Christmas Wreaths of 2020

Each year the Nursery makes fresh Christmas Wreaths to give away and donate to friends and the local community. 

This time around, I made 12, including one for our own door. That means I had a MASSIVE sparkle party in my own kitchen. Usually I can do this project all in one evening but 12 was just a few too many so it took me a whole 2 evenings to decorate them all. I did however learn a few things from the past few years, like how to contain as many sparkles in one area and how NOT to spread them all throughout the house. So, I came up with an ingenious plan to tape plastic tablecloths onto the kitchen cupboards. This worked perfectly as we have a galley shaped kitchen. Mind you, with two woof woofs, a Hubby Dearest, myself and the FAERIES we still did an amazing job of making the house all glittery. 

 

Each year I make our wreath just a bit different than the rest. I decided to go with a rose-gold theme and I think it was one of the best ones I've ever made and we were really happy with how it turned out.

So between shades of reds, cream, white, gold, green and silver these wreaths went beyond me expectations. Each wreath had Christmas scented pinecones that would waif into the air and of course wee bells that would ring each time a door was opened or closed. One thing that I did add in this year were lights!! Either pinecones or mesh wired balls in gold or silver made the sparkles dance in the evening light. It was so beautiful to drive down the street and see all of the wreaths I had made lit up. 

It was just this past weekend that I had all of the wreaths returned to me so it was time to cover up the kitchen and take them all apart to save the flowers and decorations for next year. As each wreath was dropped off or picked up, the recipients had nothing but praise, amazement and a glitter in their eye. It took me a full two evenings to make all twelve wreaths and only one afternoon to store everything away.

Now it wouldn't be right if I didn't take orders for next year. Surprisingly enough, the most asked for colour was BLUE! Yes, blue. Second would be metallics and then follows all of the regular traditional colours of reds, greens creams and whites. So, I have already ordered over 200 blue silk poinsettia flowers and now almost daily there seems to be a parcel or two waiting for us at the post box. It's like getting a present everyday! Mind you, my shopping doesn't stop now as I'll be busy looking for sparkly decorations all throughout the year.

So, which one was your favourite? Do you prefer the traditional look of reds and greens or are you a bit more daring and you like pinks, purples and blues? 

It's International Faerie Day - June 24, 2020

It's International Faerie Day!

Oh behalf of The Clay Potters and myself, Faerie Amma, we would like to wish everyone a very magical day.

And exactly who are The Clay Potters, well in no particular order we have here at the Faerie Nursery....

The Pixies... Pixie Bess, Pixie Grace, Pixie Heather, Pixie Ivy, Pixie Jinx, Pixie Sunburst, Pixie Tilly and Sapphire the Pixie.

The Sprites... Sprite Enwedhan, Benny the Buttery Sprite, Ella the Sprite and Sprite SugarPlum.

Of the Moss People... Missy May of the Moss People and Ros of the Moss People.

The Others... Chich of the Tuatha de Donaan, Domi the Bally Bog, Nipper the Churichaun and Servan the Traveller.

The Fae, Faeries, and Faery's... Ariadne the Derva Faery, Fae Bella, Faerie Bosh, Faerie Cabela, Faerie Edie of the Bean-Tighe, Faerie Lucilleadelle, Faerie Mia, Faerie Nettle, Mouse the Ashray Faerie and of course, myself, Faerie Amma.

The Unknown Progression

I find it truly amazing how the progression of my ideas have come to this point.

Back in 2010 I had only begun to think of making flower petal faeries. I was doing them to keep myself busy until I could find a full time job in our newly move to the Northwest Territories. Granted I have lived in the north for 14 years already but never in Fort Smith, never married and never for following someone up here (well okay, there was one time but I was only 7 months old, so I don't think that this is a true indication of the point that I am trying to get at).

My wee Enchanted Pathways company was registered in British Columbia and at that time I was just looking to try to make replica doors as shown in the *Hobbit movie. I thought they would be fun to make so there I was with a design in mind, a massive of amount of new tools and even a **Dremel. Alas, this idea never did come to fruition. I did have fun though!

