A while back, two friends were sharing some mutually fulfilling crafting time on their respective projects; when they had this wild idea to combine their respective businesses and skills together to create a single company. The idea was to have a forum through which they could bring the best of their individual works, and the best of their collaborative efforts into to the world.



Mirth and Reverence is the multicolored, multifaceted result of that “Ah Ha!” moment between two friends. Founded in May of 2008 by Kate Pennington and Jamie Morgan, Mirth and Reverence is dedicated to life, laughter, and shiny things. We currently sell jewelry and customized dolls, but fully expect that to blossom as the business grows. Jamie lives in North Berkeley with her
daughter and does most of the custom jewelry pieces. Kate lives in Oakland with her wild and woolly family and works on the dolls. Together we write books on ritual as well as collaborate on new projects to drive the other one crazy.



About Jamie:



I take a lot of photographs and tend to see the world through the lens of the camera – I wonder how this set of trees and rocks might look as photo? Or these faces in this sunlight appear on film? When I started to make jewelry I found myself applying that same sensibility to the beads. How do these beads reveal the beauty of that sunset? Which combination of blue stones and seed beads will conjure that pool of water? Light, shadow, movement, color - all the elements we work with in photography; earth, fire, water, air and spirit - all the elements we work with in life and magic are the true pallet of my art, the seed beads, pearls, amethyst and citrine of the jewelry are the icing on the cake.



I currently work with seed beads and semiprecious stones and pearls to create single stand and multi strand necklaces and bracelets of varying complexity and length.



About Kate:



I’m a ritual writer with Chemical Intolerance and a passion for creating Altered Art / Altar Dolls. Altered Art is art that begins as something else, a toy or a book, even “garbage” and through the eye and craft of the artist because something new and different. Upcyling of the coolest kind! Altar Dolls are works of sacred art designed to be picked up, loved and gently played with. Each doll is a one of a kind creation inspired by the myths and magic of ritual traditions from around the world. Each project is hand crafted with sacred intent and respect whether it be an altered or altar work. Each takes between 15 and 40 hours to create from design through construction to the final adjustments, depending on the complexity of the design.



Here on Artfire we are also the founders of the ArtFire Pagan Guild. Come visit the Guild Hall and take a look at some of the amazing work of our members.