Updates, and things.

Been a while.

Been using my Blogspot area a lot more then my livejournal lately, posting more.. personal thoughts and things.

I can be found more actively on Facebook as well. What can I say. I've never been good at staying around a spot too long..

http://eyesofacrow.blogspot.com/
http://eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Eyes-of-a-Crow/27792978336?ref=ts


I have a large painting I'm working on. Thats been keeping me busy. Not that anyone reads this thing anyway.

See you next blue moon.

-Crow

Well I've been busy lately. I have about 10 large journals, and getting close to 10 small journals along with many things like stones, crystals, artwork, candle boxed sets.. all ready for the first vending opportunity of the year. At this months Hamilton Pagan Pub Moot on Sunday.

I've been busting my ass off trying to get everything done, and I'm really hoping it pays off. Some of the work I've done lately I am rather pleased with and will even be slightly saddened to let it go.

I've also been doing some work on the art side of the business a little bit more.

I went to a Coffee House which also does some work helping local artists by displaying their work. Hoping that pays off in time. Also want to try and get a couple big original acrylics done up soon. I need a stock of originals, and I need to get work done to sell.

I've been forced to sell far more then keep really. When I get something done, it's gone because I don't have the space or the financial stability to keep it around long. My prices are even so low that it doesn't tend to do me much good.

When I was at the coffee house I saw the prices there. A couple hundred for a small canvas painting. A couple hundred? I was thinking to myself I would only be charging 30-40 bucks for something that size.

Am I out of my leauge somehow?

I don't know. Maybe I am, but it's all I got right now. I love my art. I love the way I can express with it. And as I said, some of my own pieces I and up falling in love with a little bit. I don't want to have to stop. So I'll just keep going.

So if your by Hamilton, come see us Sunday at the pub. The Corktown. I'll be near the pool table most likely, trying to sell what I can. Now time to get back to work. I have a few little green man, wizard, and bast journals to get put together and varnished.

Wish me luck,
-Crowskin

The Tarot is a tool. It uses images, ideas and indicators to show a person where to look in their lives for guidance, problems, information and another perspective on the world.

I often times explain to people when I sit down to read for them, that the cards will only tell you what you need to know right now. They tell you what you need to know, not what you Want to know. Because often those two are seperate issues entirely.

A reading consists of a full 10 card spread, which is read on the basis of intuition. It starts as the traditional Celtic Cross, and from there I place cards together as I feel they should be, and let the meanings progress.

The initial reading can take anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes sometimes, and then at the end of the reading I go further indepth with a few smaller follow up readings based on certain issues which I feel need to be addressed. This is a good time for questions or other issues to be asked about as well.

The full reading has lasted anywhere from a half hour to more then a full hour depending on what needs to be said, and what questions are asked. I sometimes will bring a few other decks into the reading if I feel they are necessary and have been known to draw on my animal guide cards to focus in on certain issues.

Tarot parties consist of a gathering of people and having readings done on each one during the course of the night. This can be done in private homes, or by appointment. Each individual reading at a tarot party will cost $20, with a discounted rate for the host of the party.

Individual readings booked by appointment will be $25.

I am also willing to do couples readings as well for the same price as the individual readings.

Please feel free to email me at Crowskin@gmail.com to book an appointment, or message me on Facebook.

Keep safe,

-Crowskin

So, it's rounding to the end of the year now. Yule time.

I've been quite busy with projects and products. Getting some christmas shows in here and there as well as plotting out new things for the upcoming year.

We are entering 2009, and it should be an interesting year indeed.

I've been teaming up a lot with Kelly's Kandles, creating new boxed sets, gift baskets and plans for a wide range of new stock. And it's been nice having another like minded individual to brainstorm with.

I also want to focus some more on the art side of things. I've been enjoying doing up the journals lately, but also our new little jewellery boxes.

Hopefully by this time next year we have a huge line of things for me to doodle on.

I'm also deciding, once again to open up my tarot reading to the public.

I first started doing public readings a while back, and would hold tarot parties and had a wide range of clients. However my readings eventually wore on me, and for a while I put my deck away.