In the process of this whole new experiment I did learn some very valuable information. Shopping, how to get the lowest price and value for the dollar. Shipping, how to get products from the USA without having to pay duty on them. Ideas, how to jot everything and I mean everything. Tools, how not to loose a finger or other appendages. Paperwork, how to document and file. Education, using all that you have learned in the past and trying to adapt it to what you need now. Friendship, the importance of having someone to bounce ideas off. Love, knowing that you are someone believes in you.

I have now gone from the original play of making Hobbit doors and then onto simple flower petal faeries to what my company is today.

1 - Generation 1 Flower Petal Faeries ~~ that have an average of 20 silk flower petals and stand approximately 7.6 cm (3") in height.

2 - Magical Wooden Faerie Doors ~~ these are now actual cutout wooden doors and no longer doll house doors.

3 - Teacup Nurseries ~~ using miniature trees, flowers and dollhouse items that have been made into a small garden area that faeries just might be found.

4 - Seed Pod Babies ~~ using the small roses that I used to take apart for the smallest petals when making the Generation 1 Faeries are now transformed into a full rose head with a curly wired tail and then placed into a tree pod with a bed of moss.

5 - Generation 2 Flower Petal Faeries ~~ using a wooden platform these faeries stand about 12.7 cm (5") and are numbered for collection status. This style is made up into full groups that are meant to be purchased as a full set.

So that is the product end of my company. Now onto the other end of the company!!

I am now quite proficient at the accounting end but still have a hired certified accountant to do the tax filing. I do all of the GST filing on my own currently.

Photography is now done completely be me. I am able to use my ***Photoshop program in order to clean up and adjust the photos as required for website usage. I have a complete shadowbox that allows me to take consistent photos.

Website has now been changed over to a ****Weebly program where I have full control over the pages. I still do have a tons of assistance from Shawn my In-House-Guru that helps me with absolutely everything when it comes to coding.

Extras are now designed by me for all printing purposes this includes cloth bags, sticky notes, magnets, rack cards, tri-fold cards, postcards, business cards, labels and rubber stamps.

Graphics have thankfully been done by both Alyssa and Shona for the icon and main stump photo.

Adverts are now done by myself as well. This is a part of the company that I never thought that I would teach myself to do (with help from Linda). It is amazing how I have been able to create a background and then put all of the company information on it. These adverts are now run in national magazines and local newspapers.

Additions include the new 'Thought of the Day' graphics along with quotes and now Instagram photos that have a wee stories with them.

Wow! Now that is progression!

Here is the advert that will be going into issue #28 of the Faerie Magazine. I am really happy with what I have been able to create and make my own.

On a final note, this all wouldn't have been possible without you!

* The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - WingNut Films
**Dremel Tools - Robert Bosh Tool Corporation
***Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 Editor
****Weebly website and blog site founded by David, Dan and Chris

Radical Changes!!

August 16, 2014 ~ CHANGES -- Although this list of things will drastically change the way and the face of my company they are the ones that at this time I feel will be the best for me, the best for the company, for the best for all things. In one aspect I am leaving behind some of the biggest sites that allow my company exposure but then on the other hand it will give me the change to expand in other ways. I hope that those that do follow me now will be able to continue or if not be able to adapt to the new structure. I am not trying to say 'goodbye' by any means I am trying to say 'hello'. So 'hello' new world...HERE I AM!

August 16, 2014 ~ TIME LINE -- Now please do not panic! I hope to begin to adapt these new changes over the next week or so. I will put a on each page an explanation of why I am closing that social media site for at least two weeks as I hope that will give everyone time to either change their easy of following me or a way for those to say goodbye. I know that there will be a probability of people that will either have to or even want to say goodbye as they feel that if I shut down one site why should they bother changing what they do. To those ones, I will apologize to but I do hope that they will understand my actions, my new options, my new initiatives and my new Nursery.

August 16, 2004 ~ WEBSITE -- I really feel like I have dropped the ball on this page. I rarely update any of new faeries or for that matter any up-to-date news that shows that this page is active. So, it is time to change things up at a bit, to spruce things up, to be Faerie Amma!

