“Because I make journals, I hear so many stories of what people are going through. These books are containers for traveling to new places, memories from a grandparent, every kind of grief, gratitude journals, a journey through healing cancer, and countless others. I really appreciate that I can create a concrete tool for others to use. It can be a tool for healing or remembering or processing or recording or learning or painting, etc. I also appreciate the connection that it creates…between my customers and I but also my customers with themselves or their friends or family. A handmade journal is a rather intimate and thoughtful gift. It’s an honor to get to be a part of that.”

Read the full interview here.

Thanks to Kristen Edwards from LEX 18 news for this interview. She asked what it’s been like as an artist during 2020 and also had me share excitement about the opportunity to be at Julietta Market with the Lexington Design Collective. The full article along with other interviews from the Julietta Market is here.

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Just kidding- the sun is out and it’s 68 degrees here in KY. I have just about caught up on all fall custom orders and have a few openings left for Christmas custom orders. If you are wanting to have a custom order by Christmas, let me know by Nov 11. I will have two online shop updates to be announced (mid Nov and early Dec). I will also have a local in-person shopping option, which I will announce as soon as the date is set. If you are hoping to see a certain design available online, let me know!

“Astrology is a science in itself and contains an illuminating body of knowledge. It taught me many things and I am greatly indebted to it.” - Albert Einstein

Astrology journals are now available online (http://reimaginedonline.com/shop/)! This journal is a collaboration between 3 local artists: Star Flower Sacred Services, The Chemical Marriage, and myself. Our intention was to create a container for your own astrological observations. It is a tool for beginners and studied astrologers alike. While it is important to study technical astrology from gifted teachers and texts, it is through our lived experience that we begin to embody the energy of the signs and planets in our own life.

The print on the front is from a block carving created by Chemical Marriage while the astrology information inside is from Star Flower Sacred Services. The first page is an invitation to draw your own natal chart with directions on how to do so. It is to help you connect with your own unique chart. The last two pages have a cheat sheet of words describing both the planets and the signs. The pages in between are blank and ready for your notes, journal entries, observations, dreams, questions, etc. Each journal comes with an additional sheet describing our intention in creating them and also ideas and prompts for how to use the journal. They are available in the zodiac and lunar cycle prints. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We hope you enjoy your astro adventure!

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” -Jeremiah 6:16

The labyrinth is an ancient symbol based on the spiral. While there are many layered meanings, I most simply see it as a walking prayer. It is one path in and one path out. While a maze is a puzzle and designed to get your lost, a labyrinth is a clear path and you need only keep taking each step in front of you. Walking towards the center is a reflection of looking inward and the path back out symbolizes re-engaging with those around you. Both are important. Many have used it for centering and meditation. This particular design is from ancient Crete, the oldest labyrinth design (besides an actual spiral).

I’m glad to be able to offer these and keep being reminded that our lessons are layered like these curves are. We start on the outer and think we have finished that understanding as we move forward, but we actually keep coming back to it, to a deeper understanding. It doesn’t necessarily mean we didn’t get it the first time...there are just more layers to it all.

May these assist you well as you walk your path. Patches created by The Chemical Marriage

"Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turned upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?" -Rumi

This quote sums up much of my past year. I've described it to some as having been turned upside down, everything shaken out of my pockets, and then put right side up, looking at everything with new eyes. It has been jolting (in a good way) and has reorganized my life- inside and out. Its rather incredible when these times happen. The fog begins to clear further, and we can see more honestly what IS as oppose to believing the illusions that we tell ourselves. Journaling is one of the catalyst for me. When I know I need to, I will sit and start "free writing" for 15 mins. This means that I just start writing whatever comes to mind and can't stop and check the internet or my phone or be distracted for 15 mins.  By then, I have broken through to where I will keep writing until everything comes out that needs to. Once I've emptied myself, I can better listen and the answers and insights come.

I was asked to be one of the artists interviewed by WKYT for the Waveland Art Fair.  Many thanks to Charla, who runs the show!  You can see the full tv interview here. 

This past weekend, I got to participate in the Winter Wizarding Waltz.  It was put on by Lexpecto Patronum- The Lexington Harry Potter Alliance.  It was Harry Potter themed with attire focused on the 1920's (thanks to Fantastic Beasts).  I enjoyed creating some speciality items for this show including wizard pouches complete with a scroll, quill, and potion bottle.  Between the music and dancing and costumes and food, it truly was a magical evening.

*Thanks to Jennifer Miller for the last two photos

I'm excited to announce that I have a couple of bookbinding workshops coming up in Lexington.  They will be at the Bread Box Studio, which is right behind West Sixth Brewery (same building).  The address is 501 W 6th St, Lexington, KY 40508.  They have a parking lot with plenty of free parking.  To prepay for the class, you can send payment via Paypal to reimaginedbyluna@gmail.com or call me with a credit card at 859.420.6536.  If you have any questions, just let me know!

