June 24, 2022 International Faerie Day

Well here it is June 24, 2022 and it just happens to be International Faerie Day!

I was trying to figure out a way to both celebrate this wonderful occasion both personally and with you. 

Once I started my research, it honestly didn't take me long to decide YES! This is what I need to do. The how and when came together with no hiccups.

Yesterday, starting at about 10:00am (with an hours drive having to be tacked on both directions) and going until just after 3:00pm I walked out celebrating International Faerie Day!

I would like to thank my friend Emy for all of her wonderful creativeness, patience and willingness to try. 

Here was how my day went...

 My hope is that you find yourself inspired, empowered 

and that you'll continue to believe not just in faeries but in your inner you.

Wishing everyone an amazing International Faerie Day!

Iridescent Shimmers

the belief of the unknown can be found within the flicker of eyelashes as they see the beauty of the dream. a dream where one begins to question the artistry of the imaginable.

searching for the mystery of colours that makes up a rainbows arc, the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis' as they dance across the sky or even with the wings of a dragonfly. a dragonfly found within the treasures of a mountains waterfall as it splashes down into an iridescent pool or within the treasures of a tumbling of water as it ripples with the glimmer of gold.

on the left - found in North America (Canada)
on the right - found in Asia (Korea)

Magic Always Trumps Facts and Fiction

the facts

a rainbow consists of a variety of colours that create a spectrum through reflection, refraction, dispersion and water droplets.  these documented studies have shown that with these 4 requirements there are numerous conditions that go in the designing of the prism like arc seen in the sky.  two of these studies include the sizing of tears which when larger generate vivid hues; and as with the horizon borderline reds/yellows can be seen and the range of blue/green pigments are found when higher in the sky.  

the fiction

folklore does tell us of finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so if you do happen to find yourself bathed within the crescent of unbelievable colours please do share your riches with me. 

the magic

but more importantly it is with your own eyes that you find the true beauty of a rainbow. 

* please note:

the bits and pieces of information provided above came from a variety of resources which were re-written only to fit this blog posting. 

A Clean Mess

i think that the nursery is finally starting to look clean although a few things just might need a bit tending to yet so i do believe that it's list time ~

• the cobwebs have new cobwebs spun upon them with again new ones again on top of that with another whole layer on top of that although i will say that it's a good thing spiders like to spin their silk in different shades of paint as it certainly does add splash of colour ~ blicky ~ but then colour none the less
• the dirt pile that was once swept into the corner has upped and managed to find the dustpan itself
• or how about the ivy that was in such a knotted jumbled mess that it figured out how to actually dance the twist
• what about trying to erase the pretty pictures that have been drawn on the scattered note pads
• and then who could forget the tumbleweeds mixed in with the beads that roll aimlessly across the floor ~ i will note though that i have absolutely no idea where tumbleweeds might have come from here in the nursery
• oh yeah ~ and what about the ball of yarn that had turned itself inside out only to find another knot on the end that was in a different colour
• then there was that really really really really long purple thread that somehow came across spools of green and pink and yellow threads and the wrapped them so tightly together that they will never be able to be separated 
• how do water the silk flowers that have taken root on the floor
• what about the coloured markers that have long since dried up but are still so extremely smelly that we use them as incense to keep the nursery smelling fruity
• and how on earth do you pour the food colouring dyes back into their own matching coloured bottles

that's quite the list and i do know that it will only grow longer and longer as how do you expect to get anything done with a nursery full of faeries?

Playing out-of-bounds

"It's fun to do the unexpected"

Author: Walt Disney Company,
'Nursery Rhymes & Fairy Tales'

Finding Colour

once upon a time, i was really good at posting a graphic (quote) daily and then weekly and then now it seems like never.

i can make all of the excuses that i/one can think of -- moving/packing, social media, craft fairs, a life??

but it really comes down to me feeling moved, feeling that spark, feeling inspired with finding that one quote that i must have remembered in that one fleeting moment in time. a pause in time that i took to share, share through a graphic, share through a creation, share through a dream.

so here i am -- not back on track, not daily, not weekly, and probably kinda never (not really never but you get the drift) -- here is a quote by Teresa Jordan that i want/wanted to share.

A Touch of Red

RED

definition:
noun
1. ... the primary colour at one extreme end of the visible spectrum relating to fire, rubies and blood...

the who:
Stella -- Blossom 

the what:
the treasury -- gift

the when:
the holiday -- year round

the where:
the Etsy -- Treasury


to feature an Etsy Treasury is a beautiful way to say 'i'm looking for you'.

to be featured in an Etsy Treasury is a beautiful way to say 'i found you'.

with Etsy the protocol when featured in a Treasury is to ('heart') like all of the other artist's photos that they have collected but this process, well it almost feels like it is only a formality of politeness.

but how can you combat the rules, the contract, the obligation? well i Blog, i Twitter, i Google +, i Pinterest, i Facebook, i Website it (i'm pretty sure that i do more but well those are the ones that i can see on my saved tabs above).

and this is how i say 'thank you' to curator: JoyForToes for featuring Stella in the Bright holiday_2 by Natasha


RED
noun
1 .... the primary colour at one extreme end of the visible spectrum relating to fire, rubies and blood ...

