We hoard books like crazy in the Pixie household. They are tucked into every cranny. It's not surprising that miniature versions should frequently make their way into my work.
I've been making little books for a very long while. Years even!
I love the challenge of going smaller and smaller...
...while still being able to open them up and turn the pages.
There's something extra magical about being able to interact with those little things. When children pick up my little books the skepticism in their eyes turns into a flash of delight when discover they can open the cover and flip through the pages.
Anyway, after years of keeping it all to myself, I've decided to offer my book making technique with a PDF tutorial available in my etsy shop. I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of a long process... but you end up with books that are pretty dang sturdy. I've left books in my pocket, put them through the wash, and they've come out the other end fully intact.
Instead of a template, the download shows you HOW to make the books so that you can add your own splash of magic and create them in whatever size or shape you like. Quick as can be you'll have an entire fairy library in no time at all.
You can find the listing HERE... and, don't tell anyone, but there's a little bonus project included too ;)
I bought some paper mache cones with the grand idea of making tree toppers. As time marched on, and I realized the clock was ticking down, I knew they weren't going to happen.
Sometimes, in spite of things not going according to plan, you end up with something wonderful anyway. Here's my conical something wonderful...
Christmas Tomte! I'm sure you've seen these fellows but do you know their story? These Scandinavian creatures are very similar in appearance to gnomes (I hear they are third cousins) and act as a sort of helper or gaurdian of the homestead. If you are well behaved, and they are treated well, they will assist by tending animals, doing chores and bringing good fortune. Otherwise, prepare for mischief.
These wee fellows are also Yuletide gift bearers, leaving gifts on Christmas eve, for which they should receive a bowl of porridge and some butter.
The details/names of these creatures vary depending on the Scandinavian country they inhabit. Sweden, Norway, Finland, Norway, Denmark all have their own versions. If interested in learning more about them, try searching Tomte, Tomtar, Nisse or Tonttu. How's your holiday crafting shaping up? Remember to stop and take a breath once in a while, ok.
I've been busy, puttering, preparing for my Christmas Open House this weekend.
It's pretty dang clean in here, the 'showroom'. I can't say the same for the rest of the place which is an utter disaster. My husband looked at the floor last night and sighed. "There's more glitter on the floor than in your bottle!" Well, those jam jar fairies need some sparkle. Besides, I'm the one who vacuums... I'm allowed to muck up the place.
I'm *mostly* ready. The nice thing about showing your stuff off at home is that if you forget something it's easily remedied and you can put a pot of tea on.
If you can't make it I've got a little special in the etsy shop right now. TheSpecial Pixie Package includes over $40 worth of goodies for $28. At the very least you'll get some Pixie Dust, Wishing Star, Thimble Garden, Fairy Sized Christmas Card and Fairy Footprints... and I'll pop in an extra or two because I loves ya.
If you are nearby please feel free to drop in, say 'hello' and be nosy.
What a lovely holiday treat to have the chance to work with the Christmas Carolcollection from my old friends at Graphic 45. The gorgeous, vibrant colours work so well with Petaloo'sblooms. Whether it's red, green or blues... they all coordinate beautifully.
I am fortunate to have a good relationship with the fair folk. It is a relationship built on respect and deference. A relationship that has spanned years and across miles.
These little fossilised footprints appeared in my studio a while ago but I've been hesitant about posting them.
An old fairy nudged me tonight and whispered in my ear, "When are you going to show them off? When will you show off what we have done?!" I sighed and told him that I was reluctant. I explained that I didn't want people to steal our work, our ideas, and call them their own, but that it made me sad not to share what we created together.
"I see." He frowned, scratched his whiskered chin, then winked at me. "We will cloak our work in fairy magic. A blessing to some, a curse to others. That is the way of the little people."
And so it was done, a fairy blessing and a fairy curse upon our makings.
Those who share the magic freely with their friends as gifts or tokens of affection, with respect and reverence, will be blessed with a stroke of fairy luck.
But those with greedy hearts, filled with insolence and laziness, seeking profit which is not their due, will mark themselves with the black stoke of misfortune and fairy havoc.
Let's hope there are blessings a-plenty and few (if any!) cursed by fairy mischief.
Fairy footprint fossils are available in five different sizes ranging from 1.25" to 3" and are listed HERE.
** Please read to the bottom of this post for answers to common questions. Or visit THIS PAGE. **
Gina's Designs Laser Cuts has a brand new name: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and I have a brand new tutorial for you!
I was sort of hesitiant about using this as a design team project because it's so easy and requires just a few simple supplies... but it's soooo stinkin' cute!
Fairy lanterns! Now, anyone who has experience with real fairies knows that it is not a good idea to stuff them into jars. They will pinch and nip and basically make your life unpleasant if you treat them rudely. These jars are a fairy friendly alternative. Perfectly dreamy as a little nightlight, or magical accent.
Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts carries the Garden Fairy cutouts in three different sizes so you can create a variety of lanterns in an assortment of jars. And if fairies aren't your thing... well, there's always baby dragons from the Dragons Shape Set, floral elements, or whatever suits your fancy!
The tutorial can be found HERE on my YouTube channel (and below), but here are a few tips:
• Sticking the figures directly on the glass (generally) yields better, more detailed results
• Use two or three battery powered tea lights. More light = stronger silhouette effect.
• Take care how many layers of paper you use, how much overlap there is. (A little is ok.)
• Use thinner school glue for the paper and thicker tacky glue for the glitter
• DO NOT use real candles inside
Finally, the supply list:
• Gypsy Soul Garden Fairy cutouts
• Glass jam jars with lids
• Thin tissue paper
• White school glue
• Quality white glue
• Clear glitter
• Twine
• Floral embellishments (THESE sugared blooms from Petaloo are gorgeous)
• Battery powered tealights or led string lights
NOTE: Please DO make for friends, as gifts, as a group project but remember that making them commercially (including teaching as a paid class) is not permitted.
2. YES she does ship internationally.International customers might want to try placing an order via Alpha Stamps HERE. I also have a few listed in my etsy shop HERE.
3. The size you buy would depend on the size of the jar you are using. If using a pint sized canning jar small or medium is probably a safe bet.
4. "Can I use/do/change x,y,z ?" Give it a try! Experimenting is part of the fun of making.
5. DO NOT use real candles. Safety first!
6. NO, selling replicas of this project is NOT permitted. Seriously, just be inspired, add your own style and vision, and create your own version of a fairy lantern. If you are selling handmade you should be selling YOUR ideas and style, not mine. Think of it this way, you wouldn't copy a book word for word... don't carbon copy this project. For fun? Make as many as you like. For profit? Make your own version.
Note: I am not the owner of Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts or Alpha Stamps. They send me products, I use them in my work, that is all. If you have a question about ordering products, please direct them to the company you are ordering from.
Another Alpha Stamps project to share today. A little sleigh with some flying reindeer! I don't know what it is exactly about this piece, but it makes me a little sentimental for Christmas' circa 1980's.
The sleigh is small, just the right size for an ornament, and would be very cute all on it's own. For what it's worth, it is pretty much the perfect size for carrying a sack of chocolate coins. Mmmm chocolate coinage *drool*.
ANYWAY... the deer are held up by Mini Red Pip Berry Garland* and the satchel of presents in the sleigh weigh it down so it doesn't topple. Want a step-by-step to make your own? Hop over to the Snapguide Tutorial HERE.