Seemingly I am being drawn back into it again.

Tarot parties can now be booked, and more information on appointments and what is involved in a reading will be posted another time. Feel free to email me, or contact me through Facebook if your interested in setting up something.

I will be doing another post about it specifically at a later date.

Keep safe,

-Crowksin / Michelle Bond.

Events I'm currently booked for:

Port Dover Summerfest - August 16-17 2008

Hamilton Pagan Pride Day - September 13th 2008

Brantfords Samhain Ball - October 25th *still being planned*

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Still looking for more events, craft shows, and art shows. I will list the ones I'm booked for as the times line up.

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Projects on the go:

My own Tarot deck - Current progress about 25%

Bookmarks - Currently on hold

Calanders - Considering releasing for the Tarot card deck.

Staffs - Need to do more for PPD.

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Wooden Journals, Prints and anything else can be ordered through email to be brought to any event I'm attending. Please note me ahead of time.

Now.. onto more things.

Rules:
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense. NO CHEATING!


HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
James Blunt - Tears and Rain

HOW DO YOUR FRIENDS SEE YOU?
A Perfect Circle - Passive

WILL YOU GET MARRIED?
Lacuna Coil - Heavens a Lie

WHAT IS YOUR BEST FRIEND'S THEME SONG?
Savage Garden - I knew I loved you

WHAT IS THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE?
Loreena Mckennit - Stolen Child

WHAT WAS HIGH SCHOOL LIKE?
Blind Guardian - Blood Tears

HOW CAN YOU GET AHEAD IN LIFE?
Billy Talent - Falling Leaves

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS?
Shakira - Underneath your clothes

WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THIS WEEKEND?
Iced Earth - Greenface

TO DESCRIBE YOUR GRANDPARENTS?
Withen Temptation - hand of sorrow

HOW IS YOUR LIFE GOING?
Maria Menia - Pale People

WHAT SONG WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
David Bowie - Space Oddity

HOW DOES THE WORLD SEE YOU?
Blind Guardian - Battalions of fear

WILL YOU HAVE A HAPPY LIFE?
Jon Bon Jovi - It's my life

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS REALLY THINK OF YOU?
Loreena McKennit - The Visit the old ways

DO PEOPLE SECRETLY LUST AFTER YOU?
Linkin Park - Breaking the habit

HOW CAN I MAKE MYSELF HAPPY?
Irish Rovers - the unicorn

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WITH YOUR LIFE?
Bryan Adams - Heaven

WILL YOU EVER HAVE CHILDREN?
Fuel - Hemmorage

WHAT SONG WOULD YOU STRIP TO?
James Blunt - Your beautiful

IF A MAN IN A VAN OFFERED YOU CANDY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Blind Guardian - Mirror Mirror

WHAT DOES YOUR MOM THINK OF YOU?
Loreena Mckennit - the Mummers dance

WHAT IS YOUR DEEP DARK SECRET?
Iced Earth - Mystical End

WHAT IS YOUR MORTAL ENEMY'S THEME SONG?
Creed - My Sacrifice

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONALITY LIKE?
Dilana - Roxanne

WHAT SONG WILL BE PLAYED AT YOUR WEDDING?
Chris Daughtry - Renegade

WHAT BEST DESCRIBES THE ANSWERS IN THIS JOURNAL?
The Tea party - sister awake

So I applied for my first Juried show. Or at least, I sent in pictures.

All well and good I suppose, but I realized today, that as excited as I was. I can't do it. I can not go to this festival if I follow all the rules of conduct.

One of the rules is this. No modern clothing. It's a pirate festival so you must dress like such. Which would be fine and dandy. Hell even would have been fun really. But one of the things listed specifically in the catagory? Sunglasses. I can't bring my sun glasses.

Normally, hey this wouldn't be a big deal. But I can't function in the sun without my shades. Sure, maybe for a little while I can do so in spite of not having them. I could try. But the headaches and.. well lets be honest. The inability to See properly in daylight would get to me. How useful would I be if I flinched at everyone wearing white coming to my table because it felt like daggers stabbing into the center of my eye?

No sunglasses. Means I can't go. And thats damned near pathetic really.

