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Let's pull a card, right now.

5/22/2022

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Spirit, guides and guardians, what message can I share with everyone in this moment? 
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Wow. What a card to pull at this current point in time. Who needed to see this today? Who feels like nothing is ever going to get better? 

Endurance and Determination are represented by Camel for good reason. They take mental and emotional strength, as well as time to reach a destination. Camel is strong. He is often the key factor in navigating the harshest of terrain. He has patience and courage, and he takes his time. 
He has a goal in mind. He knows he'll reach it if he continues to move forward. 

Things are really hard right now. For a lot of people. Between inflation, war, hunger, global warming, polar shifting, social divide, supply chain kinks, and a slew of other world problems; people just don't know what to do.

Hope is not lost. You are the creator. Your life is the manifestation of your thoughts and actions. YOU are writing this story. What do you want it to say? 
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My Annual Plea to the Public - Please don't buy bunnies for your kids for Easter gifts.

4/3/2022

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It's almost here. Easter. The time of year when, somehow, rabbits magically lay eggs and represent candy and toys. The time of year when pet supply stores and pet shops stock up on baby bunnies that people can buy for their kids as Easter gifts. 

Here's how it goes:
1. Parents buy kids a baby bunny for Easter.
2. Kids are over-joyed. They have a baby bunny. A delicate creature that is easily scared and easily injured by the rough and un-sturdy hands of little humans. 
3. Bunny gets a hutch in the back yard. 
4. Bunny gets poked at through the fencing.
5. Mom and dad periodically feed bunny an un-suitable diet of "rabbit food" they found for cheap at the store. 
6. Bunny grows up really fast and isn't cute anymore.
7. Kids get bored of bunny.
8. Parents no longer want bunny or forget about bunny.

Now... one of two things happens: 
Either - Parents forget about bunny, and bunny gets rained on, cold, hot, stalked by predators, lonely, hungry and dies scared, starving and alone. Yes. This happens all the time. 
-OR-
Bunny gets put into a box and dumped at a shelter.  

Here's some facts for you:
1. 4 out of 5 rabbits bought for easter are either abandoned or die within a year. 4 out of 5, folks. 
2. Rabbits are not starter pets. GET OVER IT and buy your kid a stuffed animal or a scooter. Rabbits are not recommended pets for children under the age of 12. 
3. Rabbits have lifespans of 10+ years. TEN YEARS. Let's say that again... Louder this time, TEN YEARS.
4. Rabbits require SPACE. A hutch or cage is not acceptable. They should be in your home or in a climate controlled (well protected) area with enough room to run, hop, hide and stretch out.
5. Rabbits deserve love, attention and veterinary care. 
6. They need HAY as the primary source of food in their diet. 
7. Rabbits are social animals. 
8. They can be litter box trained just like a cat and they produce around 200-300 poops PER DAY. 
9. Rabbits PLAY. They love toys and enrichment activities like food puzzles, snuffle mats, cardboard boxes and crinkle tunnels. 
10. Rabbits require the care of people willing to learn about them, treat them properly and understand their behavior. 

This is just skimming the surface of what it takes to care for bunnies. If you are not prepared to take your rabbit to a vet, provide them with adequate living conditions or share your home and your love and affection, DON'T GET ONE. 

Don't be a part of the problem. This year #makeminechocolate and save lives. If you don't know how to help but want to help, spread the word. Share this post. Donate to your local rabbit rescue (because after Easter they're going to be overflowing with rabbits that people no longer want). 

​
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Me and my beautiful, Faylene. 

Faylene was found as a stray and spent years in the shelter. She is a lively, curious, rambunctious girl and deserves everything I'm able to give her. 

#adoptdontshop
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Crystal Spotlight - Rainbow Titanium Bismuth

3/21/2022

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The beautiful crystal structures that are so amazing to look at may not be the natural form of Bismuth, but that doesn't mean that they have no metaphysical value! Rainbow Titanium Bismuth is a lab grown "crystal". Genuine Bismuth is exceptionally boring to look at since it rarely forms in such beautiful structures as its lab grown counterparts, and never with such remarkable color.  ​
These beautiful crystalline structures are made by super cooling liquid bismuth and exposing it to the air. The super cooled metal crystalizes into the spectacular forms you see all over the place and the oxygen exposure causes the color variances. ​
Bismuth itself is very brittle. It's an uncommon mineral and usually forms in lumps and masses instead of crystals. It sits at number 83 on the periodic table and can contain traces of arsenic, antimony and sulfur. When freshly broken, you might see a pinkish hue, but it won't last long! Bismuth tarnishes quickly to a dark grey. ​
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So, where's the metaphysical value if it's "fake"? Well... it's not actually fake, it's just re-structured in a lab environment. Rainbow Titanium Bismuth is made out of real Bismuth. 

