A Troupe of Faeries

Spring was finally in the air this morning. Sunshine was streaming through the window while I was making breakfast and I had my heart set on a quiet morning of sketching and drinking tea, while the kids played outside. The little one had other ideas though. He wanted to go looking for faeries in the wood behind our house (his new favourite activity). I couldn't say no, so I grabbed my camera and a final sip of tea and off we set. The excitement of a mild spring day, with sunshine dancing off the trees, definitely had the woods tingling with a sense of magic and anticipation.

Sure enough, we hadn't gone far before we heard tiny peals of laughter. We looked at each other and I put my finger to my lips, he nodded in silent acknowledgement, wiggling with excitement. We bent as low as we could and crept towards the sound.  

There, at the little statue of the garden maiden, was a troupe of faeries we'd never seen in the wood before. There were five of them with tiny pointed hats and tattered dresses. They were playing tag around the statue and singing silly nursery rhymes.

Suddenly the one riding a little red-breasted nuthatch spotted us. I was sure they would all dash away and that would be the end of our faerie fun for the day, but she flew right over to the little one and landed on his shoulder. Soon another joined them. The nuthatch girl whispered something to him. I tired not to breath--but I had to get just one photo. As soon as they heard my camera they were off into the trees. 

But soon enough they were back, and then they all wanted to have their photos taken. The little girl with her robin reminded me of an old poem from my childhood:

One by one they introduced themselves. Lily was the first, although a little shy and reserved she was excited to make our acquaintance. 

Willow was even more timid, but I managed to take a few pictures of her and her little sparrow friend. She was all giggles and silliness with the other faeries though and it was lots of fun to watch.

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Zinnia taught us faerie songs and played tag with the little one.

Nadira seemed to be the leader of the little group, I think she must have been the oldest. She seemed a little more sensible, and kept the others in line when they got too silly.

Nalini, who was the first to come and say hello, stayed with us even after the others flew away to find some new excitement. She followed us all the way home, so we brought out a picnic of honey and crackers (the nuthatch happily pecked at the little one's trail of crumbs).

This little troupe of friends will be in my shop Monday, February 27th, at 10 AM PST

Aya of the Birds

From a bough near the top of a young oak, Aya watches as the little juncos and chickadees dart between its branches, excited by the promise of spring in the air. "Come and play!" they call merrily as they flit in and out of sight. Aya laughs but she doesn't join in their fun, something else has caught her eye.

A beautiful mourning dove has made her nest in the tree not far below where Aya is perched. Her eyes are so soft and kind that Aya decides to call her Mwynen, 'my gentle one'.

Aya and Mwynen become fast friends, and Aya spends her days at Mwynen's nest singing old faerie lullabies to the two perfect little eggs. 

She calls them Síoda and Áine (she's sure they are girls), and whispers to their warm shells that one day she will teach them to fly and then they can play tag in the branches of the oak.

Answer to a Child's Question

Do you ask what the birds say? The Sparrow, the Dove,

The Linnet and Thrush say, “I love and I love!”

In the winter they’re silent—the wind is so strong;

What it says, I don’t know, but it sings a loud song.

But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather,

And singing, and loving—all come back together.

But the Lark is so brimful of gladness and love,

The green fields below him, the blue sky above,

That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he—

“I love my Love, and my Love loves me!”

--

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772 - 1834

Aya and Mwynen are one of a kind art dolls. Mwynen stands on the edge of her needle felted nest, which rests on a piece of smooth driftwood (Mwynen & nest are 10" inches high). Aya can sit atop her back, or in her nest. Her wire armature allows her to be gently repositioned, so she can be displayed together or separately. She's wearing a silk and wool dress with an embroidered leather bodice. Her hair is hand dyed wool locks. She stands 5.5" tall. Aya is an art doll and not intended for play. They will be available in my shop February 17th, at 8AM PST. Their price is $395 (USD) plus postage.

Niamh - The Huntress

Niamh, the Faerie huntress.

Niamh glides above the forest on Gawen, her white Red-Tailed Hawk.

If you are deep in the woods one day and you see a flash of white, perhaps you have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Niamh. Walk with care, for she is the guardian of the forest and all its creatures.

Niamh and Gawen are one of a kind, natural fibre art dolls. They stand 13" high and 16" long. Niamh is entirely hand stitched, with the exception of her wings. Gawen, whose name means 'white hawk' in Welsh, is a leucistic Red-Tailed Hawk. He is needle felted over a wire armature and stands on a needle felted rock. This piece is $625 (USD) and will be available in my etsy shop on February 6th at 9AM.