21st Birthday Blog

My birthday just passed and I am now…dun dun dun…21!!!!

My Mom took my sisters, Darrian and my self to Seaworld (yay for monthly payment plans for passes!). That was interesting. Teehee. It was too hot and crowded to get much done but I enjoyed it nevertheless. On the way home we got fish and chips (we were all craving clam strips at Seaworld for some reason….ha!). Then I came home to a Toadstool-riffically decorated house with poster paper Hedgehogs decorating the walls. The family even made me an Amanita Muscaria birthday cake. They love me. :]

From the family I got:

A composter (finally finally finally!!! Wooo!!!!!!)

A 50 dollar Amazon gift card

A “giant” Matryoshka doll thanks to Alex. :]

A antique book on Henry VIII

A old book on real down dirty composting

A book on Matryoshkas (it’s bitchin!)

Wooden shoes from an antique (or thrift?) store

Some pretty cloths

A pretty brass candle holder that matches my room

A peacock feather (teehee)

A Corn Husk dolly making kit (looovvveeee it)

A dress from Thailand

A book on Norwegian-ness stuffs

A English clock with bundles of herbs as the numbers

And that’s it I think! Phew!

Oma gave me a set of abalone and silver hand hammered/made salt and pepper shakers with matching dish

A giant tomato pincushion of doom

A book on Berlin Art and Architecture

CHOCOLATE (nom nom nom)

A cool East Asian pendant

A quartz pebble

And some other things that I have to go hunting for (she always sends HUGE packages filled with random stuff for each of us to pick through)

Matt kindly came over and celebrated my 21^st birthday with me in a somewhat traditional manner yesterday. Captain Morgan made me feel like I was going to grow hair on my chest then and there. Teehee. But later (meaning today) it all made me think about how I need to STOP being so stiff all the time and possibly become a more social person who is not constantly afraid of looking “stupid.” Damn me sometimes! Overall it was nice. Though...I totally suck at being a hostess AND Paige TOTALLY deserved to be tied to a tree an left there the entire time. :] BUT Matt DID get to see The Labyrinth (though I talked the whole time)! One cannot truly have lived without seeing that movie in my opinion.

Anywhoo…THEN finally the fabulous Christine (past life sisters!) came over just now and gave me a crap ton of awesome books from B&N! She got me little gnomes as well! She said it was TOO easy to shop for me. Haha. Big surprise there. teehee. Love ya Christine!

She got me:

A VERY cool journal with herbs, etc on the cover (soooo nice! Me lurves eet!)

The ..Forest.. House by Marion Zimmer Bradley

The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson (I’ve been meaning to buy this too!)

Some cool bookmarks (cause I have lots mine over the years and end up using whatever I grab off the floor)

AND two little funky gnomes that I LOVE! GNOMES GNOMES GNOMES!!!!

I have to say…this has been one of the better birthdays. :] And I didn’t look too kindly on turning 21 before it all happened! Pfft! Yay!

I was a featured artist on handmadenews.org!

Guess what?

I was a featured artist on handmadenews.org!

So exciting! I feel so utterly honored! Take a peek at:

The Well and Spindle-featured artist!

Thank you for all your support everyone! I am going to making fun and magical things while on vacation at my Opa's house in Lake Tahoe but I am sure I will come home chock FULL of ideas and inspiration!

Thanks! Danke!
-Karina
www.TheWellAndSpindle.com

ah ah ah!

My friend sent this to me. I didn't think it was going to be all that great but I actually "Lol'd" every time the count would "ah ah ah!" haha...just watch it. He sparkles at the end. The effects are fantastic. ;]

Pagan police allowed Hallowe'en off...

This must be nice...I have to ask 19 days in advance for a day off and it is not always certain...even when I state it is a religious/spiritual holiday!

Pagan police allowed to take Hallowe'en and summer solstice off work
Pagan police officers in Britain have been given the right to take eight days off work a year to celebrate "religious holidays" including Hallowe'en and the summer solstice.

It follows the setting up of a Pagan Police Association to represent officers who worship nature and believe in many gods.

Pc Andy Pardy, a leading Pagan officer from Hertfordshire Police, met with Home Office officials this week to push for more recognition for pagan officers.

The neighbourhood beat manager, who has been an officer for the past seven years, is a heathen which means he worships Norse gods, including the hammer-wielding Thor, the one-eyed Odin and Freyr, the god of fertility.

Pc Pardy told Police Review magazine: "Paganism is not the new age, tree hugging fad that some people think it is. It is not the clandestine, horrible, evil thing that people think it is. A lot of people think it is about dancing naked around a fire but the rituals are not like that.

"It involves chanting, music, meditation, reading passages and for pagans the practices are seen to have the same power as prayer does for Christians. Most pagans practice some kind of conservation work as well to give something back to the planet."

Hertfordshire Police allows Pc Pardy the eight pagan holidays off each year, including Hallowe'en, which signifies the Pagan new year, and the summer solstice in June.
The days are deducted from his annual leave but because of his religion the days off are set in stone.

