Tonic of the Woods
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The story of The Witch Hare

10/29/2020

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Three days before Samhain, and my insomnia was growing worse every night, for a Blue Moon was getting fuller and fuller. Even the air felt super charged.
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After hearing coyotes screech and howl last night, I decided to take a walk on the wooded path behind our house. This path (I later found out from an archeologist studying stone ruins in the area) was actually a corridor used by Native Americans and early Maine settlers to get down to a river stocked with salmon. I picked up some acorns idly and rattled them in my palm as I walked.
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I don't know what I'd been looking for; my mind was on other things, but I got the shock of my life when straight in front of me, I spied a Wee Thing in a tangle of downed wood.
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For at least three years now I'd been observing a rath of Wee Folk in and around our woods, but after all the books I could get my hands on, I knew exactly what this sidhe was and I was instantly chilled.
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When the Witch Hare appears on a full moon and before the Veil thins between Their world and Ours, she is stronger, and more powerful than either the Sentinel or the Huntress in the rath. She is a shapeshifter, a pet of the witch, a devotee to the Snow Queen and can be either a rabbit or even an astral projection between matter and spirit. In any case, upon seeing her I began to shake, for I knew she could force me down to the fort to live for thousands of years, imprisoned.
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I kept a careful distance and set down the acorns as a gift. I said: "I know you are both spirit and shadow. I know you can do me harm, so I wish to leave you alone. And tonight, I will lay some cake and wine in by the fire pit by our home for your rath."
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A slight breeze ruffled her skirt fashioned from cattail fluff, but she made no move.
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At last she turned around and descended back into that dark tangle of downed branches and disappeared.
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Tree Shifter

10/19/2020

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This is another commissioned art piece, the fairy that shifts into part of the tree when a predator is near. She is like the octopus in how well she blends with her surroundings and exudes the magic of practical creativity.
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Her bodice is made of birch, the symbol of white, meaning change. I hand-painted her colors of a tree I once found in western Maine, swirling with forest and spring greens and yellows. Her corsage is a bit of tree lichen that looks like mini trumpets.
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Her skirt is made with different clumps of reindeer moss and adorned with a spidery Spanish moss.
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I can custom make these for $25 and they are easy to ship anywhere in the U.S. Contact me if interested.
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The Dragon Fairy

10/13/2020

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I have a customer who wants a few customized fairies. Here's one I just made from the leaves of a Dragon Plant. This fairy is very old. In Greek mythology, these “dragon trees” were believed to have emerged from blood flowing upon the land from the slain hundred-headed dragon Ladon. (source: daily.jstor.org)
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Her skirt is made with three different kinds of green mosses.
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Stitched up the back with green thread.
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Be very careful if you come across this fay. She is one of the Queen's keepers of rituals and magic and is integral in keeping the rath safe from enemies.
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The Cranberry Fairy

10/13/2020

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Photos from our craft show

10/5/2020

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It was pretty good day in Fairfield. Here, on the drive over, some beautiful fall foliage.
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My booth set up against the rusty trees outside with about 20 other vendors.
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My Fairy Tree holds mini Wee Folk Dresses.
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A cool display I found is perfect for hanging more of my literary dresses. Sculptures below that.
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This sweet "Tea for One" shadowbox was sold to a good friend.
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The drive home.
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    Tonic of the Woods

    the inspiration behind the creations
    ​


    Photos, stories and concept ©Kay Stephens

    Where to buy one
    Look up the story behind a fairy dress by clicking on the name below

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