Ahoy, Me Hearties!

    Welcome to the 15th Blogger/Non-Blogger round robin design challenge. 
    This round was sponsored by Kathy Lindemer of Bay Moon Designs.

           Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me!

    Apologies to my followers for a post long over due. To my family and friends as well, who I've been teasing all week with promises of more photos to come. 

    The good news is, business is booming. The down side is I'm now spread way too thin. 

    It's all good stuff. It's all to the benefit of my business and my future. 

    There just aren't enough hours in the day to be all the places I need to be right now. 

    So, I'm going to try and make this a short post (something I'm not sure I'm even capable of).

    With out further ado....... 

"Who Shall Be Captain" 

Kathy chose this oil painting by Howard Pyle, housed at the Delaware Art Museum, as our inspiration photo. 

"Pirate's Booty" 

    I had a really tough time getting a good photo of the entire set. There's so much going on here that the camera wasn't sure what to focus on.   

    I didn't realize until after I finished my photo shoot and was editing to submit my designs, that I was only allowed to enter one photo for this round.  I got much better individual shots. 

   

    I started out with a pair of very cool Raku "Doubloon" cabochons by Wondrous Strange that were gifted to me with an order.
    Problem was, they're double sided. 

    How do you set a double sided cabochon?

    Both sides are really cool, so I didn't want to block either. So I had to get very creative. They have an awesome oak tree impression on the back.
    I hammered out some copper rings to frame them, and then set them with lacquer. The coins were irregular in shape, so they didn't fit perfectly into the rings.
    That's when I came up with the idea to use the rope to highlight. Kind of like a mat board in a picture frame.
    Incidentally the rope played even further into the pirate theme.
    Then I piled on the jewels. Kyanite, Labradorite, Pyrite, bronze stick pearls, carved bone skulls, sea shells, creamy white round pearls, and little copper skeleton keys.
    I had initially planned to just make the earrings, but while pillaging and plundering my stash looking for buried treasure, I dug up a whole slew of goodies that I only had singles of.
    So the necklace was born as well.
    I found another cabochon in my collection. This one a little bit larger piece, and single sided (so it was easier), by Harry Wood of Oscar Crow, featuring a dragon, and framed it the same as the Doubloons.

    One of the treasures in the necklace is a pressed penny with skull and crossbones, marked "Pirates Cove, Long Beach, Ca.". I've had this coin a very long time, and I'm not certain of it's origins. I've lived in Long Beach for almost 25 years, and I am unfamiliar with any Pirate's Cove around here. It's possible that it's vintage and been around since the original Pike amusement park, which entertained guests on the Long Beach shoreline from 1902-1979.

    Other treasures include, a full sized antique copper skeleton key, a miniature copper skeleton key, a carved bone skull, Labradorite, Kyanite, Pyrite, bronze stick pearl, creamy round pearls, sea shell, and a little hinged copper treasure chest with a copper padlock.
    It's hung on vintage sari silk, hand dyed in awesome shades of faded red and blue that complement the painting perfectly.
    Accented with dangles of  Labradorite, Sea Urchin spines, and sea shells.
    It closes with a fiber loop, and a vintage brass button featuring a royal crest.
     

How much does it cost for a pirate to get his ears pierced? 

                 ........ a Buccaneer!

    I was a little disappointed at first when I found out that this round was going to be chosen by the most "likes". I've never much cared for these kinds of contests, because they're basically a popularity contest, and as the shy quiet kid I figure I don't stand much of a chance. 

Shiver Me Timbers!

    Imagine my surprise to find out I'm the most popular kid in school this week. :)

    Thank you to everyone for sharing the love. You're helping to make up for those traumatic high school years when no one knew I existed. 

    Thank you to Kathy for my awesome prize, that I am anxiously awaiting. 

    I was given the option of a $25. gift certificate to her shop, or a bead soup mix of comparable value. 

    She makes amazing gorgeous jewelry. You should definitely go check it out. Here's is one of my favorites. 

    As  I rarely have opportunity to even wear my own jewelry, I've opted for the bead soup. I have far more fun playing with the beads than wearing them anyway. 

    Congratulations also go to Gloria Allen, who won the components category with her polymer clay ship focal, and coordinating beads. 

    By the toss of a coin, she will be hostessing the next round. Can't wait to see what she has in store for us. 

