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Our Pagan Circle: An Interview with Idol Hands Crafts




Hello everyone! We're back with the second Our Pagan Circle interview featuring Kathy Bowman of Idol Hands Crafts! Idol Hands and Darkflower vend together, so pretty much wherever you find me, you'll find Idol Hands in the next tent over. And away we go!


It's nice to meet you! Please tell us your name and business name, a brief description of your business or practice, and how long you have been working in the pagan community.


I'm Kathy Bowman of Idol Hands. I make resin art creations.


Where are you geographically based?


Idol Hands is in Lovettsville, VA.


Do you have a shop or website or both?


Right now, you can reach us through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IdolHandsCrafts


What first drew you to this line of work? Please tell us a bit about your background. How did you end up doing what you do today?


My daughter Sarah. I am a mom of 3 beautiful girls, (Nicole, Emily, and Sarah) and have been married to John for 27 years this year. I have an extensive work history of office work and was recently let go of my job in October. I decided that I needed a change and wanted to focus on something I am passionate about. The funny thing is that I didn't realize my passion was resin until I started experimenting with it. I love the community of people that I am surrounded with at markets and shops.



Please share with us a bit about what inspires you.


I love to let my creativity just run loose. It amazes me with every market how people always tell me that my stuff is "beautiful". I am also always so excited to get custom orders and see items that sell at the different shops. (Doppio Bunny, Artisan Market, Moon Phased, Raven Conjure, and Loudoun Crystals). I want to also let my children see that it is never too late to follow your dreams.


What new projects do you have in the works for 2024?


For 2024 I get to explore the different seasons and holidays. Since I only started Idol Hands in August of 2023. I am growing my animal creations and working on the Spring line. I am also venturing out to set up and run new markets in the Purcellville area and helping with events at Doppio Bunny Coffee. https://www.facebook.com/doppiobunny



Any upcoming events can we find you at?


YES ! Starting this Saturday, February 17 - Artisan Market Studio (AMS) will be attending the Mobile Market at Eat Loco One Loudoun. They will be there every Saturday through March 16. Being a member of AMS give vendors the opportunity to be showcased at different venues and AMS does all the work. https://www.artisanmarketandstudio.com/winter2024


March 3rd: Ostara Market at the Salisbury Center in Manassas - hosted by Whispering Willow Wellness https://www.facebook.com/events/1289315772469901/


March 17: Ostara Market at Raven Conjure https://www.facebook.com/events/1092247395284350/



March 22-23: AMS Spring Market at the Barn of Brambleton. https://www.artisanmarketandstudio.com/spring-market2024




May 18: Lovettsville Mayfest https://lovettsvillemayfest.com/


May 25: Hare Moon hosted by Doppio Bunny and Idol Hands - The Plains, VA




What is your favorite part about interacting with the pagan community?


I love the community of people that I am surrounded with at markets and shops. I finally feel that I am in the right place in my life. I am so grateful for the welcoming I have received and the support that continues to grow.


Do you have any favorite pagan websites, authors, artists, musicians, groups, podcasts or practices you'd like to share?


Of course my favorite author is Tava Baird. I am just starting to learn the Spiral Pathways Witchcraft, so this is the next exciting step in my life (thank you, Kathy! -ed.)





Anything else you'd like to share with us?


I am so grateful for the support of my family, friends and customers.


Thank you so much, Kathy! We wish Idol Hands a prosperous first full year in business, and we are looking forward to all you new creations in 2024!


Want to be featured in an Our Pagan Circle interview? Send a request to Tava at tavabaird@gmail.com! See more of Kathy's art below:



Tree of Life



Gearfrog



Idle Hands by Idol Hands



See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Speak No Evil



Collage Whale



Collage Seal

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GET YOUR HOT FAERIE MEN HERE! GIVEAWAY!

Happy Tuesday! Are you in need of a little bit of magick today? How about a little *sexy* magick? Have I got a giveaway for you, and they are named after two drool-worthy Scottish men from my Spiral Pathways series:


First, meet Alex. This is the front of Alex:



....and this is the back of Alex:


Alex is a hand-poured and hand-painted one of a kind resin statue by Idol Hands (get on over to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IdolHandsCrafts). His gorgeous self is 4" tall and would make a killer paperweight to keep you company at your desk. If you win him, he comes with a package of blue-themed Faerie and butterfly stickers for your journal or what have you.


And then, there's Thomas:


He's got a little bit of gold glitz on his wings, and also has a nickname: "The Magician" (perhaps because of the magick he stirs up, raaaawwwwrrrrr.) Here's the back of him:



Look at those...wings. Yes, you should definitely be captivated by those...wings. Not his tush. Definitely not his tush. If you win him, he comes with a pack of lovely pale yellow Faerie and butterfly stickers.


To enter, go HERE:


and fill out the form! Giveaway ends at 5 pm on Tuesday, March 5th, and we'll announce the winner that night!




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Our Pagan Circle: An Interview with Melissa Harvey of Whispering Willow Wellness



Hello all! We're starting a new weekly feature on the blog called Our Pagan Circle. Each week we'll be featuring a different practitioner, organization, organizer or artist who works in the pagan community. First up is Melissa Harvey of Whispering Willow Wellness, and she does A LOT. Once each person or group is featured, their info will reside on a new community resources page that will be added to the blog shortly for future reference.


Want to apply to be featured? Contact me at tavabaird@gmail.com!


Our Pagan Circle: Melissa Harvey


It's nice to meet you! Please tell us your name and business name, a brief description of your business or practice, and how long you have been working in the pagan community.


