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Why Pagan Artisans Matter

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EDIT - since this post was posted, I have received several messages asking about the items in the pictures, and about who made them - they are all from my own work and my husband's. In the bio at the end of the post, you can find a link to my website. Thanks!

Among the many types of Leaders that inspire and connect Spiritual Seekers with their Paths, Pagan Artisans are often overlooked in favour of writers, speakers and bloggers – not that any of us is upset about this; we prefer to stay away from the stage lights, completely absorbed by our work, while they get into the debating, and set the foundations for what Paganism will be in the next generations. And thank the Gods that the writers, speakers and bloggers are there! Many times, they are our voice and our patrons, purchasing, promoting and sharing our work on their sites and podcasts, and I couldn't be more grateful for their presence and support.

The ones that make our lives difficult, and our future uncertain, are the resellers of items made in by the millions, with absolutely no connection to any spiritual energy, made by underpaid workers turned into slaves by corporations. This is not the customers' fault at all – I believe that it is our work to educate them and help them understand the true difference it makes to support Pagan Artisans, for us and for them, specially in this time of economic struggles for so many. And that's why I'm writing this article.

I can say with complete honesty that, if I don't make sales every week, I would be homeless in a month, and I am completely sure that many Artisans I know can say exactly the same. Not everyone has an alternative, or a supporting family. Many of us have absolutely nothing else, and yes, many times it gets scary. Very scary. The difference for us is very obvious – if we don't sell enough, it's week after week of eating rice, week after week of bills piling up, and week after week of not sleeping and getting ill out of pure exhaustion and worry. I don't think I need to say more about this – the starving artist myth is not a myth at all.

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The items that we make are always created in a sacred space and at a sacred time. The herbs we wildharvest are organic, and the land Spirits are paid with offerings and by cleaning the places of any trash left there by other humans. Each product you get from us is supported by a quarter of a century of study and experience in crafting Sacred Arts. We are completely devoted to what we do, and no detail is overlooked, from the moment we envision an idea to the moment we ship each order. This, compared to an item made by millions at a factory, should be enough difference already – but there's more.

The biggest difference lies in the effect of your work with Spiritual Entities. You cannot match the effect of a talisman or an incense that's handmade under our quality requirements with a dollar store incense stick, or an evil eye charm made by millions in China. This is not a question about price, because none of the items we sell is pricey – this is about the energy that items gather from the beginning of their making to the moment you purchase it. An item that is made with knowledge and love, that is made with materials that are environmentally responsible, and inside a sacred space, works better, faster and with more energy. Simple as that. Spiritual workers often say that intention is the more important element of a spell, and I agree – but work materials matter too. One handmade beeswax candle, that has been created by the beekeepers themselves, has ten times more power than a full packet of commercial paraffin candles.

And there is someone else that benefits from your choice – the Spirits you work with. I can tell you from my experience with our customers that those who care about the quality of the items they use, and even save for a while for those items, sacrificing something, get instant respect and attention from the Spirits they work with, because they know they made the best choice, and not the easiest. This is not only because they feel loved and appreciated – this is because us, the creators (and here I'm speaking about all kinds of creators, not only Artisans) are often, if not always, inspired an guided by them to do what we do. The Spirits inspire us, we offer you an item inspired by them, and when you offer it to them, they recognize it and give you their blessing and attention. When you purchase from us, and from any other hardworking and devoted Pagan Artisan, you are investing in your Spiritual Path, and gaining greater benefits than you could imagine.

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What You Can Do To Help

Needless to say, the first answer to this is to purchase from your favourite Artisans as often as you can – but, I understand very well that many customers can only afford a little very now and then, and that is perfectly fine; I'm not one to judge that because I understand their position perfectly. But, there are many things a customer can do for a home-based business besides investing money on it.

I think that it's important that you see yourself as a patron, more than as a customer. A patron is not only someone that purchases items from us – a patron provides connection by recommending us to other potential customers, shares our work on their social media, blogs about their purchases, suggests ideas, lets us know about potential opportunities – and all that is completely free. And, although I can't speak for others, for us that mean entering immediately the We-Love-You-Like-Family list, and those customers get the treatment a family member deserves, besides our complete gratefulness – and again, I can say from my experience that their readings turn out more accurate, their candles and spells work quicker and the works and offerings they make with our products turn into constant Blessings from the Spirits they work with.