    Thank you to Kathy Lindemer for being such a gracious hostess. You can read her winner announcements post here. 

    Make sure you head on over to the facebook page to view the album with all the awesome submissions

                        Can't wait to do this again! 

  "Pippi in The South Seas", 
              one of my favorite childhood adventures. 

  Yo Ho Ho!  
       Weigh Anchor and Hoist the Mizzen! 
                                                  Sail Ho!

Stone Ponies Ride Free.................. -12th Non-Blogger/Blogger Challenge reveal

I, probably like most little girls, grew up dreaming of having my own pony. 

    This was the closest I ever got.

    I grew up in a town called Canyon Country. It wasn't really the country though. It's a suburb of Los Angeles.
    We had a large backyard. Probably about an acre of hillside.
    We had pet rabbits and chickens and dogs, and even snakes and a desert tortoise.

Pippi and Old Man

    I couldn't understand why I couldn't have a pony too. After all Pippi Longstocking had a horse that lived on her front porch, and we had so much more space.
    Ultimately it had to do with zoning laws and the expense of caring for one.
    As I little girl though, that was so far beyond my grasp. I just thought my parents were mean.

    I was lucky enough to have a few friends with horses growing up. 
    My grandparents next door neighbors had a horse. That was probably the 1st horse I ever got to ride. I'd done the pony rides, of course. But this was a real horse. 
    They saw 1st hand at an early age how much I loved this. 
    My grandparents bought me this cute little red outfit for my 6th birthday and made me a very happy cowgirl.
    I wasn't much older than this when I fell off my 1st horse. 
    My friend Shelly had her own.  Her family actually had quite a few of them. 
    Shelley lived out in the country, among the apple orchards in Washington. 
    Riding double, bareback, the horse took off running and we tumbled into a pile on top of each other.  
    Then we got up,   dusted ourselves off,   and got right back on. 
    This did nothing to dissuade me from wanting to ride. 

  
    There were ranches in the canyons near where I grew up that were zoned for livestock. 
    In junior high my fiend Kim had a beautiful spotted Appaloosa that we would go riding up Placerita Canyon. 
    In high school my friend Christy and I would ride her horse up Sand Canyon out near Vasquez Rocks.

    Probably one of the coolest dates I've ever been on, I was taken riding at Griffith park. 
    The guy turned out to be a total dud, but the horse was a huge hit.

    Every summer at our Lake Tahoe family reunion, horse back is one of our  regular outings. 
    We've changed up the activities from year to year to keep them fresh and cater to the age of the group. Yet in all the years we've been doing this, horseback riding is the one thing that has never wavered. 
    There's not much involved in riding here, as the horses are all trained to follow the leader. You don't need any experience, and anyone can handle it.  It's an excellent place to get the little ones started. 
    We've tried several different stables in the Tahoe area, including Squaw Valley and Camp Richards, but Alpine Meadows is our favorite. We go back there every year now because it has the best mix of both terrain and environment. Not to mention the pony rides there are cheap and extensive.
    The staff that runs these stables are pretty cool as well. The gentleman helping us saddle up is Dusty. I think he has been in my photos every year. 

This is Annie. She was a Wild Mustang

 The little ones all get pony rides...

...and dream of the day they'll be big enough to ride the trail with their siblings.

 Probably my favorite ride ever, was ridding bareback, on the beach, on a beautiful black Stallion, in Rosarito, Mexico, at Sunrise.
    Everything about that ride was just breathtaking and magical.  

                                               
             

   I must admit that I cheated a little bit with this challenge. 

    I chose the inspiration photo and decided on what environmental issue I wanted to discuss based on the piece I wanted to make for it. 

    I had several ideas, but ultimately I chose to fight for the wild American Mustangs. 

    You can read the original inspiration blog post to learn more about their fight and how to help. 

    I bought these awesome Raku pony beads from Star Spirit Studio on etsy a while ago. 

    I've had this idea brewing in the back of my head, to enamel a horse to go with it, but never got around to doing it.
 
    I figured this was the perfect opportunity to push me to complete it. 

       I started by cutting the horse out of copper using Aviation snips. I tried to replicate the shape of the Raku beads as much as possible. 

    The new rotary tool my brother bought me for Christmas was very instrumental in refining the shade. If I had had to finish it old school with sandpaper and files, I might have been working on it for months. 

    I then drilled the holes for the mane and tail, and set it aside, while I worked on the rest. 

