My First Attempt at Steampunk

Greetings all.

I'd like to show you my first Steampunk creation.

From Wikipedia...

"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization 

during the 19th century."

I dig the look of steampunk, but I must say I am much more goth...much, much more goth. 

But I can help but wonder, "Is steampunk the new goth?"

So, my journey into the steampunk world began with 

this charm my mom sent me.

She is always sending me pieces of jewelry knowing I will probably create something out of it.

(sorry the pic is kind of dark)

I got some gears and these perfectly round shell beads. 

And it all started to magically come together. 

I found the pewter flower beads at A.C. Moore and 

just knew they would complete my vision.

The final creation...I'm happy with it. 

And now I leave you with Lady Opal Night Stream...

I really just don't get it...

but hey, it's "Portlandia".

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Local Artist Craft Show

Come see me at 

The Local Artist Craft Show

sponsored by Paris of the South Flea Market

When: This Saturday, February 9

What time: 10am-3pm

Where: Francine Delany New School for Children 

             119 Brevard Road Asheville, NC

I'll have my recycled candles, spiritual necklaces, cigar box purses,  pin up greeting cards...and some handmade Valentine's Day greeting cards. 

There will be 25 local Asheville vendors there...

here are just a few...

I'll be there, Spirit Dancer Creations

OurOwn, Inc.

Asheville Stained Glass - Biltmore Glassworks
(I'm really excited that Asheville Stained Glass will be there...
I love Jen's work!)

Vagabond Studios

Maid of Mars

Mathilda Tanner, The Crystal King, Sharon Hanson, 
Stephanie Malyszka, Sister Threads, 
and many more!

Come check it out!

There will be live music and 

a vast amount of handmade items to peruse.

It's a perfect opportunity to find your special someone 

a Valentine gift.

Want your loved one to swoon? 

Buy them a handmade present!

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Upcoming Events

Feeling groovy...feeling inspired...feeling crafty.

I got a couple of shows up my sleeves for 

Spirit Dancer Creations. 

First off is a local artist craft show 

sponsored by Paris of the South Flea Market.

It's the Saturday prior to VD. 

You know...Valentine's Day...

February 9

10am-3pm

at the Francine Delany New School for Children

75% of the vendor fees goes to the Francine Delany New School for Children building fund.

I'll have my usual wares...spiritual necklaces, intention candles, and I think I may create some VD items. 

Maybe some bracelets to do with love...or some greeting cards.

I'll see what mood strikes me.

And for the 2nd show, break out your fishnets and corsets!

I will be selling pin up wares at 

the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival. 

I haven't been this excited about a show 

since VAGINAfest back in my Orlando days. 

I love burlesque. I love sexy. 

I love any excuse to break out my fishnets!

They contacted me through my Etsy shop and 

I am just over the moon happy about that. 

Would I like to vend? 

I didn't really need to even think about it. 

Sign me up!

I'll have pin up greeting cards, pin up cigar box purses, and 

all things pin ups. 

I have some ideas whirling around my brain right now. 

I'm also really happy ABSFest is in May...

so I have plenty of time to create sexy wares.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

My Personal Transformation Bracelet

Transformation

Most of you know I have some big things going on in my life right now...and I chose a "word for the year". 

Just one word...but it's a long big one. 

TRANSFORMATION 

I saw in my Fly Sista group some of them getting necklaces 

with their personal word. 

Well, I wear a different necklace almost every day depending on my mood...something special I have created just for me. 

So, I couldn't add another necklace...I decided I needed a bracelet. 

I looked at my supply and 

didn't have all the letters for "transformation". 

I went to three different craft stores and 

just couldn't find what I envisioned. 

Finally, I hopped on the internet and found some cool black and white letter beads on Fire Mountain Gems.

I LOVE these beads. 

I can wear them every single day 

and it will match whatever I'm wearing.

Plus when I look down when I'm typing, writing, driving, etc...

I see my word proudly displayed across my wrist.

I added four round wood beads. 

Four, representing the four elements. 

I used hematite beads in between to keep me 

grounded on my 2013 journey. 

And the cherry on top of my sundae...a fairy!

She was originally on a necklace I created for me, but she didn't seem right on it...I had been saving her for something...something special...and now I figured out where she belonged.

On the back of her it has the words, "forget me not". 

I'm wearing this bracelet every day. 

I love it, it's such an 

incredible reminder of what is in store for me. 

It's a reminder of what we manifest can come to fruition. 

If any of you would like your word created into a bracelet, 

let me know! I would love to make you one. 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Pay It Forward

Photo credit: http://toblackbeltandbeyond.com/category/pay-it-forward-2012/

Do you like to RECEIVE handmade gifts? 

Do you like to GIVE handmade gifts and bring joy to others? Do you want to join a blog hop that involves giving and receiving in a PAY IT FORWARD manner?

PAY IT FORWARD 2013

I am participating in this project because I believe that giving handmade gifts is important in many ways. Not only does it bring joy to others but it helps us as artists stretch our creative bones, make new friends and connections, and spread the handmade movement further and further into our world.  I commit to giving a handmade gift to one person who signs up to participate in this project and who is willing to "Pay It Forward" on ther own blog.  Ready to join the fun?

