Fairy Garden

I said I'd do a weekly installment for a few weeks on gardening.  This week, I'm going to suggest a few things that might be perfect for a garden to attract the wee folk. 

Moss Mousse Mix from Fluffnflowers

Gardening moss?  Never heard of such a thing.  But when I read the listing... cool!  You can use it to fill in unsightly cracks in your driveway, between stepping stones on a walkway to your door, or make a pretty little rock garden with fairy houses in a bed by your front door that will require very little maintenance.  I LOVE this idea.

Beautiful Celosia Flamingo Feather Seeds from Smokymist Gardens

The seller's daughter says these look like fairy wands.  I must agree.  Wonder if they'd grow in my moss garden?   Best thing:  they're annual.  (I really hate things I have to buy every year).

Fancy French Faerie Door by TaraLinnea

Tough call, here... there are lots of really cool fairy doors on Etsy (try a search some time... they're fascinating to me).  In choosing I wanted:  1)  Something that can go outside, 2)  Something that didn't look like a dollhouse door, something sort of organic and fae, and 3)  Love to feature one of my fellow FAE team members.  This pretty door by TaraLinnea fills the bill perfectly (although I had a hard time choosing from the several in her shop!)

Tree Man Stoneware Pot by Jillhoutz

I went on a hunt for a green man.  You can't have a fairy garden without a green man.  I was actually surprised at the lack of green man plaques (what I initially intended to feature here) on Etsy.  But this... this is PERFECT.   Want to grow some mint in your fairy garden without it taking over the garden?  Put it in here.  He'll take good care of it.  I absolutely adore the earthy, natural look of this pot. 

There are lots of other treasures on Etsy in this theme.  Take a look for yourself!

Let it Snow

It snows here in Tennessee, but on most days it's gone by noon. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the snow where I grew up in Cleveland. I'm not sure I'd rush back to it -- I don't miss shoveling the driveway or digging the car out in the morning -- but my wish for this season is one good, lasting Tennessee snow.

I have memories of cutting out snowflakes in paper, making beaded ones for Christmas tree ornaments, of snow angels and snowball fights and sled riding... in honor of those memories I present to you these Etsy items.

10 Snowflake Christmas Cards by Sarah Knight

These are so pretty... and because they're glittery I'm guessing the picture doesn't do them justice. Have you been sending Christmas cards the last few years? I confess I've neglected it, but I think I am going to remedy that this year. It's so nice to be remembered with a Christmas card, especially if, like me, you're not at home this holiday season. Sarah has these in a variety of color schemes, check them out.

Snowflake Fairytale Kitten Cameo by Spellbound Wings

This is an original print by the artist applied to a cameo... is it not adorable! It gives me visions of chainmaille settings to put it in, silver and deep blue... while you're visiting this cameo definitely check out Melissa's other items if you like cats or fantasy (or both!), her paintings are breathtaking and her jewelry is fantastic. Be sure to take a peek at the full sized print of this work of art and magic.

Snowflake-tini by Artistic-tini

I can just imagine standing around at a holiday party with a chilly martini in these fantastic hand painted glasses! Check the shop for tons of holiday and other themes handpainted onto glasses (not just martini glasses). I know I always say look at the shop, but these people are really talented! :)
I'm not sure the blue would match my beloved appletini or cosmopolitan so I'd probably have to go with the pepperberries and pine glasses.... now I'm really looking forward to that New Year's party!

Frosty Blue Snowflake Suncatcher Whirl by Creations in Glass

I was pretty sure when I started this blog post that I would feature something in glass. Snowflakes are so crystalline, it's hard to imagine not portraying them in glass. Well, Creations in Glass has done a gorgeous job. If I had a sunny window (sadly, I don't... all my big windows are north-facing) like my mom's house I can just imagine the morning sunshine dancing off this and throwing sparkles all over a room. You need that in the winter, especially up north!

If you live where you get a solid few months of winter, instead of grumbling the next time the snow falls, pause for a moment and enjoy the wonder of it. The way it coats the trees, the way it sparkles as it falls, the pristine perfection of it new fallen. Then take the kids out and do something fun this winter and think of us poor snowless people here in the south :)

Faery Tales: Etsy Finds Week of 8/4/08

This week we're going to visit a few artifacts from the fairy realm, where time has no meaning and imagination is everything. Think happy thoughts and come with me.

Amber Gemstone and Pewter Fairy Hair Stick by Night Blooming

When a friend of mine showed me how to use hair sticks I fell in love with them. Such an easy and elegant updo. Basically you just take your long hair and twist it tightly where a ponytail would be, tuck in at the end, then weave your hair stick through the bun, making sure to catch some of the hair that's close to your head. It takes a little practice but it's worth it. Night Blooming has some gorgeous ones you can practice with and I really loved this one. Behind the fairy is an amber gemstone.

The Offering by The Midnight Orange

You won't see what an incredible work of art this is until you go to the listing and sort out what you're looking at with each of the pictures . The top of this dollhouse sized dresser is a gorgeous fairy print, and each of the drawers is lined with another from a Brian Froud book. The wire legs are twisted around things that I imagine any fairy would want in her bedroom, including a vial of glass beads. Really, go look, or you are missing a work of art. And you can have it for $20!

Forest Green MIRIAM Enchanted Fairy Wings by EPS Studios

I couldn't do a feature on fairies without putting in fairy wings, but this shop made it really hard to choose one. If you're the type that prefers to go to the Renfaire winged, or you're planning any Halloween costume that involves wings, you owe it to yourself to visit this seller. I adore the pheasant feather wings but I thought these were a little more fairy-ish.

Lothlorien Spring Forest Ear wrap Earcuff by Thyme 2 Dream

Most of the items from my fellow FAE team artist Thyme 2 Dream would've been right at home in this article as well. She says in her profile: "I create jewelry for discerning Faerys & Elven Folk and have recently discovered that mortals like it too." Well, this one does for certain. I've always loved ear cuffs and hers are stunning. I hope she'll forgive me for taking a page from her style book as I try creating them, but I think there's probably no matching something like the one here. If elf or fairy is your style, I'm sure there'll be something in her shop that you'll adore.

Green Ocean Jasper Celtic Circlet by Pern Circlets

While I'm at it I'm going to plug another FAE team member and Thyme 2 Dream's other half, because his work is something I'd stand at a Renfaire booth and drool over too. Each item conjures images of Lothlorien, stately mallorn trees and pointy-eared people. A couple of items for guys here, too, including, I think, this one. I also wish I'd been aware of these two shops when I was having my Renaissance wedding, I'd have requested custom work from both of them.