Happy Weekend, everyone! ;)

I learned about some of the camera settings, Aperture, to be exact - playing with it, discovering new options for taking pictures, dreaming of my own photo camera ;)

Wearing Earthia Belted Sweater Cardigan made of upcycled wool turtleneck, visible turquoise stitching , added pom-pom and large beads hanging dangling ties, to spruce the whole look and make it more elaborate and folk. 

Also, wearing a screen printed softest thinnest cotton dress by Severyn, with his original art printed in the center - maroon and shades of turquoise! 

Cotton Indian skirt - San Francisco vintage store find - can't take it off.

Large crystal heart pendant on a braided simple undyed yarn cord.

 Velvet ribbon from a trimming store, rolled into a thin headband - those shorter dreadlocks get in the way sometimes! ;) 

Still sporting the neon pink nails - I think I might stick with this color all through the winter to give that needed color splash for an eye-candy. Color is 24/7, by the way.

Loving color blue! Interestingly, BLUE is responsible for creativity, so, if you are loving this color especially, most likely you like to create, or would like to create something, but don't yet for some reason. Wishing everyone eager to become arty-crafty in any way to explore that medium of self expression - be it appreciating art, or making it. I am in love with many shades of blue, and never get tired of it - it is the color of fifth chakra, and represents artistic nature. 

Burning white sage in the morning sets everything into right mood, grounded, yet light and comforting.

Green tea with mango from this favorite colorful cup ;)

My father gave me this delicious book - there are hundreds of beautiful textiles, made by crafters, gathered together into a nice visual piece as this publication is. 

I love knits so much! This is one of the reasons I mainly make clothing out of woolens and jerseys - so easy to wear and get cozy in them! I love the texture, natural fibers and color ways - cannot pass by a rack of Earthia merchandise sitting in my room without taking a picture or two! 

Crystal heart pendant - I love crystals, even if it's artificial glass aurora borealis shining thing. It is pretty in the regular light, but in the sun it catches the sun rays and gives off such incredibly beautiful sparkle, in blue!

Yoga Pose

I can't imagine practicing asanas in anything wool, except for wool socks, sometimes, perhaps. I love the presentation of the styles of this laid back garb, give me yoga every day, any day!

Speaking of practicing yoga - on September 22, in Brooklyn Bridge park in NYC a yoga in the park is going to take place to the sounds of DJ Drez.

Pre-register on the website and see you there ;)

 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

images via Yoga Journal, Russian edition from a few years back 

Following the senses, notes to self.

Love Your Self to Love Everything

Scent

Treat your senses right - decide, what smell brings you most tranquility, or energy, or concentration and use incense or essential oils, or other natural fragrances to elevate your moods. Use natural cosmetics in the bathroom - it always smells good. I wouldn't go for artificial scents, so, if you like the smell of custard, bake it, don't buy a candle smelling like it ;) 

Touch
(continue reading...)

Back from traveling!

Hi all! 

Me and, thus, Earthia is back!

I have spent six most amazing weeks on the West coast, in Nevada, and then California for a month!

It went by so quickly and colorfully, in every sense of this word!

Really magical times in a magical place - so inspiring to visit this land ;) 

I didn't have a camera, so these are just a few pictures ;)

I hope you are having an amazing summer!

♥

Turquoise mirror aviators - color for you to see ;P

California, at the Red Marines!

 The Turtle van - the most beautiful and cozy home on wheels! 

love

 At the Goa Gil party in Northern CA

 Symbiosis festival during Solar Eclipse weekend 

 Looking at the sun overshadowed by the moon through the special viewing glasses ;)

Always wearing something that I made myself ;)) It was Dusty! Like at BM ;))) 

Crocheting hats of un-dyed eco wool - gorgeous color! 

These are to appear in the shop next week, as soon as the parcel with the rest of my stuff arrives. 

Stay tuned for new posts, now that "the crew" is back to work ;)

I'm re-opening my Earthia shop on Etsy during this week - expect new sweaters with detailed measurements! 

Baking again ;)

Freshly baked basic white two loaves.. crust and all! 

the smell in my place is heavenly!!! 

;) 

wishing everyone an amazing weekend, let it flow sunny and easy! 

♥

LaCy Mondays ;)

Design my own shop banner - lace and all ;) Notice it on the left, leading to my Etsy shop.

