The Philosophy of the Kitchen Witch

Boy do I have a treat for you. KarenAnne of KarenAnne Designs has graciously accepted my request to be a guest blogger! I'm a big fan of Kitchen Witches (remember mine?) and KarenAnne designs and sells some of the most unique and adorable kicthen witches you will ever see.

The Philosophy of the Kitchen Witch

In this crazy fast paced world where everyone in the family is working, going to school or kids’ after-school functions, the home is quickly becoming just a house; a place to grab a quick bite to eat and then sleep in before starting it all over again the next day. The kitchen has reverted into a place to microwave meals to take to the video game room (formerly known as the living room). Rush, rush, rush. We haven’t the time for anything these days.

Occasionally, we get a glimpse into a magical world where things are warm and cozy and the smells of baked bread, fresh coffee and bacon frying in the pan assault us and we are “home”. Once there people smile and tell you to take off your coat and sit and relax and have a fresh baked cookie with your coffee. It could be Grandma’s house or Aunt Suzie’s or even Uncle John’s apartment in the city.

In this hectic world we pause to wonder as to what causes this tranquil and comfortable place. You may or may not see the kitchen witch in the corner. She may not be visible, but her spirit is. Watching over everything in the kitchen, her influence calms the soul after a tough day. She encourages you to get out that baking pan or stew pot and create something for those that you love. She helps remove loneliness by encouraging people to linger in the kitchen savoring the smells of the herbs used in the last meal.

I, KarenAnne, design my kitchen witches loosely based on people I meet while traveling around my native state of Maine. Each witch is hand crafted and given individuality with a unique name. In this way the magic does not come from the crafter but from the person who relates to the character of the witch. When the witch is taken into a home and hung in the kitchen in a central place where she can see the entire kitchen is when the magic is born.

I do not put the magic into the witch…I merely give her a place to hang out and help you in your kitchen. You create the magic when you prepare a luscious meal for your family to enjoy even if it only happens once or twice a week, giving your family the time to reconnect and relax. The kitchen witch is simply a symbol that we can use to give us the confidence to excel in our kitchens and make magic happen.

My take on the kitchen witch began when my husband returned home from his mother’s funeral in England with her kitchen witch. She was promptly hung in my kitchen and has been gracing me with good luck and inspiration ever since.

Although a well known symbol of folk-lore in Norway, Germany and England, the kitchen witch was relatively unheard of here in the United States when I began to experiment with nylon hose and fiberfill. My first kitchen witch was born out of desperation a few years ago…a friend had a new home, a housewarming party and we needed a unique idea for a gift. My husband suggested giving her his mother’s kitchen witch, but I could not bear to part with something so intimate to us. I decided to try my hand at it and my first witch was born. It was a huge hit with the new homeowner and the other guests, so I began to sell them online and at local flea markets.

They make great gifts for newlyweds, new homeowners and even older folks who like the idea of a spirit guarding their kitchen. I sell primarily on Etsy.com at KarenAnne Designs but also do local craft fairs and flea markets.

If you don't have a Kitchen Witch yet, smack yourself on the forehead and go visit KarenAnne Designs. If you do have a Kitchen Witch, share your story with us in a comment below!