I've become such an idea whore lately--I wander all over the internet looking for beautiful art, sacred crafts, and inspiration, as you can tell from my recent post about tiny shrines.
One of my favorite places to browse, of course, is Etsy, a mecca for all things handmade. In addition to all the lovely crafts and arts, sellers offer supplies for the creatively inclined. I've purchased a number of things there ranging from vinyl ACEO sleeves to glassine bags for my Ahimsa Treats bake sale back in June.
Since the sellers are mostly individuals whose work is one-of-a-kind and takes sweat, heart, and soul to create, I thought I'd post links to a few of my favorite pieces, hopefully encouraging more people to buy gifts and personal sacred tchotchkes from real live artists. (I don't plan on doing this sort of thing every week, just when I find things I think are beautiful and want to share.)
This gorgeous Mother Earth altar, made of concrete and waterproofed to withstand both indoor and outdoor climates, is about 4.5" tall and has a space in front for a tea light. The seller also offers a larger version for the garden.She sells for$18.99 plus shipping, which is extremely reasonable for a Goddess statue that isn't a carbon copy of every other figure you'll find on Pagan supply sites. I love that she's both graceful and Earthy.
More views and more info are available on the product listing page. (Click on image to go there.)
From DeBaun Fine Ceramics comes a gorgeous Green Tara shrine. 10" high by 7" wide, finished in a verdant green glaze, the shrine includes a removable lotus bowl for offerings or incense.
The shrine sells for $49.00, and the artist has a number of other Goddess and spiritual shrines in a similar style in other colors and finishes, as well as bowls, plates, and other lovely ceramics.
Next up we have a peaceful and evocative Buddha and Bodhi Leaf Wall plaque; the crackled racu finish on the face just gets me. I have the urge to reach through the internet and touch it, just because it looks like it would giggle. A more expensive piece at $185, it's also large, 12" by 9", and worked in lush detail. I know enough about pottery to know that the glazes are about a thousand times more gorgeous in person than they can be captured digitally.
Finally, a handmade Sea Goddess altar created out of driftwood, kelp, and moss. (Wee goddess figure not included.) It's large, ranging from 14-20" tall and 16" wide. The artist is one of several on Etsy who specialize in making Faery houses and miniatures out of natural objects like these. I can imagine this piece on a tabletop altar, hung with aquamarine crystals and sea glass, a few shells here and there. It has a dark sort of sensuality, like a tidal pool, and feels like its own little world. $45.
Surf on over to Etsy to discover a wonderful world of nature-and-spiritually-inspired art, home decor, body care, clothes, jewelry, and more!
Thank you sooo much for sharing ! I fell deeply in love with the Tara shrine which is just, well, hmm, perfect for me right now.
I also like your wee shrine to Green Tara, very inspiring....
And while I'm lurking out, I might just as well add a whole bunch of thank yous for writing "The Body Sacred" : it made such a difference in my life and helped me heal my relationship to my body in ways I cannot begin to express.
Posted by: Aegiale | October 07, 2009 at 04:03 PM