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I'm back in the workshop after some time away in the wilderness at Spirit Weavers Gathering.  Spirit Weavers is a five day celebration of cultures past,  a women's gathering where centered around remembering and practicing of ancestral skills "to ensure the survival of the body and the soul" - SW 

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The gathering takes place once a year on 90 acres of beautiful land in southern Oregon. Carving out time to live close to nature and truly connect with all its living things always teaches me new lessons, and when I return home, I am inspired to continue to integrate these little wisdoms into my work and art.  Dolly, one of my teachers from the gathering, said "Deep connection to the earth cuts away all untruth". Which is also to say that it inspires and makes way for the expression of your deepest truth. Nature is the sage that clears the human space.

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This is the firekit I brought home from my trip.  Carved in cedar by my amazing teacher Miriam who helped me make my first fire.  Damn was it hard! I can't remember the last time I wanted something THAT badly.  In the end it was teamwork that made the ember that lit the fire.  The fire that made my tears and filled my heart with gratitude.  I wouldn't change a thing about the way it came about.  A truly life changing experience on many levels.  Grateful to my teachers and grateful to carry these memories and this fire for the rest of my life.  Sparks are flyin'...

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Find Miriam on instagram @mirmirgrace

Find Dolly on instagram @pollycompost

#AHtoolsofthetrade