The Short Version
I started candlemaking with a friend about 3 years ago. We learned mostly by experience (i.e. lots of foul-ups) but, we came up with many unique and original designs. One of my favorites we decided to call “Falling Stars” (I hope to have a picture sometime) It’s a 5-pointed star pillar with color trapped within white wax. The white & colored waxes gradiate and I’ve been told the result is absolutely stunning! I still do custom orders on these, and other styles - mostly using metal molds.
I’ve made seed-bead jewelry since I was in gradeschool. As I got older, I explored more complex designs, still using seed-beads. My greatest feat, so far, has been mastery of beaded lace. I’m hoping to get a picture here because you just have to _see_ hand-beaded lace to understand its intricate grace & beauty. I have tried, unsuccessfully, in the past to sell these pieces but, it’s impossible to price them at what they’re worth. (One beaded lace choker, of relatively simple design, takes _10_ hours_ to complete!) But, I’m open to a fair trade. Please e-mail me, below, if you do hand crafts.
I’ve done professional figure modeling for artists and art students for about two years. My references include University of MO - St. Louis Art Dept., St. Louis Community College at Florrissant Valley, St. Louis Art Museum, Garrett Gallery, and some individual artists. I really enjoy the work - it’s physically demanding and intellectually stimulating (not to mention fun!). And, yes, it’s usually nude. (Sorry, no pictures here!)
I started studying ME (Middle Eastern) dance in the summer of ‘97 with my esteemed instructer, Chandara Gamal, a 20 year veteran of this dance form (known to many as ‘Bellydance’). My greatest natural talents are bellywork (isolated abdominal muscle movements) and veil (dancing with a 3-yard piece of fabric). So far, my public appeareances have included local St. Louis Haflas, St. Louis Earth Day ‘98, Pagan Picnic ‘98 and Kansas City Ren Fair ‘98 (professional). All were as a member of the ME dance troupe ‘Raks Al Dounya’ . In 1999, they preformed at many local parades and the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Check out Maya's Bellydance Page for more info on Bellydance.
I am proud of my association with the Universal Life Church, an organization with non-judgemental ideals, which has fought to preserve the religious freedoms of everyone.I got myself ordained online, about three years ago. Bishop Hensley, Universal Life Church founder, has some wild theories but, I think if more people believed as he does, the world would be a more tolerant place. That is, “Do only that which is right.” and that all human beings have a responsibility to ‘minister’ to eachother. To find out more goto the ULC site through my links page . Then goto the “Library” to learn about the history and philosophy of the Universal Life Church.
This topic gets some rather interesting comments, especially when brought up in a crowd of Pagan folks. I’m “vegie” because it’s a lifestyle choice which corresponds with my spiritual ideals.
One of the things that a lot of people seem confused about is why a person chooses to be vegetarian. Most people seem to think that vegetarians feel they have no other choice. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. I am vegetarian because I have the *freedom* to choose. I am free to support environmental degredation, poison my body, and support the mass slaughter of sentient, soul-possessing beings which I know to have the ability to feel pain and fear - all with one basic choice. And with that freedom of choice, comes *responsibility*. I feel I have a *responsibility* to choose _not_ to do those things, and gain physical, emotional, and spiritual rewards for doing so.
Do _you_ really find your dietary choices as rewarding, on so many levels? Think about it. Then, tell me what you think . I may even publish your response!
Well, this page has turned into a “how I got started” on many subjects so, I ‘ll continue the theme.
First, unlike a lot of Neo-pagans, I’m not “recovering” from Christianity or any other religion. I was exposed to a lot of Protestantism, growing up but, I never bought it. I can remember, when I was six or seven, my mom asking me to stop telling the Bible-school teacher that I was not Christian. My parents were communist/unreligious/cool enough not to try and force me into any particular faith.
Also different from many of the Neo-pagans I know, I grew up in/near National Forest - experiencing Mother Earth first-hand and on a day-to-day basis. The Great Mother’s children taught me about Magick and Spiritual energies. My spritual truth didn’t come through a book. Just an open heart and mind and the willingness to listen, learn, and participate. Books just gave me the words to describe such things.
Much later, as a teenager, I caught a reference to “The Old Religion” in a “Ms.” magazine.(Hmm.. might be kinda neat if I could track down the issue number...) Got my hands on everything I could about it. Then decided it _sounded_ cool, but “do they practice what they preach”? (After all, Christianity and Islam _sound_ cool - till you see the behavior of many of the so-called “faithful”.)
I took a year to get to know Neo-pagans in St. Louis and gradually got involved publicly. The rest, as they say, is history - check out the stats I have on my main page .
Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I have opinions about things. I also love a good, respectful debate. Because of my rather unique background, I have a rather unique Pagan perspective and I’ve tried to share that in my Pagan Rants . Check it out if you’ve had any experience with the Pagan Community, or plan to.
Last 
Dec 09, 1999.
Home Interests and Hobbies Pagan Rants Links Maya's Bellydance Page
