Happy International Faerie Day

This day is for them, the faeries, this one day of the year... International Faerie Day. The one day that it's okay to say 'yes' I do believe, to dress up, to act like, to just be a faerie yourself.

Well, whether you are a fan of Teresa Moorey and her book titled "The Fairy Bible"; or perhaps you prefer Brian Froud and his book of "Good Faeries/Bad Faeries"; or how about Kelley Heckart and her website "Faery Lore".... I don't think that it really matters whose version or variation you follow, just as long as you know that there are faeries out there. There have been many books, stories, rumours, folktales both in written form and told from one generation to another about the names and definitions of Fae inhabitants that I'm sure one or two of them must have gotten it right or at least lose enough to the truth.

Here is a bit of a history lesson of my adventures on discovering faeries....

I was first introduced to faeries through my girlfriend Patricia, who has unfortunately passed away many many many moons ago now. Setting scene... vanilla scented candles burning, glass of red wine, a warm summer's eve and a purple velvet pouch which inside was Brian Froud's "The Faeries Oracle" book and card set. Patricia asked me to take my time and just shuffle through the cards (face down) until one stood out from the others. So I did as she said, I took my time until one just seemed to speak me. My card, which is as true today as it was back in 2001 was card #36 - Spirit Dance -- Self expression. Freedom. Exploration.

Flash forward to 2010, just newly married and my husband tells me his own stories of what he felt, seen and heard during his experiences with the Fae while he was overseas exploring Scotland, Ireland, England and surrounding areas. This is where I learnt that there are other faeries than what I grew up with.... thank you Walt Disney and Tinkerbell, but that there are the worldly faeries that aren't made of sparkly faerie dust but are more of the trickster, mischievous and not-so-nice type of ones.

Flash forward to 2011 when my husband buys me a book kit by Rachel Haab "Fairies, Petal People You Make Yourself". This was my re-introduction to faeries but now I was making them myself. It was like I had a whole different me, a sparkly me, just waiting to get out.

Flash backwards to 1990 when I had taught myself counted cross-stitch and I discovered the beautiful artwork of tiag (Butternut Road Designs) and Mirabilia. Here, I figured out the the faeries have been with me since my kids were just little. Way back then, they were already speaking to me as I carefully chose the designs that I thought represented each one of my children and then I did more for my family and friends. Now, each room of my house has hanging a picture that I poured my heart & soul into, each one, a faerie spoke to me and told me her story as I was creating her.

for my son Matthew - Earthdancer

for my daughter - Spiritdancer

for my girlfriend Andes - Adia

made for my girlfriend Patricia but will be given to my girlfriend Linda -  Fairy Idyll

So my lesson from the faeries is that they have been with me for years and it took a fellow believer for me to see them with. I dedicate this day to my friend Patricia, who is lucky enough to have been a faerie herself.

Do you have a specific faerie that you feel represents you? When did you remember to believe? Tell me about your experiences with the Fae and I'll share them here on my blog.

These are the 3 faeries that represent me... meet Faerie Amma

Style 1 - Clay Potter
Style 2 - Stylized Banner design by Alyssa
Style 3 - Blossom

Happy International Faerie Day everyone!!

Love,
Faerie Amma

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 :)

The Clay Potters??

Who are The Clay Potters?

Why, YOU and I are The Clay Potters!!

My brand new line of standing-up faeries will now become The Clay Potters.

Everyone who wants to join is welcome, mind you the Faeries do insist on me telling you that there are a few simple things you must do firstly.

1. Chose a name...that sounds simple enough to me. Perhaps a favourite nickname from when you were little? Perhaps your pets name? Perhaps you just love your own name and you want to use that! The main reason behind choosing a new name is so that I (and the Faeries) can address you without any worries of sharing too much personal information here on the world wide web.

2. Decide who you are...this one is a bit tougher but I found a wonderful guide that you can use Faerie Groups (a massive thank you to the designer Kelley Heckart). So look at who you feel you are or want to be.

3. Let the Faeries know your top 3 favourite colours.

4. We need to know at least 2 of your favourite things to do. Maybe you are a knitter, a hockey fan, an archer, a baker...the list is endless.

5. Send us an e-mail to: faerie.nursery@theenchantedpathways.com

With all of this wonderful information, I, Faerie Amma will make you a Faerie (female/male). This new Clay Potter faerie will stay here in the nursery with the other faeries as a chance for us to get to know them.

There will be brief updates on Facebook and Twitter. The Website will host all of the photos and news updates. The main story line will be told here on the Blog.

Oops...did I say 'story line'? Well the whole point of letting The Clay Potters get into mischief and mayhem is for me to start a faerie tale book. I will record what is happening here in the nursery and share it here with you....as YOU are the characters.

If you have any suggestions, ideas or questions for The Clay Potters or for me please do not keep them to yourself as I will need all the help I can get.

I look forward to creating The Clay Potters and for you get to know them too.

Faerie Amma

Presentation Time

I would like you all to meet Heather :)

Her name was the petal drawn from the basket (by my hubby) to win Faerie Nutmeg.

It is sad to see her leave the nursery but I am happy that she has found a new and happy forever home :)


Congratulations again Heather.

26 'Sunshine Girls'

The 'Sunshine Girls' have blessed us with being completed today. Each one very unique and full of life.

Next will be the naming ceremony along with photos. Stay tuned :)