Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Bright
Hi Erin , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Tennessee, dreaming of a life in the arts—something I was taught was both impossible and a little bit frivolous. So, I treated it as a hobby. When college rolled around, I didn’t have a clear direction, but coming from a privileged enough background, attending was a given. I majored in art, and because Tennessee wasn’t offering education minors at the time, I picked up minors in interior design and communications—without a clue as to what that would lead to.
After graduation, I did what many do: took a job that required a degree but had nothing to do with my passions. I rented cars. That job moved me to Ohio, where I floundered for a while before deciding to get my master’s in education and become a teacher.
Teaching art was meaningful, but extreme burnout forced me out of the classroom. I left for a coffee shop job, started taking ceramics classes, and kept circling back to the idea of creative process and purpose—like how I used to teach my students about the AP Art exam, the importance of intention, and the act of assigning meaning to your work. Meanwhile, I was constantly searching through the spiritual realms, trying to figure out where I fit. I had zero clarity.
Then, a friend of mine was about to move away to focus on writing a book. I wanted to send her off with something special. I made a candle out of whatever I could find at Micheals. It wasn’t perfect, but I loved the process. And that led me down the path to study herbs and Hierophany and Hedge had opened so I was introduced to all kinds of resources.
That first candle was made in a little sconce—nowhere near what I create today—but it sparked something in me. Every challenge led me to refine the process, and I kept coming back to my art background. I realized I didn’t just want to make candles; I wanted to control the entire composition. Every stitch of the process, the ceramic holder being made with moon water, hand dipping the candle which no one takes the time to practice anymore, the scent aligning with the meaning, the herbs, the intentions, I even designed the labels and hand sticker the box.
Then, astrology re-entered the conversation. My love for astrology started young—I was maybe seven when I first became aware of it. That same deep, structured thinking I once poured into art and teaching came back online. I didn’t want to just make candles I wanted to infuse the candles with the energy of the cycles and then that naturally led me to offer readings and teach making astrology tangible, tactile, something people could experience in their space, and use not just read about
That’s how Alchemy & Art was born. A mix of everything I love—art, ritual, astrology, and the magic of creation—woven into something both deeply personal and meant to be shared.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Let me count the ways it hasn’t.
There’s the struggle of working with people who didn’t share my vision. The challenge of proving to others—and sometimes to myself—that this shift into entrepreneurship wasn’t a breakdown but the most authentic thing I’ve ever done. People had expectations. They saw me as a teacher, someone who would stay in the classroom forever. Leaving that path looked, to some, like a midlife crisis. To me, it was finally stepping into alignment.
Then there’s the sheer amount I’ve had to learn from scratch—SEO, marketing, the behind-the-scenes mechanics of running a business. It’s not just making beautiful things; it’s making sure people find them.
And of course, the creative process itself is its own test. I’ve spent entire days at the wheel, only to have every single piece crack in the drying process. I’ve dipped candles that didn’t set right, experimented with blends that flopped, and faced all the little ways a handmade business can humble you.
Every day brings a new challenge, but I have to see each one as an opportunity—to refine, to grow, to prove to the universe (and myself) that I’m all in.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create astrology-infused candles, ceramics, and ritual tools that bridge art, magic, and self-discovery. My work is both tangible and spiritual—handmade objects infused with intention, designed to help people connect with themselves and the cosmos. I also offer astrology readings that go beyond prediction; they help people understand themselves, align with their timing, and make empowered decisions.
What sets me apart is the depth of skill and authenticity I bring to everything I create. I’m not just selling candles or readings—I’m offering years of artistic mastery, a lifetime of astrological study, and a true devotion to craft. My background as an artist means I approach astrology visually, materially, and energetically. Every piece is an extension of my own creative and spiritual process.
But what I’m most proud of? Learning to fully step into myself. I grew up in the South, where being the weird kid—the artist, the astrologer—wasn’t exactly the norm. For years, I kept parts of myself quiet. Now, I say it out loud: This is who I am. This is what I do. And because I’ve owned that, I’ve been able to help others do the same.
Through my work, I’ve helped people make major life decisions, reconnect with themselves in their self-care practices, and even resolve deep communication issues in their relationships. What started as my own personal journey has become something meaningful to others. That’s the magic—turning my internal world into something that exists in the external world, something real and deeply felt.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I like quiet—a lot. The creative process itself is meditative for me, and I find that space to think, feel, and create is just as essential as any external resource. But when I do reach for inspiration, these are my go-tos:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – A book about creativity, fear, and showing up for your art. It’s like a permission slip to make things without overthinking them.
Hand Wash Cold: Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life by Karen Maezen Miller – A beautifully simple book about presence, mindfulness, and finding meaning in daily life.
To Be Magnetic Podcast – A mix of neuroscience, manifestation, and self-worth work that helps me stay aligned with what I’m building.
And, of course, astrology is at the core of everything I do. My favorite astrologer is Chris Brennan. He’s an incredible historian and researcher with a way of communicating astrology that’s both profound and deeply practical. His work reminds me why I love this craft—it’s ancient, intricate, and always relevant.
Pricing:
- my astrology journals for 2025, which sold out yesterday were $50
- an astrology reading is currently 150 while the reading membership is $100 a monthly reading
- a tarot reading is currently $60
- candles are $35
- mostly candle and sticker subscription is 30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alchemyandart.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alchemyandart.shop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alchemyandart.shop
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/alchemyandartshop/
