The BUST School for Creative Living is back Dec. 8th and 9th with a roster of mystical, meditative, sex-positive classes. The school will be hosted in tandem with the 12thth annual BUST Holiday Craftacular at the Brooklyn Expo Center in the heart of Greenpoint, featuring over 200 of the best purveyors of handmade goods.
There’s a class for everyone: Guests can try their hands at classic crafting skills such as macramé and cross-stitch, dive deep into herbalism, and participate in a variety of exciting educational workshops. We’re proud to spotlight here one of our fabulous teachers: hedge witch, photographer, and sculptor Maheen Lemon. She runs Bewitched Boneyard – make sure to check out their line of talismans and aids for modern witches. At the BUST School for Creative Lemon, she will be teaching two classes: “Intro to Copper Wiring Jewelry” and “Intro to Incense Making”.
Tell our readers about your work.
Bewitched Boneyard encompasses magic, femininity and pure art. I created this brand for practical modern-day witches to provide them with ritual aids and tools that will magnify their manifestations and desires. It started out with crystal and hand-sculpted talismans all designed by me and bloomed into natural apothecary, crystals and even a tote bag! There will be many more ritual tools added to the shop in the coming weeks that I am very excited to share with everyone.
What inspired you to start your business?
Growing up, I always looked up to my mother. She started her own business in our very own kitchen and within a few years her business grew tremendously and she expanded to other regions. Currently, her business is worth millions and she is close to retirement with a self-sustaining income and is very prosperous. Learning from my mother in combination with my passion for magic, the occult and witchcraft, I embarked on this entrepreneurial journey and established Bewitched Boneyard in the Spring of 2016.
What is your creative process like?
It often varies depending on what I am working on but the usual routine involves some inspirational music and brief sketching. I usually have an idea or thought for a collection or just an individual piece and I let my hands start crafting. I never name a piece right away. I sometimes take days to name a certain item or a whole series. Most of my talismans are created with crystals and copper through an arduous alchemy process and then sanded and polished then sealed. Afterwards, each piece is blessed with a protection chant and burnt blue sage or cedar so that the person that owns that piece will be protected and guided throughout their magical journey.
What advice do you have for people who are pursuing a career in your field?
My advice to those wanting to pursue a career in this field or to be their own boss in general is to do lots of research before investing in the materials you need. Many people make the mistake of just going all in head first and that is a sure-fire way to tank your business quickly. Take things slow. Do not make so many products or items right away. Gradually build your brand and when the demand is there, that is when you can incorporate more and offer customers new products.
Tell us about what you’ll be doing at Craftacular.
I am thrilled to be teaching two different beginners classes. One is Intro to Copper Wiring Jewelry and the other is Intro to Incense Making. For the copper wiring class, you will be supplied with simple tools and objects such as beads and will learn how to tightly wrap the object with copper wire to create your very own pendant. For the incense making class, you will be provided with the needed supplies to learn a simple and basic way of creating your own home incense sticks. A perfect way to “make” Christmas gifts rather than buying meaningless items from stores. When you make something for someone you love, it is so much more special.
What else should our readers know about you?
My name is Maheen Lemon, I am a hedge witch, a hoodoo root worker, a Hindu pagan, a lover, a feminist, a conceptual photographer and a creator. You can find me on Instagram at @maheenlemon and @bewitchedboneyard to stay up to date with my solo projects as well as what is happening in the Bewitched Boneyard realm.
Join us at the BUST Craftacular and the School For Creative Living 11a.m.-7p.m. on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 at Brooklyn Expo center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Admission is free; learn more and purchase class tickets here.
Top photo from Maheen Lemon
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