      I made the free-form squiggles from 12 gauge copper wire and hammered them for strength and texture.
    The rings are copper washers that were annealed and then hammered as well. 

    I then strung the necklace, incorporating all those copper shapes, with Carnelians,  etched Agates from Znetshows in 2 different colorways,  a large "Galactic Raku Orb" by Xaz,  recycled African glass,  Raku ponies by Star Spirit Studio,  etched lampwork Glass beads by Angelika Schott of Calisto Beads,  African bronze cage beads,  a Prehnite nugget from Znetshows,  and finished off the back with hand dyed Sari Silk ribbon from Victorian Gypsy Girl so it wears comfortably.
    It closes with a hammered copper hook and a silk fiber loop. 

    A double drilled Mystic Titanium Quartz Crystal point from Kandu Beads, turned out to be the perfect thing to bring the 2 sides down into one. 

    The pendant consists of a very large lampwork glass focal by Jody Elasia Schaivo of Elesia's Glass.
    I picked this bead out specifically for this project, because it reminds me of ancient Indian cave paintings.
     The colors and textures really lent themselves beautifully to a nostalgic era, of old black and movies, of cowboys and Indians, that painted a picture of the Free Spirit of the Wild West.

    I used a Carnelian round and an African bronze bicone bead as spacers, to allow room for his mane, blowing wildly in the wind as he runs free.

    Enameling the horse was the very last thing that I did. 

    I procrastinated because I was a little nervous about it.
    This is one of the largest pieces I have ever enameled. Prior to this I had mostly enameled beads and small copper pieces.
    The only other large piece I have ever done was the Fairy Goblet for a previous B/NB challenge, and it was a lot of work  

    The pony is actually about 2 x 2 inches. 

    I used a mix of black, white, green Nile and seafoam enamels to try to replicate the coloring in the Raku ponies. As well as Roman bronze mica powder for Shimmer, and Reichenbach frit for the spots, to create the special effects. 

     I continually layered all of these colors, and over fired them, so they blended and meld together, to resemble the look of the the painted Mustang in the inspiration photo. 

    The horse is decorated on both sides, and the lampwork glass focal has different designs on each side, making the necklace completely reversible. 

    I used leather cording for the mane, and wired each section into place. 

    Angelika Schott was kind enough to send a couple of bonus beads with my purchase. I used this pair of etched lampwork glass beads to make the mismatched earrings. 

    One earrings has a hammered copper ring, with a Turquoise nugget dangling in the center. The other earring has a large Howlite coin from Znetshows, and a vintage copper Aztec Eagle charm. 

    Each earring has a hammered copper squiggle, each slightly different, and culminates in Angelika's lampwork glass beads dangling. 

    The holes were too large for my balled copper headpins, and I needed something to keep them from slipping off. Lori Anderson actually gave me the idea to use balled headpins as a decorative wrap. She wrote about her "messy wire wraps" in a recent Bucket List post. 

    I really like the results I got. It lends them just a little bit of extra character. 

    Hung on handmade copper earwires with my signature sari silk fiber wrap. 

        The first bracelet has a Turquoise nugget, centered in a hammered copper ring, and sandwiched between 2 doubled drilled Mystic Quartz Crystal points, with etched Agate spacers.
       2 large Howlite coins with vintage Aztec eagle charms, and 2 large etched Agates.

   
  Finished with a hammered copper hook and wire loop. 

    

    The second bracelet is a much simpler design.
    An orange dyed crackle Agate is centered between alternating, hammered copper rings and Carnelian rounds.
    Hand dyed dusty apricot colored silk, is woven through the bracelet and wired into place, for added texture. Allowing it to flow, and softening the look.
    It closes with a hammered copper hook through one of the copper rings. 

       This bracelet isn't an exact match to the other pieces. They were all created as sort of a mix-n-match set.
    The 2 bracelets actually fit together quite nicely and can be worn side by side. 

    They can also be hooked end to end as well, making it the perfect length to wear as a choker.

I hope you having enjoyed running free out on the range with me and my spirited ponies.
    I"ll see you back here next weekend to reveal the winner of our challenge. 

Music: 

"Back Home" by the Stone Poneys

"Wild Horses" by the Rolling Stones

"Sweet Summer Blue and Gold" by the Stone Poneys

Free Spirits of the Wild West - 12th Blogger/Non-Blogger Challenge

2014 is the year of the horse. 

