“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” -Jeremiah 6:16

The labyrinth is an ancient symbol based on the spiral. While there are many layered meanings, I most simply see it as a walking prayer. It is one path in and one path out. While a maze is a puzzle and designed to get your lost, a labyrinth is a clear path and you need only keep taking each step in front of you. Walking towards the center is a reflection of looking inward and the path back out symbolizes re-engaging with those around you. Both are important. Many have used it for centering and meditation. This particular design is from ancient Crete, the oldest labyrinth design (besides an actual spiral).

I’m glad to be able to offer these and keep being reminded that our lessons are layered like these curves are. We start on the outer and think we have finished that understanding as we move forward, but we actually keep coming back to it, to a deeper understanding. It doesn’t necessarily mean we didn’t get it the first time...there are just more layers to it all.

May these assist you well as you walk your path. Patches created by The Chemical Marriage

This past weekend, I got to participate in the Winter Wizarding Waltz.  It was put on by Lexpecto Patronum- The Lexington Harry Potter Alliance.  It was Harry Potter themed with attire focused on the 1920's (thanks to Fantastic Beasts).  I enjoyed creating some speciality items for this show including wizard pouches complete with a scroll, quill, and potion bottle.  Between the music and dancing and costumes and food, it truly was a magical evening.

*Thanks to Jennifer Miller for the last two photos

 I now have refillable hardback sketchbooks that have blank pages and are ideal for sketching and drawing.  The pages are lightly textured and acid-free and are great for pencil, pen, pastel, charcoal, and other dry media.  They each have 110 pages and are 70 lb (or 110 GSM).  These refillable sketchbooks come in four sizes (two are horizontal):  8.5 x 11, 11 x 8, 9 x 6, and 4 x 6 inches.  The refills will be available on my website.  

Here is a brief break-down on how to make a leather book (and a peak in the studio)...

Every book is made up of multiple signatures (folded pages) of paper that is either hand-cut or hand-torn.

The covers are then created.  They have to be cut and sewed and any decorative additions are added.

The next step is poking holes in all the signatures and cover. This is done using an awl.

One of the final steps is binding the book. Once that is complete, it just needs a closure and any finalizing touches.

"Reflect on the world you carry within you. Your innermost happenings are worth all your love." -Rilke

As I was working on finishing up a stack of journals this morning, I was thinking of all the wonderful people that I know they will be going to. And I am so grateful...to be able to put good into these books for you, for all the journeys and inspirations that I hope they will help you with, for all the paths I get to cross while doing this...and so much more. Sending you all love as we go into this holiday season!

This is a custom leather wedding guestbook that is being given as a gift to the bride and groom. It was created from remnant leather, has hand-stitched initials, and closes with a handmade glass bead.  The quote on the first inside page was chosen by the couple: "This is no ordinary love."

 My mini-book necklaces were featured in Insight, a retailing insight magazine.  How fun is that?!!

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." -Jeremiah 6:15

This handmade, leather journal has a compass stitched to the cover.  The cover is from scrap leather and the inside pages are 100% recycled, archival, and blank.  This was commissioned as a thank you gift.  It is intended to be used as a travel journal and as a haven for the recipient's thoughts and reflections.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
-Lao Tzu

This handmade, leather journal was carefully planned and co-created for a 7th wedding anniversary.  I was contacted by the wife who wanted a custom journal made for her husband.  The traditional gifts for the 7th wedding anniversary are wool or copper.  I was asked to incorporate both.  Her husband likes earthy colors (he was initially drawn to my work because of the coffee bag books), and she wanted the quote on the first page.  The word "journey" is hand-stitch on environmentally-friendly, 100% wool in a copper colored thread.  The center closure is copper.  I also really like that it is a circle since that echoes both wedding rings and the idea of a journey.  Their anniversary was earlier this week, and I received the kindest email from her husband once he received it. 

"I just received my 7th anniversary gift, a Reimagined by Luna original!
I'm delighted with the journal, and the story behind it (as indeed I have been behind all the products I have from Reimagined by Luna) and can't stop looking at it! Thank you very much!!"

The other really cool thing about this journal is that you can close it a variety of ways.
Here are three examples:

I'm really please with how this one turned out and enjoyed making it in honor of this couple's anniversary.  Happy 7th Anniversary to them!

I am grateful to live in a place where people are supportive and intentional about supporting handmade and small businesses.   I felt that deep gratitude again this past weekend.  I am happy to say that the pop-up shop was a success and that there will probably be more in the future.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by!  We really appreciate you.   To begin with, we could not have asked for a more beautiful day.  It was cold and rained several days leading up to it, but Saturday was as gorgeous as they come.  We all set-up at Amelia's house next to her studio, which meant Mayapple Creations and myself were in the backyard beneath this fabulous tree.  It was fun being set-up with our full display in a backyard.  The whole ambiance was relaxed, and there was plenty of opportunity to engage.  Sometimes at the larger shows, there are so many folks that there isn't time to get to converse with our customers the way we would like to.  This type of atmosphere allowed for more of that.  We also had food and hot beverages as a treat for our customers.  Again, we do appreciate each and every one of you.