Sarah Williams
Beaver Staff
Napanee artisan Julie Mayer has recently garnered international attention. Mayer, who sells her works through her online shop called Way of the Cauldron, was commissioned by the infamous Vermont Teddy Bear Company to create broomsticks for a limited edition Toil and Trouble Witch teddy bear.
Mayer recently spoke to the Beaver about her success as an artisan and her previous artistic pursuits.
“I guess I have been creating in one form or another throughout my life, sketching portraits and making costumes for my daughter at Halloween etc. I just love this time of year as it tends to really rev me up creatively,” explained Mayer. “Creativity does seem to run in my family, but I never considered myself to be talented and certainly not an artist…that came much later in life for me, and so I guess it’s been in there waiting for something to spark it. That began when I started creating my pagan works.”
Like many businesses, Way of the Cauldron had humble beginnings, as Mayer described it all began by offering “vintage wares”.
“Way of the Cauldron began in 2010 and has grown so much over the years. It started out offering vintage wares for ritual use such as cauldrons and candle sticks, but eventually ended up with me specializing in Hand Fasting Besoms (Pagan Wedding Ceremony) and now I offer many unique handcrafted pendants, journals and grimoires, wands, boxes and chalices, as well as the brooms to name a few.”
Mayer commented that she finds inspiration in nature and the Wicca/Pagan lifestyle.
Julie Mayer, Owner of Way of the Cauldron.
“Most of my inspiration came when I was very new to Wicca and the Pagan Lifestyle. Then, I found inspiration in all sorts of things, mostly nature, woods, crystals and spiritual symbolism and the idea of blending different elements together to come up with something unique. I try to think outside the box as I am sure most artists do,” explained Mayer. “I can get inspiration from watching some of the old medieval types of movies and seeing the amazing costume designs and that often triggers ideas for me.”
Mayer notes, when in an artistic rut, she can often find inspiration on Pinterest or from the work of other talented artists.
“This journey began when I realized that some of the products available to us, especially for ritual use, were very few. They were more for Halloween decoration than practical use, especially with the witch’s brooms… most were very traditional and not all that creative and I saw possibilities in that,” Mayer said. “I wanted to create something more sacred and personalized for people and eventually all of this led me to my work with the polymer clay which has really helped me expand on what I already do and has taken the designs to the next level. As time went on, it became clear to me there was a market for custom tailored, quality handmade products that needed to be filled. So, I began offering that service to others and Way of the Cauldron was born.”
Mayer is careful to mention that it is often the positive feedback from customers that keeps her wanting to keep creating.
“The kind and warm-hearted messages let you know how much they love your products that you have put so much of yourself into to make for them,” added Mayer.
Mayer’s reputation as an artist earned her recognition from the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, well known for their Teddy Bears since 1981.
Vermont Teddy Bear Company’s Limited Edition Toil and Trouble Witch.
“I was approached by the Brand Creative and Design Manager for Vermont Teddy Bear Company in June. They came across my brooms while looking on Etsy and decided they wanted to use my miniature brooms as an accessory for their limited-edition Witch Bears,” Mayer stated. “They were kind and respectful from the beginning, which made my decision to work with them that much easier. I feel proud, though very honored to have had my work chosen for this opportunity. As I said earlier, it’s hard for me to think of myself as an artist when there are so many talented people in the world. So, for them to recognize my work in this way has been a very humbling experience.”
To see Mayer’s work as part of the limited- edition Witch Bear, visit: https://www.vermontteddybear.com/
To view Mayer’s Etsy shop, visit: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WayOfTheCauldron
For her Instagram, see: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthecauldron/?hl=en