No, not blaming the festival in the least. I understand their integrity and reasonings. And hell, isn't to even say my stuff would get through the juried show. Just pokes at a few buttons I have with myself.

And I can't expect them to allow me sunglasses, and no one else. Heck I wouldn't want that. You know how much you'd piss the other vendors off with that trick? Plus I have no sort of papers to signify my condition is even real. The doctors either haven't found anything or don't really care.

Well, looks like instead I'm looking for another show. Maybe one without a set theme so I won't have to deal with this inconvienece caused by my silly issues with Mr. Sunshine.

Heres hoping I can still find one for August.

Keep safe all,

-Crow

I'm in the process of revamping my entire website. And trying to learn the fine art of updating more often..

As you can see by the new LJ layout, thus is sinking in. Slowly. Very slowly.

A lot of the look has changed, and more sections will be opening up. I also plan on better product shots of some new ideas and designs..

Also I'm in the process of setting in an event list that I will be attending. So far it is just Hamilton PPD festival until I set up some more.

The Hamilton PPD will be on September 13 2008.

Keep safe,
-Crow

So I took part in Brantford Pagan Meet & Greet 2008, and it was pretty decent. The outcome was not too bad at all considering the weather made most the vendors pack it in early. It's definitly a show I'd support and do again next year.

I'm working on Bookmarks.. considering we have the journals now, I figure bookmarks will go well with them. I'm thinking about a 2"by8" standard size.

I'm also working on plans for attending Kaleidoscope this year. A big large event that is a camping trip and ends up being over the time frame of 5 days. These types of events are supposibly big, and hopefully with the journals and boxes and things I'll be bringing, I'm -hoping- to be able to sell out. *fingers crossed*

Also, because of the PMG I've had a few opportunities to work with other vendors and on other projects that you may get to see in the future..

Always thinking. Plotting. Trying to keep ahead.

Also, if anyone wants to put in an order for Hamilton PPD 2008, let me know ahead of time. This way I can have it done, confirmed and ready to be picked up in September :)

Well.. back to work.

-Crow

http://www.eyesofacrow.com/CrystalJewellerySets.html

Been working on new jewellery sets. These range between $25 and $40, depending on the stones and complexity of the piece. I have a bunch of different stones I can use for these, but have the first sets done! Yay me.

So heres the new page, and they will sort of act as my samples for now. Hopefully I get most of them sold at the market on Saturday.

As always, any questions on custom orders let me know via email ( Crowskin @ Gmail . com ) and we'll talk about some sort of arrangement. :)

-Crow

Well time has been steadily moving forward.

The journals seem to be doing well, a lot of good comments on them. I'm happy with it. And the art is still attracting all sorts of attention. I'm still working on things there, trying to get more of my art out there while maintaining what I want to do with it. I don't want to sell out by doing too many images that are only for sale. We'll see.

My first festival for the year will be in May. Scott is putting together the first annual (hopefully.. fingers crossed) Brantford Pagan Meet&Greet. It should be good hopefully, and if nothing else the turn out will let me do a bit of customer research to see what sort of pagans lurk in this little city of ours.

Otherwise things have been pretty quiet over all. Or at least where business falls into.

I notice a lot more of the sets getting attention. The necklace crystal mixes with the stone falls and the matching earrings. I need to make a trip out to the jewellery box warehouse closer to christmas and pick up a bunch of packing boxes for them. Make them another step up for the fancy department.

It's been fun, of course. I love making things, and doing the artwork. I love the business. Sometimes though the overhead costs for things, as well as the overhead debt for the business gets a little despressing. Among other concerns, the lurking shadow of debt and risk in the financial department is a constant thought in the back of my mind.

I'm hoping things improve. They say if you can hold the fort down, the first 5 years are important ones. After that, things get easier and you actually start Making money.. I'm hoping for that. I could really use being in the green rather then the red in my finance book.

It doesn't help that when you spend 3-4 years of your life in college to get an education, you spend around 10 times that time wise paying off the loans. Education anymore is expensive, and often times when you come out you fall into a job that differs from what you originally planned on doing.