GUIDELINES

1

If you would like to participate, please sign up by leaving a comment below on this post.

Follow up by emailing me with your contact information.

The first person to show commitment to the project will receive a handmade gift from me!!!

2

Post this project on your own blog--I will email you a simple cut-n-paste to make it easy.

Gather one new participant and be willing / prepared to follow through with the "Pay It Forward" part!!!

(I will send your handmade gift once you've shown commitment by gathering one new participant)

Please link back to this original post: 
("JOIN THE FUN! Pay It Foward 2013").

I will include a link to your post so 
we can follow the project from its origin.

3

I will give you a small, heartfelt handmade gift.

In turn, give a small, heartfelt handmade gift to your participant and bring on the joy!

(please wait to send a gift until your participant has gathered their own new participant)

(also please only enter under one blog... unless you are willing to perpetuate more than one chain)

(If you want to join but my slot is filled, follow the link below until you find an open slot)

******

My participant and their "Pay It Forward" blog link:

Stacie Florer 

Congratulations, Stacie! 
I look forward to creating something fabulous for you!

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Perks! Do you want a year's worth of advertising?

http://isozial.wordpress.com/perks/

So...most everyone knows my BIG goal for 2013 is 

to become a successful Life Coach.

It will happen.

However, I need your help. And of course, I would help you back.

I'm the Pay It Forward type of Fairy. 

Right now my Indiegogo campaign is at $400...

I'm still $295 away from the tuition costs alone and 

there are only 11 days left. 

I wanted to talk about the perks I'm offering. 

I want to talk about how these perks can help you!

How many of you have 

your own creative business? 

Do you want your business to grow? 

Well...for a donation of just $40, I will give you a year's worth of advertising on my website. I will have a business networking page where I will list your name with a super big Thank You and you have the opportunity to list your business here. 

Include your website, blog, Facebook page, Pinterest, Etsy shop, and any online link for your business is encouraged. 

Want a little bit more? 

Want something even more exciting?

Donate $50 and you get the year's worth of advertising 

plus a Spirit Dancer Intention Candle.

What exactly is a Spirit Dancer Intention Candle?

My candles are quite unique. They are crafted with recycled wax. Plus I add magic to them! I'm a Reverend and I bless my candles with energy attuned to the color and scent. 

Have you chosen a word for 2013? I can infuse the energy of that word and your intention into the candle. 

Passion. Abundance. Love. Focus. 

Whatever your chosen word, 

you can have an Intention Candle for it.

Check out my campaign and the perks.

Campaign Amy, Project Life Coach

I believe we can help each other grow in our creative businesses and flourish in our lives! 

Spread the love!

Thank you oodles to everyone who has donated!

You will be rewarded, you will be held forever in my gratitude!

Campaign Amy, Project Life Coach ends January 14.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Interviews

http://janinewhitling.com.au/blog/

Hey everyone! 

I am honored to be the featured artist on Art by Janine Whitling. 

She said the 

sweetest things about me. 

The interview was tons of fun and 

I’m above the moon happy about it. 

Grab a cup of tea or 

coffee and give it a read.

Spotlight on Amy Riddle, a thank you for a blogger award & other artistic creations

I was also featured on Alisa Steady's awesome blog a couple of weeks ago for The Soaring Artist's Voice.

http://alisasteadyart.blogspot.com/

The Soaring Artist's Voice: An Interview with The Spirit Dancer, Amy Riddle

While over at Alisa's blog you should check out her blog series called, "I Quit My Day Job!"

Truly inspiring. Yes, we can...and we will. 

I'm just gushing with happiness over these interviews!

Thank you so fairy much!

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Continuous Inspiration

Back in July I was hit hard with the crafty creative bug.

I've been creating necklaces and candles for 11 years...

off and on that is.

There have been breaks. Big breaks, little breaks. I would get distracted with other things, work, other hobbies, life.

And then I had a moment. 

The bad kind. The kind of moment that throws you on the bed staring at the ceiling wallering in complete patheticness. 

Thoughts running through my brain, 

"Amy, why aren't you vending? Why aren't you selling your crafts? What happened? This is one of the many reasons you moved to Asheville....and you have vended once in 3 years!"

The urge to vend was strong. The urge to craft was stronger.

I just laid there all sad and mopey.

Chris asked me what was wrong...I let it all out...

I finished with, "All I really need to vend is a tent, 

but I don't have a tent."

He said, "Well, then...get one."

Oh. Yes. Okay. Why was I letting something so silly hold me back? Ha. I don't know, but once he said that...I was like 

HELL YEAH, I WILL GET A TENT. 

Vending here I come!

I researched the markets around here and felt connected to

 Paris of the South Flea Market.

I got a tent and started vending. The Paris of the South Flea Market welcomed me with open arms and smiles.

I was having a fantastic time, I met some great people...but doing a show every single Saturday drained my energy.

I decided to take a break from vending and 

focus my energies elsewhere. 