RED
1 .... a holiday celebration ...

RED
1 ... thank you ...

Bright holiday_2

Snowflake brooch, red, beige, white, hand painted brooch, painted, hand drawing, badge, snow, holiday, women, winter brooch, pin MagicTwirl $15.00	Christmas Angels Red Fabric Fairy Christmas Ornaments Doll Christmas tree decorations little angel doll miniature cloth doll MaryankaDolls $19.00	Christmas Figurine Nutcracker , Large Wooden Nutcracker,Christmas Figurine Puppet,Nutcracker Mouse King , Vintage Christmas Decoration millyscollection Sold
Nursing necklace Breastfeeding necklace Baby necklace Lace Pink red Gift for mothers day Baby girl Baby shower gift Kokadi babywearing MiracleFromThreads $30.00	Waldorf Winter Doll, a DemiLunes Dolls OOAK demilunes $275.00	Bride & Groom Charms, Wine Charms, barware, Wedding Wine Charms, Bride Groom, Wedding Shower, Bridal Shower, table setting, Black White Red KellysMagnets $7.50
Modern Art Print Cotton Canvas Pouch OddmintDesigns $29.00	Custom Christmas Stockings/Wedding Check Holder- Personalized PAIR as Original Keepsake Meoneil $70.00	Crochet Lace Red Mittens Cozy Fingerless Gloves Arm Warmers Women's Hand Warmers Wrist Warmers ColorfulMosaic $15.00
Crochet toddler skirt size 2 hummingbirdcreation1 $45.99	SALE 15% off Nursing Juniper necklace / Breastfeeding Teething necklace, Teething amigurumi toy Ladybug MagazinIL $29.75	Santa Baby Earflap Beanie, Diaper Cover and Booties Set........newborn size hatitagain $35.00
Stella the Flower Petal Faerie, Fairy, OOAK FaerieNursery $25.16	Drumkit cufflinks BBJstudio $30.00	Strawberry Polka dot Children's Leisure suit - Mint 1970's funkdaughter $20.00
Sz 7.5 Ornate Koi Fish Fancy Resin Ring zougeebean $39.50

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The Tradition, The Dance, The Celebration

A special world wide celebration known as the Winter Solstice is observed for the shortest day of the year occurs on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at approximately 4:30 pm (MDT) or 11:30 pm (UTC) but this is the time that Inuvik, NT (Northwest Territories), Canada marks this date.

But Inuvik does not really pay homage for the Winter Solstice as it has been in complete darkness since December 6th and the sun will not appear again until January 6, 2015 and even on this date it will be just a sliver above the horizon and only for less than an hour. This is when Inuvik celebrates the shortest day of the year. With a massive bonfire lit, dressed in their parkas and fur and standing on the permafrost, the people watch as the skies are once again filled with light.

Situated just above the 68 parallel which is 2 degrees above the Arctic Circle, Inuvik is approximately 100 km (120 miles) from the Beaufort Sea and then another 100 km (120 miles) to reach the Arctic Ocean but these bodies of water can only when travelling on the ice road during the darkest days and nights of the year (or of course through air travel).

There is a long standing tradition from the Inuit people that whistling to the Aurora Boreralis (Northern Lights) is when you can make them dance and come closer to the ground. Mind you, there are many beliefs that the lights are actually walrus' playing soccer with a human head and then all the way to the ghosts of the dead reaching down to take small children away. Which is the truth, only the one with story from their ancestors and then passed onto down to the next generation knows the truth.

So even though the Winter Solstice has passed, Inuvik will continue to stay in the dark for another few weeks but still the days are getting longer and the dark skies are slowly fading away to make room for the sun.

p.s. ~ I lived in Inuvik for just under 7 years and I have on many nights spent time outside in the -30 (-22F) to -40C (-40F) whistling to the lights and watching them dance.

The Candy Cane

Well, this week certainly has been a busy one here at the nursery. A new Faerie has arrived and with the cold winds of winter she brings a bit of warmth and a whole lot of mischief!

Introducing Holiday Edition 2014 - Candy Cane

I certainly do love the photo of her from up above as she looks just like one of the Christmas candies that are red and white striped!

Now, I haven't had time to take her professional shots yet, but who could resist just showing a few Instagram photos that have already been posted.

Don't you think she looks just like a candy or maybe even a red glitter poinsettia?

p.s. Please remember that she is a VERY Limited Edition with only 10 available for this season.

A Personal Leap

I had mentioned on this blog a few day before that I was learning so many things that lie silently behind the scene to only once in awhile to bare its face.

Oh, about a lifetime ago I worked in a flower shop. To say my creativeness 'bloomed' is an understatement. I was so happy working in the front where I dealt with flowers and people but then I got a chance to start working in the back. Ordering flowers and then actually going to the local suppliers to pick and choose which flowers I would need for the next few days was a real eye opening process. I could actually see a warehouse filled with every colour, every shape, every kind of flower imaginable...and then every cost to them!