I wouldn't give up this for the world, I'm just hoping the business won't have to be sacrificed for the financial debts that education has cost me.

The worst part is, without that overhead I'd be doing Great now, and able to expand out. Heh, thats rather depressing when you think about it.

I really need to win the lotto..

-Crow

http://www.eyesofacrow.com/Journals.html

I've now started making Wooden Journals.

Created with the idea to be used as a personal grimoire, Book of Shadows, Totem Journal, or Diary - these books are completely hand made and uniqe. I'm rather excited about them actually and plan to have some finished and all set up for the coming paganfest season!

The price for them currently is set at $45.00 canadian for the 9" by 12" size. (fits 8.5" by 11" sheets.)

If you are planning to attend the Hamilton PPD event this year in September, and wish to order a custom book email me and I'm sure we can arrange a custom order for the hamilton pick up :)

-Crowskin

Already setting up for my first paganfest of the year, it will start in my hometown actually. Brantford at Mohawk Park. I'll be there vending, and hopefully will have quite a few neat things to pawn off.

I'm not expecting a big turn out, it's the first year for getting this pagan meet and greet started, so likely it will be rather slow. But any chance to vend is usually a good opportunity. And I will likely bring one or two of my new products currently in the 'planning' stage..

So lets hope the fortune of Rat is with us this year.

-Crow

Move went well, am somewhat settled. Thoughts now return to the business, my art, and a lot of introspection.

Hurdy Gur,

-Crow

...or rather the move.

Yes, we're moving. And this is my first move that I can remember at least. Other then the move to, and back from college.

Packing up ones life and putting them into boxes. It's surreal in a way. Necessary, but surreal. This house has been good to me most the times. It holds memories of my family, and my brothers. Is going to be odd to not own this territory anymore.

We're moving temporarily into my Grandmothers house till we can manage to sell hers and take a large 6 bedroom property that we have a conditional offer on. But so far.. we aren't entirely sure we're getting it. Which means a lot of tense hoping.

It also means, 'radio silence'. Seems I'll be offline for an undetermined amount of time come the end of January.

For the business, this is going to be a little tough I know. I need the internet access and access to my email accounts. But thats just going to have to wait. I'm hoping it won't be Too long. The rounded number is a few months. Maybe up to 3. I have no real clue.

So, suppose I'm in for more changes then I expected.
But perhaps. Maybe it will be a good thing in the end.

Keep safe all

-Crow

Thoughtful, planning, thinking. Thats the key words for tonight. Currently I am thinking about the future.

It isn't real easy to be a merchant. Especially when it's what your trying to do as a lifetime carreer.

The frustrating part is I would be doing Great if I had started this with no debt hanging over my shoulders. I'd be completely in the black and able to expand. Whats holding me back?

Osap. Yeah, I decided to go to college for a few years, and now I'm suffering with the big pricetag for that. So I'm constantly in the red and unable to do the things that I want to do. At the moment at least.

That doesn't stop me from planning of course! Hehehe.

So, one of the big things I have to do again is change the website around. I need to alter it a little to make it more current, but we all know how well I actually get around to 'updating' things. (but hey, least I'm getting a little better, right?)

Another thing.. I keep getting asked for Sun Catchers, and Feng Shui type hanging crystals.

This I find is a cool idea.. especially since it has motors turning in my skull (scarey thought eh?). I can even add in some nice touches, like symbols in wire where the crystals hang.. so why not? I might need to wait till I get up enough for another stone run, but the possibilities could be very good.

The artwork has also been going pretty well. A lot of custom work lately, and not so much personal stuff.. but it happens. Heh, I need the bills paid either way right?

The greeting cards.. are coming. Sorta. I'm hoping.. Need to wait and hear about them. Sad thing is I had my hopes up about them and maybe invested too much into the idea. But at least it pushed me to get some more artwork ready for them. It's probably going to be 2008 season, when things calm down that the final ideas are going to work themselves out and I'll get at least one line on the go. *fingers crossed* lets hope.

Thinking some about my Personal site as well.. I took the links down from my main site for the time being. Why? Well.. I am in a debate with myself.