August 16, 2014 ~ FACEBOOK! -- What to say, what to say. I have decided with sometimes much apprehension and misgivings to yes, I have to do this, not just for the business but for my own self worth. I have found this social media something too overwhelming, too time consuming, all the way to not being noticed at all. In order to have a business page on Facebook you are required to also have a personal page that it can be linked to. I know that every 3 to 6 months I purge everything that I have posted just as I see it not relevant to what I am doing today. I do know that for a fact though that through the way Facebook is now set up that even if you decide to delete anything from either being seen or to even just deleting that everything that you do or have posted does not actually get deleted from their server but actually gets stored for their own future advertising purposes for you to see on your newsfeed page. Is this required? Certainly not to my liking!

August 16, 2014 ~ BLOGSPOT.CA -- I know that earlier this year or was it later on in 2013 that I stopped using this site as a way to communicate to the world. At that time, I had my devoted computer guru (that's you Shawn) create a blog with there on my website. I was hoping that this page would be a great way to replace this blog site but I found that it was a very difficult way to have people follow me, to advertise that I had done a posting, to getting my message out there. I have decided that I will now copy my 'Thought of the Day' onto my webpage as well, as those that find my website should get to know all of the aspects of the nursery. I don't want my website to be just a place to push people to buy something but to share actual valuable information with them as well. Oh and I will get our computer guru to change the font here on this page to be a bit more reader friendly as well!

August 16, 2014 ~ TWITTER -- So this is a very interesting platform for social media. As I have always had anything that I post from my website and then again from our Facebook page to be automatically 'tweeted' I am able to reach an audience that I never even knew existed. I try desperately to remind myself that my account is set up for the business only and that is how I am to treat it, but who doesn't want to be following Sir Patrick Stewart or Chris Hadfield or Diana Gabaldon or Melissa Gilbert or friends..trust me the list is endless...to say the least...I follow 232 and I am now followed by 217. So in the end, I guess my odd mixture of not so faerie related and actually faerie related follows/followers is a great even constant.

August 16, 2014 ~ PINTEREST - What a fascinating site. I have made quite a few albums that pertain to all the different things that are relevant to the nursery. These albums showcase all of the faeries, whether being from the Generation 1 or Generation 2 styles. I have created a file that includes the 'Thought of the Day' and I have actually had people not only 'heart' the addition but sharing it on their own pages as well. Know I have head that Pinterest is a marvellous place to get lost in, to look for photos, to look for ideas, to find find friends that are on there and then to follow. I myself, have not spent a lot of time here as I really need to stay focused on what I am trying to create and display and when you get down to the nitty gritty in the hopes of actually selling an item.

August 16, 2014 ~ INSTAGRAM -- Wow, what a program! I can actually change the look of a photo that I have randomly shot and then post it to difference accounts instantly. Whoever came up with the fascinating concept is a genius for sure. I am sure that there are many, many, many tricks that I need to learn but I am slowly figuring them out.

August 16, 2014 ~ FLICKR -- Yay! I am finally getting the knack of posting photos directly from Instagram and having them show up on the Flickr account. Now tell me, how fun is that! I have created a few new albums right onto the Flickr pages where I can have the photo actually posted in to that folder! I am making sure that anything that I do take photos of whether from my iPhone to iPad get posted onto Flickr to keep everyone updated on the goings on here in the nursery.

August 16, 2014 ~ YOUTUBE -- Even as a much under used account, I am quite proud of the videos I have posted. I do feel that this social media site of them all really does put me out there to the public, bares my soul for all to see, makes me more nervous than even going to that dentist appointment that you know will include freezing (sorry, I am just trying to look for comparison). I do hope to add more as I do have a list going that I need to address but either I haven't had the time or I have just not wanted to do more. I promise to try my best at putting a few together to share.

August 16, 2014 ~ SALES SITES -- There has been some major thought thinking over here at the nursery (yes, the Faeries were standing by with the fire extinguishers) to how we are going to proceed with the social media platforms that we are currently using to keep our business in the 'lime light' (mind you we do much prefer being in the 'sparkle light'.) We have found that there are some very import and large pages that although they have been wonderful to participate in, that they have not generated any further views to the website or for that matter any sales. I will be merging all sales pages back to the Etsy page as it is the only of the current selling sites that is actually being viewed and purchased from. The ones that currently do a monthly charge will be deleted. Yes, I do realize that Etsy too does do a $0.20 charge to renew all listings after 4 months, and yes, $0.20 certainly does add up over the span of a year but if I want to be found on the massive thing called the 'web' then I need to do some serious changes. All current photos that link to these sites will be changed over to our Etsy page so there will be no interruption in our services.