Bismuth is used to relieve feelings of isolation or loneliness. Both spiritually and emotionally. Rainbow Bismuth can be used for visualizations and focus. It connects to all chakras and can be used as an aid in meditations.  

So even though Rainbow Titanium Bismuth is not a naturally occurring physical state of Bismuth, it is still purposeful, and a lot of fun to look at and to hold. The texture is just... fascinating. 

I like to use my Rainbow bismuth in my crystal grids, and it hangs out on top of a flat piece of amethyst right alongside my other shelf crystals. I'm happy to make it part of the family, and I hope you will do the same!
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A Poem

3/20/2022

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Oh BunnyBun

Oh Bunnybun,
My funnybun,
Your laziness is astounding.

You leap for joy,
When you play with your toy,
Your binkies are abounding. 

Oh Bunnybun,
My Funnybun,
Your highness you reign supreme. 

This home is yours,
Though you have no chores,
Here you live your dream.

~Inspired by Queen Fay 


​Is there a laugh emoji I can insert in here because that's how I feel right now. I had fun talking this out in my head as I stared at my rabbit lounging on the floor. 
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2022 Shipping Price Increases

3/20/2022

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t's becoming an annual occurrence. Every year, sometimes twice, shipping companies are increasing their prices without increasing the quality of their service. It's to be expected because we all want people to earn livable wages, and with this inflation and economy it's really tough! So, while I support good pay, I also support good service. I think that's a fair trade, don't you?
​
If you're someone who buys from small businesses, please be understanding. Small businesses to not get the shipping discounts that large companies do. They can't offer free shipping without taking a loss. Please also try to remember that they aren't keeping that money. You're paying it to them, so they can pay it to the courier service. Please also be patient with transit times as we all know that sometimes it just doesn't happen in a timely manner.

Here's what you can look forward to this year as a seller and a buyer:

Fedex:
  • Fedex Express (both domestic and international) will increase by an average of 5.9%.
  • Domestic FedEx Ground will also increase by an average of 5.9%.
Also anticipate an increase to surcharges.

USPS:
  • 1-4 oz First Class Package Service will increase by $.06–$.07 USD.
  • Domestic Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express rates will increase by an average of 3.1%.
  • First Class International rates will increase by an average of 4.2%.
  • Priority Mail International rates will see an increase of 3.7%.
  • Priority Mail Express International is increasing 3.2%.
USPS has also added surcharges for large packages (this kicks in on April 3rd)
Packages that fall into the following criteria and are not accurately measured will incur an extra $1.50 surcharge.
  • Over one cubic foot
  • Are longer than 22”
​
Packages that fall into the below criteria will also have added surcharges:
  • Packages longer than 22″: $4.00 surcharge
  • Packages longer than 30″: $15.00 surcharge
  • Packages over 2 cubic feet: $15.00 surcharge
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Crystal Spotlight - Angel Phantom Quartz (Amphibole)

3/19/2022

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Amphibole is a quartz that contains fibrous inclusions that resemble hair or wood. This is how it gets its nickname of Angel Phantom Quartz. "Angel" because the inclusions often resemble the wings of an angel, and a "Phantom" is a mineral deposit inside the crystal. 

The fibrous inclusions can be a number of different minerals including Limonite, Hematite, Kaolinite or Lithium and the color of the inclusions can range from cream, to red, to grey, to silver. 

It's a fairly rare stone that is mined in 
Minas Gerias, Brazil. I've heard rumors this mine is now closed though I haven't actually done the research to confirm it. 

Like other clear quartz, Amphibole, resonates with the crown chakra and the third eye. It helps connect you to your spirit guides and the angelic realm. 
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    Sam

    Just going day to day like everyone else.

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