Mostly Made-Up Mushrooms

I spent Monday evening and the entirety of Tuesday working on these mushroom specimens. Keeping real toadstool samples was not an option, as they would certainly dry, wither and lose their lustre. Instead, these make-believe mushrooms have been created from polymer clay.

The presence of toadstools may indicate faerie activity, especially those found growing in lines and rings. They are tell tale signs that faeries have been trooping or dancing in that very spot. 

While it may be enticing, do not disturb those rings and lines. It would be like showing up at a celebration you were not invited to. Do admire them, appreciate them, and respect the fact that the fair folk may be near by.

Fly Agaric/Fly Amanita: The most iconic of all fairy mushrooms. Especially popular in Victorian fairy paintings but renaissance depictions can also be found. It has hallucinogenic properties and a long history of use in religious and shamanistic rituals. Toxic to consume, but lucky to see.

Hens Goblets: These goblet shaped mushrooms are often found growing outside of hen houses. Planted by impish fair folk, they are filled with fairy wine to lure chickens from their nests. This allows for the theft of fresh warm eggs. 

White Needles: Similar to Golden Needle mushrooms but slightly larger. I suspect they may be a cross variety cultivated by Koro-pok-guru who may have migrated from Japan.

Good Witch's Hat: a specific type of waxcap toadstool especially useful to witches who use green magic. Enhances the potency of any spell or charm. When on good terms, faeries will sprout a small patch of these for their favourite witch to use. The witch in turn will bake a crumb cake and leave it on the window sill for the little folk to steal nibbles from.

Smooth Pixie Cups: a lichen, rather than a mushroom, related to the Mealy Pixie Cup. Found in mossy areas known to be frequented by trooping pixies and faeries. It is said that gnomish beer tastes especially good when sipped from one of these cups.

Fibbing Amethyst Deceiver: Not to be confused with the true Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) the Fibbing Amethyst Deceiver is a completely different species. A single drop of tincture made from this mushroom in a cup of tea will cause the drinker to hiccup whenever they tell an untruth. 

Undetermined Fungus: Grown by faerie folk on dead or decaying tree trunks to store nutrients from the decaying the tree for later medicinal use. Also used practically as shady awning for tree dwelling little people.

Conocybe: not entirely certain which subspecies this is, as there are at least 50 found in North America and almost 250 worldwide. Certain varieties have been used for shamanic purposes but others are highly toxic and could be deadly. Caution is advised. Only those with an intimate knowledge of the species, and on good terms with the fair folk, should attempt use.

Elven Bluecap: So called for its resemblance to the headwear often worn by Northern elves. The glittery substance on its capped top is believed to magically assist them to remain upright on their rather spindly stalks.

Verdigris Agaric: Named after its colour, being strikingly similar to the pigment on weathered copper/brass/bronze. A favourite of little people with seaside roots.

Marie Antoinette ATC Tags

As my Graphic 45 dt term wrapped up, I created this series of tags as a little memento for my fabulous fellow teamies. I wanted the tags to be a ‘set’ but I also wanted each one to be unique.

I began by covering ivory Artist Trading Tags with July Flourish from the Time to Flourish collection. Then I found a series of images depicting Marie Antoinette from the blog Magic Moonlight (http://bit.ly/1G6YCm9).

Using my stash of scraps and fussy cut bits and bobs, I began playing and layering elements. These ATCs use cut pieces from Time to Flourish, Botanical Tea, Home Sweet Home and Sweet Sentiments.

Finally, I added a nice chunky bow and just a smidge of glitter.

The Supply List:

Ivory Artist trading tags

July Flourish
Fussy cut flowers, leaves and butterflies from:

Time to Flourish
Botanical Tea
Home Sweet Home
Sweet Sentiments

Various ribbon Charms

Stickles

Important Announcement: Fairy Tour 2015

This year I'm doing things a little differently for Pixie Hill's annual Fairy Tour. I'll be changing the sign out front and our little spot will become "Pixie Hill Fairy Sanctuary and Museum" for the duration of the summer.

