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When I was traveling through Ireland, I went to a storytelling museum and became fascinated by the folktale of The Changeling. So, I set out to make a fairy terrarium that depicted an empty stroller at the top of a fairy rath, with stepping stones leading up to it. This terrarium tells the story of a stolen baby. This is not a sweet little scene; it’s actually quite sinister, once you know the back story. You wonder what happened to the baby… Here’s a quick TikTok video showing how I made it. Happy Beltane! Fairy wreaths are very much a symbol of Beltane and I’ve begun making kits so you can craft one yourself.  Each kit comes with a variety of natural materials such as moss, dried flowers, berries, ferns, usnea, and lichen.  I provide the red birch bare wreath, a handmade hanger, and a packet of clear glue stapled to my business card, so you can use your imagination and make one the way you want.  Stay tuned to my Instagram and Facebook page for announcements of where I’ll be selling these at craft fairs in Maine this summer. $15 each. Soon to be available through my Etsy store.
Mirrors in folklore symbolize portals to The Other World. These tiny three-inch mirrors have been decorated with moss, usnea, and dried flowers with a black ribbon to hang them. What do you see when you look into one?      This is what I see when I glimpse into one of these mirrors.  "May is a magical month in more ways than one! The beginning of May marked one of the cross quarters of the year, when the world grew thin in certain places, as the old folks used to say, and the Sidhe and other spirits could travel over and back between our world and theirs."- Emerald Isle Fairy Tales  Soon, the Fairy Folk will be traveling between worlds, and this one is particularly keen to see the sun.  This "Wee Folk" dress is a hybrid of my literary and natural fairy dresses, made from birch and moss and finished with silk petals and shells. This is a less-fragile dress than my others and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. Find one on my Etsy page.    For spring, I've started a new literary miniature dress series: the Paper Pixies, based on a middle grade fairy book that was salvaged from the trash. Unlike my natural forest fairies, which tend to be fragile, these are made from the book pages and from artificial flowers and wings. Virtually unbreakable! Each comes with its own bejeweled hanger. Great for kids and for adults who love fairytales! All photos © Kay Stephens  I make them in three styles: Pink, White, and Purple/Pink. 
If you want it custom made for you, simply message me on Etsy.
April is Poetry Month and May is the month when thoughts turn to spring, brides, and mothers. Each of my miniature literary dresses is handmade from a repurposed book and adorned with faux pearls and petal skirt. They come with their own customized hanger and I only make one at a time. Find the variations on my Etsy page. They can be shipped all over the U.S.           "The hare was a sacred and mystical animal to the Celts; a symbol of abundance, prosperity and good fortune. They were believed to have connections to the Otherworld. "- Mallon Ireland  The legends refer to the witch that can turn into a hare when spotted by a human.  This one is made from birch, cattail gone to seed, dried fern, and a bit of hydrangea.  This fairy dress now lives at Good Natured in Liberty, but one can be custom made and shipped through my Etsy page.  It's that time of year again when the "Wee Folk" rath is eager to come up from underground, where they've spent a long winter. The Queen is looking forward to go outside and see the sun. Her lady in waiting is by her side.  Each one I make of a certain series is completely unique. It may have the same materials, but each is crafted with a slight variation. This one is made from birch and hydrangea.    Each dress comes with a bejeweled hanger. I've only made one of each for the spring season. You can find them at Good Natured in Liberty.  |
Tonic of the Woods
the inspiration behind the creations Photos, stories and concept ©Kay Stephens
Look up the story behind a fairy dress by clicking on the name below
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