Interview with Maddie from Fey Way Designs

The subject of my interview today is Maddie, from Fey Way Designs in Baskersfield, California. She has learned from her grandma and is now enrolled in her very first art class, but she considers herself primarily self-taught as she has taught herself all of her own jewelry stitches.

A self-proclaimed fantasy nerd (and secret reader of classic romance novels) she became hooked on the fantasy genre after reading the Hobbit at age 10, but admits it started earlier than that with fairytale bedtime stories as a small child. She loves fantasy because it pulls you out of your own world and into a completely different place, and "absorbs you with characters that capture your heart".

Lifelong friendships, a beautiful story, life's everyday miracles make her happy. She admits that she cannot focus on a single idea at a time, and her workplace is a bit of a mess with projects scattered about. "It's a beautifully organized sort of chaos", she says. She is inspired by Nene Thomas and Josephine Wall, however her heart truly lies with the old Renaissance masters. She hopes her art evokes a sense of a sense of mystery and wants people to feel drawn to another place when they see her art.


Her favorite fantasy story is J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of The Rings and it's associated writings because it is what introduced her to the fantasy genre and taught her a great deal about writing. She would love to meet Gandalf "hopefully in Hobbiton. Why? Just because he's brilliant. Absolutely brilliant". She says she would love to be a wind mage so that she could be free to roam the world at will.


Her advice to other Etsy sellers? "Don't do anything that doesn't please your artistic soul. Even if you don't have immediate success, don't change yourself just for sales. Just keep looking for that special group that appreciates your distinct style!" She says if you are a constructive critic, she will listen.

We FAEteamers certainly appreciate her and her art! Be sure to visit Maddie's Etsy shop Fey Way Designs to see all of her lovely fantasy inspired jewelry and artwork.

Arizona Renaissance Festival

Ahhh, where else other than a Renaissance Faire can you see a skeleton band catching a ride in a funeral cart, after providing music for beautiful belly dancers?

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is an 8-weekend extravaganza which takes place in Apache Junction, a small town much closer to Phoenix than this blogger's home in Tucson. But it's well worth the trek! This coming weekend is the last one for this year, so it's not too late to go out and enjoy yourself as much as I did!Jamila Lotus is the belly dance troupe associated with the skeleton band pictured above. Their performance includes fire, sword dancing, and quite a bit of amazing skill. Arrive early for the show if you want a good seat, I saw them twice this year and they were packed both times!
Bollywood-style finger veil dancing may not be the most Renaissance-appropriate thing, but it's very enjoyable. Just look at the attitude these two dancers from Ghazaal Beledi are displaying! I just love them. This troupe and live band has a show that changes depending on their mood. You may get to see fan veils, fire fans, or even a lively Irish jig!

I'm a horrible photo journalist, as I don't have photos of any of the other shows I saw, or great costumes. I tend to get caught up in the moment and I forget to dig my camera out. As such, I can't show you the amazing acrobats of Barely Balanced, the drums and bagpipes of Tartanic, the sweet greyhounds, or the drool-worthy wares presented by hundred of merchants. You'll have to take my word on it and get yourself out to the Faire!

March Art Challenge: Raven Moon, Sap Moon

Crow Descending From The Moon, Splendid Fish

At least in the Northern Hemisphere, the March moon lights a warming sky; it looks down on new growth and the return of fair-weather friends to colder lands (and the farewell of the faintblooded from the southern hideaways).
The Raven, with its dark feathers and hoarse calls and generally rude nature, may seem an odd bird to fly in the first moon of Spring. But the Raven is a trickster first, and the first month of Spring is a tricky time. The March moon brings early warm days and final fierce freezing weather; it wakes up the flowers and blights them, and lures the unwary out of their winter beds to bustle about for a first few warm weeks that may or may not shatter into ice and disappointment on a stray wind.


Crow Moon Necklace and Earrings, Anika's Art


Nightlily collar!

Raven is a trickster first.


Thought, Memory and Moon, Carapace


Raven Crow Moon Statue, Baby Black Bird, PhenomeGNOME


But Raven is a messenger too, for gods and men and things in between, and Raven never lies. The Raven Moon promises the arrival of spring, and whatever tricks may still hide in the changing sky, the new season has never failed to follow its herald. So the glossy black wings break the ice for tender green shoots, and the harsh voice calls the first bar of the spring chorus. Raven is a bringer of fire and bad news and trouble; and Raven's beak carries the sun, and calls the sap back to life in the cold trees.

Snake Priestess Earrings, Mermaiden Creations


Maple Leaf Green and Brown Cartilage Chain Earring, Meri Greenleaf