I'm Rebecca Beyer, the woman behind the Blood and Spicebush School of Old Craft. I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina where I teach people how to integrate the Old Ways back into a cyclical life and work as a tattooer. If I knew as a child that I'd grow up to be a professional forager-witch and tattooer, I wouldn't have believed it.
I have a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont where I fell in love with growing food. I completed a Masters in Appalachian Studies and Sustainability, concentrating in Appalachian Ethnobotany at Appalachian State University in May 2018. I am also a member of the Association of Foragers. Here is my Curriculum Vitae if you'd like to hire me for a lecture or University presentation. Despite my rough and tumble exterior, I love presenting in an academic setting.
I practice, research and write about Appalachian Folk Magic, Traditional Witchcraft, Primitive Skills, Homesteading, Foraging, Appalachian Ethnobotany and European and Appalachian Folk Ways. Together, I call these things Hedgecraft. I've learned many of these things from the amazing teachers at the Earth Skills Rendezvous, my apprenticeship at Wild Abundance in 2011, my friends and mentors in our amazing community in WNC, and my serious collection of books. Listen and learn. There's no time to waste.
I love playing guitar, singing Irish, Scottish, English and Appalachian Ballads, as well as fiber arts, spoon carving and basket making. I am a painter and an author as well. I know, I am a busy body, but I like it that way.
I spend my days trying to learn what my ancestors did and finding ways to share traditional skills while tackling cultural appropriation through practicing and teaching those things which my relations would have done as a European ancestored person. I used to say I was born into the wrong time, but hell, I was born exactly when I should have been. If you love Appalachia, traditional ways, wild foods or witchery, welcome home.
If you like my articles and information, please consider donating to help me add fuel to the fire and keep on creating.
I have a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont where I fell in love with growing food. I completed a Masters in Appalachian Studies and Sustainability, concentrating in Appalachian Ethnobotany at Appalachian State University in May 2018. I am also a member of the Association of Foragers. Here is my Curriculum Vitae if you'd like to hire me for a lecture or University presentation. Despite my rough and tumble exterior, I love presenting in an academic setting.
I practice, research and write about Appalachian Folk Magic, Traditional Witchcraft, Primitive Skills, Homesteading, Foraging, Appalachian Ethnobotany and European and Appalachian Folk Ways. Together, I call these things Hedgecraft. I've learned many of these things from the amazing teachers at the Earth Skills Rendezvous, my apprenticeship at Wild Abundance in 2011, my friends and mentors in our amazing community in WNC, and my serious collection of books. Listen and learn. There's no time to waste.
I love playing guitar, singing Irish, Scottish, English and Appalachian Ballads, as well as fiber arts, spoon carving and basket making. I am a painter and an author as well. I know, I am a busy body, but I like it that way.
I spend my days trying to learn what my ancestors did and finding ways to share traditional skills while tackling cultural appropriation through practicing and teaching those things which my relations would have done as a European ancestored person. I used to say I was born into the wrong time, but hell, I was born exactly when I should have been. If you love Appalachia, traditional ways, wild foods or witchery, welcome home.
If you like my articles and information, please consider donating to help me add fuel to the fire and keep on creating.
