My tweets
- Mon, 02:23: New storefront launched with small but growing inventory and 20% off sale to help raise funds for a friend who's fa… https://t.co/sOgIL3WemB
My tweets
- Fri, 19:34: RT @seth_mgreen: Black people are literally saying “stop killing us” and there are people saying “But...”
My tweets
- Mon, 00:54: "Mercilessly on brand" pretty much nails it, yah. https://t.co/2q0G7qKaJ5
My tweets
- Sun, 14:48: omg, can't be online 3 days without running into "herbal substitute for graveyard dirt because real graveyard dirt… https://t.co/2HERw8xs8o
- Sun, 15:40: wow, ok, the online conjure/-adjacent landscape has gotten *way* crowded. I'm gonna need a tour guide. Y'all, what/… https://t.co/VEH05dYYDz
What Became of Karma Zain?
I'm not dead. But I've been under a rock for over four years. I'm just now starting to make my way out.
It's gonna take a while for me to sort through the rubble and make things right with some clients I left hanging and generally to restore my reputation, if it in fact can be restored. But you can read the details about what happened at the wordpress version of this blog, at bigluckyhoodoo.wordpress.com, if you care about them. And if you were one of the clients left hanging, you can read about my plans to make that right, at least to the extent that it can be made right so very, very late after the fact.
I will continue to update Big Lucky Hoodoo at wordpress as I make progress towards sorting the chaos and shaking the dust off.
I will not continue to update this version of the blog at livejournal.
It will stay here for archive purposes -- there's some good stuff in the comments from some great people -- but if you want to keep up with what's going on and what's new, the wordpress blog is the place to do it, and you'll find updated social media and contact links there, too.
Mea culpa, and may all your works be crowned with success.
All my love,
Karma Zain
It's gonna take a while for me to sort through the rubble and make things right with some clients I left hanging and generally to restore my reputation, if it in fact can be restored. But you can read the details about what happened at the wordpress version of this blog, at bigluckyhoodoo.wordpress.com, if you care about them. And if you were one of the clients left hanging, you can read about my plans to make that right, at least to the extent that it can be made right so very, very late after the fact.
I will continue to update Big Lucky Hoodoo at wordpress as I make progress towards sorting the chaos and shaking the dust off.
I will not continue to update this version of the blog at livejournal.
It will stay here for archive purposes -- there's some good stuff in the comments from some great people -- but if you want to keep up with what's going on and what's new, the wordpress blog is the place to do it, and you'll find updated social media and contact links there, too.
Mea culpa, and may all your works be crowned with success.
All my love,
Karma Zain
My tweets
- Sat, 04:58: Long time no see… https://t.co/54Q0Y2hnaz https://t.co/Q8NbeQvtiB
current coupon codes: Oct 9-15 + giveaway / prize drawing
So this is the home stretch, or the last gasp, or however you want to see it. I'm not as caught up as I'd like to be (as if there's such a thing as degrees - I mean, you're behind or you aren't!), but I'm still working, and I'm still struggling to scrape together the funds needed to get everything made and shipped. And of course the fun continues on other fronts (the household has a vehicle in the shop -- again -- for instance).
So I should have another box of packages going out today or tomorrow, but there is still a whole 'nother big bin full that needs shipping, so this is another sale, good from now until my self-imposed deadline of Oct. 15 (see earlier posts for more info).
I will probably be going through the site and pulling down items that I probably won't be able to afford to restock the supplies for until I am out of the crunch, like soap and candles, so if you had your eye on anything like that, don't wait too long. (I *needed* to do this way before now, only it's a question of time - there's a limited amount of that and the time is generally consumed wholly by the Quest To Get Caught Up rather than the Sorely Needed Maintenance and Application of Common Sense Measures That Might Help.)
