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 Spell Of The Sirens

FaerieKat

http://www.etsy.com/listing/47600311/wire-crochet-necklace-sparkling-strands?ref=tre-558771403-9

Although Sirens are often associated with mermaids and undines, the myth finds it's origins in ancient Greece. There, Sirens were depicted as island dwelling bird maidens that used their enchanting songs to lure unsuspecting sailors to their deaths. As time passed Sirens transformed into beautiful enchantresses. They developed fins and tails and merged with the mermaid myth that we know and love today.

SusanSchroderArts

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73220193/marina-closeout-on-8x10-prints-free?ref=tre-558721893-12

In the Greek saga The Odyssey, Odysseus, taking the advice of a witch, urged his men to plug their ears with beeswax before venturing into the dangerous waters ruled by Poseidon.  Odysseus himself wished to hear the beautiful Siren's song and ordered his men bind him to the mast so he could not be drawn in by their enchantment. It worked.  However, when Odysseus heard their voices he was seduced and driven temporally mad. While he strained at his bindings, the Sirens swam around the boat.  Unaffected, his men were able to guide the ship to safety.  In the end they survived the ordeal that had claimed so many sailors before them.  

Rainwaterstudios

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79311140/aine-lady-of-the-lake-sliced-agate-black?ref=tre-558721893-9

The Etsy Fae Team has taken inspiration from the myth of the Sirens and created the new exhibition Siren Song. As part of the collaboration they share their inspirations and imagination, displaying art, craft and gift ware from their own shops.

All links for their work can be found on the exhibition page here.  You can also find links for the pictures I have featured in my blog.

http://faeteam.com/exhibition.html

Please feel free to comment on this post or follow the blog.  You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.

Team Handmade UK - Home Is Where The Heart Is

Team Handmade UK

http://teamhandmadeuk.blogspot.com/

This is my second showcase of the year and I have decided to feature a new group of artists and crafters that are all UK based. It's a group set up by Pepper Pi  ( you can find her shop link below )  that is entirely independent of any online shop - though everyone sells through some kind of shop such as Etsy or Folksy. The aim of the group (of which I am a part) is to promote each others work and provide much needed support and advice for those of us who spend a lot of time selling online and don't always have the chance to meet people face to face.

I have handpicked a few items to give you a flavour of what we all do. There is such a diversity of styles and products that I'm sure anyone reading this blog will find something inspirational. All the pictures have links to the artists shops and you can also find the team link for the blog at the top of this feature.

Hope you like my selection and remember if you like the features in my blog you can follow me or comment.

Alison Moore Designs

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68790238/hare-sterling-silver-necklace

Tinkan Designs

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49728575/uv-ring-pull-pendant

Little Wren Pottery

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68295696/pottery-oil-and-vinegar-bottle-with

Sally Holt

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69052215/the-pig-and-moon

Pepper Pi Pals

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63922071/humphry-stuffum-the-hamster-collectable

Imbolg - The promise of things to come

I can't reach this time of year without seeing it as a transitional period, of new beginnings with a deep sense of anticipation (more so than new year).  The first signs of spring are now evident, though we have not quite crossed the threshold of the season, the shy but robust heads of the bulb flowers are peeping through a still, frozen ground ... and finally the days are getting longer too...
It's a happy time of year when the promise of something special laces the air like a delicate fragrance.
New life in its infancy. 
So we can start afresh...with new ideas, eagerness and the promise of romance.
A not so romantic element of this time of year is the spring clean. This is not only in the home but in our lives too, preparing for things to come. We have to make space in our heads for the new and the abundance that the coming year will bring.
This  has always been a part of tradition and it is interwoven into the Sabbat of the season, Imbolg.  In the northern hemisphere, Imbolg is celebrated around the 1st/2nd of February and although it is not quite spring, it marks the end of winter in the Celtic calender.  It's a time when the feminine is honoured as the maiden of spring emerges from the old crone of winter and the cycle of life begins again.
Imbolg is also about inspiration and the Goddess Brigid who represents fire encourages that spark of life that's needed for creativity such as poetry.  It's a great time to settle old scores and tie up loose ends before the onset of spring as fire purifies and prepares for the new.  Brigids meaning and origin does vary slightly however, believed to be connected to St. Brigit of Ireland representing fertility, labour and healing but she is clearly a womans inspiration and a symbol of the divine feminine.

As it is the time of year for inspiration and for all things female I have selected some pieces of work from various Etsy shops that encompass this - delicate romantic hues and empowering art.  Please browse my selection and remember that if you like my blog please feel free to follow, comment or visit these wonderful shops :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63553510/brigid-celtic-goddess-of-inspiration-5x7

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66229915/sacred-feminine-essential-oil-perfume

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53398466/brigid-candle

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45668999/power-of-the-feminine-shaman-necklace

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64134124/all-altered-art-pendants-famous

****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

Alchemy- the pursuit of wisdom - My Etsy Treasury for November

'Alchemy - the pursuit of wisdom' by spiralmoonfantasy

The Hyle Triangle Desig... TigerHouseArt $14.00	Alchemy Necklace CMandMJewelry $29.99	ALCHEMY Artisan Perfume... BlackBaccara $18.00
Tiamat - Winged serpent... CorvidDelights $18.00	Banish and Cast Out . R... whitemagic $6.95	Personification of Alch... indigolights $20.00
Sacred Geometry Keychai... merrypranxter $6.00	Brahms Alchemy Book of ... Brahmsbookwork... $349.00	Alchemy, Gold Acrylic a... thepinkmartini $15.00
Alchemy Apothecary work... DreamingPhoeni... $100.00	Organic Alchemy Chakra ... OrganicBrew $6.00	G alchemy alphabet char... zouavejewelry $35.00
The Alchemist Gothic Al... MykaJelina $9.99	Hummingbird Necklace - ... ChristineDoman... $26.00	Alchemy - Leather Journ... Kreativlink $48.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.