All of the fairy specimens that I've been showing off will be on display.

And outside our resident wee folk will be setting up house once again.

They're already starting to slowly reveal themselves.

Hopefully they hurry so that all will be in place by July 4th, for our 'Opening Ceremony' celebrations.

Here's the what's what as it stands right now:

• Requests for fairy mail must be received no later than June 28th.

Email [email protected] with the name and age of the recipient.

Personalized fairy mail is $5 per letter.

Each letter is unique, and adorned with tiny stamps and sealed with wax.

• There will be a self guided scavenger hunt and other tasks/games to preform for 'awards'

• There is no charge to attend but a donation is appreciated.

• Cash or credit card payments are accepted for 'gift shop/studio' purchases

Interac is NOT available... though you could etransfer if in a pinch.

An Altered Trophy and Fond Farewell

My time with Graphic 45 has come to an end. It's been such great fun and I've enjoyed every minute of my two terms with them. Amazing products. Amazing people. Just an absolute pleasure all around. It's a sad but satisfying goodbye. I'll miss the camaraderie, the giant boxes of goodies, the assignments... but I've learned so much, made new friends, and have a boatload of nice memories. What more could a girl ask for?

The very last project I created for G45. My very favourite of all the altered awards I've created. She's just a bundle of magic and I am certain she will end up with someone very deserving.

I’ve always had a thing for awards. (Ribbons, sashes and crowns too.) Those things that symbolically represent being awesome. Maybe it’s because I didn’t play sports as a kid, that I never had a shelf full of trophies, that they appeal to me so much. 

When I saw the Tim Holtz trophy cups I knew I was going to change the fact that I did not have a trophy shelf. As luck would have it, I came across some trophy cups with the kids party favours in my local discount store. Score! 

Some wooden blocks and the additions of a fantastic Door Knocker, Antique Metal Door Pull, Stamped Metal Brad, and those amazing Claw Feet…. and ta-da! I’ve cobbled together something pretty special.

Know someone who absolutely NEEDS this wee gal? She's listed HERE

Or you can have fun making your own version...

Supply List

Door Knockers
Antique Metal Door Pulls
Stamped Metal Brads
Claw Feet
Once Upon a Springtime Deluxe Collector's Edition
Small plastic trophy cups
Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars
Wooden Blocks
Small brass wings
Petaloo Bontanica Petites
Vintage Image
Just Wings Collage Sheet Transparency
Acrylic paint
White glitter
Burlap Ribbon
Hat pin
Adhesives

I've got one or two additional Graphic 45 projects to show off over the next week or so, and you'll still see their products featured in my work. Can't wait to see what the new G45 team creates :)

One Little Thing - Great Women

This weeks challenge is about recognizing and celebrating great women.

Think about a women (or women) that you admire and create one little thing in homage.

Girl power!

An Utterly Nonsensical Wishing-go-round

Being utterly nonsensical once in a while is good for the soul. 

So, I am pleased to present a completely ridiculous project this month. 

I offer you a glittery 'Wishing-Go-Round'. This 15" slice of whimsy is created with Gina's Moon & Stars String Alongs, Celestial Shape Set, Spool, a bit of scrapbook paper and a whole lot of glitter.

I know some people aren't keen on glitter... but the stuff makes me positively giddy. It really adds a dash of magic to this piece.

If you'd like to create your own twinkling thing-a-ma-bob I have a video tutorial for you HERE. 

If  you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to help.

I 100% encourage nonsense and whimsy after all :)

Supply List:

String Alongs - Moon & StarsCelestial Shape SetSpool LargeScrapbook Paper
Glitter
White glue
Hot glue
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - GoldStar Wired Garland
Celestial themed charms such as:
Man in the Moon - Raw Brass 

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.