Two weekends ago, FaerieConWest came to Seattle and what fun it was!
The Costumes
There were so many amazing costumes. Having done my own costuming for years, including corset making, I have great appreciation for the time each person spends to create their look. I was only able to capture a few folks in photos. They include one of the 2 bird costumes (one was a bird elder and the other was a crow with the most realistic looking head & beak). Then there was the always entertaining and engaging Wotan the Faerie Smasher. He's over 6' tall and does a great job getting kids involved and keeps them from getting bored. One mom had to peal her son off of Wotan's arm. He put up quite a fight! Next we have pan riding a gnome or troll. This guy (wish I knew his name, but we did have a nice conversation) had a new costume each day. He took one of Patricia Hedegaard's sculpting classes with my mom and I. Such a good human bean. Then, the last, but not least, is Spot the dragon with her owner Lee. Spot can look up and down, look left and right. She's a super cool puppet by Folkmanis. Yay! Puppet people!
The Wildhair Studio Booth
Three of us woman'd the booth - Me, My mom Peg, and our dear friend Becci. We had fun chatting with Marca and dragon and teddy bear artists who were our next door neighbors. We spritzed our booth with the Fairy Felicity Sprays to welcome in the joy and invite customers via their olfactory memories. We wore the flower crowns that Peg designed and had for sale (just like the ones you see her and Becci wearing below).
I made a point of wearing an outfit that I made for each day. The first day was a Katherine Tilton pattern in dragon skin. The second you see in the photo below and left was my Colette Patterns Parfait dress which was its inagural outing - and the day I choose to wear flip flops, it started to SNOW! Then, the last day I wore a dress that I upcycled by combining 2 skirt bits made of muslin that I hand-dyed with a fun batik t-shirt. It's my faerie / cinderella dress. However, I was too shy to ask to have my photograph taken. So, I'll have to have a photo session and post photos later.
I made a point of wearing an outfit that I made for each day. The first day was a Katherine Tilton pattern in dragon skin. The second you see in the photo below and left was my Colette Patterns Parfait dress which was its inagural outing - and the day I choose to wear flip flops, it started to SNOW! Then, the last day I wore a dress that I upcycled by combining 2 skirt bits made of muslin that I hand-dyed with a fun batik t-shirt. It's my faerie / cinderella dress. However, I was too shy to ask to have my photograph taken. So, I'll have to have a photo session and post photos later.
House Elf Adoptions
For the first time ever, I began selling my sculpted creations. You may remember the many I created for the Little Alters 2013 project. That gave me the inspiration and confidence to begin to put myself "out there". As I worked on creations for Little Altars, I found myself channeling messages for the recipient and the end result of my sculpture was an offering and message. For example, Lynn never seems to have time for herself to create, though she loves to make art in all forms. That month I couldn't get Ganesh out of my head. I'd never sculpted an elephant, but that didn't seem to matter. And so, he was offered "the remover of obsticles" as a totem for Lynn to remove obsticles that keep her from her sacred creation time, which helps her rejuvinate.
About a year ago, I sculpted all kinds of faces in paper clay. I painted them with about 5-10 layers, then all of a sudden hated them. Hated. "Oh god these things are ugly." So, I put them in a box and tucked them away in my art supplies. I didn't want to look at them, but I knew from past that if I threw them out I'd be even more disappointed with myself and filled with regret. About 1 month before FaerieConWest, I got them out thanks to encouragement from my mom. We gathered bits that suited each face and vintage swarovski rhinestone crystals, I pulled out frames I had stashed away and my paint box. I set about painting frames and they revealed their personalities as house elves. I knew when I originally sculpted them that each one was destined for someone. They were born to help people overcome, remember, heal, and to instill their home as a sanctuary for rest, rejuvination and respite from the daily grind. What I did not know is anything about the people who would buy them.
As I finalized eyes, lips, direction of look, and combinations for each elf's face, I would squeel with delight! They all make me so happy. And I even saw faerie lights around my home, inside and out as they came to life through my hands.
Each one is up for adoption, and if you are ready, they will help you in more ways than you can imagine. Ready can mean many things - open to the idea of fae, complete with a previous phase of your life, about to step into your power, etc.
About a year ago, I sculpted all kinds of faces in paper clay. I painted them with about 5-10 layers, then all of a sudden hated them. Hated. "Oh god these things are ugly." So, I put them in a box and tucked them away in my art supplies. I didn't want to look at them, but I knew from past that if I threw them out I'd be even more disappointed with myself and filled with regret. About 1 month before FaerieConWest, I got them out thanks to encouragement from my mom. We gathered bits that suited each face and vintage swarovski rhinestone crystals, I pulled out frames I had stashed away and my paint box. I set about painting frames and they revealed their personalities as house elves. I knew when I originally sculpted them that each one was destined for someone. They were born to help people overcome, remember, heal, and to instill their home as a sanctuary for rest, rejuvination and respite from the daily grind. What I did not know is anything about the people who would buy them.
