Things I Love: Jewelry, Dark Caves, and Recycled Clothing

Lately I've felt like I've been stuck in a cave. It's dark and lonely and there's that constant dripdripdrip that drives you crazy. Nothing good about being in a cave right? Well, I think sometimes we need that dark space, the quiet, calming, soothing oblivion. A sacred space to sit with ourselves, with our darkness, and learn to accept it.

One of the things that I am really loving this week, and what brought this to the forefront of my thoughts, is a Pagan Podcast called the Unnamed Path, specifically the episode titled Dark Night Of the Soul (Go listen to it right now!) I was listening to it at work and it hit so many chords with me. When you start to travel down the right path you feel resistance. Suddenly you are questioning everything that you knew before. You have to take a new look at your beliefs and your truths. That resistance is a challenge, asking you to take a look into your core, into what you believe and where you are going. It is something that you should welcome because it means you are moving forward. Hyperion uses the metaphor of a lobster growing by shedding its exoskeleton and before it grows a new one it is vulnerable and squishy. I was like "Yes! This is how I've been feeling. I am vulnerable and squishy!" My new ideals, thoughts, processes, haven't fully hardened. There's still pieces of "old me" that I haven't yet shaken off.

Selina Fenech - I love fantasy art and this woman is so talented and amazing. I adore her stuff. My favorites are "Bubbles", "Earth, Life, and Magic", "Aphrodite's Passion" and "Follow Me".  Definitely worth looking at and getting lost in faeries, Goddesses, and mermaids.

Katwise's Etsy Shop - If I had limitless income I would hire this woman to make all of my clothes and I would be the best, most colorfully, dressed person I know. She takes old sweaters and makes patchwork coats and other things and they are absolutely gorgeous! You can "like" her on facebook to stay updated on when she adds new things to her shop.

Speaking of fashion, I'd need jewelry to go with my awesome patchwork coats and I'd choose Creations by Moonlight. Allurynn creates such beautiful jewelry and I find myself wanting to buy everything. I recently bought three stackable rings and they are gorgeous. They are made of her leftover metal but each one is beautifully crafted. I adore them.

Today's music that I love love love, is brought to you by Amanda freakin' Palmer. The song In My Mind is one of my favorites and you can also download it for free on her website which makes it even better! It's all about the imperfections of trying to be who you want to be.

So those are the things I love right now (including you of course!) It's Monday so I am wishing you a wonderfully magical week!