Superintendent Simon Hawkins, of Hertfordshire Police, said: "While balancing operational needs, the force's religion and beliefs policy gives all staff the choice of re-allocating the traditional Christian bank-holiday festivals to suit their personal faith.

"This has been very well received from a number of faith groups, including Muslim and Jewish."

A spokesman for the Home Office confirmed the meeting with Pc Pardy.
He added: "The Government wants a police service that reflects the diverse communities it serves.

"It is down to individual forces to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the religion or beliefs of individual officers, as far as operational requirements permit."

There were 30,500 pagans in England and Wales in 2001, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Last year the Home Office introduced the pagan oath for use in the courts.
It is not known how many Pagan police officers and staff there are in the UK.

Another officer, Pc Andy Hill of Staffordshire Police, is a practising Wiccan, a pagan witch. He has founded Pagan Police Group UK, a website for pagan police officers and their families.

He said: "Wiccan has always been a bit of a taboo religion, there are lots of misconceptions around it. This is nothing to do with black magic or devil worshipping. It is working with nature for good."

A fine VINTAGE....

NEW to “The Well and Spindle” is some wonderful VINTAGE finds!


From now on I will be offering some fun vintage items that I have come across and am willing to share! ;]



Here are some items already available! Keep a look out as I slowly put up a little more at a time!























Thanks for taking a peek!

Blessings,

Karina

www.TheWellAndSpindle.com

Etsy Buy Handmade TheWellAndSpindle

Chant-a-riffic

I was laying in bed with Alex wishing she would fall asleep faster so I could finish wrapping an order when I start humming to myself. Needing something to pass the time with a 6 year old who refuses to go to sleep (I think she likes staring at everything covered in shadow at night like I do :] ) I try to think of a soft song I might know to sing to myself. When I can’t think of anything I start making up a song which builds up and then breaks down into “chanting.”

The chant was serving a purpose. Nothing special of course, just something for myself.

I love how occasionally the chanting makes my whole body (or at least some of it; hands/chest/etc) feel like it is vibrating and buzzing.

Oh the joys of random chanting.

But now, trying to calm down for the night I can’t remember what I was chanting. Which kind of sucks in a way. I wonder if that happens a lot with people or if I am just a “special” case of imbecile. ;]

I blame self inflicted sleep deprivation!

Random acts of creepiness...

The other day my Mom wanted to stop to get an iced coffee before we both had to start work (I got a green tea…mmm…). We are standing in line and looking through the large glass window that divides Barnes and Noble from Starbucks and what do we see?

DUN DUN DUN!

RANDOM ACTS OF CREEPINESS.

Ahem.

On the other side of the glass is a VERY old man sitting at a small table flipping through a book full of “artistically” NUDE pictures. Yes, NUDIE pictures.

Mom starts laughing, I try not to giggle, both of us are blushing and can’t stop looking at the old guy TRYING to get off on anything at his age. Poor old guy. The two guys in front of us of course make it worse by turning around and making more comments on the DURRTTAAAYYY old dude.

The best part? The old guy couldn’t give a damn if anyone was watching. I kept thinking in my head: “I can do whatever I please youngin! I’M OLD!” Because being old lets you do whatever you damn please right? Yep, totally.


Ahhh….later that night when I went to the break room to read I see the creepy old man walking around my work. Little does he suspect that I know his “dirty” little secret. Muahaha…

The witch job that earns £50,000

Someone posted this in a yahoo group I am on. Nearly pissed myself. So awesome! I don't think I am warty enough to apply for the post... :[ teehee



The witch job that earns £50,000

Wookey Hole is currently witchless

A Job Centre is advertising a "witch" vacancy with tourist site Wookey Hole, in Somerset, for £50,000 a year.

The witch, who has to live in the site's caves, is expected to teach witchcraft and magic.

Wookey Hole staff say the role is straightforward: live in the cave, be a witch and do the things witches do.

The advert for the post, placed in the local press as well as job centres, says applicants must be able to cackle and cannot be allergic to cats.

The job has come up after the previous witch retired from the role.

"We are witchless as the moment so need to get the role filled as soon as possible," said Daniel Medley from the tourist destination.

'Key career move'

"Wookey Hole wants the appointee to go about her everyday business as a hag, so that people passing through the caves can get a sense of what the place was like in the Dark Ages.

"This was when an old woman lived in the caves with some goats and a dog, causing a variety of social ills, including crop failures and disease."

The £50,000-a-year salary is pro rata, and based on work done as needed, largely in the summer holidays, but also at Halloween and at Christmas.

"Wookey Hole is advertising nationally and hopes to attract a strong field of candidates with the £50,000 serving as a major incentive," said the site.

It said ambitious witches looking for a "key career move" should arrive dressed for work armed with any "essential witch accoutrements".

Due to sexual discrimination law, the job cannot demand that the post is filled by a woman.

Interviews, which will involve on-site assessment incorporating a range of standard tasks, will take place on 28 July at 1100, stipulates the advert.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8138665.stm

Grimm Visions

I was looking through my friends list for "The Well and Spindle" myspace when I saw the page for "Grimm Visions." I have looked at it a little but never checked out the site or anything. I totally should have and finally did today! Their work is so funky and cool. I love it! I realize it is probably just photoshopped work...but IIII can't do that sort of work so UBER KUDOS to them! One of the pictures I wanted to share was this:



I love it! Go to www.GrimmVisions.com to see more stuff. They actually have some pretty bitchin stuff.

