Oracles of July

All surfaces in the studio have been taken up lately as we’ve been finishing lots of new Oracle-made items! Frames! Domes! Articulations! Our Nature-scape domed specimen have been really popular and they are getting snatched up almost as soon as they are finished!

Melissa’s scorpions posed on crystals are always so well composed and reveal her love of classic Japanese prints in their arrangement. Alessandra’s been making some absolutely stunning and unique work… the taxidermy and skeletal articulation combination of the Domestic Pigeon. Not only is it fascinating to see the skeleton nestled within its feathery exterior, but this bird still has personality in his pose! A complete blend of science and art.

And of course our in-house made frames highlight some of our favorite specimens. These two moths demonstrate that not all of the stars in the Lepidoptera world are butterflies… The infamous Death’s-Head Hawk Moth is known for its skull-like marking on its body. Hang him as a focal point in a place of honor OR nestle this small frame amongst a collection of art! Every once in a while, one specimen just completely takes our breath away… the Celestial Moon Saturn moth is one of those. The dark wood Oracle-made double-glass frame showcases its full beauty in an elegant and understated way.

July is a good month to do a midyear check-in reading for yourself. The vibrant colors and bold designs of The Outsider Tarot just really “feel right” for the summer heat with its visual excitement and vibrant irreverent energy. The Numinous Tarot is a joyful non-binary LGBTQ+ designed deck and could be a restorative deck to delve into after Pride. Both decks don’t shy away from color or contemporary imagery!

sold out

The Outsider Tarot

So with that, we wish you all a safe and happy July. From Oracle! If you’re in KC during our shop hours (Wednesday through Sunday 11am to 6pm*) *We will be closed for vacation on July 3rd and 4th. See you again on the 5th!

— Laura

Oracles of June

Happy June! We are all back in the studio after a wild whirlwind of April and May events and travel. All three of us are back in the studio together and hard at work on lots of projects. We have been putting together a ton of Animal Guide and Entomology Kits to send out to shops across the country! Oracle-made work can now be found in brick-and-mortar small businesses in 12 states and 14 cities across the US! Check out our list of stockists to see if there’s one near you.

Speaking of our Entomology Kits… they got an upgrade!!! Now every Mini-Ento Kit and Double-Feature DIY Bug Kit include a pocket-sized copy of The Bare Basics of Bug Pinning book. This means the kits truly come with everything you need to pin the specimen; a self-contained DIY at-home project kit. We are so thrilled with these kits as they truly fulfill our mission of empowering the at-home learner with the information and tools to deepen their knowledge and connection to the natural world.

And because we also believe in the power of group learning and hands-on workshops, Alessandra is planning more classes! First up will be two insect-pinning classes: Butterfly (Friday the 21st) and Cicada (Saturday the 22nd)! Details aren’t out yet… you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled on our email newsletter when it comes out. That’s where you’ll get all of the info and be able to sign up with priority access!

Animal Guide Kit

$30.00

Mini-Ento Kit

$44.00

The Bare Basics of Insect Pinning Zine

$20.00

By now it’s hard to escape talk about the 2024 cicada emergence (sounds so wonderfully dramatic, doesn’t it?) But actually it is pretty dramatic… the predicted numbers of cicada which will emerge from the ground per square foot is truly mind boggling. As a Midwesterner the sound of cicadas and summer are so inextricably linked. The massive numbers that will be calling out nightly these next few months will just be like summer amplified! You may wanna carry a pair of earplugs with you this season.

In the studio we’ve been making sure to highlight some cicada love and honor this fascinating insect as a symbol of summer, transition, and song. Melissa’s been creating lovely spread cicada domes and small frames. Laura made a cicada-themed fortune scratch card. We’ve been framing cicada specimen, making cicada ento-kits, and of course planning the cicada pinning class with Alessandra. So please do come in and geek out with us about these noisy wild-eyed summer visitors and tell us all about your cicada encounters!

Enjoy your Summer, friends! Whether you’re off on adventures or soaking in some sun on your own porch… let the sounds, smells, and sights of the season bring you joy! If you’re in KC during our shop hours (Wednesday through Sunday 11am to 6pm*) *We will be closed for vacation on July 3rd and 4th.

— Laura

Oracles of May

Well there were definitely April showers here in KC… so we’re really looking forward to the May flowers! Lots of beautiful new Oracle-made “paw-quets” and “bone-quets” will definitely be coming very soon…

This past month really felt like a complete whirlwind! Alessandra took some gorgeous new showstopper pieces with her up to The Oddities Flea Market! Oracle was completely honored to be included in this nationally-known show curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn (you may have seen him as an expert on The Science Channel’s show “Oddities.”) And we’re definitely looking forward to doing more in the future!

New Artist!

We are super excited to bring the work of Lana Crooks into our shop! These “textile specimens” are unique hand-assembled sculptures. Her art is such a lovely blend of science and fantasy that fits right into any cabinet of curiosities, art collection, or special treasure display.

