Darlene Cheek – Hermit Crafts

November 15, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

Yule be Merry & Bright

We have another great event happening this week in Mystical Moon Artisan Events. These events are always so fun and filled with an incredible array of handmade creations.

I’ve got lots of new items for this event, too. You may have seen a sneak peek at the embroidered beanies I recently listed. I’ll have lots more designs to share with you, and the ones for this show will, of course, feature Yule, Christmas, and winter themes. I’ve also added shirts!

Here’s a bit of what I’ll have. You can find us here this coming Sunday morning, and we’ll run through Wednesday afternoon. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mystical.moon.artisan.events

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EVENTS

October 18, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

Fantastical Creatures

We have another amazing event scheduled in Mystical Moon Artisan Events – several different artisans, all handmade – and I’ve had a sneak peek that says you MUST come visit us! The variety of creations in this event is incredible, and there is definitely something for everyone. Here are some of the things I will be offering. You can find us here from Sunday the 20th until Wednesday the 23rd. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mystical.moon.artisan.events

EVENTS

August 17, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

At the Spoke of Mabon

About once a month, I do a 24 online craft fair in a few Facebook Groups. I have one coming up this weekend in Mystical Moon Artisan Events. This is an event with several artisans, and each event has a theme. This month’s theme is “At the Spoke of Mabon.”

This event has some truly lovely and talented ladies! They offer paintings, polymer clay art, candles, soaps, rollers of all kinds, and just an amazing variety of handmade, witchy goodness. You can even choose from several types of readings!

I wanted to pop in and invite you to join us and share some of the things I’ve made for this event. The event starts this Sunday the 18th at 10 a.m. central and runs through Wednesday at 4 central. You can find us here – https://www.facebook.com/groups/mystical.moon.artisan.events

INSPIRATION

May 17, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

Custom Treasures

Have you joined my Facebook group yet? If you haven’t, you might be missing out on some really great items! Group friends get to see everything first, and lots of times the coolest things just get snatched up before I get a chance to even list them here.

So I’m going to start sharing some of these things under the “Inspiration” category to show off some of our favorite creations. This week, I have chosen these wonderful fairies from the Fairy Wishes Collection.

These are all stitched specifically to fill these little 5″ bamboo hoops. I also have them in sizes up to 5×7″. This lovely lady was framed in an 8″ bamboo hoop that I painted black.

The 5″ hoops are $15.49 ea, but if you purchase two or more, you get 10% off your total. The 8″ size are 21.49 ea. And of course you can have anything you like custom made – these would make darling zip pouches or pouches for your fairy oracle cards.

To request a custom, just click on the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page. And you’re always welcome to join us on Facebook so you get first dibs on the latest releases. https://www.facebook.com/groups/hermitcrafts

CUSTOM ORDERS

February 1, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

How Custom Orders Work

The majority of my sewing and embroidery comes from custom orders, whether y’all have some wild idea for a boho bag or I’ve made something you love, but you really hate purple. I am always happy to take custom requests so that you get a beautiful treasure for yourself or for a gift.

In my Facebook group, it’s very easy to see what designs I’ve purchased, projects I’m working on, and new design ideas. I invite you all to join us there! Http://www.facebook.com/groups/hermitcrafts

But if you’re not on Facebook, you can just drop me a message at happyhermitsoap@gmail.com or through the Contact Us form here – https://happyhermit.wpengine.com/contacts/. If you saw something on a listing that you want to change, just let me know which one and how you would like it made. If you have a special request that you don’t see, I can make just about anything.

I also have well over 1,000 designs in stock now, and I’m always looking for more. I’m happy to do some shopping if you are looking for something specific. Because all of my pouches and bags are handmade, they are also easily customized if you want to add a name or monogram.

Some of my most popular items are:

Zip Pouches, Totes, and Bags
Home Decor – Hoop Hangings, Framed Embroidery, Mats, Mug Rugs, Coasters
Towels – Waffle Cloth, Flour Sack, and Tea Towels
Freestanding Lace – Bookmarks, Creatures of All Kinds, Suncatchers
Key Fobs and Charms

And if you’re looking for inspiration, check out this album! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.132121703294340&type=3

Whether you’re looking for fabulous witchy designs, beautiful flowers, or adorable kittens, I would love to create your next wish list item!