I love my little photoshop adventures and explorations, - every time I use it, i discover something new - primitive and obvious things, that were always there, but until you really need them, you won't notice them, you know? like in life ;))) Sure, being aware of the moment has some benefits - haha ;))))

Here's the bigger version... i love the combination of colors - swampy, almost fluorescent green, light dreamy blue, white and hay/jute/what is the proper name of the color anyway? ;) 

I'll be doing lots of cleaning and sorting - of the stock of supplies for working, my wardrobe, of my papers, - all of it has be done, because I am going away for a little while, on vacation!

Yay!

To my beloved California!!!

In my plans are San Francisco - for a day of my birthday; then an awesome gathering at the Pyramid lake, in Nevada, called Symbiosis.

Then, probably, will find myself either near Mt. Shasta, or, more likely down West at a yoga retreat, where I'm to spend about a week, hopefully.

So, if you want to buy anything Earthia - I have in stock lots of very practical and cutest water bottle sacks/bags/holders; some extremely adorable upcycled children's vests;

stellar sweater tunics, sweater vests and dresses; and a few tops - all lovingly recycled and upcycled by yours, truly.

♥

Please, visit my Shop.

♥

I will ship the last order on May 11, 2012.

If you have any questions, you can always shoot me a message on Etsy, or, if you don't have an account there, e-mail me, and i'll be happy to respond to you, as soon as i get the message.

Thank you for stopping by today,

wishing everyone an amazing week! ;)

♥

A girl can dream ;)

Dreaming of making a fire every morning and night... cooking delicious vegetarian meals, using collected fallen branches in the forests of California...

Gazing a the stars to the songs of little rivers and listening to mother Nature's lullabies at night...

Waking up with the sunrise and welcoming each moment anew ;)

Summer is almost here!

Can you smell the fire? ;)

Miraculous you

There is  divine force in each of us, the one, that emerges, when everything else that we have had encountered over our lifetimes has no sense or meaning...

Realizing that divinity, and making it stay with us, being aware of it - is art, art of living. So simple ;) Creativity is human nature. Find that center in you and hold on to it. 

Believe, that you can... whatever you are trying to do - no need for advise, for approval, confirmation from the outside. How can the divine be not good? ;) Simply believe, that you are divine in your whole being, it is your nature ;)

Wishing everyone crazy-amazing weekend! 

much love, 

Vanya of Earthia

♥

Rocking out to Etnoscope's Freedom ;)
One of my favorites - Medieval-toned psytrance!

Living Earthia

I love being in my room/studio/working space!

Apparently, I love taking pictures too ;))) 

For the life of me, i am not able to get a descent self-portrait - oh, well! 

I had taken some photos of my place before, here's some more ;)

Chai Latte: Take two

Sipping chai latte, making the new duster tunics, feeling how life has been good to me!

Creating is a manifestation of all the good in the universe - be it painting, singing, dancing, playing, growing... Creating is change, it is evolving, in a nutshell. Oh, i just got the most prominent delicious

smell of Spring through my window - for the first time this season, i think, it felt so real! Yay!

Recipe was posted in one of the previous posts. Although chai comes out a little different every time, it is amazing always! Makes me want to go to India, where I have never been yet... I think of India every time I make the chai.. ;))))

♡

Bakin' yo! ;)

When my mood is extra amazing, and i have spare time, i like to cook!

Recently I picked up baking bread again...

Here's what I do with the supply of whole wheat flour.

The recipe is very simple, it's a basic one from Laure's Kitchen. 

The recipe: 

:::6 cups of whole wheat flour + 2 tea spoons salt, fluff it up, mixing
:::2 1/4 cups lukewarm water + dissolve 2 table spoons sweetener + 2 table spoons of oil
:::1/2 cup lukewarm water + dissolve 1 packet of active yeast

:::Make a well in the flour, pour liquids, stir it up in circular motion, from the center.
:::Dust kneading surface with flower lightly. Don't add water or flour after this.
:::Transfer dough from the bowl onto the surface for kneading.
:::Knead for 20 minutes or 600 strokes ;)
:::Make a ball.
:::Set aside away from chilly areas, back in the bowl, cover with a towel - let it rise for about 2 hours. No need to oil the bowl!
:::Let any air out of the dough, working on the table again, just a few strokes.
:::Set aside away from chilly areas, back in the bowl, cover with a towel - 45 minutes.
:::Again, let our the air, cut into two pieces, form two balls - work carefully, not disturbing the matte film, created on the risen dough, leave for 10 minutes right on the table.
:::Last time let out the air out of the dough, lightly kneading with a few strokes. Set in the baking forms or simply on the baking sheet - whatever you are using. Leave for last rising - 30 - 45 minutes.
:::Beforehand heat up the oven to 425 F
:::Put the bread in the oven.
:::10 minutes later reduce the heat to 325 F
:::Bake for 35 more minutes or until golden brown.

