Celebrate the changing of the seasons and the beauty and power of the Moon, the Stars, and the Sun. Written by a Witch who has spent many years teaching the Craft of Wicca to newcomers, this introductory guide presents everything you need to know for successful witchery, including: * An essential set of instructions and guidelines for beginning the practice of the Ancient arts * An overview of Wiccan beliefs, laws, rules, and principles * Directions for creating and using basic tools of the Craft--athame, wand, cup, pentacle, cauldron, broom, black mirror, and meditation * Easy-to-follow instructions for altar setup, circle-casting, building power, Deity invocation, and more * An assortment of miscellaneous spells, chants, and invocations for a variety of purposes Walk the path of the Witch--live in harmony and balance, and discover the sacred within the natural world with The Craft.

The essential how-to guide to major crafting techniques, including work from more than 150 contemporary artists for inspiration and projects to galvanize your creativity in every medium No longer confined to the domain of the domestic, today craft is prized in almost every sphere of creative endeavor, whether architecture, food, fine art, or fashion. The Handmade Life serves as both inspiration and instruction manual for Etsy entrepreneurs, artists, and hobbyists alike—modern creatives seeking new ideas and techniques, and to sharpen their skills. Organized by theme and featuring thirty-four techniques (such as origami and appliqué), each chapter inspires with the work of contemporary artisans, one big project, and five project ideas, and informs with a short historical overview of each medium, design notes and things to consider before getting started, tools and techniques illustrated with a combination of hand-drawn diagrams and photography, and lists of websites and other sources for further reading. With over 150 artists featured and hundreds of project how-tos, The Handmade Life brings together information on a wide range of media and techniques into one essential manual.

Featuring contributors who have their own distintive, high traffic blogs, this book is a follow-on to "Stitch n' Bitch."

Over 1000 tips, trick, techniques, ideas, solution, projects and secrets from the pros.

Step into a world where the alchemy of curds and whey unfolds before your eyes, where the whispered secrets of ancient artisans become a symphony of flavors on your palate. "The Artisan Cheese Maker's Companion" is your gateway to becoming the cheese maker you never imagined you could be, all from the comfort of your own home. This comprehensive guide embarks on a delightful journey through the culture, craft, and science of cheese. Discover the beauty in the history that evolved from simple preservation techniques to the vast array of cheeses savored and celebrated across the globe. Grasp the foundational knowledge of varieties and the pivotal processes that form the cornerstone of this time-honored craft. Your transformation begins in your very own cheese kitchen. From setting up your sanctuary of creation to demystifying the language of the cheese maker, this book ensures that you are equipped with all the essential tools and knowledge to start your cheese-making endeavors. Next, immerse yourself in the essence of cheese—the milk. Dive into the debate of raw versus pasteurized and understand how different treatments influence your end product. The ancient dance of curdling awaits you, as you learn how to coax milk into yielding its precious curds through rennet and acid, followed by a masterclass in treating and processing these curds to achieve diverse textural delights. Each chapter builds upon the last, ushering you into the world of salting, shaping, pressing, and ultimately aging your cheese to perfect maturity. Craft soft cheeses that melt in the mouth, stretchy strings of mozzarella that tantalize, or embark on the rewarding challenge of pressed and aged varieties like cheddar and gouda. Unveil the techniques of flavor infusion, and invite innovation into your cheese making. Have you ever encountered a texture or aroma problem? No need to despair—the book includes a thorough troubleshooting guide to keep you on track. Your artisanal voyage doesn't end there. Learn how to complement your creations with pairings, serve them in style, and weave them into your culinary escapades. The volume delves into advanced methodologies, nutritional insights, and ecological considerations for the sustainable cheese maker. Lastly, join a broader fellowship as you connect with a community of enthusiasts. Reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and gaze into the future of cheese making—a future that you are now a part of with "The Artisan Cheese Maker's Companion." Indulge in the craft that has shaped cultures and tantalized taste buds for centuries—embrace your new companion, and let the journey begin.