As I finalized eyes, lips, direction of look, and combinations for each elf's face, I would squeel with delight! They all make me so happy. And I even saw faerie lights around my home, inside and out as they came to life through my hands.
Each one is up for adoption, and if you are ready, they will help you in more ways than you can imagine. Ready can mean many things - open to the idea of fae, complete with a previous phase of your life, about to step into your power, etc.
Above are 4 adoptions which took place at FaerieConWest.
The upper left is Bee. She had the bee and her lips painted as a last minute addition the night before the event. And Sunday, a little girl named Beatrice stopped by the booth with her mom. They admired each of the house elves, but when I pulled Bee from the opposite side of the booth, something magic happened. Brings tears to my eyes as I write. Bea had a moment of recognition, a gasp, and a tear nearly fell down her cheek then turned to hug her mom tightly. How does one describe this...? It was so genuine, and was what the faces were telling me as I sculpted them. Though I didn't know it at the time. They wandered about the festival, but ultimately came back and adopted Bee. She's going to be put in a place of honor on their altar. I know little Bea will have great dreams and Bee will help her trust her heart as her compass in life.
Lower left is the Pook. This guy popped when I put in his turquoise eyes. I screamed with glee. When I first painted him, I thought bleah... this spotty paint job is so tacky. But, it's what he wanted and what makes him stand out against the orange leaves and purple feathers. He was adopted by Carl. Carl is a cool guy who has just stepped into retirement, a new phase in his life. As Carl admired him, I said, "This guy will call you to task. He means business. You know, like when we sometimes need a swift kick in the ass." To which Carl said he needs that sometimes to find his keys. Perfect! Sometimes I don't know why I say these things. They just fall out of my mouth into the air. I'm so thrilled he's going to live with Carl. A good home he will have! And I do believe that Carl is in for some adventures. :)
On the upper and lower right you'll see 2 wizened dragon eyes. Their irises are vintage swarovski crystals. As I was sitting at my desk pondering what to do with my dragon like stash of crystals, I began to sculpt eyes. I draw eyes all the time. One, two, pairs, singles. I did a whole series of pins in 2012 that were just single eyes. The dragon eyes are to be used to seek wisdom with only the purest of heart. They will be kept on altars and used by two very magical women who are dear friends.
The upper left is Bee. She had the bee and her lips painted as a last minute addition the night before the event. And Sunday, a little girl named Beatrice stopped by the booth with her mom. They admired each of the house elves, but when I pulled Bee from the opposite side of the booth, something magic happened. Brings tears to my eyes as I write. Bea had a moment of recognition, a gasp, and a tear nearly fell down her cheek then turned to hug her mom tightly. How does one describe this...? It was so genuine, and was what the faces were telling me as I sculpted them. Though I didn't know it at the time. They wandered about the festival, but ultimately came back and adopted Bee. She's going to be put in a place of honor on their altar. I know little Bea will have great dreams and Bee will help her trust her heart as her compass in life.
Lower left is the Pook. This guy popped when I put in his turquoise eyes. I screamed with glee. When I first painted him, I thought bleah... this spotty paint job is so tacky. But, it's what he wanted and what makes him stand out against the orange leaves and purple feathers. He was adopted by Carl. Carl is a cool guy who has just stepped into retirement, a new phase in his life. As Carl admired him, I said, "This guy will call you to task. He means business. You know, like when we sometimes need a swift kick in the ass." To which Carl said he needs that sometimes to find his keys. Perfect! Sometimes I don't know why I say these things. They just fall out of my mouth into the air. I'm so thrilled he's going to live with Carl. A good home he will have! And I do believe that Carl is in for some adventures. :)
On the upper and lower right you'll see 2 wizened dragon eyes. Their irises are vintage swarovski crystals. As I was sitting at my desk pondering what to do with my dragon like stash of crystals, I began to sculpt eyes. I draw eyes all the time. One, two, pairs, singles. I did a whole series of pins in 2012 that were just single eyes. The dragon eyes are to be used to seek wisdom with only the purest of heart. They will be kept on altars and used by two very magical women who are dear friends.
Next Show: Spring Fairy Festival in Tacoma, WA
| Saturday March 22nd 2014 10am-7pm Sunday March 23rd 2014 12-5pm At Freighthouse Square Tacoma, Washington My mom, Peg, and I will be vending next at the Spring Fairy Festival which will be held at Freighthouse Square. Mom made some amazing little wands and channeled the fae as she spent an entire year crafting them. Every one is unique and special. I will be bringing the house elves for adoption. I have a feeling a few will be picking out their next home at this event. |
Please come and see us. You can buy your tickets here: Spring Fairy Festival
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