*During baking it is nice to brush the bread top with a wet brush, this gives glossy finish, and the crust comes out thicker and, thus, crunchier! Do it 2-3 times, don't burn yourself! ;)
*Baking time should be about 45 minutes.
Pull out delicious bread, tap with your fingers on the bottom crust. The sound should be hollow.
Attack the bread, as soon as it touchable enough without severe burns ;)))))
condiments are up to you - i love ghee ♥ 

Going Away ;)

Hello, all!

I am going away for almost two weeks.. And I will be missing blogging, for sure!

Have a great beginning of the Spring, everyone ;)

love,

Earthia

♥♥♥

Past Elements

Once upon a time I used to work as a paralegal at a law firm. 

I can't say I didn't like it. It's the monotonous nature of the job, that I couldn't like.

Simply, not enough visual pleasure. No color.

I kid you not, I would trade sticky pads of various colors around the office, so I have as many different ones, as possible. Same with markers and rubber bands. 

hahahaha ;))) I loved it there, awesome environment with lovely people... But  alas and hooray, I am able to dedicate much more time to Earthia, than I used to during that time.

So, something tiny and colorful... would dilute the pale yellowness of the day (the folders sometimes did came in different colors as well!)...something quirky and crazy and cute and lovely! ;))) 

like this:

More pictures under the cut... ;)

Fun in the studio!

If you start doing what you love to do the most, you find yourself in another dimension. Living the dream, that is how it feels like ;) 

I thought a new sign for my shop, when vending would be nice. 

Upcycling.... the long side of a cupboard drawer!
I think I found it in the basement...

Acrylic paint in yummy shade of blue ;)

Like the sky, of course... most beautiful!

Then I used random small pieces of leather to make the knotty rope for the sign, I like the colors together - blue, black on wood. 

Living Earthia

I've been rearranging some things around today in the sunshine streaming through the windows!

Last night I took a look at my stock of materials and fabrics. 

As new ideas fill in the canvas of creativity, I look at what is at my hands to decide what I am going to be working with, and what not yet; sort everything by fiber content; type of fabric, garments to be re-made; sort everything out by color - love playing with color! ;) 

Spring cleaning, if you will... 

Among all the supply, there is a special place in my heart for the Precious Box. It has all the bits and leftovers of favorite yarn, trim, buttons, leather, stripes of gorgeous fabrics, ribbons, etc - not such a big box, but there is so much goodness in it! 

I just finished customizing my water bottle sack, using the insides of this PB (Precious Box), and it felt like I was using a palette of paints ;))) Digging around the colorful texturized mess ;) 

Pictures to be posted tomorrow, the light is not so good right now.

But here are some more pictures I took during the day today: 

 aurora borealis bead

i absolutely adore sparkle and something "raw", so to say, for example, fiber - un-dyed wool (in this case), ... kind of paradoxical.. and kind of not at all ;)))

 On this new coat vest i'm making (new design, model piece) I sewed 4 tiny aurora borealis beads.. i placed them in such a way around the garment, that you can only see one at a time, from each angle just one ;) and you won't be able to see it easily, just the shine ... ♥

Cat Hats are in stock now, get your festival attire taken care of ;) 

http://www.earthia.etsy.com

larger basket - wool, bits of various yarns put together - this one beautifully fits all 20+ pairs of handwarmers.. everything is organized and neatly sorted hehe ;)

 i totally love how thick and firm the basket came out, it holds the shape because it has this durable structure, - lots' of thin yarn together, tight stitch with a smaller hook. looving that mint and chocolate combo that just happened on it's own ;)) ♥

 crocheted basket for things - it holds things, that go in the pocket - keys etc. Very handy! Ladies who crochet, here's an idea of how to use up leftover yarn, - pile it up in one chunky yarn and knit away. 30 minutes work

cotton & lace 

scarves 

area rugs, both are circles! ;) mmmmm... dreaming of a LARGE round pouf! to sit on ;)