I am Pagan. Thats my belief system. Urban shamanism to be exact. Now thats a proud fact. I love the lifestyle I have, and I love going to pagan fests and proud of the fact I'm a pagan merchant.

But theres still a lot of sterotyping and prejudice because of that. And that can effect my work and carreer. Which is a shame because it shouldn't.

So should I say "who cares" throw up my personal site link, or keep it seperate like it is now? Hm. I have been ignoring my personal site as well for a while. Mainly because I've been so busy with the other. That doesn't feel right either. I need a way to 'vent' into my own little space.

Ah well, as you can see this entry is getting too long so for now this is it. Hurdy Gur, 2008 approches and for Eyesofacrow, it will be about change for a while..

-Crowskin

A few more slave bracelet designs.

the "Forest" slave bracelet..



and a Carnelian and Metal mix one.



-Crow

So I updated my website a little. Added a News section, this is fun. Not that I update enough to technically Require one.. but I'm trying.

I also added a few new pics of things in the works. I so need to get working on all these ideas and projects I have settled on my back burners.

No shows lined up yet. Last few ones I went to were big craft shows in the Woodstock area. (I work the Market beside the casino every Saturday,)

Not bad shows, But the first one we were in a bad area, and the vendor next to us was selling storebought jewellery. Grreeaat.. *sarcasim*

Ah well. It was still fairly fun, and I still got a few orders and sales.

Second one was bigger, some storebought yes. And a Lot of jewellery vendors.

It made me rethink some of my own stock.

I need to focus on more 'special' things. More unique pieces. I need something that I can proudly stand behind and seperate me from the crowd. At least I don't overprice. I saw a few nice bracelets there, and simply because they were magnetic hemitite they were way pricey. When I know, a vendor and maker myself.. I can get those stones fairly cheap.

Not naming any names, it just really bothers me how some people can argue with themselves, and get away with selling things like that for such a steep price. Even some of the occult shops who mark up their stuff so high because energy workers and people who -know- what the stones do buy them.

*shrugs* It drives me nuts. I mean if you craft a bracelet that takes you a few hours, and you put a lot of effort into it, yes the price Should be higher. Not because it's made of moonstone and you just Know it's a stone pagans are going to want.

I know, I know. Off topic.

Anyway, I'm changing how I'm going to do things. I figure adding information about the stones might be useful. So many people Want to know are and interested in what the stones mean and their names. So thats going to be changing over time.

Also, going to focus on jewellery that Means something. I've always tried to do this, but heck with it. Going to throw myself more into it.

Add my little crow stamp of approval to things :)

Okay, update finished for now. You can return to your regularly schedualed programming :)

-Crow

Been busy. If you've ever checked my gallery on DA you can find most my recent stuff there.

Lifes an interesting thing, filled with interesting promises, let downs, rollar coaster rides, and uncertainty. Lots of hopes, and just as many fears. If not more sometimes.

Right now my art is my life. It's the artwork that has been providing me more then the jewellery or other stuff.

But even that isn't providing me enough right now.

Working on lots of projects lately, but feeling a little scattered. Missing something. It's like I'm not quite feeling myself right now.

Ah well.

Current projects include greeting card lines, put out through a few stores. One in hamilton, one in Salem. But lots of work needs to be decided and settled.

Also might be involved in a tarot card project, but thinking the train for that one might have sailed. Or some such. So don't hold your breath.

I'm up to doing art commissions if anyones interested. Check me on my DA site for any inquiries. Or via email.

Keep safe all, life is never static.

-Crow

Well PPD hamilton was a nice little event, though the cold and threat of rain seems to have kept a lot of buyers from unleashing their wallets. Still, I do like going to the festival every year, and next year should be even better!

As for the business, things are winding down some. I'm waiting on news from a friend of mine, for a potential big project! but a little worried it might not pull through.

Also thinking ahead for halloween prints. I figure they might go very well at the market in time for the holidays, or at least maybe it will bring in more attention.

Little worried that things may be slowing down a bit too much.. but hey. Maybe brewin' a little more of the fae tea will bring me a smidge more luck? *laughs* gotta try something...