March 18: 10-1 pm 
Bread Box Studio
Lexington, KY
Long-stitch Leather Journal using Reclaimed Materials
$55 prepaid by March 14/ $60 at door

This book-making class will teach a variation of long-stitch, which dates back to at least as early as the 18th century. We will use reclaimed leather and recycled paper for materials. Materials will be included. There will be several finishing options available (as shown in the photo).  Feel free to bring your own bead or something you would like to add to make it more your own. Suitable for ages 13 and up.  [ALL LEVELS WELCOME] 

April 1: 10-1 pm
Bread Box Studio 
Lexington, KY
Coptic Stitch using Reclaimed Materials
$45 prepaid by March 28/$50 at door

This book making class will teach a variation of Coptic Binding, which dates back to the early 2nd century. We will use repurposed book covers and recycled paper for materials.  Materials will be included. This book binding technique is suitable for ages 13 and up. [ALL LEVELS WELCOME]

If you are looking for a quick, but thoughtful way to show someone you care, check out these mini photo books. The idea is from a customer who was giving these out as Christmas gifts. She told me that she goes to Rite-Aid, prints the photo index card, and puts the tiny photos in the book necklaces. These photos (shown in the photo with the quarter) are really small. I'm creating a book necklace one size larger to accommodate the photos that are 1.25 x 2 inches (they cost .39 for 9 at Rite-Aid). You can find the small book necklaces here . The larger ones will be available online next week. If you'd like one before then, let me know.

The smallest photos are from the photo index card that you have the option of getting at the end of choosing your prints.  I used photo squares to adhere the photos to the page.  You can use any scrapbook adhesive as long as its acid-free.  

This custom order was for a woman as a Christmas gift to her son who is a river guide out west. She wanted something unique to him as well as durable and refillable. This is one of his favorite lined journal inserts, which will now be protected on all his adventures. The canyon, river and full moon scene are reminiscent of where he spends much of his time.

This is a custom-made pen/pencil case. It was inspired by the person's original case that was made out of cloth, and they wanted something more durable. Here is the finished product!

“At birth we are red-faced, round, intense, pure. The crimson fire of universal consciousness burns in us. Gradually, however, we are devoured by our parents, gulped by schools, chewed up by peers, swallowed by social institutions, wolfed by bad habits, and gnawed by age; and by that time we have been digested, cow style, in those six stomachs, we emerge a single disgusting shade of brown. The lesson of the beet, then, is this: hold on to your divine blush, your innate rosy magic, or end up brown. Once you’re brown, you’ll find that you’re blue. As blue as indigo. And you know what that means, Indigo. Indigoing. Indigone.”

-Tom Robbins

Here is one of the custom orders that I did this past month. It is a small leather refillable sketchbook. She said that she wanted it turquoise and wanted it to be based on the dandelion image that she sent me. I ended up hand-stitching the dandelion and was happy with how it turned out.

Thanks for all the support this season. Wishing you much merriment and brightness!!

Thanks to The Lane Report for including one of my journals in their promotion of the Kentucky Arts Council's Give a Gift from KY! To learn more about Give a Gift from KY, go here.

You can see more of the Lane Report here.

 

Thanks to everyone who came out for all the holiday shows!  November and December was full of shows and Christmas gift orders.  Thanks to each of you!

 Thank you to Artisan Made Decor and Gifts for sharing this! You can see the full article and photos here.

"In a world filled with lots of external noise coming at us from all directions, it can be difficult to listen to that inner voice that is trying to help you find your way. Our next Maker heard that voice, and heeded it’s call. Meet Melissa Oesch, the creator and owner behind Re-Imagined by Luna. She tells us of her story... “In college, someone asked if I wanted to learn book-binding. I have always been drawn to books. I read them voraciously growing up — as a way to travel, escape and imagine. I've also kept a journal since I was six years old, using it to reflect and process, even at that young age. So, the idea of creating a book to write in was appealing. The invitation was to an evening workshop where we learned to bind using the Coptic stitch. When I finished, I swore I would never make another book. It took more patience than I anticipated and was the floppiest book ever. Little did I know…. I started entertaining the idea of beginning a book-making business while I was working on an organic vegetable farm. I remember thinking, "What if I could DO this?" I knew the only way to find out was to try. The name for the business had already been given to me. It came one night when I was reflecting on the past few difficult years. A lot had happened that made me fearful of the future. I felt like I had been holding my breath waiting for some relief. It was that night that the word "re-imagine" was given to me. I had the poignant thought that I needed to re-imagine the way my life could be rather than assuming that it would always be the way it had been. It could be more wonderful than I had ever thought. I could not shake this concept. At the time, I was creating journals out of vintage book covers and recycled paper. The word "re-imagine" continued to echo inside me even in regards to beginning a business. It shouted to me that I was capable and quietly reiterated my desire to be eco-friendly through "re-imagining" my materials."

I participated in an artist appreciation fair at the University of KY today and had help from this young lady. I shared about how I got started, what my process is like, and did some demonstrating.  It was great to share with everyone who came through.  Thanks to the student activities board for having me!

Thank you to everyone who has come out to the past couple months of art shows! I appreciate your support and smiles and friendliness. Lately, I feel like more and more people have made a point to let me know who they gave a journal to and the impact it had. Thank you for your intention and for sharing. I am so grateful.