The world of Kinuko Craft is pure delight. Her exquisite work has been collected and loved, commissioned and exhibited for many years all over the world. Kinuko herself is a beautiful lady with natural charm and modesty and I was so thrilled to meet and talk with her, having been such a huge fan of her delicate work for many years. She weaves stories through paintings and transports you into the heart of myth, legends and fairy tales with the mastery of one with great talent and experience born of many years perfecting her craft. Often Kinuko’s work appears to have been painted many years ago and therefore the journey offered, brings with it feelings of stepping back in time. Her web site is www.kycraft.com - this truly is a box of delights.

(photos here) I’d never seen a pheasant up close until we lived in this part of the country and now we have our own special visitor who comes right up to the back door, peering in as though he’s been invited to tea! This is a male pheasant with the most vibrant coloured, iridescent feathers, magnificent tail and more tame qualities than is probably good for him.  In the springtime he brought his harem over from the woods. There were quite a few females, though they are much more shy and stay nearer to the back of the garden and instead of running away squawking like the male does when startled, they sit close to the ground and stay perfectly still – isn’t nature wonderful! The not so good part of living in the countryside though, is that you can hear the shotguns of the people who tragically, consider these stunning birds fair game. We all loathe those days and hope that in our own little way we are a refuge for the precious pheasants, may they flock here always…

Magical Blessings, Be

“Deeper meaning resides in the fairy tales told to me in my childhood than in any truth that is taught in life.” – Johann C. Friedrich Von Schiller  

One of the funniest things I saw at the Faerieworlds festival last year was when I was chatting with Joe and a beautiful big dragonfly flew into his booth. Never have I seen so many folk clamber over each other with their cameras so eager to capture this magical creature’s image – this was probably that particular insect’s fifteen minutes of fame and he’s been boasting about it ever since!  It was a perfect example though, of how a photographer’s mind works, always looking for those moments and being there with camera poised ready. Joseph Corsentino is a really lovely chap and his Time of the Faeries is now! He presents his urban faerie within contemporary settings, modern fae in elemental places, silhouettes that play with light and his appeal is great. The popularity of Joe’s work is becoming legendary bringing with it warnings about how our planet is suffering, thus delivering a vital message in a new and appealing way using his amazing photography – magical beings in environments we can relate to, but how do they fit in... This is a darker journey with creatures of the night, and angels as well as faeries - you can see more on J. Corsentino’s web site  www.timeofthefaeries.com   

(photos here) I have learnt much these past seven years from living near cows! What wonderful animals they are, such a part of the British landscape and so often taken for granted. Although I am a vegetarian, I still eat dairy products and now I appreciate more about this astonishing cycle of: grass goes in, milk comes out!! How cool is that. These gentle creatures are near to my thoughts at this time of year, as they will soon have to be taken in for the winter away from their fields and it saddens me so much. Years ago this land around here in the Cotswolds, was covered in many more trees and the cows would have managed by sheltering under these. Nowadays there are less copses and the grass seems to need to ‘rest’. I will really miss looking out of the window and seeing them slowly munching or lying down to contemplate life. They peer over the hedge with their beautiful big eyes looking at us, as if we’re mad to be rushing about. There’s a lovely rhythm to the summer days as you can set your watch by the times they’re called in for milking, gradually ambling down the lane, udders full, with all the time in the world to snatch a quick bite of Cow parsley from the hedgerow! If that’s the time you need to scoot off somewhere quickly, then they hold all the cards as you can only sit and wait while they set the pace. So I will wave to and greet them in the farmyard as they plaintively moo and wish, like them, for the first breath of Spring when they will once again be allowed back out to pasture – I didn’t think cows could leap about with joy, but I assure you that on those days they really do and it is the most wonderful site to see.  

Magical Blessings, Be

“You are made of stars.” – Serbian proverb    

Although my 5th blog (8/9/07) was dedicated to the master himself, Brian Froud, I mentioned then that I would keep a separate entry for dearest Wendy Froud. This beautiful woman is a joy to be in the company of as, to be with Wendy, one truly feels like you’re in the presence of Faerie… completely and magnificently but as with this friend whom I adore, with grace, gentleness and an underlying sense of fun. Wendy, who is of course also the World that is Froud www.worldoffroud.com has an ability to bring her and Brian’s Faerie to 3Dimensional life and her dolls and characters are honestly breathtaking. I was first introduced to one of Wendy’s amazing pieces of art years ago at the home of our publisher whose lovely wife is an avid collector and then met some more in Amy Brown’s home. If feels like meeting old friends as there is a familiarity about them that makes you feel that maybe you already know them from somewhere, yet every new introduction is a personal delight. Wendy’s faeries in particular just cause me to sigh deeply and to not be able to stop staring - I’ve never wanted to have something so much in all my life! I do have one little Wendy faery who graces our cottage and charms all who meet her, my heartfelt wish is now for a companion to keep her company! Her exquisite sculpting is so delicate that one feels almost intrusive, as though you shouldn’t really be looking. The gorgeous fabrics that she costumes with, are rich and luxurious as she only has to use a small amount and so Wendy’s imagination plays freely. Each face is different and perfect in every detail, one is immediately drawn to their very essence and feel honoured to be in such close proximity to them. Last year Wendy brought out a stunning book with many of her works in, which is a rare treat as most of her art is now in private collections. It is so fantastic to be able to see them in print and read about her inspirations and techniques. She runs workshops which I know are just brilliant as she is so encouraging of everyone to have a go… You may have already met some of her special folk in the unique story books that she and Terri Windling have so enchantingly created. Wendy Lives Faery and we are so Thankful to her for her beautiful Gift to those of us who can only dream that way…