Wild Mustangs of Sand Wash Basin

 
    Welcome to the 12th round of the blogger/non-blogger challenge.
     I was the lucky winner of the last round "Winter Forest", with my nuno felted laptop messenger bag "Walking in a Winter Wonderland", making me the hostess of the next round.
                           Here is my challenge.......

    In Chinese Astrology, 2014, or year 4712 is the year of the horse, or the wood horse to be exact.
    Each year has an animal and an element. 12 animals and 5 elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. Combined they run a 60 year cycle before repeating.
    The elements operate kind of like "Ro-Sham-Bo" (rock, paper, scissors). In one direction they build each other. In the other direction they destroy. For example, fire will burn down a wooden house, but wood fuels a fire for cooking and heat. Feng Shui is the art of balancing these elements.

    People born in the year of the horse tend to be active, energetic, witty, self confident, independent, excellent communicators and have a straight forward and positive attitude towards life.
                                                                         
Some famous horse people include:
-Franklin Roosevelt    
-Neil Armstrong
-Loius Pasteur
-Rembrandt
-Paul McCartney
-Oprah
-Genghis Khan


    As it's their year, seems an excellent time to bring up the plight of the Wild Mustangs.

    The main horse in these first 3 photos is known as Picasso. He's the grand duke of the Sand Wash Basin, Colorado Herd. The photos were taken by John Wagner, one of the Three Amigos of SWB, and co-founder of the Wild Horse Youth Outreach Program.
                                                                 

   "Halted in animated expectancy or running in abandoned freedom, the Mustang was the most beautiful, most spirited, and most inspiring creature ever to print foot on the grasses of America."  -Frank Dobie


    The heritage of these painted ponies may be traced back to the Nez Perce tribe of Washington. The Nez Perce became the most skilled horse handlers on the continent and the only Indian Nation with a highly selective breeding program that produced colorful Paints and Appaloosas.

    This beautiful pale Palomino below, is Cloud.
    He's the most famous wild horse in the world.
    His life has been documented in print and film since the day he was born in 1995, in the Arrowhead Mountains of Montana.
    For almost 20 years Ginger Kathrens has shared his trials and tribulations.
    Ginger's chronicles of Cloud have been compared to Jane Goodall's work with the Chimpanzees in Africa.
    In 2011 Congress designated Cloud an Ambassador for all wild horses living in the American west.

   " Cloud symbolizes the spirit of the West and links us with our heritage. The study of his life has brought recognition and appreciation of wild horses and burros on our public lands. Cloud has taught us that what wild horses and burros cherish most is not so different than for all Americans, freedom and family."   

     The heated debate continues over whether the wild horses are a native species or feral animals.
    It is fact that horses once roamed these plains. Though speculated that this species became totally extinct.
    However modern DNA testing shows that the horses of today are genetically equivalent to their allegedly extinct ancestors.
    Why does the feral vs wild issue matter?
    Because wild animals are designated a much greater degree of protections than feral animals, which need to be controlled.

    In 1971 the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Bureau Act was created to protect these majestic creatures.
    It was unanimously passed by congress, declaring "the wild free roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the west; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene."

Snowflake Appaloosas

    Sadly since then 270,000 of these wild horses have been removed from these public lands via mass roundups, by the Bureau of Land Management. The very agency that was appointed to protect them.
     There are currently 50,000 Wild Mustangs being kept in holding pens by the U.S. government, while only 32,000 horses still roam free.
    That may still sound like a lot, but unfortunately some of the herds have been reduced to a point where genetic viability is an issue.
    Then consider, that around the turn of the century, the 20th century that is, possibly as many as 2 million horses roamed freely on the American plains.
    Their numbers have been reduced by over 98% in about 100 years.
    How much longer until their extinct?

    Why?

    So ranchers can graze their cattle on these lands instead.
    Already the cattle grazing on these public lands outnumber the wild horses 50 to 1. Yet the horses are still being blamed for the decimation of these grassy plains.

Chincoteague Pony Swim

    What happens after the roundups?

    The lucky ones will be adopted and then most will have their spirit "broken" by trainers, to be tamed.

    Others will be put in holding pins, indefinitely.
    The very unlucky will be sold for about $10 a piece, herded into trucks and shipped off to slaughter houses.
    Even the few that remain free, escaping the roundups, their family units are destroyed.

