Sacred Art-Spider Magic/Embroidery

Spider is an important teacher. She shows us how to create balance in our life, how to weave together moments, thoughts, and all the other little threads of our existence to create order from chaos. She reminds us of the importance of creative thinking and resourcefulness. We also have much to learn about fear from Spider. Though we have been taught to fear these beautiful creatures, most are harmless and incredibly beneficial to us.

When Spider appears in your life, it is important to listen. Are you utilizing your own creative strengths? Are you seizing the opportunities that appear in your life? Are you able to set aside fear and embrace to unknown?

Join Jess of Curioscape Designs and Michelle to work with Spider energy by creating with thread (as spider does). We will be making beautiful little embroidery pieces while discussing the magic of these beings and meeting a few. Jess will be bringing one or two of her gorgeous babes.

MICHELLE VANDERHOUWEN
Michelle VanderHouwen is the owner of Oak and Hawthorn and provides the plant babies for Ritualcravt’s annual plant sale.

Throughout all her years, she has studied art as a window into Spirit and the psyche, and Nature has been her church. Michelle believes that our hands are magnificent communicators. When we let them dig, sculpt, draw, scrape, tie and sew, we are sending messages to and from Heart Center. Our hands, full of sensation but devoid of reasoning, can create pure, honest prayer. In Michelle’s classes she teaches, with a variety of tools, different ways of accessing Spirit using our hands and hearts. Her goal is to help us all access the knowing we had at birth. Michelle is deeply knowledgeable about the spiritual wisdom of nature, studied Shamanic Herbalism with Darcey Blue, and walks with the soul of a Witch. Discover her creations at www.etsy.com/shop/OakandHawthorn and connect with Michelle via Instagram @oakandhawthorn

JESS ELLIS
Jess is a Denver-based artist who creates small sculptures and jewelry using elements of nature.

She finds inspiration in science, magic, and the natural world and explores themes of death, conservation, and the beauty of decay. The materials used in her artwork include insects, bones, moss, flowers, and crystals. She assembles these items into tiny environments called “Curioscapes”. They are inspired by the assemblages of natural curiosities found in the Wunderkammer, or Curiosity Cabinets of sixteenth century Europe. The artist’s choice of material reflects her desire to highlight the beauty of the darker side of life. Many of the specimens found in her Curioscapes are imperfect, with broken wings, missing limbs, or faded colors. The specimens used in these pieces, found already dead and sometimes in states of decay, are preserved and given new life as pieces of art. Her art serves as a ritual practice, each piece created with intention and love, and honoring the creatures that are preserved within. Jess holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art, and her love of insects has brought her back to school to study biology. She is a volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science where she has been trained in pinning, preserving, and identifying insects. She is passionate about conservation and educating others about insects and other living creatures that are vital to our ecosystem.