I will probably be going through the site and pulling down items that I probably won't be able to afford to restock the supplies for until I am out of the crunch, like soap and candles, so if you had your eye on anything like that, don't wait too long. (I *needed* to do this way before now, only it's a question of time - there's a limited amount of that and the time is generally consumed wholly by the Quest To Get Caught Up rather than the Sorely Needed Maintenance and Application of Common Sense Measures That Might Help.)
And I really do think I'll get some finished shrines put up today or tomorrow too - let's hope. I have some previews of some related stuff in the previous post and below.
Prize / Drawing / Giveaway
And every order that comes in between today (Oct. 9) and midnight on the 15th of Oct. will be eligible for a drawing to win one of these handmade sacramentals / altar items / talismans / whatever you want to call them, created for the saint, spirit, or loa of your choice and consecrated to that spirit or saint for you in your name. I will draw randomly from all eligible entries after the deadline on the 15th and I'll give away at least two of these - whether I do more will largely depend on whether I will be closing the shop for a while or not on that date.
You can see an example of a fairly simple one that I made for a friend/client last week, and another, larger and more complex, piece in progress in the previous post. I suppose you could call these Karma-Zain-style detentes or badges or even package amulets in some cases. Generally these are double-sided, involve at least some sewing, and have cords or tabs for hanging or pinning. They usually range in size from palm-sized to desktop-sized, but we can talk about what you prefer if you are a winner, and about what in the world you might call these things if you care. But if you win, you can call them yours!
I haven't quite finished any others because I'm focusing on getting orders made up and packaged still. But in the photo below you can see a collection of in-progress pieces I gathered to give you a taste of what will hopefully be done this weekend. The sequined piece on a white square background would be my largest and most elaborate "badge" / detente to date when finished, though most are more along the lines of the Ghuede / St. Gerard piece posted previously - the sequined one involves more detailed sewing than I really have time for right now, so there won't be anything else quite like it 'til I catch my breath, I'm afraid.
You don't have to do anything special - just place an order. That will function as one entry into the drawing/giveaway. Two orders = two entries. And *every single order, no matter the order total, will have an available coupon code* - there is no minimum amount required to take a percentage off, though as usual lately, the more you spend the more you can save.
Use code ides15 to take 15% off any order at all, regardless of cart total.
Use code ides20 to take 20% off orders over $25 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides25 to take 25% off orders over $60 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides30 to take 30% off orders over $100 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides35 to take 35% off orders over $160 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides40 to take 40% off orders over $250 (before discount, excluding shipping).
All good through midnight Oct. 15.
For instructions on using coupon codes, see the applicable heading in the FAQ.
Terms of Service re. shipping/handling and prep times apply.
Read the FAQ here, including instructions on how to use coupon codes if you need them.
Read the latest status updates, including matters affecting shipping, communication, etc. here.
Your use of this site constitutes your acceptance of our Terms of Service, including your understanding of our posted shipping, handling, and turnaround times; guidelines for contacting us about a current order or service; and instructions for how to request a trace on a shipped item.
You can see an example of a fairly simple one that I made for a friend/client last week, and another, larger and more complex, piece in progress in the previous post. I suppose you could call these Karma-Zain-style detentes or badges or even package amulets in some cases. Generally these are double-sided, involve at least some sewing, and have cords or tabs for hanging or pinning. They usually range in size from palm-sized to desktop-sized, but we can talk about what you prefer if you are a winner, and about what in the world you might call these things if you care. But if you win, you can call them yours!
I haven't quite finished any others because I'm focusing on getting orders made up and packaged still. But in the photo below you can see a collection of in-progress pieces I gathered to give you a taste of what will hopefully be done this weekend. The sequined piece on a white square background would be my largest and most elaborate "badge" / detente to date when finished, though most are more along the lines of the Ghuede / St. Gerard piece posted previously - the sequined one involves more detailed sewing than I really have time for right now, so there won't be anything else quite like it 'til I catch my breath, I'm afraid.
