to give a more detailed reading of a specific situation. A simple one is a past, present, future spread, which uses three cards to reflect where you have been, where you are, and where you may be going. Here are more ideas for spreads that another intuitive card reader has gathered: http://lightnloveguidance.weebly.com/tarotoracle-spreads.html
 
More ideas on how to use the Sacred Spiral Oracle Cards: 
  • Use as part of your daily spiritual practice
  • Choosing a theme for the year on New Year’s or a birthday
  • Use the questions as journal prompts
  • Use as guidance for a specific decision or situation
 
How do you like to use oracle cards or other divination tools? How do you respond to a card’s meaning, whether it is based on your own intuitive interpretation or a written description? 

 

Summer Solstice Debut: Sacred Spiral Oracle Cards

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At long last: I’m mere weeks away from releasing my first printing of my oracle card deck, Sacred Spiral Oracle. I even created a section for it here on my website. And today, which is the Summer Solstice, I created my listing for pre-orders on Etsy!

Seasons Cards
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This deck has truly been a labor of love and healing. I created the original handmade cards in tribute to two years I devoted to a holistic healing program. I continued to work on them  sporadically for the next three years to bring them to their current form through times of depression, struggle, healing, and recovery.

Summer is a time of great heat and energy. For me, it seems like everything happens at a faster pace, and yet the heat also can feel heavy and draining. It’s also a great time to bring projects into fruition.

Pre-order your copy of Sacred Spiral Oracle Cards today!

Artist Trading Card Exchange

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In March, I participated in an Artist Trading Cards Exchange through Albuquerque’s Women & Creativity Month.

They sent me 10 small blank cards, which I turned into these:

artisttradingcards

(the picture is a little cut off at the bottom, but hopefully you get the idea)

I then sent these off, and they mixed them up with other people’s cards and sent them off to other people.

In April, I received this in the mail:

cardenvelope2

Which opened up like an accordion:

cardenvelope

I took out the individual cards…

other artist trading cards

…and got this lovely assortment of cards from 10 different artists!

I really enjoyed participating in this exchange, and hope to do it again next year. It was a great way to inspire and share my own creativity, and see what others created, too.

An overdue update

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I apologize – I’ve been neglecting my website and business blog. Here’s some of what I’ve been doing:

Finishing my oracle cards! I just submitted an order to print the first sets of cards, which I should get in the next two weeks or so. My current plan is to start with a small number, and if there’s enough interest, I’ll get more printed. I also ordered a proof of my oracle card book. I’m planning on beginning to sell them this summer, so stay tuned!

Screen Shot 2016-05-25 at 3.18.37 PM

 

I’m still making some jewelry.  These are from a new collection I’m working on. I’m experimenting with playing with wire in an organic, free-form way and creating unique pieces that stand out.

new collection pieces

 

In April, I participated in Susannah Conway’s April Love month, and did quite a bit of art and writing based on those prompts. Here is one.

imagination

I also learned how to make ear cuffs!

ear cuff

 

I’ll post more updates soon! I’ll definitely send out a newsletter once my cards are ready, so if you aren’t already subscribed, sign up here.

Ending and beginning, retrospective and hopes

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As a new year begins, I like to look back on what I’ve accomplished over the past year.

In 2015, I:

  • Officially registered my business, Seeking Spirit Designs.
  • Created my website.
  • Opened my Etsy shop.
  • Participated in 6 craft fairs.
  • Established myself on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Got a new art desk, which should give me a good surface to work on and a place to store my supplies.
  • Promoted and sold my work, both online and in person!

I don’t really do resolutions, but I do have hopes for the new year.

In 2016,  I hope to:

  • Develop a stronger presence on Etsy and social media
  • Learn more business strategies
  • Continue to develop my creative skills
  • Sell my work at several craft fairs and apply to at least one juried show
  • Finish my oracle cards
  • Structure my time:  Make dates with myself to specifically work on both the creative and logistical sides of my art business

Turning towards the holidays: updates!

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Etsy update
A few of the items I’ve added to my Etsy shop!

Major Etsy update:  I now have 45 items in my shop. Check out my Shop Updates for a coupon code for free shipping for the holidays!

I sent out my first e-newsletter!  If you’d like to be on my mailing list, sign up here.

More of the items included in my Etsy update:

 

As for myself, I’m excited to see my love over this coming Thanksgiving weekend.  I’ve managed to do a majority of my holiday shopping already, so I’m looking forward to cozying in…and hopefully selling a few things online!

October recap

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Wow, it’s the last day of October!  Happy Halloween!

This month, I:

  • Sold two items on Etsy – from people I don’t know in person!
  • Went to a gem and mineral show and bought quite a few pretty stones.

    Two pieces of Ametrine from the gem show!
    Two pieces of Ametrine from the gem show!
  • Did one craft fair.
  • Started working on editing my oracle cards again.

    Screenshot: working on a card in Photoshop
    Screenshot: working on a card in Photoshop
  • Sent off my first holiday order.
  • Made a pair of earrings and a pendant for a friend for her birthday

    Earrings: bronze plated wire with lapis lazuil and aquamarine
    Earrings: bronze plated wire with lapis lazuil and aquamarine
  • Constructed a feather barrette and mask for my Halloween costumeBird costume!
  • Did my first art abandonment and  three pairs of Halloween barrettes in different places for people to randomly find.

    Halloween barrettes
    Halloween barrettes
  • Made a few other jewelry pieces, such as these:
    Chrysocolla and brass pendant
    Chrysocolla and brass pendant

    Quartz and silver pendant
    Quartz and silver pendant

I finally got a new mixed media sketchbook and have started playing in it already.

Treee!

 

I’ve had some days lately where I’ve wondered if I’m doing enough.  After writing all this out, I realize that I’ve done a lot this month  – and that I deserve the moments in between where I can rest, play, and dream.