Hi, I’m Melissa Harvey. I’m the owner of Whispering Willow Wellness LLC. I’m also the organizer of the Silver Moon Emporium Market. Whispering Willow started out as an energy healing practice in August of 2020. I am a Certified Reiki Master Teacher, who is also certified in Sound healing, Crystal healing, Access Bars, and other modalities. I work with both people and pets. Over the years Whispering Willow has evolved to include intuitively created jewelry, healing dolls/poppets, and other handmade items that are unique and intentionally created to help individuals on their healing journey.


Where are you geographically based?


I’m currently located in beautiful Old Town Manassas.


Do you have a shop or website or both?


I have a physical space where I primarily do my healing services. I do keep some retail items in store and also offer workshops and other pop up events there as well. My website is in the process of being updated. It’s still visible to see the services I offer, but I removed my online booking temporarily as I work to reframe my schedule and add retail to the site. Appointments can still be made, it just requires an email, a text or a phone call for now.


What first drew you to this line of work?


I’ve always known I wanted to help people. What I didn’t know is what that might look like. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, but then quit because I knew that path wasn’t quite right. It was a little too much of “everything has to fit in a box and be labeled” life doesn’t always work that way and I needed something more open. While psychology has its place and benefits, I believe it’s not always a stand alone fix/approach. I got to a point in my life when I hit, what felt to me like rock bottom. I felt lost and began having panic attacks and I knew that something needed to change. I started learning meditation and eventually stumbled onto a reiki level one class. Although, I didn’t know much about reiki at that time, I have never felt so called to take a class. So I did! It was a life changing moment and it opened so many doors for me. Not just in a healing aspect, but professionally as well.


Please tell us a bit about your background. How did you end up doing what you do today?


I would say that the first half of my life I wasn’t allowed the opportunity to be who I was. I was always told you have to follow guidelines and be the perfect image of what society thinks is acceptable. Many aspects of this never sat well with me. Once I hit that rock bottom moment everything began to change. I knew I needed to find my own way and truly learn who I am. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m constantly learning and evolving and it’s amazing how much I’ve grown. Along that journey of self discovery, I felt called to help people in anyway I could. It started as just a dream of someday opening a business, and I thought that’s all it would ever be, when the universe basically handed me the opportunity. It was amazing and unbelievable, but I accepted it, along with all the fears and self doubt that came along with it and here I am. It’s not exactly how I pictured it to be, but I wouldn’t trade it. As a part of my business I also open my space up to new practitioners to use as needed. This is my way of paying forward the opportunity that was given to me.


Please share with us a bit about what inspires you.


Being alive, really. There are so many things that inspire me. Sunsets, my kids, books I read, conversations. There is beauty and inspiration in everything, sometimes it’s not obvious but it’s always there.


What new projects do you have in the works for 2024?


Right now I’m mostly working on poppets and healing dolls. I was recently inspired by a book series I just finished, and have been working on a line of Greek God/Goddess inspired dolls. These are great for altar decorations, deity work, and self healing/inspiration. Each doll is as unique as the individual who chooses them. I also recently finished a new line of necklaces that are all witchy-inspired with specific crystals used to match the intention I had in mind when creating them. I only make each of these necklaces once, and while similar beads, pendants may be used the intention and patterns are always different so there will never be another one exactly the same. I have so many new ideas so who knows what else will manifest into reality this year!


Any upcoming events can we find you at?


I have several booked for this year currently and will be adding more. Here are my first few.


My first market of 2024 will be the Silver Moon Emporium Ostara Market. Sunday May 3rd at the Salisbury Center in Manassas. This event is free to the public. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silver-moon-emporium-spirit-of-spring-ostara-market-tickets-792497109187


You can also find me at Raven Conjure in Winchester on 3/17 for their Ostara Market. https://www.facebook.com/share/VFayDGEQapSQZtyd/?mibextid=9l3rBW



The Metaphysical Market at Mountain Run Winery 4/28 in Culpeper: https://www.facebook.com/share/KRRXMDRt6TS4x1rs/?mibextid=9l3rBW


What is your favorite part about interacting with the pagan community?


The people for sure! For the most part the community is open minded and welcoming. Of course there are always exceptions, but overall it is a wonderful community of people.


Do you have any favorite pagan websites, authors, artists, musicians, groups, podcasts or practices you'd like to share?


I have many pagan favorites but I feel mostly called to share this one, if you’re into podcasts I would recommend Keeping Her Keys: At the Crossroads of Modern Life and the Deeper World by Cyndi Brannen. Also not to sound like I’m sucking up, but Tava Baird is also a favorite of mine (Aww shucks, thanks, Melissa! -ed). Her talent is amazing as an author, an artist, a teacher, and even just as a person she is all around amazing and inspiring! She has been a big inspiration to me in many ways and also was the one who taught me about poppets and making them which truly inspired a love for creating them within me!


Anything else you'd like to share with us?


If you’re interested in learning more about my healing services visit my website www.mywhisperingwillow.com Free consultations are always welcome. You can also find me on Facebook, Whispering Willow Wellness LLC and Instagram @whispering_willow_LLC to stay up to date with upcoming events, classes, or sneak peaks at retail items. And thank you Tava, for this opportunity!


Thank you, Melissa!


Here are some of Melissa's poppets and jewelry to enjoy!



Persephone Poppet



Apollo Poppet




Medusa Poppet



Jewelry by Melissa Harvey

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