Wild Earth Integration

image via National Geographic

I came across this little guy (called a lilac-breasted roller!) while researching a new book – I just had to share it with you.

Creatures like this always get me to thinking about fantasy. I think one of the main reasons people love fantasy books so much is because of the possibility they represent. Magic, myth and legend are all deeply embedded in us and I think we’re drawn to the potential found in certain stories.

Of course, you’ll never catch me saying anything bad about reading, period.

But sometimes I think we forget just how magical, how fantastical the natural world can be; look at this bird!

Enjoy a little extra magic and color today – Happy Friday!

Okay, I’m the first to admit it’s been awhile since the last post. My bad.

But, the good news is I have a good reason.  (more on that later)

Today I wanted to share with you one of the coolest creature tricks I’ve ever seen. Spoiler, I can’t identify it exactly – but looks to me like some sort of American screech owl. Any takers?

To get the full effect, watch the video here – trust me!

What’s going on?

When up against a barn owl (which is only a little bigger than himself), our owl transformer puffs up. You know, using the ‘scare-them-off-I’m-too-big-for-food’ tactic.

But when he’s up against a much bigger owl, he opts for another strategy: camouflage. By stretching its whole body into a branch shape, he succeeds not only in freaking the bejeezus out of us but hopefully gets ignored by the bigger owl.

Not a bad trick!

I personally think he looks an awful lot like a vampire owl when he does that, but that’s a story for another day…

Although you shouldn’t trust a crocodile with your lunch, you can definitely trust them with your ideas.

This Wild Earth Croc-Book measures 3×5 inches and definitely won’t bite.

Happy Monday, all!

I’ve noticed that most of the things that are truly precious in life are those that are easiest to take for granted.

Trees are a prime example.

Maybe it’s because we see them all the time. Standing out there through the seasons, facing the elements with that quiet, stoic attitude. We don’t realize that our breaths essentially come from them, and that the oxygen that we need to survive comes from their silent processes.

It’s very easy to forget that we owe trees our lives. After all, they’re not exactly asking for recognition.

Many ancients referred to trees as the ‘Standing People’. They stood silently, becoming the keepers of our stories. They also had many stories to tell to those who listened.

Trees are a lesson in timing. They don’t push for the next season – they allow their leaves to bud, grow, change colors and drop as the world tells them. They accept each stage as it happens and use their energy wisely. I would guess that trees don’t mourn the spring when winter arrives. Probably because the seeds for next spring aren’t far behind.

The effect of trees on people can sometimes be known as ‘tree medicine’. This is not medicine in the traditional sense (although you might find yourself feeling better around trees). It’s about tapping into the stability and strength found in trees, and considering just how much that tree has seen.

To honour trees, I started a collection called TreeSkins. These are pendants (and soon to be other creations) that reflect the stoic nature of trees. Simple.

Individual trees also have particular strengths. To start, I chose the birch. This tree represents our ability to listen, see and reflect. Ultimately, birches mean realization. That’s a nice place to start.

The only piece of birch bark I had was a birthday (birchday!) card from a dear friend. (I have very clever friends).

Using that as inspiration, I made the first TreeSkin pendants. Can you see them in the pic above?

How about this?

They are 100% polymer clay, so you can take a little tree medicine with you wherever you go.

There are more TreeSkins to come – and I have a feeling I’d be kicked out of Canada if I don’t do a maple.

Keep it wild!

Update: A full gallery of Wild Earth Artifacts can be found here via Flickr.

If you don’t believe in dragons,

it is curiously true,

That the dragons you disparage

choose to not believe in you!

I told you this would get addictive.

Here’s another Wild Earth Notebook I cooked up this morning. I’ve hidden some tiny oak leaves all over to remind me of spring. Can you find them?

PS. Comments are back on so if you have any ideas for notebooks, drop them here!

I have to admit, I never set out this morning to make this. I had lots of scrap clay from my latest projects, but no idea what to do with them.

This is what happens when you leave me alone in a room with clay and a little Michael Buble.

On the far right is a shell, with a string of moss agate on the bottom left. There is also a small cluster of tiger’s eye in the top middle. I think the overall effect makes it look a bit like the forest floor.

You can imagine how this can get a bit addictive, so you can be sure to see more Wild Earth Notebooks in the days to come!

To custom order a notebook, contact me at wildearthintegration (at) gmail (dot) com

Keep it wild!

Okay, so it’s not my best title.

But there are some new Earthwings up and ready to go!

Don’t forget to check out the gallery above for more, or visit the nice people on the Artifacts FB page for updates.

Snowy Owl

Red winged black bird

Cardinal

I’m also happy to take suggestions or commissions for any of your favorite birds! Big Bird, anyone?

Keep it wild!

With winter in full swing here, there is lots of time for quiet pondering. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the lessons we can learn from ordinary things – things we might normally take for granted or not notice at all.

I can’t think of anything that goes more unnoticed than the humble rock.

We can learn a thing or two from rocks.

They start off sharp, with rough edges and points. But by rolling through the terrain, bumping into others, turning, reorienting and facing the elements, they ultimately become smooth.

It is much easier to navigate the world with smooth edges. Instead of crashing into something, you simply roll with it. Rocks teach you to roll through life, because being strong has nothing to do with being sharp.

Rocks can also teach you about strong foundations. You wouldn’t build a house upon a curved rock. Instead you’d find a flat one. Likewise, your intentions form the foundation of all your ideas, so it is important to give them attention. Rocks are physically and figuratively the poster child for solid ground.

To honor these humble rocks, I wanted to keep it simple. No etchings, no sculptures – just rocks.

These pendants are handmade from polymer clay and – wait for it – dryer lint, so they are very eco-friendly. Wear one to remind you to roll easily through life and enjoy the simplicity found among the rocks.

Ice Water Ring

Jade (my version)

Stuck in the River With You

Feelin’ Blue

Up close detailing – I love the flecks and facets!

Four Directions Ring

Mellowed Amber

Quirky

Amber & Jade

7 Sacred Teachings

(This rock has 7 holes, symbolizing the seven sacred teachings: love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility and truth)

If you would like your own river rock pendant, feel free to contact me at wildearthintegration (at) gmail (dot) com — various stringing options are available!

Keep it wild!

Feathers are underrated.

Not only do they allow birds to fly whenever they please, they also provide warmth, strength and a means of communication to others.

Feathers are also a world themselves. Birds use feathers to build their nests, keeping their young ones warm. Creatures live within their barbs, building cities that are invisible to us.

To some, feathers symbolize communication with higher realms and spiritual wisdom. Across cultures, the feather has become known as a symbol of the sky. Freedom.

“Look at the feather. In it is all that is – the ability to soar, to float, to reconnect, to come and go.”