(photos to come)
As with many folk in this part of the world, I live for the day at the beginning of Spring when the Swallows return. They have nested every year in the farm opposite us ever since anyone can remember, and it’s a Tudor farmhouse… These clever birds with their long tail streamers are such a joy as they sit on the telephone wire, outside our windows, chattering away till the mood takes them and they swoop off to scoop up the insects on the wing, the skateboarders/surfers of the bird world! Watching them scoot round the garden and corner in the air, looking as though they’re going to hit the house before they deftly turn is an awesome sight, so acrobatic and agile. The babies when newly fledged are so funny as they try to balance on the wire like their parents, flapping their iridescent blue wings to try not to lose their perch and to gain the most attention so as to be rewarded with a beak full of flies. I mention them today as I am dreading that they will soon be off on their journey south to the warmer climate for overwintering and I will be so sad to see them go. This is another of the blessings in our yearly rhythms and although it will be hard, we know that next year they will return and all will be well. Good luck you beautiful swallows, and safe flight…

Magical Blessings, Be

“Second to the right and straight on till morning.” – JM Barrie

If ever there was an artist who was as graceful as the females that she so perfectly paints, it is Stephanie Roberts. Her art is so elegant and feminine, with a gentleness that evokes her very spirit. Stephanie’s style is reminiscent of the Art Nouveau period and is truly timeless. She takes you on a journey of myth and legends, back into another time, where I think maybe she herself would be comfortable, even into the wonderful Rapunzel book she is currently working on, which I can’t wait to see and read - keep an eye on her web site www.stephanieroberts.com (we also have an interview recorded with Stephanie, ready to podcast when Drew can work out how to clone himself...) As you talk with Stephanie, you realise that she is one of those rare folk whose eyes are drinking in everything you say with an understanding way beyond her years and this lifetime, I feel so privileged to know this special lady. Her essence is like the bubble that we watched (in amazement, as it hovered on the carpet for a whole hour next to where we were chatting!); iridescent, fragile and beautiful, just like my dear friend.

One of funniest things to see from our kitchen - as you stand by the kettle as it is boiling, and look out the backdoor - is a little vole who scurries out from the edge of the cover of grass to pinch a sunflower seed that’s dropped from a bird feeder and whizzies back again, all under the obvious misapprehension that we can’t see him! He’s so cute and makes us laugh everytime he does it and if the birds are ground feeding, they don’t seem to mind him at all. Sometimes this dear vole and his family, find their way into the cottage (much to JellyBean's delight) but as they’re not as quick as mice, you can catch them eventually (before the dog does!) and pop them back outside. They are gorgeous to look at, like a tiny Ratty from the Wind in the Willows, whiskers twitching and trying to persuade us to leave our whitewashing and springcleaning and go for a picnic along the river – what a wise thing he is…

Magical Blessings, Be

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”

Yesterday I wrote about one half of the most enchanted couples we know, so today I must redress the balance and talk a little about the better half! Alicen Geddes-Ward. This special lady has such grace it is amazing that she can cope with my over-enthusiastic ways, but I sure am glad she can. Alicen, as well as helping to run their Orkney Faerie Museum and Gallery, is a beautiful writer and has her own web site www.faeriecraft.co.uk Her wonderful book of the same title is the subject of the workshops and lectures that she gives around Britain. Alicen’s mind seems to be at peace with her imagination, allowing her to beautifully express her thoughts on faerie in a way that anyone would be blessed to read. She now has a number of books to her name, including her novel ‘The Kiss of Two Worlds’ and she says she can’t imagine doing anything else (thank goodness!). Her latest project is called ‘A faerie Treasury’ and will be published in November. Living up on the tip of the last of the UK, brings her great respite, where she can ride her horse and be nourished by the sea. (My sadness is that my dear, gentle friend lives nearer to Norway than to me.) Alicen is one of those rare folk, who carry with them an aura of ethereal quality and to be near her spirit is to be truly touched by faerie… for this I feel extremely fortunate as she guides my treading of the path I love so much.

Sometimes you see something in nature that immediately brings out the child in you from wherever she is hiding… the fruit of the Horse Chestnut tree is one of the greatest gifts of the autumn and as soon as these conkers begin to drop and their bright green spiky shell cases split open, I just have to go outside and collect some. Rooting around in the leaf matter under the branches, marks such a happy time for me as the best moment is when you open one up and feel that conker in your hand for the very first time. It is perfect, so gorgeously rich, brown, brand new shiny and has never been seen by anyone else before! I gather some always, just to have inside on our table where I can keep picking them up and holding them. Why they bring me so much pleasure I can’t explain, as you can’t eat them and they don’t really smell, but I even like the noise they make as they knock into each other! After a few weeks, they begin to dry out, so I reluctantly take them back outside to scatter around the garden in case any of them can take root. Years ago our boys would pierce holes in them so as to string them up for games of conkers in the playground, but now they’re just for my delight and I love them!

Magical Blessings, Be

“When I count my blessings I count you twice.” – Irish Blessing