Faerie Weaponry

Today I'll be exploring faerie weaponry. 

Faerie weapons are used for protection, to cause harm (in the case of malicious faeries like boggarts and goblins), for ceremony, and as tools. As with the other artifacts we have examined, they are made (mostly) of natural materials and difficult to uncover in the wild.

1. Pixie Bow and Thorned Arrow: The Pixie Bow is a lightweight weapon used primarily for protection. The tiny thorn tipped projectile does not cause massive damage, its hit being likened to a bee sting.

2. Feather Blow Dart with Sliver Points: Made from a hollowed feather shaft the blow dart is an excellent choice for faerie folk who wish to keep their distance and remain silent. Slivers of wood are often used as ammunition. Injury may not be immediately felt but may result in infection.

3. Unknown Bone Staff: I readily admit that I am not absolutely certain of the origins of this object. It may, in fact, be a ceremonial artifact. That being said, it is quite possible (and rather more likely) that this claw tipped bone once belonged to a Dunter. This is a logical conclusion as the objects effectiveness as a weapon would being secondary to it's ability to intimidate.

4. Faerie Pike and Pine Cone Shield: An unusual metal tipped specimen. Fair folk are usually reluctant to use steel, preferring shards of glass, stone or sharpened bone to tip their weapons. Whoever created this pike could not resist the allure of a discarded cutting blade. The shield, made from a pine cone has moss embedded between the 'cones'. The moss is likely included for it's healing properties, to pack any wounds incurred during a clash.

5. Twiggy Slingshot with Dried Bean Shot: A very simple but effective weapon and tool. Commonly used to plant seeds by shooting them into the earth. A favourite weapon to protect against cats.

6. Wishbone Slingshot: A stronger, larger version of the Twiggy Slingshot more likely to be used during a ruckus, rumble or rumpus than it's wooden counterpart.

7. Wooden Tuck Sword: A simple point carved from wood with a woolen grip. A common accessory for many little people. It is especially useful for poking, prodding, pricking, piercing, and puncturing.

These artifacts will be on display at Pixie Hill throughout the summer. Open house dates can be found HERE. 

Note: Our first open house is this weekend, please be aware the garden/fairy tour is NOT yet set up. The tour will be revealed on July 4th. This Saturday is for studio snooping only.

Wand Specimens

Wands are often lost, misplaced or discarded by the fair folk. Their size, and the natural materials with which they are made, provide excellent camouflage making them difficult to uncover. Today we will take a look at several varieties of faerie wands found at Pixie Hill.

Fig.1 The 'Thorned Goblin Rod' provides all of the magical qualities of a wand and may also be used a weapon. Created from a young black locust branch, the thorns aren't just dangerous in appearance, they are poisonous. A scratch from the sharp points will cause pain that may last for several days.

Fig. 2: The 'House Brownie Wand' is completely utilitarian. It is free from excess embellishment or flamboyance. The wood used in its creation is maple, a good all 'round magical wood. This specimen has a handle of well worn cotton. (Note: If you find a similar wand near your home do not pick it up. Your house brownie likely put it down momentarily and will return for it.)



Fig. 3: This natural bone wand has a moss wrapped handle. Bone wands are far less common than wooden wands but not unheard of. Found in on the mossy ground beneath the big pines on the back lawn, it is likely that this once belonged to a forest dwelling faerie. Possibly dropped by a migratory Duwende.

Fig.4: This very small wooden wand has a decorative carved handle. Although it's carving suggests elf or gnome origins, its size is more indicative of imp ownership. More exploration may be warranted to see if pygmy elves are inhabiting the grounds.

Fig. 5: This small wand has a webbed grip indicating that it's owner was in good standing with spiders and other insects. Flower faeries are known to have an excellent relationship with arachnids, often working together to aid in the maintenance and care of gardens.



Fig. 6: It is well known that most creatures with fae blood are repulsed by iron, steel, silver and other metals. There are a few examples to the contrary, dwarfs, ogres and some trolls, creatures who mine and forge are less affected by some metals. This delicate tiny wand seems unlikely to have been wielded by a troll so one must wonder.... to whom did it belong?

This collection of wands and other faerie artifacts will be on display at the studio throughout the summer. Please check the events page for open house dates.

Faeries, Frocks and Godmothers

With the arrival of the glorious spring weather the faeries have come out of hiding and hibernation. I thought it might be a good time to talk about them, the fair folk, and share some faerie truths.

When one thinks of faeries they often imagine tiny winged pretty ladies either scantily clad or clothed in frilly frocks.

While it is true that in the throes of summer many fae opt for minimal covering (they don't have air conditioning after all), I am assured they do not pose with arched backs nor push their bosom forward seductively. That said, please beware that there ARE several varieties of faerie who like to lure men into harms way. Long story short, if you happen upon a sexy faerie, tis best to run in the opposite direction.

Now, about those frilly frocks...

Five inch frock worn by Miss Gwendoline Twinkle during the strawberry harvest festival of 1913.

Frilly frocks and pretty dresses are rarely worn by the fair folk. The little people usually prefer clothing that is comfortable and practical. The above dress and slippers fit neither category. There is an exception to this general rule: Fairy Godmothers.

Full 6" dress, boots, hat and wand from the closet of Miss Mulberry Threadbare.

While Fairy Godmothers are soft hearted and mostly very nice and down to earth, there is a recent trend among the younger faction to wear large ornamental dresses and completely impractical footwear. The appeal seems to be gaining momentum through the ranks of Godmotherhood, extending as far as the matronly Eldermothers.

While many faerie folk believe these dresses to be ostentatious and showy (some rolling their eyes at the mere mention of them) they also know that there is no harm in it. 

The general consensus is "So long as their job is done, let them look as silly as they like."

The frocks pictured above will be on display at Pixie Hill throughout the summer. You can find the current "Open House" schedule HERE.