August 16, 2014 ~ 'THOUGHT OF THE DAY' -- Quotes will now be hosted on two pages one being here on the Blogspot.ca account and the other on our website page under the tab marked BLOG. I have had such wonderful responses to these quotes along with my own perceptive thoughts and ideas. Granted that sometimes these just become rants, other connotations to being either religious or wicca, all the way to being philosophical in nature. As hubby dearest pointed out that eventually I will run out of quotes to post and that stage I do believe that I will go beyond the realm of faeries and will start researching dragons and the such. But do not be alarmed I will always include my own personal touch no matter how bizarre that happens to be!!

Now I would like to thank all of those that managed to actually read down this far to the bottom of this list of thoughts and ideas...if you have actually done this huge feat...then please do press the CONTACT ME button just to your left...to fill in your name and contact information and I will get back to you so I can send you a gift of our appreciation for you having to decided to join me and the nursery on this wild new ferris wheel ride of an adventure.

Welcome and Introductions ~~ Facebook

2014 - Facebook

So I have always tried my best to welcome everyone personally to the nursery, I know that between trying to keep track between doing updates on the iPhone, iPad and the Mac and now finding out that the Facebook 'like' counter includes not only 'individuals' but that there is a drop down box that shows 'pages' that like you too! Now this particular option is not available on my iPhone or if it is my screen is just too tiny for me to even want to see that small arrow for a drop down box. So this is me, Faerie Amma, welcoming everyone that I have missed to my Faerie Nursery.

I don't ever try to sell anything to anyone here, even though all of my e-commerce sites tell me that that I am supposed to be using my Facebook business page as a selling tool. I am here to interact with you, to show you sparkly things, to tell you silly stories, to let you know what mischief my faeries have been getting up to, what I have bought now! All those kind of good types of things...not being pushy and saying buy this, buy this...sure....I know in the end....that I am a business...but I guess that I am just not that good at that part of the business end....oops! But by all means..if you are interested...all of my products are available through my website .... there...did I satisfy what I'm supposed to do...will they get off my back now!! Back to the fun stuff :)

I have a wonderful helper...her name here if Pixie Sapphire or you can call her Brenda..but she's not supposed to answer to that name on here! Are you Brenda...oops I mean Pixie Sapphire. Umm..okay, so I started getting a bit overwhelmed...I know, you mean me! No, never me...so I gave up just a little bit of control. Okay...everybody. Stop. It's okay. Just breath. Relax....Now close your eyes for just a few seconds...Did you see pretty sequins?...Were they pink? Were they orange? Oh no!....If you said they were green, go back, close your eyes again.... Okay, open them.... What colour were they this time...Pink? Orange? There we go, we are all on the same page again...That was close!! Okay..so Pixie Sapphire has full Admin rights to the Facebook business page and she helps me with a few postings now and then. Did you see the photo album just a couple of days ago...the one where I went shopping AGAIN! She did that! Yuppers....she did. Now all of her work, she will sign Pixie Sapphire. I don't want anyone to think that I have left the country, that I am doing my hair, or that I have been superglued to the table and hubby dearest is trying to figure away to get me undone! Okay..think we are all clear on this topic...okay..I know a few of you still have your eyes closed...OPEN them now.....silly silly silly.....

I have two wonderful Faeries that help me in the field so to speak....Faeries Georgina and Malinda (okay....oops...that kinda gave their names away as that is their real names but ummm oh well). These Faeries are my life line here....they are my Sparkle Tattoo sparkly glittery experts....plus they never stop smiling! Thanks ladies :)

Then there is the hubby...well, okay, he is well, he is everything. There really wouldn't be a faerie nursery if there wasn't the hubby. 'Nough said 'bout that as he knows that he is my everything but he also doesn't like to be in the centre of attention (note.....that is why I put him nearer the end of the introductions and the centre..huh huh huh...great thinkin'   I know!! I know!!).