And NOW we are getting ready for the Fauna Faire at RitualCravt May 11th, 12-6pm. The line-up is stellar and we are super excited to be joined by Atropos Curios, The Blacksnail Forge, Jane Almirall, Opal & Gold, Sweet Destructor, and Tyler Thrasher! No tickets necessary… just pop on in and see the unique works we’re all bringing!

There are still spots available in the entomology classes Alessandra and Jess (Atropos Curios) will be teaching that weekend: Friday’s “Lepidoptera: The Mystical Beauty of Moths and Butterflies”, Sunday afternoon’s “Cicada Magic” and Sunday evening’s “The Magic of Spiders!”

Those of you anxiously waiting for us to announce our next classes happening in KC… hang tight… we’ve got some really great ones coming up. So keep your eyes peeled on our email newsletter when it comes out. That’s where you’ll get the inside scoop!

— Laura

Oracles of April

April and Spring are here already! While the weather (in KC at least) is still up and down from day to day… the sun has been showing itself more often than not. Plants are blooming, animals (and people in cars) are acting wild.

We’ve all been hard at work in the studio getting so much new work ready! Our in-house made double-pane glass frames are back! These go so incredibly fast, so if you’ve been hoping for one you may want to visit us sooner than later. There are also plenty of new freeze-dried taxidermy pieces ready… cute chicks, dapper baby ostriches, a fancy sassy chicken. Ooo annnnnd… did you hear about our giraffe skull?!

April also heralds the official start of the Crossroads First Friday Art Walks! April 5th Melissa and I will be in the shop 11am to 7pm so come in and say hi while you’re out taking in the Arts District!

Meanwhile Alessandra will be heading up to Chicago. She’s taking some showstopper pieces with her up to The Oddities Flea Market! Oracle is so completely honored to be included in this nationally known show curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn (you may have seen him as an expert on The Science Channel’s show “Oddities.”) So if you are in Chicago April 6th and 7th, stop by and say hi! She’s been working on a series of taxidermy/articulation projects… the outer taxidermy only partially surrounds a completed skeletal articulation. They are stunning. But we’re looking for the right phrase to describe this process… Skeledermy? Skeleton Tax? Probably not… we are open to suggestions.

While Alessandra is on the road, the KC Studio will be open our regular hours (Wednesday through Sunday 11am to 6pm). So KC folks, be sure to visit Melissa and I in the shop! We’ve got some fun new projects we’re finishing up while the boss is away…

And just around the corner in May we will be heading to Denver for the Fauna Faire at RitualCravt May 11th, 12-6pm. The line-up is stellar and we are super excited to be joined by Atropos Curios, The Blacksnail Forge, Jane Almirall, Opal & Gold, Sweet Destructor, and Tyler Thrasher! No tickets necessary… just pop on in and see the unique works we’re all bringing!

While in Denver, Jess Ellis (of Atropos Curios) and Alessandra will be teaching three different classes together that weekend:

Friday, May 10th is “Lepidoptera: The Mystical Beauty of Moths and Butterflies” an educational and magical workshop led by these two entomology enthusiasts! You will learn about the ecological, environmental, and spiritual importance of moths and butterflies AND pin your own Sunset Moth in class that you will take home with you.

Sunday, May 12th is “Cicada Magic” a journey to the Underworld through the lens of a beautiful and mysterious invertebrate. In this workshop you will learn about cicada biology, behavior, and mythology while pinning a sustainably sourced cicada specimen of your own!

Sunday evening on May 12th Alessandra and Jess will teach their final class of the weekend, a definite fan favorite… “The Magic of Spiders!” Both of your teachers for this class are not only passionate arachnid enthusiasts, but are also spider caretakers! In this hands-on workshop you’ll learn about spider biology and ecology’s well as their mythology and spiritual symbolism while pinning your own sustainably-sourced Orb Weaver spider specimen.

Happy Spring, friends! May your month be filled with rejuvenating time outdoors and the wonder of the natural world.

— Laura

Oracle's Stance on The Current Stadium Proposal

((This post is taken from some of Laura’s social media comments on the subject and we felt as a team that it represented our position well. So we are reposting it here to share with all of you.))

Ok. For those of us who work and/or live in the Crossroads the past several weeks have been a constant non-stop discussion about the stadium and hustling to advocate for our community. In a friend's post I addressed someone's "Vote Yes" when he claimed that P&L is what made the Crossroads... I kinda snapped and responded. So here is my stance as someone who has lived in KC my entire life, and spent a good majority of it working in some capacity or another within the Crossroads Arts District: (TLDR: Vote NO)

"I am so sorry. But every time there is a large Chiefs or Royals related event... all of the small businesses in the Crossroads suffer. Power and Light did NOT "revitalize" the area... it has been a problem in the community since it's been here and is a failing business model... it contains only non-local businesses itself and has filed bankruptcy multiple years in a row. If stadiums "revitalize" the city they are in... then why is the area around the current stadiums not thriving? Displacing businesses IS displacing people. Large corporations are oblivious to the realities of artists, small businesses, and the service industry. Relocating is MORE than just getting a new location and a few thousand to keep quiet. We all have worked decades to create this ARTS district. The Crossroads ARTS district is what has put KC in the national spotlight for well over a decade now. Parking IS going to be a problem. We will all lose clients and customers because of no parking. And their survey of 30,000 parking spots is insane. All of us who live and work down here can tell you that parking is hairy on even an AVERAGE weekend night. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE listen to the people who actually live here and work in LOCAL KC businesses that this is not ok. I love the Royals... but they don't need to steal our already thriving district out from under our feet.

