January Updates And Links

Well it's January again and I'm feeling a little deflated after moving house and a rather strange Christmas. I thought I'd cheer myself up with a trawl through the Internet to find some inspirational blogs, craft items, e-books and music.

Before Christmas I was lucky enough to see the Mediaeval Baebes in concert at the Buxton Opera House, a small but charming venue that's well worth a visit.  They were of course brilliant and even my husband liked them, so needless to say, a couple of their Cd's found their way into my stocking this year. I thought I'd share their music with you as it's quite inspirational for all you Fae and fantasy lovers, and some of you might come to love their music as much as I do.

http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/

Another Fae inspired Internet delight worth checking out is the Etsy Fae Team's latest exhibition. With this collection of enchanted goodies, inspired by the frosty winter season, there is certainly plenty to keep all Fae and fantasy lovers happy.

http://faeteam.com/exhibition.html

The Fae team blog is also well worth a visit (and a follow) to keep up to date with all the updates and offers.

http://faeteam.blogspot.com/

I also received a Kindle for Christmas so I am catching up with the rest of the world and entering a new literary phase...reading eBooks. Some of these will make their way on to this blog very soon so keep your eyes peeled for reviews and recommendations.

Also, coming soon.... a whole host of Etsy treasuries, The Life Of A Painting - blog posts recording the stages of my painting and some folklore inspired features ready for spring.

Hope you enjoy some of the links I've shared and remember you can always follow my blog for updates and coupon offers.  You can now subscribe by email so you don't miss updates. You will find the email box at the top left of my blog page.

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year! 

It's SALE time!

I am currently promoting my autumn sale in the run up to Christmas.  I am due to relocate my studio space soon and much as I'd like to take some of the artwork and originals with me, I'm downsizing.  I will have quite a few of my original acrylic/collage paintings up for sale...some of which are quite large.  Most of the art will be listed in my Etsy shop, some of which I will feature here on my blog.  All the boxes, prints, cards etc are also in the 50% offer throughout Oct/Nov or until I sell out, so check out my direct shop link here.
   All you need is the Etsy coupon code SPIRALMOON50, which you enter when purchasing any item in my shop here.
www.etsy.com/shop/spiralmoonfantasy

Keep your eyes peeled for new listings over the next couple of weeks.

The Magic Of May

At the beginning of April I had every intention of posting on my blog several times a month. However, with art work and establishing my kitchen and apothecary garden I have been a little distracted. I am planning to (work permitting)  post regularly on the subject of the garden as this will, over time, be contributing to my shop in the form of natural home grown plants that will be used in my balms,soaps and brews.  I am hoping this will eventually make a more authentic product.  I am also working on a little experiment in lunar gardening. I'm not sure how this will progress - but it will be an interesting time... improving the condition of the plants, the growth time and the potency so that the beauty products will be the best that I can make them.

In the meantime I am turning my attention back to the web and updating the shops,sites and blog posts.

Well May is finally here! It has to be one of my favourite times of year. A time of anticipation and excitement.
The greenwood is at its freshest - dazzling us with an array of vibrant green hues before the summer heat begins to wilt the leaves. The colours are delicate and cool with my favourite flower bluebells carpeting the woodland floors and turning them to a sea of blue.

May also has some of the most powerful symbolism of the year. Anything that represents fertility is as important for us today as it was for ancient peoples.  Of course fertility is vital for life - for the crops, for animals and for us and we still celebrate it with May Day or Beltane as it is know in the pagan/Wicca world.
We have all experienced some kind of symbolism around the bank holiday!  I remember Maypoles in my village and the traditional choosing of the May Queen -  the Maypole representing the sexual union between man and woman.
In symbolism, the God joins the Goddess ( who has now taken on the role of mother and giver of life) in marriage. ( The Great Rite).  They are equal!

Many people choose to renew wedding vows at this time of year or take part in a handfasting, an ancient ceremony that binds two people together for a given length of time - such as for a year and a day or for life.  This ritual is the origin of the saying tying the knot.

Oh but do be careful what you wish for too...it's also a time when the spirits and Fae folk are at their most mischievous.  They take great pleasure in playing tricks on us unfortunate mortals!

So with all these customs and playfulness and with the nights still getting lighter as we edge closer to Midsummer how could you not love magical May.

Please feel free to comment and if you like my blog you can follow me with either google or network blogs (or both) it's up to you!  :)

****Special Offer !****

A Free Lip Balm of your choice from either my Folksy shop or Etsy when you spend £20 or $31 in Etsy or over. To take advantage of this offer just quote the code BL1120 in an email after you have purchased.
Why not buy some Christmas pressies then keep the lip balm for yourself :)

Coming soon ...the start of my Alchemy blog series and Christmas gift ideas blog xhttp://www.folksy.com/items/1041069-Garden-Nymph-Bath-Bomb-Gift-Set-with-peppermint-and-lavender?shop=yes    oh the offers ends on Dec 10th

new updates

I have now aquired my safety assessments for selling bath and beauty products - check out the etsy shop for new products over the next few weeks.
Coming very soon bath brews, salts, body butters and salves and much more.... :)