Several years ago, I took a drawing class. The teacher was a bit of a curmudgeon but very encouraging. I have never been good at drawing and took the class out of curiosity to see if I could produce anything of any value. The first lesson I tried and felt inadequate, but my teacher simply said “keep going”. Over weeks of coaxing and practice I started to love the process and the sense of empowerment that came with slowly improving my technique. My teacher told us that we should always carry a means of drawing with us, wherever we went: day trips, doctor appointments, it didn’t matter. He felt that drawing was an excellent way of fixing in the memory a moment and he was right. I don’t always follow his advice but when I do, I am amazed at the development of a conversation between myself and the thing I am drawing. In so doing, when I am in the natural world there is a sense of unity and relationship which as a Pagan becomes a kind of spiritual practice. This is why I often see intuition and our creative selves as also our spiritual self that opens us up the divine. Below is a piece called Spell Cloth #2 that I discuss in my most recent vlog. I started it at a time when I needed to figure out some things and I used the process of sewing to help me meditate and clarify my intentions. It was effective and a joy to do. There was no plan for the cloth to look a certain way, it was a spontaneous sewing project that became a way of accessing my intuition and receiving guidance. My drawing teacher was also a botanical illustrator of considerable skill. When he discovered that I am British he told me that people love the British gardens for their beauty but also because the weather is often cloudy, which intensifies the colors of the flora and fauna, whereas bright sun tends to make colors look a bit washed out.
Today there will be a solar eclipse, and I wonder what, in that briefest of moments but be intensified in the sudden dark...
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No one can fail to be appalled at what is going on in Palestine. We are witnessing a genocide.
This small project is at least some way of exercising my power to say "no more". I invite you to join me. This sweet new design is now available to download. It is simple and will take no more than a couple of hours. Sew at as devotional ritual for the season, or as a gift for someone.
2023 was THE year that Open Coven finally got into its groove and I was able to develop my vision. In a year a created 21 embroidery kits and was able to sell enough to cover my costs.
I also did pop-ups, craft fairs, and classes. All this while having a day job and family. So, yeah, I'm proud of me and I don't mind saying it! 2024 is different because I am going into the new year with a clear path. The first part of the year I'll be launching my new spell kits. Each one will contain an original kit, some ritual items such as incense and full instructions on how to perform a ritual and complete the kit. As we move into Spring and Summer I want to build my online community of maker witches. I don't want to reveal too much about that yet. However, if you want to pre-order the new spell kits or you want to be the first to learn about the community, sign up to my newsletter.
New Year Blessings to you all! I could write about all the things I did or I could just share the video I made!
Please enjoy my vlog about the season. Blessed be to you all.
Classes at The Well
If you haven't signed up for one of my classes at The Well, then I urge you to do so ASAP. Space is limited to 10 and it will be the last chance for you to do in-person classes with me for a while. 11/25 - Magick Talisman Class: 2 - 4pm at The Well (3 Louisiana Ave, W.Asheville) 12/9 - Tarot Bag Class: 2 - 5pm at The Well (3 Louisiana Ave, W.Asheville) 1/13 Altar Cloth Class: 1 - 5pm at The Well (3 Louisiana Ave, W.Asheville Happy November! The nights are getting long and it's a great time to start crafting for Yule. As we go into the season of introspection and rest, I am winding down all my in-person events. Take this chance if you can to come to my next and final pop-up or sign up for one of my last in-person classes.
Going into 2024 I will be focusing on online events and creating more items for my shop. If you are in Asheville this weekend stop by Raven and Crone and see my pop-up. I will have a new kit and I am launching my stick and stitch collection. Stick and stitch is a versatile way to add embroidery to dark or patterned fabric, clothing, bags and more! I will happily demo how to use them and will be selling some supplies to get you started. I want to wish you all a Blessed Samhain. This is my favorite time of year and I am living in awe of the light and color. I am also celebrating the opportunity to share with you a new partnership with Cherry Hill Seminary.
In February 2024 I will be running a four week online course called Magical Fiber Arts. We will meet online via Zoom every Sunday at 4pm EST for four weeks, beginning on February 10th and all students will also have access to an online course area replete with resources. This venture is very close to my heart and I cannot wait to dig into all the ways we can use embroidery and other slow stitching techniques to create magical pieces. The course will cover using fiber arts in spiritual practice and how we can develop a personal magical lexicon of stitches, color and symbolism. We will do several projects and rituals as part of our online meetings. Cost of doing this course is $85. You can register through Cherry Hill Seminary. Join me in the stunning setting of Olivette Community and Farm for an embroidery class for absolute beginners. With nights getting long and the weather cooling down, now is a great time to start the craft and art of embroidery. The kit we will be doing is my Cultivate Community design. All materials are provided and we are limited to 10 people so come early.
10/26 - Beginner Embroidery Class 6 - 8pm Olivette Farm and Community Cost: $25 - kit included Participants will - Learn how to prepare their materials - Practice several basic stitches - Complete a small design |
I'm Liz Watkin I explore witchcraft through embroidery and embroidery through witchcraft!
Join me for the four week course "Magical Fiber Arts" starting February 10th. Register here. |