And me, well I am Faerie Amma...and when I don't have my make-up on, well then, I am Emmanuelle, the artist/owner of the Enchanted Pathways Faerie Nursery. And this is my little faerie nursery getaway. I am surrounded by twinkling lights, hanging vines and flowers, crocheted hummingbirds, pretty pictures of faeries, tiny trinkets that I have collected throughout my whole lifetime, children's books I bought just for me, little rocks I have picked and stored away in pockets since I was little and tons of supplies to keep me busy for a lifetime. I owe who I am to my family and friends...but most of all, I just want to be like Peter Pan and to never grow-up so I can play with my children, Matthew & Brandi and my grandchildren Rebecca, Dominic and Stephen Jr.

Won't you come and play with us too?

Hello You, Yes, I'm Speaking To You Personally.

Being a Mom and a Amma Emm (Grandmother), I love traditions. Perhaps this is a bad time to write about it, with the holidays just around the corner as I don't want you to think that it happens only at Christmas time. Even though my babies are all grown up with their own families, I still send packages year round reminding them of the holidays we shared together. Yes, it would be cheaper for me to send a $20.00 bill in the mail but to get a package of Easter Eggs or red candy hearts or a Trick or Treat bag filled with sweets, is to me, a way better gift. Even to this day, when my own Mother sends me a 'care package' there is always a few candy bars tucked inside for hubby and me.

So, for those that follow me, here on my blog, Facebook or on my website, I would like to repay you for the gift that you have given me. It is one thing for me to believe that by me making these faeries, teacup nurseries, seed pod babies, the whole kit and kadoodle of my Enchanted Pathways Faerie Nursery but to have others follow me or like my page means the world to me. In return I would like to send each and everyone of you a small token from the nursery to say thank you. Thank you for believing in the world of faeries. Thank you for letting me not 'grow up'.

If you would like to receive a gift from me to you, please just hit the 'contact' button right beside this blog entry. You will be redirected to my website where you can either fill out the form or just email me directly your name and mailing address. I will not be singling anyone out, so please do not be shy if you live far away from my little wintery nursery. I promise that this will be a one-time thing and I will not be inundating you with emails in the future. I hope one day to get to the point that I will start a newsletter but that is a on my very long to-do list. 

Again, thank you so much for following me, it really does mean the world the to me. 

Emmanuelle

A new YouTube video featuring 'Me'

As a tradition, okay this is only my 2nd time submitting something for the Fort Smith's Annual Festival of Trees, I have made a YouTube video of what I entered and it features ME!

This idea came to me in a dream one night. When I woke up I was able to draw a sketch of what I really wanted. Yes it was bizarre but it was fun. After a major shopping spree and my husbands most invaluable help, I was able to bring the dream to reality.

I have had a few invaluable points made to me about marketing my little nursery and they all seem to have included that "I" must become a part of that company. I have always kept myself at a distance, not for any particular reason but I have never allowed myself to be really photographed when I wasn't in makeup and dressed up as Faerie Amma.

So, I did post on Facebook with a few photos of me 'working' in the nursery playing with flower heads. Well, it's what I do. My husband was playing with the camera and took a few shots of me and I was brave enough to post them on Facebook. That was a first for me.

As the great advice goes, people need to fall in love me (and Faerie Amma) and what I do before they can fall in love with my company. If I allow myself to be seen as more of who is behind the creations then hopefully my family, friends and followers will learn a bit more about me.

I titled this years submission "Your enchanted home away from home." Now I understand that this is definitely not your normal Christmas Tree entry but I work in a Faerie Nursery. I shouldn't be part of the norm. I should be different. I should be whimsical. I should just be me.

I hope you all enjoy the video (next time I will at least have brushed my hair and put a bit of makeup on...lol).

Fort Smith Trade Show 2013

Here are the photos from very first Fort Smith Trade Show 2013. My booth was sponsored by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) through the Investment, Tourism and Industry division (ITI).

I had helping me with the Toonie Tattoos made with Faerie Dust...Miss Georgina and Miss Malinda (who wasn't feeling that well and joined us later on in the day).

A massive thank you to my hubby who manned the table while Georgina and I managed to do 72 tattoos that day.

It was wonderful to be recognized as the Faerie Lady :)   Lots of visitors to the booth said hello from the Christmas Craft Fairs that I did in 2012.

We had a fantastic response to the all of the branding from the table cloth, banners, aprons all the way down to the icon appearing on all of the tags.

It was a great success with tons of sales. Thank you Fort Smithers and all of our out-of-town guests that came by.