Ocean Inspired Shaman Bags

Hello There! 
*For your listening pleasure while you read, and then find out why this song at the end!
https://soundcloud.com/surfacetoairofficial/the-alessi-brothers-seabird

​I wanted to share some of my latest creations with you! I've loved making these shaman bags, and there is a reason why.
The idea came from a custom order for ceremony to hold items imbued with intent & love. I decided to create some with my own imbued meaning & a little story.

Come to think of it, most of my favorite / most popular items to make have come from custom orders! Give the people what they want!  For example, the double pompom hat, hats, or these clutches. This series of shaman pouches was created for Earth's Treasures, a shop up in Rockport, MA! If you're up there, check it out. The shop is so amazing, and filled with beautiful handmade goodies from all sorts of lovely people. <3 

I'm from the east coast. (Like, I could see the ocean from my bedroom window if I found the perfect angle.) Some trees blocked my view of the cove, and a power plant blocked the other bay looking towards the town across the water, but that has since been taken down. That massive change has completely altered my childhood memories of the neighborhood (for the better!) I'm really proud of my little town for finally removing the eye sore & environmental woe, but it did provide jobs and taxes to our little city, so I understand it. 

But being from the coast means I have a deep connection to the energetic force of the ocean. The Atlantic is a beautiful body of water. I'm not crazy about swimming in it necessarily, (unless it's Crane Beach. <3) but I don't have to swim in it to know I'm home. Being near the beach, being in the presence of the ocean is so calming, centering, and it doesn't judge how you feel. It's watery vibe encourages us to feel what we feel. It's this that drew me to it, and I imagine the draw of the sea for many sailors (and beachgoers alike) is because of it's flowing yet ruthlessly powerful vibe. I spent A LOT of angsty teen moments on the beaches in my area, sitting and staring, or walking, taking in the calming affect of nature, and wondering what life held for me.... 

(The snarky side of me want's to say, "Ah, to be young."
But like who am I kidding? I'm 25. Bahaha! But the story is true, & I do really feel that the ocean is incredibly beautiful & powerful on so many levels. And I guess 8-10 years does make a difference.)

It's not those angsty feelings I channeled for these bags however. I did tune into those powerful watery vibes, the feeling of an ocean hug, so to speak. But I also created these bags with this in mind:

The way it feels to walk down the rocky point, out past the shops & the old buildings, weathered by sea spray and wind.
Sunny days, drinking iced tea, eating lobster rolls, with the sound of the tide lapping at the barnacles. (The pang of longing is reaaaallll strong now that I'm talking about lobster rolls...). Those summer days that could replace the definition of "Bliss" in the dictionary. Those ocean side weekends, the fun in the sun kind of days. The carry all that brightly colored stuff onto the hot sand, burn your feet and fight the crowds cuz' it's worth it kind of days. That's what inspired these bags! The ocean, it's mysteries, it's beauty, and it's undeniable presence. It's a real facet of home for me, so keeping this connection alive through my work really helps me feel... happy. :)

Enjoy!

​-Erin

*** IM NOT EVEN KIDDING HERE: I JUST PUBLISHED THE BLOG AND REALIZED WHAT SONG IS PLAYING ON MY DISCOVER WEEKLY.  (WO)MAN!! SOMETIMES MUSIC & THE UNIVERSE JUST CRACK ME UP!!! THE SONG "SEABIRD" JUST CAME ON MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST. IT'S BY ALESSI BROTHERS. UNIVERSE, I SEE YOU. You get me. <3  *** ​