After about 6 months of being on both sides of the table (or at least I had figured that was all there was to it) I was offered the opportunity to buy right out the whole flower shop. Now being in a very well established area and having an amazing clientele and that the owner had been the original and so the shop had a fantastic rating and profile. With this all being in mind, I did up my whole proposal, business plan along with financing requirements in order to go in for a loan. After that intense but successful exercise I ended up having an epiphany! There is so much more than what I knew to run a small business.

Off to school I go, granted in my 30's but still young enough to not take for granted the ability to learn. I ended up with my diploma in business management with an accounting background. Now I figured with all of the education I had enoug
h to arm myself to see if I was ready to go it alone.

And of course, after a 3 year program the little shop that I had wanted in the beginning and lead me to this point in life had been sold. Sigh.

Off onto another adventure. I ended up with 7 years of experience being in council chambers and working side by side with a mayor and SAO (senior administrative officer). This was the best job and life that I had up that point in my life.

With a few years in-between then and now, life has taken me down many paths with so my curves and one-way roads that I have now ended up here.

Where is here? Here is in my wee nursery working with faeries. I can't imagine doing anything else anymore (of course eventually I will want/need to get back into the workforce).

So after all that has been said and done one of the newest gifts that I have been able to learn from and on my own is graphic designing. Prior to now I have always resourced this part of the company to an amazing friend but then as life goes on, she moved away to another area that we could only talk to each other through the phone, email and messaging.

For now, this is the story behind where I came from and where I am now.

The New Sophisticated Look

Yay! My rubber stamp order came in from Custom Stamp & Engraving Ltd.

These stamps are mainly for the packaging of the Northern Faerie Line. I wanted to keep this box clean, simple but sophisticated. I am not sure if I will re-order the Kraft Pinstripe style of boxes or whether I will go with a colour and I haven't really done much research yet but will definitely need to decide soon.

The smaller Generation 1 faeries have a cubed box that is 4x4x4 inches in diameter. I have always put my company name and the larger icon stamp around the outside. On the top of the lid, there are 4 jewelled flat back gems and then it is tied off with two strands of raffia (purple and gold {the gold was one of my original colours for the company until I changed it to green as gold was too hard to find in tissue paper and other packaging items}). I loved the fun look to this style of packaging.

The original packaging for the Northern Faerie Line was quite similar to the smaller Generation 1 style. The box of course is larger being 4x4x6 inches in size. I did not include tying it off with raffia though.

The Northern Faerie Line has a more grown-up look and feel to it. As these faeries are being promoted as collectables - collect the whole line idea - I wanted boxes that looked the part. I'm very happy with the outcome.

Now, I have had to blur out some of the wording as those faeries have not yet been released. The winner of the Northern Faerie for being my 1000th visitor to 'like' my Facebook page did choose a faerie that will not be released until the end of the year and this is her packaging.

So, what do you think??

GENERATION 1 PACKAGING

ORIGINAL NORTHERN FAERIE LINE PACKAGING

NEW NORTHERN FAERIE LINE PACKAGING

The new stamps with everyone's names :)

Faerie Introduction...

As this is a VERY northern faerie nursery, located just above the 60th parallel...a new line of faeries are being introduced.

Living in the land of the Midnight Sun and then having the most amazing Aurora Borealis (northern lights) ever....the inspiration of having faeries that represented these two awe astounding wonders of nature that only happen in either the northern or southern hemispheres was just bound to happen.

Soooooo without further adieu coming soon to my website, I would like to introduce to you.....

The Aurora & Midnight Sun Faeries  

These faeries stand approximately 5.5" in height and their ballerina styled dresses can measure anywhere from 4-5" in width. The dresses resemble both the Midnight Sun and the Aurora Borealis in nature. Each faerie comes standing on a hickory slice that has been branded with the company icon, titled and has been numbered for collecting purposes. No two faeries will look alike as they are each made from hand here in the faerie nursery. They will come with their own numbered papers and will be packaged carefully from the nursery to your home. Please join me in welcoming these new faeries to the nursery.

Another visit from Debora...

Last week the nursery had Debora over for another visit. During that time, our first wee wee wee little faerie was born. I mean, she is tiny. Now please don't think for a minute that I am exaggerating! She stands a mere one inch in height, minus the hairdo ;)  Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to name her before she flew out of the nursery to go and explore a new garden at Debora's house. But as she does live close by and I do promise to give you an update on how she is doing soon.

 A big thank you goes out to Blissful Silks for providing a lot of the petals that this little faerie has in her skirt. Please visit her site on Etsy as she has the most wonderful selection of silk flowers. Blissful Silks

The 'Sunshine Girls'

We here at the nursery are busy with the next batch of little petal faeries. These little girls are full of colour, wires that sparkle and a wonderful array of body beads. This is the first 15 with 7 more to go.