I had signed up for Kelly Rae Robert's Flying Lessons course. 

When the class started in September, 
I threw myself in head first. 

I got up early every single morning to 

read the class lesson and take notes. 

Everyday I learned new things about having a creative biz. 

A fantastic bonus of the class is a Facebook group of everyone enrolled in the course.

At first, I was so completely overwhelmed by this...

over 600 super talented, artsy women!

How would I ever connect with so many? 

The class ended, but my daily browsing of 
our Facebook page hasn't. 

And something quite unexpected has happened.

I feel connected with these women. I now know some of them. 
I pop on and see their faces and 
know their names.

I know their artwork.

I know their goals, inspirations, and dreams.

It is amazing to be part of such a wonderful group of women who are truly in support of each other. 

They have become part of my daily life.

As a result of Kelly Rae's course and my Flying Sisters, I have reopened an Etsy shop, revamped my blog, signed up for a painting class, I'm in an "Artist Way" book club, I swap ATCs (artist trading cards, I act like I know the lingo), 

and most importantly...

the inspiration just keeps flowing.

I have now been on a continuous streak of creating 

and I'm not going to stop.

And through all of this I have realized my calling. 

I know what I want to be when I grow up.

Becoming a Life Coach is the next step.

I have felt a shift in me.

There is no turning back. I am on a roll. I'm going to keep creating candles. I'm going to keep working on my creative biz.

By Spring of 2013 I will be a Life Coach.

I am inspired and I'm not quitting. 

Check out my campaign on Indiegogo...

Campaign Amy, Project Life Coach

Please help if you can! 27 days left to meet my goal!

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

How I Create Cool Candles

"How do you make your candles?"

Spirit Dancer Recycled Candles 

I get asked this quite often. Maybe it should be a secret...

but I'll let you in on my process.

I pretty much made it up. I go with my instincts.

One of the reasons my candles are so special is I use recycled wax. You know when that pillar candle burns out, but there is still wax? That's what I use, old candle scraps. Friends have been donating their scraps to me for years. I started making candles in 2001. I can't believe it's been 11 years!

So, first I melt the wax.

Next I pick out which molds to use and get them ready.

Now it's time for the secret ingredient!

Are you ready? Some of you already know. 

Ice, ice baby!

Yup. It's that simple. I love working with ice. 

It gives all the candle creations a unique look!

I fill the molds halfway with the ice. 

I check on the wax to make sure it has all melted. 

This is where I would add any dyes or scents. 

After figuring out the color and scent, I charge the wax, adding specific spiritual energy.

That's right...these candles are magic!

Okay, time to pour. 

I love this part!

Let them set and you will have one of a kind candle creations!

Recycled, magical, and unique...

 All Spirit Dancer candles are made with recycled wax and lots of fairy love. 

These candles are made possible with donated candle scraps. 

Don't throw out that pillar candle when it's done burning-give it to me 

and I'll create a new luminous wonder. 

I'll even give you Spirit Dancer Creations merch in exchange for wax.

Thank you!

Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 

 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

I'm an Ambassador for Handmade In America

I'm an Ambassador for 

Handmade In America! 

What is Handmade In America, you ask?

"Handmade In America believes the handmade object has 

the power to transform both individuals and communities, 

and build partnerships and economies that are firmly rooted 

in the culture of Western North Carolina."

~Gwynne Rukenbrod, 

Executive Director of Handmade In America

Excerpt from Handmade In America Facebook page:

Mission:

To grow handmade economies through craft, cultural heritage, and community assets.

Description:

In 1993 a handful of Western North Carolina residents came together to find a fresh approach to economic development in their mountains. They knew that the region was filled with assets: it boasts some of the oldest, grandest mountains in the world, it is a biodiversity hotspot, and it serves as a home to some of the most creative craft artists in the nation. This small group of citizens therefore realized that this industry of craft artists, working in studios, classrooms, and galleries tucked away throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, held the key to creative and sustainable economic development.

I am proud to be an Ambassador and Member 

for Handmade In America. 

I believe in craft. I believe in answering your calling. 

I believe in Handmade In America.

Right now a campaign is going on to help Handmade In America continue to thrive. They have already reached over half their goal.

Here is a message from Gwynne Rukenbrod.

(I'm super honored to be quoted in this video. Yay!)

A few ways to show your support...

~Go to http://www.indiegogo.com/handmade and donate. 

There are amazing perks and membership opportunities! 

~Spread the word. We are all connected. Social media is powerful. Here are social media links for Handmade In America:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handmadeinamerica

Website: http://handmadeinamerica.org/

Blog: http://handmadeconnected.wordpress.com/

Campaign: http://www.indiegogo.com/HandMade

~Buy handmade! Support crafters. Attend local craft shows. Buy your birthday presents and holiday gifts handmade. Don't go to the mall! Would you like some inspiration? 

Awesome Etsy Shops to Check Out - Support the craft!

"I am a crafter of sorts and it delights my heart to help out such a great campaign! Buy local. Buy handmade." ~Amy Riddle

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer