Fairy Tales and Eye Candy

The latest issue of Ink and Fairydust is finally here, and the theme is Fairy Tales! Read it right now:

If the embedded version isn't working, you can read it here:  http://issuu.com/inkandfairydust/docs/jan-feb

Of course, since I am the graphics designer and did all the layouts (whew!) I'm excited to show you the eye candy.

However, you definately need to make the time to read though all 54 pages of the magazine. If nothing else, bookmark the magazine and come back to it during every second of your free time. There are some absolutely wonderful articles, short stories, reviews, poetery, and more!

I'm also excited to announce that Mary Sullivan and Mary MacArthur have joined the team as illustrators-- they are far more experienced artists than I am and their work adds so much more fairydust to the magazine!

A bit about Ink and Fairydust:

"I&F is a free e-magazine inspiring faith and creativity."

The magazine started as a newsletter of the Fairy Tale Novels fan-forum. We were a bunch of young teenagers (and one college student) who loved reading, writing, and art. Our newsletter quickly took off and morphed into a full-blown magazine.

We write about everything from classic literature to pop culture, and everything is from a very Christian worldview. Now our staff is older (I am the only main staff member who is not yet in college), and our contributers are around14-20 years old.

Obviously we put a ton of hard work into each issue. We are hardworking and would love to get our work out there. However, since I&F is a free magazine... and all of us are teens and young adults... we have exactly $0 of advertising money. We rely solely on word-of-mouth.

So if you like this issue, please email your friends and family. Share it on your blog. Facebook it. Tweet it.

And if you are a teen or young adult, consider writing for us! I&F has grown a great deal over the past few months, and it would look great on scholarships or a resume. :) Plus it's just fun to see your work out there (and all prettied up by me).

Shoot us an email at ask@inkandfairydust.com with comments and suggestions. We LOVE to hear from readers. :)

ENJOY!

Inspirational Artist: Arthur Rackham

This week I am working on a fairly large piece of art that actually has a deadline, so I don't have any new craft projects to blog about. However, I've been pouring over the artwork of several astounding illustrators and painters lately... I thought I'd share some with you (and this might become an ongoing thread here at the Faerie Blog).




Coming straight from the Golden Days of Illustration is Arthur Rackham, a famous English illustrator of fairytales, myths, and legends.

Anyone who illustrates the Brothers Grimm, Peter Pan, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Arthur, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Valkyrie, Aesop's Fables, The Wind in the Willows, assorted Greek, Roman, and Norse myths, and other miscellaneous stories has got to be awesome, right?

Combine the subject matter with a dark and mysterious watercolor, sinusoidal sepia pen, an eye for magical lighting, and elegant lines... it's not hard to see why Rackham is one of my favorite artists of all time. I think I was first captured when I saw his illustrations in a very musty, crinkly book of fairytales that I got at the library in grade school.

Plus, his work is now in the public domain! You'll see several of his illustrations grace the February issue of Ink and Fairydust.

Here's just a few of his pieces-- not necessarily my favorite ones, but the ones that I like that are easy to find. :)

You might recognize this painting of a tree dude talking or capturing a girl (I can't tell which)-- it's certainly one of Rackham's works that I've seen all over the place. However, I have no idea what the name of this piece is or what it is from.

At first I thought it might be a drawing of the myth of Daphne, who was chased by Apollo and turned into a laurel tree... but then I realized that this the girl in this drawing is not the tree. No idea what I was thinking!

I'm not sure what this piece is called, but I'm interested in it mostly for the technicalities of that watercolor wash in the background. (I've been trying to learn watercolors and the array of techniques is so overwhelming!)

Pandora. I'm sure you are all well aware of the Greek myth of the first woman Pandora who opens the forbidden box out of curiosity and unleashes horrible things into the world. Frightened, she tried and tried to close the lid on the evils, but succeeds only in trapping Hope.

This is from Undine, which I have never read. I looked it up on Wikipedia, and now I really need to read it, because apparently George MacDonald (an awesome author) considered it one of the best fairy stories ever. It's an old German tale of a water nymph who marries a knight, and my understanding is that the storyline is similar to The Little Mermaid. 


I love the magic and swirl lines in this photo... along with the desaturation except for the blues and greens.

This is such a funny picture... my favorite awkward scene from A Midsummers Night's Dream: when Titania falls in love with Bottom.

A dancing fairy from Peter Pan. I love how she is walking tightrope on a spiderweb.

Aside from his recognizable watercolors, Arthur Rackham did some pretty cool marginalia:

from Peter Pan

a Valkyrie-- one of the warrior maidens of the sky from Norse lore

If you like these works, I'll direct you towards this wonderful website called Art Passions. I just found it today; I believe they have the most comprehensive gallery of Rackham's work. It's a bit hard to navigate-- especially considering the huge amount of artwork that Rackham produced during his prolific career-- but I can guarantee that it's a black hole you'll happily get lost in.

An Autumn Wonderland

Several weeks ago, some good friends of mine agreed to be my guinea pigs and let me try my hand at photography. We took the opportunity to photograph some of my jewelry in action. This is just one of many photoshoots that we have since done (or plan on doing). Here are a couple of sneak peeks from the part of the shoot with the Evenstar necklace! I just fell in love with the lighting and leaves... I just might have taken more photos of the landscape than of the jewelry, which sort of defeats the purpose of taking photos of the jewelry. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this eye candy!

New Winners Announced

Sadly, there were two people who won giveaways from the 12 Days of Christmas event who have not responded within the past several days (I was nice lazy and didn't announce new ones immediately after the 48 hours were up). So I'm announcing new winners-- again chosen with Random.org.

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 5: Key Necklace from Velvet Heart

Entry #136

Jessica Peeling

 

 

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 10: Cell Phone Purse/ Doll Purse from Luv 'N Crafts

Entry #11

Dragonflyridge
(no email is given, please respond within 48 hours)

I Drew You a Story

Click to enlarge.

I've saved up my money from the Shoppe and a couple of odd jobs here and there... and I finally bought a Wacom tablet! I went ahead and spent enough for the Intuos, since I plan on using this tablet well beyond high school-- certainly in college, since I'm planning on a graphics design major-- and probably on my future jobs!

This is my first-ever large purchase. :) I think the most expensive thing I've ever bought before this was around $30!

I love my tablet and I'm in the super-excited, bouncing-off-walls, hyper-dance mode.

CAN YOU TELL THAT IT IS AWESOME?

I just had to immediately prove to the world (*cough* the tiny bit of the world who reads my blog, still a surprisingly giant amount of people) that 1) my new tablet is awesome, and 2) I CAN'T DRAW ON IT VERY WELL YET.

But this was my first drawing with it, so maybe there is hope for me yet!

(Sorry for all the caps. I'm excited.)

Giveaway Winners!

First off, I wanted to say thank you to the wonderful shops who so kindly gave away some of their wares for this giveaway. I do hope you keep them in mind for future birthday gifts, treats for yourself, etc.

Secondly, I want to thank everyone who participated in this 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza! I really wish you all could have won! :)

And for those of you who are new to my blog, welcome! I'm a teenaged artist who loves... well, art! This blog is where I share all the artsy knicks and knacks that I work on-- everything from classical drawing to graphics design to jewelry making to crafts.


Below are the winners from the giveaways!

Please note that in some cases an email address was not left. If you won a giveaway, you need to contact me (shealynnsfaerieshoppe@gmail.com) within 48 hours.

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 1: Evenstar Jewelry Set from Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe

 

Entry #317

Amanda Jasinski

 

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 2: Bug on a Mug Cozy from Le Belle Madeline

Entry # 13

Una Mariah

(no email is given, please contact me within 48 hours)

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 3: Cloisonne Earrings from Axis Mundi Jewelry

  

Entry #58

TheSharpTeethOfLove

 

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 4: Bobby Pins from Cleirigh

 

Entry #21

Kat of EmKatCreations

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 5: Key Necklace from Velvet Heart

Entry #129

Goliathzz

(no email is given, please contact me within 48 hours)

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 6: Vintage Button Ring and Pendant from Ephemeral Pillages

 

Entry #22

Victoria

(no email is given, please contact me within 48 hours)

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 7: "Blessed" Keychain from Beadsoul

Entry #66

Katy"The Country Blossom"

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 8: Elf Princess Perfume from Sarawen

Entry #112

Vicki

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 9: Tolkien Quotes Notecards from ErikaHeins

 

Entry #4

DogsMom

(no email is given, please contact me within 48 hours)

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 10: Cell Phone Purse/ Doll Purse from Luv 'N Crafts

 

Entry #7

Anita

(no email is given, please contact me within 48 hours) 

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 11: Christmas Ear Cuff from Elfling's Creations

Entry #16

SpindleGirl

(no email is given, please contact me within 48 hours)

-----------------------------------------------------

Day 12: Turqouise Feather Necklace from Bright-Eyed Bear Studio

Entry #52

Carrots

-----------------------------------------------------

Five Bits of Potentially Interesting Information

I never know what to title these "random posts" that are filled with "random updates," because the word random is no longer random and has, indeed, become annoying.


The first bit of potenially useful information: today is the last day to enter any of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Hurry!

The second bit of potenially interesting information: I started school up again last week.

Okay, so that wasn't interesting at all. But I have to say it. It's my perfectly legitimate excuse for being a lousy blogger in the upcoming weeks. I'm doing a few too many honors classes for my sanity (nevermind that I'm also running the Shoppe, doing graphics for Ink and Fairydust, trying to exercise more, hanging with friends, spending time with my awesome family, cleaning my room.... etc... I'm trying to prove to you that I'm busy here).

I won't be posting every day; in fact, it may be more along the lines of once a week. There are some things-- alot of things... most things... in life that are more important than blogging frequently.

In other school-related news, I'm loving my Literature course. This year all my subjects are focusing on the Medieval Ages. (I am FINALLY done with Ancient Greece and Rome!) So far in Literature I've read everything from Beowulf to Dante's Divine Comedy to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight... and loved every minute of it. The next month will be spent on Chaucer and Shakespeare! *literature/history geek happiness*

However, the 3 essays a week may yet be the death of me.


Third bit of more-interesting-news-than-me-talking-about-school news: I've listed new items in the Shoppe!

Here's just a few of the new items. Browse the first 3 pages of the Faerie Shoppe to see more... and over the next week I plan on photographing the 10 or so things that I made over my lovely Christmas break!

Steampunk style necklace made with an old watch movement, watch face, used guitar strings, used violin strings, and bobbins from said instrument strings. Plus lots of faux garnet. Yummy.

Lembas Leaf Earrings, copper and my favorite beads EVER!

Guitar String Bangle

Blue Flowers

Woodland Leaves-- Made of very study solid copper and green seed beads. I plan on making this set in several colors-- imagine the glories of bright red autumn leaves!

Simply Elegant Copper Leaf Earrings-- a sturdy solid copper (oh my goodness it just about killed my fingers, but it makes for a long-lasting pair of lightweight earrings).

4th Bit of Potentially Interesting Information: I am INSANELY excited about the Hobbit movie.

I don't know why I just shared that picture-- it's blackmail footage right there!-- but you can see what I'm reading in my snippets of freetime. THE HOBBIT!

I want to read it a couple times over to solidify my mental images... just in case the movie isn't perfect. I'd forgotten what a genius Tolkien is... and I'd forgotten how much the Hobbit relies on witty style rather than interesting plotlines. :P

And now, GO WATCH THE TRAILER.

Then, watch the behind-the-scenes video blogs.

The first.

The second.

The third.

The fourth. (This one is pretty much my favorite, so much technical goodness!!!)

The fifth. (Wait, this may be the best so far... CUTE HOBBITS EVERYWHERE!)

Interesting Information Number 5:

I made an oil painting for my grandparents. Second oil painting ever! That stuff is hard.

12th Day of Christmas-- Bright Eyed Bear Studio Giveaway!

Rosemary of Bright-Eyed Bear Studios made this absolutely dazzling necklace that she is giving away!

She has just begun her own online shop (and said to mention that it's still in the works, it shall look prettier later). Right now she has a beautiful assortment of handmade jewelry listed-- lots of nature-inspired feather earrings and necklaces, religious jewelry, and (some of my favorites) owl jewelry! :)

The giveaway is of this Turquoise Feather Necklace!

A feather charm hanging from a beautiful turquoise stone. Charm and
stone together are a little over two inches. Hung from a 24 inch
antiqued chain with lobster clasp.

Be sure to visit her shop... she's very talented!

WAYS TO ENTER

Visit Bright-Eyed Bear's Studio and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite item is and why! Mandatory. 1 entry.

Like Bright-Eyed Bear's Studio on facebook.. 2 entries.

Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, your blog, etc. 1 entry each.

Follow Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe on blogger, facebook, or twitter. 1 entry each.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment on this post describing the way(s) you entered and the number of entries you have made.

FINE PRINT

The winner will be announced on January 11th. Winners will be announced on this blog, and those who have provided email or other contact means will be contacted. If the winner is not heard from within 48 hours a new one will be chosen.

The winning entry will be chosen via Random.org

Giveaways are only available in the US (so sorry to the rest of the world, but the sponsors have to pay out of pocket for shipping!)

If you are under 18, you must have a parent's permission to enter.

11th Day of Christmas-- Elfling Creations Giveaway

Ear cuffs are a super-cute option for people without peirced ears... or for those who like a hint of the unusual!

Meri Greenleaf of Elfling Creations is giving away this unique, Christmas-themed ear cuff! You just slide it onto your ear-- it's quite comfortable.

       The dangle is about 1 1/4" (3.2 cm) from the ear cuff to the bottom of the tree charm.



My cartilage ear cuffs are made to fit either ear, but this means that the beaded dangle faces outwards rather than forward. I can adjust the earrings so that the metal charm faces to the front, but the earring will only be able to be worn in one ear, not both. If you'd prefer the metal charm on these earrings to face forward, let me know which ear you'd prefer to wear the earring in when you check out and I can adjust it.

-----

Note: the mannequin's head and ear are a bit smaller than a human's, so the earring will look slightly smaller on you.

Elfling Creations: Fantasy-Inspired Art and Accessories is a beautiful shop with a wide variety of products... everything from jewelry to animaguri plushies! (Her Lord of the Rings dolls on her blog are super cute).

Enter to win 1 Christmas Ear Cuff!

WAYS TO ENTER

Visit Elfling Creations's shop and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite item is! Mandatory. 1 entry.

Like Elfling Creations on facebook, follow Meri Greenleaf on twitter, or follow Elbit Blog. 2 entries each.

Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, your blog, etc. 1 entry each.

Follow Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe on blogger, facebook, or twitter. 1 entry each.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment on this post describing the way(s) you entered and the number of entries you have made.

FINE PRINT

The winner will be announced on January 11th. Winners will be announced on this blog, and those who have provided email or other contact means will be contacted. If the winner is not heard from within 48 hours a new one will be chosen.

The winning entry will be chosen via Random.org

Giveaways are only available in the US (so sorry to the rest of the world, but the sponsors have to pay out of pocket for shipping!)

If you are under 18, you must have a parent's permission to enter.

10th Day of Christmas-- Luv n Craft Giveaway

Today's giveaway is from Luvncrafts, who makes beautiful crocheted items, notecards, and jewelry.

She is giving away a felted cell phone purse/ miniature purse.

This is a really cute cell hand clutch, or mini purse.

I crocethed this bag in "I Love This Wool" yarn in the color "denim". It is a varigated yarn in hues of blue. The yarn is 93% wool and 7% polyamide.

After I crocheted the bag, I felted it.

The purse measures 3" wide by 4 1/4" tall.

The flap closes with a blue leaf shaped button.

This is a one of a kind bag.

This would be really cute for a cell phone, or as a doll's bag! 

There are so many lovely things in  Luv 'N Crafts shop!

Enter to win 1 felted cell phone purse from Luv 'n Crafts!

WAYS TO ENTER

Visit Luv 'n Craft's shop and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite item is! Mandatory. 1 entry.

Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, your blog, etc. 1 entry each.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment on this post describing the way(s) you entered and the number of entries you have made.

FINE PRINT

The winner will be announced on January 11th. Winners will be announced on this blog, and those who have provided email or other contact means will be contacted. If the winner is not heard from within 48 hours a new one will be chosen.

The winning entry will be chosen via Random.org

Giveaways are only available in the US (so sorry to the rest of the world, but the sponsors have to pay out of pocket for shipping!)

If you are under 18, you must have a parent's permission to enter.