Favorite Small Businesses
Bloodmilk Jewels
“Jewelry inspired by Victoriana, Jungian Alchemy, Surrealism, and Melancholia.”
These ethereal talismans have been made in Philly since 2008, and every single piece is crafted with such care. The descriptions of the pieces are often the thing that draw me in every bit as much as the beauty and unique qualities of the designs, since Jess, the founder and designer, is so well-versed in literature, fairy tales, myth, the surreal, magic, Victorian sensibilities and style, and Jungian symbolism. I only buy pieces that speak to me, such as a lariat necklace I bought after my dad passed that has a hummingbird on one end and a sacred heart on the other, due to how both parts of the design symbolized him. Or the labyrinth pendant that double as a small offering bowl that signifies the story of Ariadne, which is integral to who I am. Or the teal green ring I bought to signify my first big book contract from a client hiring me to edit their work. Bloodmilk Jewels have also connected me with a large community of like-minded folks, many of whom are now friends. At this point in my life, if I have the coin to buy jewelry, the only buyer I support it Bloodmilk Jewels because they have everything I will ever need.
RitualCravt School
“RitualCravt School is an eclectic intersection of paths and traditions. We offer classes and workshops in a wide variety of folk traditions, magical and spiritual teachings, natural wisdom, and hard-to-find topics. We focus on guiding our students in how to bring ancestral and folk wisdom into their lives in meaningful and beneficial ways.”
I started teaching remotely for RitualCravt School a few years ago, and it has been an absolutely amazing experience. I feel so grateful to be included within this community of practitioners, and if I had all the time and coin in the world, I’d be taking every single remote class I could from all the teachers (and wishing I could be on-site to take the classes in person as well!) If your interests lie in any of the above areas, check out the list of available classes—there are new ones listed every quarter—and sign up!! You will be so happy you did.
Fiddler’s Green and Tales from Fiddler’s Green
Fiddler’s Green Peculiar Parish Magazine
Fiddler’s Green is a dreamy ‘zine, filled with evocative illustrations, essays, stories, poetry, musings, reviews, an embossed cover, and often, a playable flexi-disc. It is a publication that lured me in like a siren song from the first time I ever saw a picture of it on my “suggestions for you” on social media. I have never looked back.
After one of my fairy tales was accepted for publication, I volunteered myself to be the editor for a special collection of stories and poetry alone in a stand-alone issue, and Clint Marsh, the creator and editor, gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a few years later now and we are beginning to set the wheel into motion to call for submissions to the second issue of “Tales.” It is my privilege to work with this caliber of creative material.
Tales from Fiddler’s Green
