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

Life is such a joy when you find that your path once again crosses with special folk but for quite another reason. Neil Geddes-Ward and his wonderful wife Alicen (I’ll do a separate blog on this lovely lady) came into our lives many years ago when they visited our sons Steiner school in Somerset where I was helping teaching and showing new parents round. (We also met again in the Blue Note cafe in our beloved Glastonbury where I often took our boys for a baked potato treat!) Then, when Drew and I became more involved with the Faerie world, we of course all found each other again and I was so excited to meet up with these like-minded souls. Neil is a fantastic guy who makes me laugh till my sides ache. He gets on with everyone, with a knack for putting all folk at their ease. The only sad thing for us, is that their home is so far, far away up in Orkney but what a fantastic place to live, paint, write (as Alicen does so beautifully) and bring up their children – we can’t begrudge them that at all! Especially as they began a Faerie Museum and Gallery up there which is truly enchanting - www.orkneyfaeriemuseum.com Neil’s awesome and evocative pagan and visionary art can be seen at www.neilgeddesward.com and I urge you to visit… Just don’t encourage him to wear his sporran!

Spiders are most welcome here in our home as, living opposite a dairy farm, we get lots of flies – so we see these eight-legged arachnids as our friends! Therefore, how could I be so cruel as to sweep away their homes, wherever they may be… well, that’s my excuse anyway. Watching a spider spin its web is the most fascinating thing to witness and so clever! It makes you stop and breathe slower just by the wonder of it. I’m in awe at observing a fly get caught in a web, the reaction of the spider as it senses the vibration and then the gross part where it wraps its prey in silk, yuk. (Apologies if this has creeped anyone out.) In the mornings, Drew normally draws the short straw to walk down the garden path as the webs will be spun across our way and the first one through gets caught in them all! I love seeing the strings of silk in the grass get caught in the breeze and shimmer. (In the springtime, when all the tiny, perfect babies emerge from a nest it is a delight as they're so fast.) But my favourite of all are the webs that are covered in sparkling dew, especially when the sunlight catches them or when there’s a hoarfrost - that is pure magic to behold.

Magical Blessings, Be

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Walso Emerson

The elegant, romantic art of Nene Thomas is a feast for the eyes. She paints figures that take your breath away, dressed in luxurious fabrics you want to reach out and touch, in fairy tale settings with an atmosphere that’s evocative and inspirational. Nene’s abilities with her digital paintbrush are truly awesome and she encourages everyone so inclined, to have a go, with tutorials that are fantastic and clear. Nene is a really lovely lady with a great, dry sense of humour and a talent that is beloved all over the world as her gorgeous art is highly collected and respected by folk of all ages. Nene’s web site is www.nenethomas.com We are honoured to have been with her at the launch of her book two years ago and greatly look forward to meeting up again soon… Thank you Nene for your wonderful art and style, we’re still eagerly waiting to take you round the Stately Homes here in the UK!

Magical Blessings, Be

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it."- Confucious