    President Obama just recently signed the Safe Guard American Food Exports Act, shutting down U.S. horse slaughter houses, but it's only temporarily in effect until the end of the year.
    There is also nothing stopping these trucks form crossing the border to slaughter houses in Canada and Mexico.
    With the Bureau of Land Management having already blown their budget for the year, the fate of those 50,000 corralled horses is in serious jeopardy.
    Rancher's have money and a very loud voice, but who speaks for the Mustangs?

    There's a movie released last October called "American Mustang". A documentary about their plight, but told in a dramatic way. Created by Ellie Phipps Price who has herself adopted 220 Wild Mustangs.
    A film festival favorite. It's been making the rounds at film festivals and horse shows throughout the country.
    It is currently showing in select cities. I encourage you to see it if you have the opportunity.

What can you do to help?
 
    -Like the movie's facebook page and share it with friends.

    - Request a screening of  "American Mustang" in your town to make others aware of the problem.

    - Sign the petition to put a 10 year moratorium on wild horse roundups for scientific studies.

    -Call or email your state representatives and urge them to sign the "Keep Wild Horses Wild" pledge.

    -Urge your state representatives to co-sponsor the SAFE Act and permanently stop the slaughter.

    - Follow the Protect Mustangs blog and/or donate.

    - Watch the PBS special Wild Horses an American Romance.

    - Support the Cloud Foundation by donating or even buying something from their store.

Cloud Livewires

    - Support one of the artists that support the Cloud Foundation.

    -Read the biography of Velma Bronn Johnston called "Wild Horse Annie - the Last of The Mustangs" She made saving these horses her life's mission and was hugely instrumental in getting The Wild Horse Annie Act and eventually the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Bureau Act passed into law.

    -Be a volunteer for the Three Amigos of Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Youth Outreach program to help get this information into schools and inspire our youth to make a difference in the world.

    - Visit the Wild Horse American Romance page for teacher activities designed for older children.

    - Buy a Polo Wrap from Polished Ponies. Founded by 2 young girls, Abigail and Audrey, with all proceeds going to Once Upon a Rescue.

    - If your on the east coast visit The Wild Horse Museum in North Carolina near the near the Virginia State line or donate to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund a charity organization founded to protect and conserve the wild horses roaming their sanctuary.

    - Support those who support the cause, like Sundance catalog founded by Robert Redford who is a very vocal voice on the plight of the Mustangs.

    - Head on over to the Mother Nature Network and read Mustangs of the West: Why This American Icon is Disappearing. 

    -If your in France, don't order the Chavel. Sounds funny, I know, but french hamburgers often come from our wild American Mustangs.

    -If you own land, Adopt a Mustang, or 10. They can be adopted for as little as $125.

    - Visit the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaigne to learn more ways to become involved.

    - Google. Read. Watch. Share.
 
    - Use your Art to Raise Your Voice!
 
    Shout it from the rooftops in any way that you know how.
                  Education is empowerment!
    The more people that are aware of a problem, the better the odds of fixing it.
    Help me to make other people aware of this issue that is dear to my heart.
         I hope that it will move you as well.

   The Challenge: 

    Here is my challenge to you. Create something inspired by the photo of Picasso.
    It can be something based solely on the picture. I however encourage you create something based on how this makes you feel.
    Though this has traditionally been a jewelry challenge. I am encouraging you to think outside the box. You are not limited to jewelry.
    Weather it be poetry or painting, or crochet, or compose a song. I hope that you will create from deep within yourself.
     I am really hoping to have stirred a few souls into proudly standing beside me to say                                           "This is wrong!"

     If you would like to participate, head on over to the Bead Soup Cafe to add your name to the original Doc.
    If you're not already a member, you'll need to join the Bead Soup Cafe in order to participate. Don't worry, they're a very friendly and welcoming bunch.
    The deadline will be Saturday April 19th.
    Anytime between now and then you may post a picture of your creation in the photo album designated for this hop.
    A blog is not required, but if you have one I hope you will post there as well.
    Voting will begin on Sunday April 20th, for one week, ending Saturday April 26th.
    Prizes will be announced on Sunday April 27th.
    I haven't decided what the prizes will be just yet, but don't worry I'll make it good. :)

My My How Time Does Fly............... Double the Fun...................... bogger/non-blogger challenge #9

   Welcome to the reveal of the blogger and non-blogger challenge round #9. A huge round of applause for our gracious hostess, Rita of  Toltec Jewels  is definitely in order. She really sweetened the pot this time and managed to entice with loads of goodies to give away, and making this a "Double the Fun" event with 2 inspiration photos. 