When we work out your details, I’ll create a custom listing here just for you that you can add to your cart and check out. I do ask that custom orders are paid for in advance, but they won’t be shipped until I have your final seal of approval. And of course I’ll always let you know how long it will take me to make your piece so there are no surprises.

Thanks for considering me for your creations!

Uncategorized

January 25, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

Your Happy Hermit

Hello y’all! I am Darlene, your Happy Hermit. I thought I’d take a moment to tell you about myself a bit. Currently, I live in Tennessee with my wonderful husband and three furry beasts. I am a mom and a grandma who has been crafting all her life. I learned to knit when I was 10, but I can’t do it now. I learned macrame when I was 11, and being a child of the 70’s and 80’s, there was a lot of macrame in my life… because everyone needs a macrame owl toilet tissue holder in their home, of course.

I was introduced to crochet when I was 12, and that became my first real love of creating. I would learn to crochet lace and dolies later in life, even turning those into boho jewelry.

I was a home-ec girl in highschool – loved to cook, sew, and decorate. When I was first out on my own after graduating, I learned that making things yourself would save you a lot of money. I always sewed my own curtains and made my own artwork. At 19, I was also introduced to my first tarot cards and found that I had a natural ability to read with them. I had seen and experienced a lot of unusual things as a child that piqued my interest even more as I learned about the paranormal.

Years would go by with me always sewing and crocheting. When I had children, I made baby clothes and started setting up at craft fairs when my promised little girl was a boy and I had made dozens of dresses and bonnets and booties. Of course I eventually had to get a day job, and I worked in offices for years. Finally deciding to get out of that stressful atmosphere, I chose to try working for myself.

The internet opened up writing opportunities for me with lots of different alternative health websites. I wrote on the things I knew – herbalism, aromatherapy, crystal healing. I took courses in hypnotherapy and became a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Shortly after, I pursued Reiki, and I’m a master practitioner in Usui Ryoho and the Unlimited Reiki System. I worked for several years doing readings, hypnotherapy, and Reiki from my home.

When seeing clients at home was no longer an option, I decided to give Etsy a try. I started with crochet, moved on to awesome boho crochet earrings and jewelry, and even wrote and sold patterns with step-by-step videos for a while. I met a lady at a craft fair who wanted to sell her candle business, and I jumped at that opportunity. I sold candles and jewelry for a few years, adding in sewing and art. I recreated tarot cards from tiny pieces of fabric and finally began to meet a lot more witchy folks. I’ve really found it to be a great experience getting to create for like-minded people.

I was encouraged to add soap to my line-up, and that led to body butters and lip balms, bath salts and even beard balms. My background as a Natural Health Consultant really helps in this area. The success from diversifying my items funded my first used embroidery machine purchase. Now, I have 3 machines that run all the time. I thought having an embroidery machine would let me put people’s initials on their zip pouches – boy had I underestimated the possibilities. I stumbled across witchy and boho designs that just made me so happy to create.

So now I wake up every morning and get to just create beautiful things! It may be soap, may be a batch of candles, may be a tiny zip pouch, and might just be the greatest boho bag you’ve ever seen. I’ll probably fit some homemade bread or pasta into my day, and in the summer, you can barely get me out of the garden. On a good day, you might even get a tarot reading out of me. You just never know.

But whatever the day brings, I appreciate all of you for helping make my dreams come through. Some of y’all have been following me since 1998. I look forward to many more years of friendship with you all! And to my new friends, welcome! I’m so happy to add you to my circle, and I hope some of my items bring beauty and joy into your life.

CANDLES

January 20, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

Why Soy Candles?

I must admit that when I first ran across soy candles at a craft fair, I thought it was a very expensive, gimmicky item. I did try a small one, just a little 1 oz sample candle. I can’t remember exact hours of burn time, but I used the same little candle for 3-4 days. We witchy folks use a lot of candles, so this was a sure selling point for me! It wasn’t long after that I got the opportunity to buy out another candle maker’s business, and I dove right in. I quickly learned that soy wax had a lot more to offer than just a long burn time.

