Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Friday, January 24, 2014

My Brigid Doll & Her Bed

 
A few days ago I finished decorating my Brideóg/Brigid doll and Leaba Bhríde/Brigid's bed. You can find out more about these crafts from a post I did recently, "Crafts for Imbolc". Both how I decorated the doll and the bed were very much inspired by one made by The Mad Plaquer {check out his, it is so lovely!}. Now I just need to make her a wee birch wand. :)
 

 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

New Charm Listings

I have added a few charm bottle and witch ball listings to the Unfettered Wood Etsy shop:


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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I am currently working on a few more charms which I hope to have listed in the shop soon.
 
Sláinte!
 
Laurel


Friday, January 17, 2014

Crafts for Imbolc

St Brigid Doll by St. Blaize

Imbolc or Lá Fhéile Bríde is just a couple of weeks away, so I thought that I would share some crafting project ideas, some of which I have been or will be doing myself.
 
Brigid's Cross/Crois Bhríde: Instructions for a traditional protective charm. You can see a video version here.
 
A Brigid Icon/Brideóg: An article about the history of the practice as well as some photos and ideas to inspire you to make your own.
 
Brigid's Bed/Leaba Bhríde: An entry in the Carmina Gadelica {volume 1} describing the practice of making and putting an icon of Brigid "to bed". There are mentions of materials to give you an idea on how to make your own.
 
A Recipe for Spring Cleaning: A herbal vinegar that I make to clean my house both spiritually and physically.
 
Collecting Cross Quarter Water: A write up of collecting water during the cross quarters {including Imbolc} and what it can be used for.
 
A Rowan & Red Thread Cross Charm for Safe Travel: Crafting that I did last year and put into a 
 
Paper Snowdrops: A neat little project for those of us who don't have this traditional Imbolc flower available to us this early in the year.
 
Hand Dipped Beeswax Candles: A great way to celebrate the returning light.
 
Highland Cow Sock Animal: One project idea, there are quite a few available online as well as kits such as this and this.
 
Sheep Craft Projects: There are a whole bunch of kid-friendly sheep crafting projects here.
 
Feel free to share any other ideas or resources in the comment section. :)
 
Sláinte!
 
Laurel




Thursday, January 9, 2014

Some Early 2014 Updates

 
I hope that 2014 is treating all of you well, dear readers!
 
Our welcoming in the new year was rather late and quiet around here as I was working both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. We had a feast for our Ancestors and incorporated in some traditional Hogmanay practices into our festivities, along with some ritual cleaning {although I have allowed myself the time until Imbolc/Lá Fhéile Bríde to get the rest of the heavy cleaning and organizing done!}.
 

 
Over the next little while you may notice some changes, with much need updates done to both the website and shop, as well as some new additional blog posting topics. One of those topics that should be coming soon is a series on Gaelic folk healing practices, which I already have a few different posts in the works. Should there be a specific type of healing practice topic that any of you may be interested in {i.e. regarding child birth, fractures, certain diseases} please feel free to let me know in the comment section or you can contact me privately.
 
More to come soon.
 
Sláinte!
 
Laurel