You don't have to do anything special - just place an order. That will function as one entry into the drawing/giveaway. Two orders = two entries. And *every single order, no matter the order total, will have an available coupon code* - there is no minimum amount required to take a percentage off, though as usual lately, the more you spend the more you can save.
(c) 2015 Karma Zain
Current Coupons (through Oct. 15):
Use code ides15 to take 15% off any order at all, regardless of cart total.
Use code ides20 to take 20% off orders over $25 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides25 to take 25% off orders over $60 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides30 to take 30% off orders over $100 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides35 to take 35% off orders over $160 (before discount, excluding shipping).
Use code ides40 to take 40% off orders over $250 (before discount, excluding shipping).
All good through midnight Oct. 15.
For instructions on using coupon codes, see the applicable heading in the FAQ.
***
Terms of Service re. shipping/handling and prep times apply.
Read the FAQ here, including instructions on how to use coupon codes if you need them.
Read the latest status updates, including matters affecting shipping, communication, etc. here.
Your use of this site constitutes your acceptance of our Terms of Service, including your understanding of our posted shipping, handling, and turnaround times; guidelines for contacting us about a current order or service; and instructions for how to request a trace on a shipped item.
saints and sacramentals: relics, badges, scapulars, detentes, amulets, etc.
Again, no time for a real post, but a quick collection of notes about saints, sacramentals, scapulars, relics, badges, and the essentially-untranslatable usually-South-American but sometimes-European item called a detente, which is often what gets called "scapular" on sites like ebay and pinterest. These are links to some Pinterest pins in which I comment on a few examples. If all goes well, I'll elaborate with more examples when I'm caught up later this month (fingers, toes, etc. crossed, God willing and the creek don't rise, etc.)
Sacred Heart and Mother of Sorrows - this one has the word "detente" on it even.
eBay seller called this Sacred Heart badge a "scapular" and a "second-class relic," which is total rubbish since it's neither, but it's a beautiful piece.
Now this is actually a scapular.
Peruvian Sacred Heart detente.
Good example of handmade embroidered detente described inaccurately on eBay - I wish I'd captured the original seller notes since those are long gone and you can't read what I'm responding to anymore.
Beautiful hand-embroidery on this scapular, and it IS a scapular.
Handmade Peruvian scapular.
Even reputable sellers can give you bad info on relics, which can get quite technical and complex.
Silly rabbit! Relics aren't for kids! Bad Latin, no cookie for you!
I'd call this a badge, but you could make a case for detente (I'd want to see the whole piece, 3D, before I made my own call). It might be a relic - can't tell from the photo. But it's by no means a scapular.
Beautiful St. Rose of Lima detente.
I'll eventually get around to posting some info and definitions, history, and descriptions, but not this week for sure. I'll also eventually get around to finishing all my own examples I've started over the years, like the one below (which admittedly isn't my fanciest -- I made it very quickly as a gift so as not to hold up a package from shipping any longer than necessary). (And yes, many of mine merge elements of South American packet/package and bottle amulets -- like the ones I make custom for clients -- with elements of other sacred and religious folk art and sacramentals.)
front and back, (c) Karma Zain 2015
And here's one in progress, below - as you can see, many of the ones I've previously made or am making combine traditional saints' iconography and images with elements of that saint's manifestation or portrayal in religions of the African diaspora, like the below piece that features elements of the vodou loa Ghuede / Gede and will have St. Gerard on the other side.
(c) 2015 Karma Zain
Look for the next post on how to win a custom handmade badge/detente for the saint or spirit of your choice.
Sacred Heart and Mother of Sorrows - this one has the word "detente" on it even.
eBay seller called this Sacred Heart badge a "scapular" and a "second-class relic," which is total rubbish since it's neither, but it's a beautiful piece.
Now this is actually a scapular.
Peruvian Sacred Heart detente.
Good example of handmade embroidered detente described inaccurately on eBay - I wish I'd captured the original seller notes since those are long gone and you can't read what I'm responding to anymore.