...Just wanted to share.... :]

Clearing some things up for those interested in my products...

Hello Everyone!

Today I feel like I should clear up a few of my views on things and clear some “stuff” up for those purchasing my products. :]

I realize most people like things that smell “nice.” Don’t get me wrong, I love when things smell super good too! BUT with my products it is not about how good they smell. It is about choosing the right herbs, the right amounts of each herbs, the “feel” of things, the energy, etc. Sure, I use essential oils in many of my products to (yes) boost the smell and energy, but many of my products I leave devoid of anything but pure natural dried herbs.

Why pack as much magical “stuff” into one bottle as one can when many herbs serve the purpose of the mixture by themselves? Most of the time when I see the herbal mixtures people brew up I get lost in the smell reeking out of it instead of the various herbs that went into it. There is nothing wrong with the various smells (or lack thereof) the herbs themselves without having other scents poured over them! I just prefer subtle smells anyway I guess. Just so it does not “take away” from whatever work I am doing by being overpowering and distracting.

I DO however like to use the essential oils in my Ritual/Herbal oils. They don’t always contain added essential oils so READ the description before you buy! I don’t want any disappointed customers who were expecting a burst of Lavender or Patchouli scent in their face when they crack open one of my bottles!

I have also seen incenses and other “brews” COLORED for some reason. BLUE herbal incense? How did this happen?

Sure, one could have used blue petals from a certain plant…but NEON BLUE? Unnatural for a dried herbal mixture! Some of my products look pretty similar. Want to know why? Because many herbs are THE SAME COLOR! Green! And even when I mix in some Rose, Lavender, Jasmine or another flowers it still only somewhat changes the color when I grind them down into a Spell Powder. Unless of course it is the predominant herb being used. :]

Hope that doesn’t sound like I am agitated or being harsh or anything! I just have seen what other people have created and I know what many people expect. I have been disappointed with products in the past when the creators don’t clear things up and I wanted to be honest with you all!

Danke! Thanks!
-Karina
www.TheWellAndSpindle.com

Essential Oil Supplier?

I have been trying to find a good supplier of essential oils for a while now. Some sites look shoddy but the prices are good, some sites are fancy and overpriced, and some sites require you buy enough essential oils to last your grandchildren’s grandchildren.

Where do people get their essential oils? I have been buying small bottles at local stores and not only are they expensive but they don’t last me long! The main essential oils I use are Mints (Spearmint/Peppermint), Lavender and Patchouli among others that I still have a little of.

So….anyone know a good supplier? I can only buy a little at a time since I do pay for school out of pocket and what not. ***SIGH*** I should just take out a loan!

Thanks! Danke!
-Karina

21st Wish List...

Tis time for the yearly birthday-ness present wanting list o’ mania!

Or something. My Birthday Wish List. There, simple enough.

Every year I make out a list of things I would like for my birthday (I do it for Christmas as well, but who doesn’t? ;]). JUST so people don’t buy me stuff that doesn’t suit me a lick.

After years of getting journals because no one (except perhaps my Mother) knew anything about me it was time to do so! Oddly enough I have been an avid reader most of my life and STILL people didn’t get that MAYBE I just might like a book for a gift. Got a few of them over the years of course…mainly due to people harassing my Mom for information about me..teehee.

***SIGH***

It is not as if I am greedy or really WANT or “NEED” anything. BUT if someone is going to get me something, I don’t want them to waste their money. PLUS I hate pretending to like things that I think would better be suited to the fire.

Over the years my list of possible gifts keeps getting smaller and smaller. Sure, I would like to have some expensive goodies…but really, I can be made happy with simple things.

SO, this year my list is:
1. A Cylinder/Spinner Composter.
2. Money for books/Gift cards for books
3. Money for school (no yay’s for my minimum wage job in paying for the important things such as my education).

See? Simple enough. During Christmas/Yule I made a list of books I wanted, but there are so damn many that it would be a waste of time to type out….AGAIN.

By the way, I am turning 21 this coming birthday. Guess how I am spending it? With my family of course silly! Not the partying type…but watch me become sucked into the “Traditional” ways of the American 21 year old on her birthday anyway…eh…

Going to Lake Tahoe a few days after my birthday to spend time with family. Taking Alex along and can’t wait to go play in the lake and breathe in some fresh air. Just Opa, Alex and Me. Not sure if Audrey is going to be there but that would be awesome too! ALSO I get to see one of my favorite aunts (thinking she may actually be my favorite, but seeing as that may just be because I know her better than any of my other aunts I am just going to say she is!). Aunt Stephanie (or TaTa as I called her as a kid) and her children Ryan and Amber (the only semi-ginger kid in the fam!). woot! They live in Reno so maybe we can all go to Circus-Circus together or something! Alex will love it!

Tired and seeing this blog is horribly written…so stopping for today. :]