“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

Thanks for all the support this season. Wishing you much merriment and brightness!!

"Your hand opens and closes, opens and closes. If it were always a fist or always stretched open, you would be paralyzed. Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as birds' wings.” 
-Rumi

May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
-Irish Proverb 

This was a custom order that came in just in time for St. Patrick's Day.  A women ordered it for a friend who does Civil War reenactments and has Irish heritage.  We needed to keep it rustic and minimalistic (true to the times he is representing) and a nod to his Irish heritage.  This is what we came up with, and she let me know that he loved it.  

Be empty of worrying 
Think of who created thought
Why do you stay in prison
When the door is so wide open
Move outside the tangle of fear thinking
Live in silence
Flow down and down
Into always widening
Rings of being

-Rumi

All these jungle animals are doing a variety of actions while only showing a part of themselves. Can you guess what they are and what they are doing? These hand-crafted books were created in collaboration with a friend, Jason Thompson. He had the original idea and sketched the design, and I translated it to leather and fabrics to create this lively bunch. It was a true joint effort! These are great for a child's first journal or sketchbook as well as fabulous for any fun-loving adult. We can do these in other colors or create them as a photo album if you are interested in a custom order. Please let me know if you have any questions!

I just completed this custom design. Someone contacted me wanting to have the Anarchist's Tool Chest printed and bound. I'll admit to being a bit hesitant as I did not know what content a book like this would have. Thankfully, I proceeded with the e-conversation and found out that it has to do with using woodworking tools to create lasting furniture. This request was also just for the index which came out after the actual book did. I worked with a local printing company to print the inside, created the cover, and bound it.  It turned out quite fabulously, and the cover has a rustic feel that works so appropriately with the content.