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The Sentinel (Dried manna grass bodice, hobblebush skirt) Sentinels are, like the Amazons, a tribe of warrior females who protect the raths or "forts," the ancient fortifications in fields encircled by ditches. The Sentinels are always watching for human interference. They are most keen to keep Man away from the sacred fairy dens, so beware.  I'm going back to my roots on this creation as it is more earthy than the other prettier ones. But these are the true fairies, the elemental ones.  Adorned with hydrangea and a bit of bleached out tree lichen and Usnea.  Sitting pretty here on a frozen clump of evergreen.  These are the Sociable fairies, the Sidheog, who reside in the forest, in their ancient fortifications, or "royalties" as they are known. For they have one true Queen, whom they are devoted to and serve. In three years I've been secretly observing these Wee Folk, I've never seen the Queen.  They come out this time of year dressed in their pagan colors, of wine, green and white.   They know I'm there, but they allow me access because I admire them and they aren't so different from us; they preen when they dance. They look over their shoulders to see if I'm still watching.....  And here are two tree toppers, my Flapper Angels. 
This time of year one never sees The Wee Folk, but on this bitter February day in Maine (16 degrees out) one was spotted. This fay was scouting out new places for the fairies to make their homes once the snow clears and they can come up from the Underground.  Made from green plants whose leaves had begun to fade, this dress has a moss skirt and dried flower applique. The wings naturally curled as they dried as if in flight.  Just a hint of red from the decaying plant leaves sets off the beautiful green. This fairy is a reminder that spring is coming.   Here are two new iterations of Lady of the White Thorn and The Queen's Handmaiden  It's several days before the Winter Solstice and they are above ground catching the dawn light, which melds with their creamy, tawny colors. 
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 dress has a fern sash, a sepal applique and the back of the bodice is layered with poplar leaf.  And here, you have another version of The Queen's Handmaiden.  Here, I found the perfect curlicue to augment the dress for The Queen's Handmaiden.   All of these new dresses will soon be available at Brambles in Belfast and we will soon be working on an art series of dresses and photos for a gallery. Note: all designs and photographs © Kay Stephens
Walk deep into the forest on these late days in December and look closely. On the tops of evergreen sit these little wonders.  We are almost upon the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, a turning of the earth force tides.  If you pay attention, you'll see this fairy, whose reindeer moss skirt and red-berried lichen applique, are a tribute to the season of Yule. The colors of red, white and green, symbolize the merry Meet of the Fairy Gods and Goddesses.  Sewn up the back with green thread, this fairy makes a lovely ornament for your Solstice or Christmas tree.
 ©Kay Stephens After another nor'easter blew through, piling up two feet of snow everywhere in Maine, there were pockets of arctic blue in the snowbanks when I happened upon this one, hiding.  ©Kay Stephens I had a closer look and confirmed that indeed, I'd found a wee Witch Hare, tucked amongst the banks.  ©Kay Stephens Click here to see the story of the one I'd found last spring. This one, made from dried grass bodice and a gone-to-seed cattail skirt is adorned with dried field flowers. She is one of the "Others" and I suddenly grew cold as the snow. She did not care for me looking down at her and so I walked away.
 ©Kay Stephens March is the month of celebrating Celtic legends and lore, such as the history behind St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and to commemorate this day, I made this wee fairy dress in the midst of a nor'easter. While it was a whiteout outside for nearly 18 hours, piling up over a foot, I wanted to bring the beauty of Ireland's lush green landscape into this dress with dark green reindeer moss over a birch bodice.  ©Kay Stephens These are a lovely little gift for the Irish person in your life and for St. Patrick's Day and can be found on my Etsy page. I can make them to order.  ©Kay Stephens Pictured below are three of my most Irish green miniature fairy dresses all propped up by vintage tonic bottles.  ©Kay Stephens  In winter, the Wee Folk retreat underground. Those overturned trees you see in the woods with the roots exposed? Those are the doorways down to a vast labyrinth. They don't like to be there as it reminds them of how mankind drove them off their own land centuries ago. But, like all creatures, they endure and subsist on the food the Hunters and Gatherers collected all summer and fall.  This is the Reindeer Muse, the Queen's own poet. Every day, she alights to a sunny spot to collect the sun and her thoughts for a new verse she'll take back to the Queen and court for the evening.  This one-of-a-kind miniature fairy dress is made from dried grass, birch bark and reindeer moss adorned with an applique of birch and dried Hydrangea. The bodice is stitched up the back with white thread.  This dress measures 2 inches by 4 inches and comes with its own custom hanger. It can be purchased through our Etsy store.
The Huntress (Poplar Leaf, red berries skirt or fuzzy weed skirt) The Huntress sits watchful in the bare trees. She has been hard at work collecting milk and honey for the Changeling. A tiny fire has been built to warm the offerings. Later, when the moon comes out, so will her sharp arrows and a feast will be had tonight.
The Sentinel (Decayed oak leaf with wings) Sentinels are, like the Amazons, a tribe of warrior females who protect the raths or "forts," the ancient fortifications in fields encircled by ditches. The Sentinels are always watching for human interference. They are most keen to keep Man away from the sacred fairy dens, so beware.
The Fernald's Neck Fairy
Found in fairy rates on the paths of Fernald's Neck in Maine, this fairy lives on the height of the land, overlooking the lake. Adorned in dried grass and lichen, and Old Man's Beard with a fungi appliqué. |
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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