Beautiful hand-embroidery on this scapular, and it IS a scapular.
Handmade Peruvian scapular.
Even reputable sellers can give you bad info on relics, which can get quite technical and complex.
Silly rabbit! Relics aren't for kids! Bad Latin, no cookie for you!
I'd call this a badge, but you could make a case for detente (I'd want to see the whole piece, 3D, before I made my own call). It might be a relic - can't tell from the photo. But it's by no means a scapular.
Beautiful St. Rose of Lima detente.
I'll eventually get around to posting some info and definitions, history, and descriptions, but not this week for sure. I'll also eventually get around to finishing all my own examples I've started over the years, like the one below (which admittedly isn't my fanciest -- I made it very quickly as a gift so as not to hold up a package from shipping any longer than necessary). (And yes, many of mine merge elements of South American packet/package and bottle amulets -- like the ones I make custom for clients -- with elements of other sacred and religious folk art and sacramentals.)
front and back, (c) Karma Zain 2015
And here's one in progress, below - as you can see, many of the ones I've previously made or am making combine traditional saints' iconography and images with elements of that saint's manifestation or portrayal in religions of the African diaspora, like the below piece that features elements of the vodou loa Ghuede / Gede and will have St. Gerard on the other side.
(c) 2015 Karma Zain
Look for the next post on how to win a custom handmade badge/detente for the saint or spirit of your choice.
current coupon code: Sep 26-30
Still hustling to get some packages out and trying to fit in finishing some new pieces (mostly shrines and altar bottles, particularly some seasonal Day of the Dead, Ghuede, Les Barons, vodoun, Santisima Muerte, and Halloween stuff), but taking a moment to post a new coupon code (since every cent that comes in is immediately consumed by competing demands - labels to be paid for and printed and refunds to be processed - I am continuing to juggle all this as best I can and keep income coming in so I can keep packages going out).
Use code FALL20 at checkout to get 20% off any order totaling $50 or more (before shipping), good now through midnight on the 30th.
For instructions on using coupon codes, see the applicable heading in the FAQ.
Terms of Service re. shipping/handling and prep times apply.
Read the FAQ here, including instructions on how to use coupon codes if you need them.
Read the latest status updates, including matters affecting shipping, communication, etc. here.
Your use of this site constitutes your acceptance of our Terms of Service, including your understanding of our posted shipping, handling, and turnaround times; guidelines for contacting us about a current order or service; and instructions for how to request a trace on a shipped item.
Use code FALL20 at checkout to get 20% off any order totaling $50 or more (before shipping), good now through midnight on the 30th.
For instructions on using coupon codes, see the applicable heading in the FAQ.
***
Terms of Service re. shipping/handling and prep times apply.
Read the FAQ here, including instructions on how to use coupon codes if you need them.
Read the latest status updates, including matters affecting shipping, communication, etc. here.
Your use of this site constitutes your acceptance of our Terms of Service, including your understanding of our posted shipping, handling, and turnaround times; guidelines for contacting us about a current order or service; and instructions for how to request a trace on a shipped item.
saints: St. Benedict and his sacramentals
The clock is ticking quickly away on my self-imposed deadline to get caught up, so I don't have time to make the post I want to make -- I happened across this excellent information on St. Benedict and his sacramentals, plus September features the feast days of a few of my favorite saints like St. Cyprian, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Sts. Cosmas and Damian, and *God* how I have missed writing about interesting things and posting cool prayers and images on this blog! -- but I still want to share a couple of links about St. Benedict anyway. I'll post again later about status update stuff and the latest coupon codes.
So here is a link about the medal of St. Benedict, its uses, and its authorized blessing formula.
And here's another, which explains the symbols on the medal in detail (with pictures).
So here is a link about the medal of St. Benedict, its uses, and its authorized blessing formula.
And here's another, which explains the symbols on the medal in detail (with pictures).