This is just the proof/manifestation of the Universal law that says that we belong to each other, and we must support each other. By sourcing the best materials and taking care of every part of the process, we support your Spiritual path; by purchasing our products and Services, and spreading the word about our work, you support us. The Spirits around Bless both side of the transaction. When you choose a product made by a corporation, your purchase is supporting something entirely different.

Thank YOU so much. I wouldn't be here, writing these words on behalf of myself and of all Pagan Artisans, if it wasn't for YOU.


Note - all images are from items handcrafted by me and my husband. Please visit our website (link below) to learn more about our work.

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Last modified on

Spiritist and Artisan, follower of Maria Lionza's path. Born and living in Tenerife, one of the beautiful Canary Islands, on the Northwest coast of Africa, her artwork is deeply tied to her African heritage and Latin American Spiritism.

Comments

  • colleen brobeck
    colleen brobeck Sunday, 09 February 2014

    As an Artisan, upcycling clothes as guided and using intentions, connected to my path, and sharing magick of color, and just getting started in selling and connecting with others who can utilize what I am being guided to share, I thank you for your article. Coming out in my business as a Witch was intimidating enough, I need your suppoty, because by following what I am supposed to do to a T, I limit my audience significantly. But in order to be true to myaelf and my practices, I must. As a customer I thank you too for your insights on being responsible consumer! Thanks

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Sunday, 09 February 2014

    Thanks so much for your comment Colleen - wishing you the best of lucks with your business!

  • Beth Wodandis
    Beth Wodandis Sunday, 09 February 2014

    Thank you for this wonderful post! It highlights a lot of the reasons people forget about why buying from pagan artisans such as ourselves is just different--and better!

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Sunday, 09 February 2014

    Thanks so much Beth!

  • Jamie
    Jamie Sunday, 09 February 2014

    Ms. Gonzalez,

    Thanks for reminding us all of the importance of purchasing from Pagan artisans!

    Your stuff is beautiful, by the way.

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Monday, 10 February 2014

    Thanks so much Jamie!

  • Kaye
    Kaye Monday, 10 February 2014

    As a fellow artist, I believe that Intention is the key and as artists we create with intention thus stacking our intention in the making with the intention of the person using the object. I applaud the reminder to us all to patronize other artists wherever possible and spread the word.

  • Gloria Henry
    Gloria Henry Monday, 10 February 2014

    Thank YOU!

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Tuesday, 11 February 2014

    Thanks so much Kaye and Gloria!

  • Natalie Zaman
    Natalie Zaman Tuesday, 11 February 2014

    This is such an important message--thank you for sharing, and thank you to all the makers who fill our lives with such beauty. Support Indie Artisans! ♥

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Tuesday, 11 February 2014

    Thanks so much Natalie!

  • Arwen Lynch
    Arwen Lynch Tuesday, 11 February 2014

    First, HELLOOOOO CROCHET HOOKS! :D So happy to see those here. I love your message in this post. It's easy to grab something without considering the work!

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Wednesday, 12 February 2014

    Thanks so much Arwen!

  • Valerie Cates
    Valerie Cates Tuesday, 11 February 2014

    I feel like pagan artisans are just are important because they put energies into their crafts. Many of them also use what some call "dying arts" like forging, old fashioned leatherworking, metalurgy, etc. to create their art. And every single thing that I have ever gotten from a pagan artist has been unique. And Just like Arwen said, CROCHET HOOKS!!! Thank you pagan artisans and pagan workers for your work. It takes a special person with a special calling to do this.

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Wednesday, 12 February 2014

    Thanks so much Valerie!

  • Molly
    Molly Monday, 24 February 2014

    I appreciated this as another pagan artisan! I make sculptures and my husband does pewter casting. We co-create together at http://brigidsgrove.com. And, yes, mass produced items cannot give the same feel that our little goddesses carry with them (at least, I don't think so!)

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Monday, 24 February 2014

    Thanks so much Molly!

  • LilithBlackDragon
    LilithBlackDragon Friday, 28 February 2014

    I should think this applies to nonmaterial artists too, like musicians...

  • Carolina Gonzalez
    Carolina Gonzalez Friday, 28 February 2014

    Absolutely Lilith! Music, Poetry and other arts matter just as much, and need the exact same support. Music is also an essential part of my magical work, as my husband is a drummer :).

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