Creative Loafing Interviews ATL Craft Owner Haley Murphy
ATL Craft Brings Witchcraft to Edgewood
This article was originally published by Caroline Cox in Creative Loafing Atlanta.
From a young age, Haley Murphy recognized that she had what she refers to as “spiritual gifts.” Murphy’s the driving force behind ATL Craft, touted as Atlanta’s witchcraft store and community space. The new shop recently opened its doors on Edgewood Avenue in a shared retail space with artist/entrepreneur Grant Henry, owner of the elaborately named bar Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium.
Growing up Southern Baptist and being home-schooled the majority of her life, Murphy left home at 18 and embarked on her own mission of self-discovery, immersing herself in ancient literature and numerous walks of faith. “Nothing touched me like the ancient polytheistic pagan ways,” she explains.
After a stint performing and touring in the local (and now disbanded) music/performance art group the Back Pockets, she returned to honing and expanding her love of healing arts and magic. This led to her hosting teaching workshops and online discussions on subjects such as herbalism, science, ancient literature, spell work, astrology, magic, yoga and mysticism. Once she decided to start teaching out of her home, the response was so overwhelming that she knew she needed her own brick-and-mortar space. “[ATL Craft] was born out of anger and love for human rights, women’s rights, and the acknowledgment of our own power,” says Murphy. “It was made in the fire of the belly of the beast and plopped right down into the Old Fourth Ward.”
The shop will stock what Murphy calls “everything you need for spell work” — candles, oils, crystals, ritual bath supplies, meditation masks, jewelry and more, along with Henry’s signature Sister Louisa hats, mugs, stickers, shirts and paintings. “We are also supporting our local artists and healers by providing a space to share and sell their work,” Murphy says. “The space is not only used for retail but as a center for magical activism and learning within our community.” They’ll also sell wares from local artists and healers, including Julie Goedekke with Goodness Gracious, Kat Shaw from Herbalista, Orion Crook, Maddy Baretto, Trevor Howell, and Fossil and Hide.
“My dream is that the shop brings hope, laughter and education and unifies our community with our diverse classes and resources,” she adds. “It is so important, especially in these tumultuous times, that we come together and encourage each other in our strengths and support each other through our weaknesses. There are so many hopes and dreams for the future, and I suppose my greatest one is to educate and inspire those to make this world a better place.”
To visit the original publishing of this post please click here.