Soy wax is very environmentally friendly. Soybeans are a huge crop in America, and they grow fast, making them an easily renewable resource with a small ecological footprint. Soybeans are the only ingredient in soy wax, so it is a natural, vegan option for candles, too, if your candle maker uses 100% soy wax. Soy candles don’t put off the soot and toxins that paraffin candles do either. Soy wax is also skin-safe. Soy melts at a very low temperature, and this is part of what makes soy candles last so long.

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Of course there are all sorts of variables in candles – every candle maker has their favorite wicks, some only use essential oils, some use fragrance oils. While I love colored candles, some makers prefer the natural color of soy wax. Soy candles come in containers, tea lites, votives, and melts. Some blends might have additives or be blended with other types of wax to make pillars and other decorative items. There’s certainly something for everyone.

My candles will usually be dressed, meaning they’ll have dried flowers, botanicals, crystals, gems, and minerals. I love a pretty candle! Another great thing about soy candles is that they have a “cold throw.” They smell great just sitting around. I do use fragrance oils in my candles because in my experience, the scent doesn’t throw as strongly or last as long with essential oils.

I only use flat braided cotton wicks in my container candles, and since I ship most of mine, I choose to use tins for mine. These tins are easily repurposed because soy wax is natural and VERY easy to clean up. Soap and warm water removes any residue from the tin, and there’s rarely much wax left in your tin anyway.

TIPS:

ALWAYS tap any dried botanicals off your candle before burning.
Always burn on a heat safe surface.
Never leave candles unattended while burning.
The first time you use your soy candle, let the melt pool reach the edge of the tin before blowing out. This melt creates a “memory” that will make your candle burn properly when relit.
Trim your wick to about 1/4” before burning the first time. I trim mine ready to burn when you get them, and the flat braided wicks are pretty maintenance free.
If you have allergies, try soy candles with no fragrance, no color, and with cotton wicks.
And… I can only ship soy candles from Tennessee when it’s cool – so stock up!

BATH & BODY

January 19, 2024BY Darlene Cheek

Calendula in Soap

Do you grow Calendula officinalis in your garden? Not only is it a beautiful flowering plant, but it also has a long list of beneficial properties, both in bath and body products AND in your magickal practices.

Research studies have show that calendula, often called pot marigold, shows antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties (just to name a few). It can help reduce redness and inflammation, and its fatty acids help moisturize and hydrate your skin. Calendula is also natural and gentle. I use the same calendula for tea that I use in soap making.

The bright yellow colors of the calendula flower lends itself to light work, sun magic, and spells that use fire energy. Historically, it has been used for protection, strength, good luck, dreamwork, communicating with spirits, psychic enhancement, love spells, and even money spells. Of course every witch knows that calendula will keep you beautiful forever, right?

My calendula soap starts with making a strong calendula tea to use in place of water, then I finely chop the petals to mix into my batter right before pouring. I also use very finely ground oats in this soap for a little bit of scrubbiness, and I add a couple nice butters, usually shea and mango, to really make this nice on your skin.

Other ingredients you’ll see in my soap are:

Coconut Oil – known for its cleansing, moisturizing, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties
Olive Oil – has a natural ability to hold in moisture, also makes a lovely lather
Canola Oil – has essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants
Sunflower Oil – can protect skin from the environment by providing a protective barrier
Shea Butter – has vitamin A and E, easily absorbed, moisturizing and soothing
Mango Butter – rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, promotes collagen, increases skin elasticity
Castor Oil – humectant, moisturizer, antioxidant, creates creamy lather and bubbles

I’ve been making soap for 7 years now, and my calendula is still my favorite. Though I am very careful to never make medical claims of any kind, I can say I love how it makes my skin look and feel. I always keep a bar just for my face! So be sure to grab you a bar! I’m sure you’re going to love it as much as I do. See you again soon!

Disclaimer: No medical or healing claims for diagnosis, treatment, or cure are being stated or implied in this post. I am not a medical professional. The ingredients used are for their reputation and reported benefits, and item descriptions are for general informational purposes only. If you are experiencing health problems or conditions, seek medical attention from a licensed healthcare professional.