P&L opened the end of 2007... this district has been building and developing an identity for way longer than that. People who go to P&L are not really the same crowd that support and shop the Crossroads. A good number of the clientele for the small businesses actively avoid the P&L area as they come into the district. They tell us this. Often. People who go to P&L tend to stay within that section which means their money is going to non-locally owned businesses. Baseball fans when going to a game will go to the game. They aren't also going to get brunch, have their nails done, shop for jewelry and lingerie, or visit galleries. They will go to the game, eat and drink either within the stadium, go home. Perspective of those on the ground working here every day without the extra-resources of owning land and buildings with which to bargain... our livelihoods are on the line. They truly are. Not to mention the beautiful culture and community we have worked hard to develop and build to what it is now and what we hope to continue to nurture within our community as a whole. Our historic buildings are beautiful. Our small grassroots unique businesses are beautiful. We are a hometown with heart and we do love our Royals history as well... they need to try a DIFFERENT less disruptive space and the finances need to be really reevaluated because the numbers do not work in the community's benefit at all." - Laura Pensar

Oracles of March

Spring is almost here!!! It’ll be official on the 19th, as a matter of fact. The shift into Spring generally heralds warmer weather and fewer wintry storms, and naturally tends to be a time of renewal and fresh starts. We can finally throw open the doors and windows, sweep out the dust of the winter months… (Persephone’s Broom Closet covers all your basic Spring Cleaning rituals!)

And although the weather patterns have been (ahem, sob) a little unpredictable lately… the sense of renewal and new beginnings that Spring brings is definitely here. We’re looking forward to propping open the front door and watching the block come alive! To celebrate, we’ll be doing our custom candle-dressing bar on the 20th! Come in and pick out the adornments for your Equinox ritual candle or as a gift for a friend.

Which, while we’re on the topic… make sure to sign up for the Spring Equinox Witch Club! Curated by Alessandra and filled with items connecting science, nature, and magic through traditional rituals, new crafts, and intentions that help you reconnect with the natural world. This season’s kit also includes a special new bundle by Atropos Curios! (Kits ship out on the 14th.)

Speaking of Atropos Curios… We’re super excited about their new mini DIY Spell Kits! Thoughtfully created and beautifully packaged little all-in-one rituals. Choose between Prosperity, Self Fortitude, Boundaries, and New Beginnings. They make a great little gift for a friend or a quick pick-me-up when you need one! I, personally, am taking home a Prosperity kit to do on the New Moon.

Dani Brown is the artist behind the amazing evolving art-wreath installation in our shop. Sunday the 17th, Dani will be teaching her “Art of Wreathing” class at Oracle! In this class, participants will learn the basics of safe and respectful harvesting, craft their own unique wreath out of wild-foraged materials, and learn how to begin and maintain their own “Wheel of the Year” wreath practice.

Later this month,  Chicago-based artists Mickey Kwapis and Zen Hansen will be visiting! Mickey will be leading a Cyanotype Workshop on the 23rd (space is limited… so don’t wait if you are interested.) Zen will be teaching an Intro to Hair Table-Braiding Art workshop on the 24th (again… don’t wait if you want to sign up!) Their other workshops have already sold out! But they will be popping up in the Oracle studio on Saturday.

If you’ve been in the studio this past month you’ve probably seen some beautiful new art on our walls and in the print bins… our very own lead illustrator, Melissa Chepren, is a full-fledged artist in her own right. And her work is stunning! Just look at this Blue Morpho butterflies piece!

The Oracle team has been hard at work in the studio getting some projects ready for this season! We’ve freshened-up our Animal Guide kits… currently available for Bobcat, Coyote, Fox, and Raccoon. These are great starter kits for a personal collection or as inspiration for incorporating animal energy into your personal practice.

And one last request for anyone who votes in Jackson County, Missouri… Please vote NO on the proposed Royals Crossroads District Stadium Tax. It will have devastating effects on the ENTIRE Crossroads Arts District. The stadium location as proposed will negatively impact small businesses and countless jobs in Kansas City. Please protect one of the most special districts in KC… we need your help!

The Oracle team!

Team selfie in the studio mirror. Left to right: Laura Pensar, Alessandra Dzuba, Melissa Chepren.

— Laura