Tag: FaerieCon

Music to my ears…

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In the studio – I always have my ipod or iphone plugged in… just to the left outside this photo’s frame…

worktable in studio

I have some podcasts, but I seem to always prefer music while I am working. Often, when I get a new piece of music, I listen to it exclusively for a week or even two. Total immersion. The current CD is “Seasons in Elfland” by Woodland. 

Seasons in Elfland

Mythic, magical, mystical, haunting… the songs reference the dark half of the year – from Samhain (Halloween) to Ostara (Spring Equinox). Shadows, seasons turning, roots delving deep in the earth, the fallow period, Earth resting under snow… to green shoots breaking through as Spring emerges. Sample it on iTunes, you have to hear it… I am not describing the music itself…

Previously it was The Gypsy Nomads – as you have probably seen in previous posts. Might see them at First Night, My Holly NJ if the weather permits… 

Nomads by R. Napoleon

(Photo by R. Napoleon.)

 

And before that is was SJ Tucker.  (Also here.)

Sirens - SJ Tucker

I was introduced to SJ Tucker’s music at the first FaerieCon – or was it RenCon? Well, she is a classic bard. Telling stories with words and song, very evocative. Thrilled to know that I will see her again at RenCon II – The Mythic Faire, in March of 2011. 

And of course, I do alternate with Holiday music…It is that time of year, and I am feeling festive. What are you listening to? 

 

a few more…making music; making friends

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While I am doing new work, decorating for the holidays… I am also still feeling I have Faerie (Con) dust sprinkled on my shoulders. Perhaps it is part to the Fairy strands I have in my hair…

But a few more pictures I wanted to share: 

The Gypsy Nomads played the Good Fairies Ball on Friday night with Woodland. (Samples and photo galleries – take a look!) Had to post a few Nomad pix, they have become friends over the last year or so…

JDR and SStevenson 

GN at FC

Scott of the GN

Samantha of GN

Another FaerieCOn person that has become a good friend – for although we only see him twice a year, we make the most of it – is Mark Lewis. Storyteller extraordinaire! and MC of the event – tune in Dec 12th and see his guest appearrance on the TV show “Leverage” as Santa! (Its a good show anyway…)

Mark Lewis

Yes, he is playing 2 recorders in this picture. A few of his stories are available as podcasts. Listen to them. They are wonderful. 

One thing about FC that I am sure I have mused on in previous posts, is the sense of community. THere are no separations between attendees, performers, VIP’s, artists/vendors. It is refreshing to be respected and recognized by your peers, and adds to the air of excitement to be mingling with the famous. Lets be honest – it was exciting to have Brian and Wendy Froud seated behind me at dinner in the bar! And they were left in peace, respectfully during their meal. When they are at their table, signing autographs then its fair game, but otherwise they are usually left to mill about in (relative) peace.  

So in this shared environment of respect and creativity – I had an opportunity to not only meet but talk with two artists whose work I had known and admired for years – Linda Ravenscroft and Helena Nelson-Reed. Linda was at the Faerie Magazine booth, with her husband John, also a very charming individual. We chatted about many things, including the location of the Fairy Bridge in Wales – featured in the original watercolor sketch of Linda’s  that I purchased. (Soon to hang framed next to the Charles Vess print from last year…) Helena and I struck up easy, comfortable conversations on numerous occasions as we were out of our booths strolling around. I am thrilled to say that soon 3 of my pendants will appear in her talisman necklaces. And an incredible print of hers will be hanging in my library… Trading with another artist is the most satisfying!

JDR & Ravenscroft

( Sorry for the iphone pix. Had Linda’s husband John snap this of she and I at her booth.)

 

Another sprinkling of Faerie(Con) dust…

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Day Two began with coffee, chatting about the previous night’s fun and frolic… 

Day 2 FC

JDR and GM Scudder

It was a day filled with business, camaraderie…and Green Men…

Green Man March

Then all the Bad faeries came out after dark… Well, some aren’t bad, just mischievous… and talented, and charming…

JDR and Cooky

JDR and Gypsy/Samantha

VIP's

( Top: with Cooky from Urban Crow/ The Shepherdess. Middle – with Samantha Stevenson of the Gypsy Nomads. Bottom: with Charles Vess and Dancing Hands.)

Others were a bit more…

Drudge

Emma and ogre

We made sure we had plenty of wine and beer to share… as libations, and to appease the fae – of course…

 

 

 

 

Good Faeries, good friends

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 FaerieCon is a magical place: we have established that. But there is a sense of community, of camaraderie, of celebration and shared euphoria. It is hard to put into words… The day on Friday was a study in contrasts in some ways: “Oh we are all here now, lets chat and catch up, share, and story tell…” vs. “Oh we are all here now, the event has begun, the doors are open and attendees are streaming in!” Friday was a great day; but the Good Faeries Ball Friday night was an excellent chance to do the former. Celebrate, dance, chat, reconnect, establish new friendships… So here are a few captures snippets of Friday night… friends, fun, frolic, fantasy, faeries…

VIP's

Sarah of Toadstools N Treestump, Dancing Hands, Fairy Goddess Mother, and yours truly. We were proudly displaying our event badges of honor, including Dancing Hands’ VIP badge. Very impish person, indeed!    

 

GF Ball

Rebecca – staff volunteer, loyal customer, new friend.

JDR and K. Noska

Kathryn Noska, neighbor and friend from RenCon last April. Great to see her, although briefly, and see her amazing new polymer creations! 

Foreign fae

Faeries come in all shapes and sizes. These gorgeous Kimono clad fae shared my love for the Moon hare!

Steam punk fae

Costumes are amazing. Steam punk extraordinaire! Wonderful wings, incredible ink;  it all dazzles the eye…

Until tomorrow. 

wings and ink

Celebrating the Magical Life…

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Walk up to the doors of the Hunt Valley Marriott, the sounds of the mundane world so normal to your ears – being greeted with a banner “Celebrating the Magical Life”…welcome to FaerieCon. I was thrilled to be vending for my second year, and to see friends, old and new. 

But first- the set up…

Hunt Valley Hallway

The carpet is all you notice at first, I mean, how could you not? Soon, oh so very soon – it will pale compared to the art, and costumes and characters…

FC table

The challenge of creating an artful display, and levels to showcase items to their advantage – all in 6′ of real estate. I have improved upon my space plan since last year…

FC table 2

At this point in the morning, i had only jewelry left to display. I was so tempted to flit off and chat with friends…

FC Urban Crow

Cooky and Margie of Urban Crow/The Shepherdess flew in from San Diego. They were setting up down the hall. 

J & S set up FC

And Sarah of Toadstools and Treestump was my neighbor. So there was definitely chatting…

This post turned out to be a preview, an appetizer as it were, for the main feast. A feast of friends, magic, creativity, music, artwork, and inspiration. So please stay tuned for costumes, characters, and the like…

Cauldron of goddesses