Two days ago, I set up a table for a canvas beneath an open window looking to the backyard, with an Elder tree branch and dried flowers I’ve had for months, next to my favorite Fern. The little fairy holding a crystal was given to me by my mom a long time ago, which I keep nearby always and love very much.
… The darkness of the black table and green marble slab were calming, representing the dark cosmos from which the light of creation dawns.
The conte crayon and paints are old too but still good. I actually didn’t have a paint brush, so I used a washed feather – I have so many collected from when we had our parrot. It’ll be nice to have actual paint brushes soon and some water colors. My favorite mediums are still pencil and conte crayon so far.
I started drawing the roots to a tree, then imagined a fairy going through a tunnel in the roots. Once I started painting, it began to turn into a fire burning and spreading up stream, embers sparking the branches of the tree – the fairy looks towards the hole in the tree, a safe haven within the mossy trunk.
I really didn’t see this scene coming, had no idea why or how it turned into fire spreading – maybe something internally or how I feel about the world and all the nature around me. Things are somewhat darker now, but there is beauty in darkness.
I thought about how I could start a fundraiser towards a bigger cause and realized I could try selling organic tote bags with my photography on them. Proceeds could go towards a One Tree Planted project in my area, since I signed up to be an ambassador recently. I just wonder how everything I did throughout college got me to this point – I thought I would work for a conservancy or organization, but the more I think about jobs the less anything makes sense. I loved my jobs in the past, I’ve been lucky with good jobs and being a part of interesting research. The pandemic changed my work routine, but I just have a way of cutting myself off too.
I updated my Etsy yesterday and added some new organic cotton tote bag designs. I made some with my photography and short poems on them. I have one of them myself! Maybe someone else wants to carry a dark, poetic tote bag. It’s good for taking books to a coffee shop or art supplies while out for a walk.
It’s nice that there are ways for people to create their own products like this using methods like Printful and dropship. It’d be nice if I found a local cotton tote seller and a local printing place so I could personally get these made and sent from Memphis. But this was an easy and fun investment.
model from Printful 
I’d like to create more personally crafted items made by hand. I had Rosewater listed on my Etsy a couple months ago. There’s one room in the house I’m using as a workshop for study, art, music and dancing. The kitchen is also a special place in my home where wellness and wisdom comes forth. I’m most excited about making Elderberry syrup this year, but it’d be neat if I could make something useful year-round, starting with my photography. So why not, tote bags!?
My husband also told me he really wants to find a ‘side hustle’ since he’s working full time. His idea is to grow and sell spices, herbs like parsley, oregano, thyme, basil etc. which would take a little while to get going but I could see it – I think it’s all exciting. I started looking up Greenhouse builders in my local area, because we need one! My husband should build us a small one 🙂 We want a baby soon ❤ and I want to be able to feed us with home grown food.
Growing just a tiny bit of your own food is so important… Having enough to share with neighbors is even better.
It finally stormed last night and now there are a few new buds about to open. The vines grow so tall and beautiful, I love this corner of my yard so much.
It’s been an interesting week, grateful for the time I had to spend at home and trying so hard to just be in the present moment. In the dark with closed eyes, finding comfort there.
Channeling Passions 