   When I first saw this  Frida Kahlo  photo titled "Time Flies", it really spoke to me. I could almost immediately see an image of what I wanted to make. A statement piece with a pocket watch as the pendant, a die cast toy prop plane wired into the side. Complete with all the textures in the picture, red silk rope, tassels, and white lace, included. 

  I immedietly started my blog post, complete with video of one of my favorite Enya songs called "My, My, Time Flies". I was all excited and ready to go. 

Well I looked, and looked, and looked for that toy plane, to no avail. They sure don't make toys like they used to. Even match box cars are made out of plastic these days. Cheap, breakable, disposable..... piling up in land fills. It's a shame really. What ever happened to Tonka trucks. "Tonka Means Tough". That was their slogan, and boy did they stand up to the claim.
                 Sigh.

     I finally gave up on the plane and moved on to plan B. 

   I participated in Tresori Trovati's  Challenge of Travel  last weekend. I did my post on my family vacation home in Lake Tahoe. I put a lot of work into that post, and I really waited until the last minute to start this. I wasn't sure that any of my ideas would work. I've only torch enameled beads and small pieces until now. So, I said a little prayer and dove in head first.

    I set out to try and replicate the "Teal Goddess" vase. I have a whole page of doodles trying to figure out HOW to shape it. I was first thinking it would have to be made in multiple pieces, and attached in the enameling process. 

    I started with small pieces of annealed copper sheet and hammered and folded and played. This is actually the second shape I came up with. The first was also very blossom like, but it wasn't quite right for this piece. It did however lean nicely toward another idea I have, so you will be seeing it eventually. 

As you can see, my experimenting was a success. Yippee!

    I started rolling the copper into a cone, so the seem runs right up the throat of the blossom. The seem sealed perfectly with the enamel. Unfortunately it's not quite water tight. There is a very small seam between the vase and the curly Q tail. A pinhole size, but it does drip  :(  It could, however, be used with fresh flowers and a damp cloth.

  I used many different colors of enamel. White, a fern green, Sea Foam and transparent Nile Green to encase it all. Then I rolled it in glass frit in array of colors; cobalt and aqua blues and emerald green. I got it really good and melty, so the colors started to bleed together and morphed into the perfect shade of teal. Little bits of sparkle peep from under the collar. On the back side the frit leaves a speckling pattern near the tail that makes it feel quite organic. 

    Thank you for everyone's comments on the photos, praising my talent and brilliance...
  
 Some days I am.

    In this case, I experimented and got lucky.

    Moral of the story is:

                 TRY NEW THINGS!

    Even if you don't think they will work.

    Even if you don't think you'll like them.

    Cause you just never know.........
                                        until you try.

          Some days you come up with.............

                                                                                             BRILLIANT!!!

       I had plans to string the vessel for the challenge as well. There is a ring in the center to attach and string of charms. My intent was to hang it sideways with the magic spilling out, with a string of crystals dangling. 

    While working all weekend, I couldn't find the time to finish it. I couldn't possibly improve upon the vessel itself anyway. I have decided to quit while I'm ahead and submit the component as is.

    ~The Tale of the Teal Goddess and the Fairy Goblet ~

    The Teal Goddess is the secret protector of the Fairy Goblet.
    A Cornucopia of Magic flows, eternally from the goblet's mouth.
    This sacred elixir is the life force of all the little elfin people.
    It nourishes,              heals,            creates,          all things.
    A very powerful magic.
    It could also be very dangerous in the wrong hangs.
    That's why the "Teal Goddess",  the goddess of white magic and sacred wisdom, has been entrusted to keep these divine secrets.
    The safety of the little magic people from the Dark Wizard, and all the evil in the world, depends upon it.
    So please, don't tell anyone where, if you have seen us out and about.
    It's for the greater good of the fairy world...... and all the world.

    Sprinkling some sparkling white light in your direction.
                                   Use it well.
                                  *~*

                      The End 

    I hope you have enjoyed our little jaunt through Fairyland. 

    Please head on over to the facebook photo album to see all the awesome submissions. It really is mind blowing to see how we each interpret the inspiration differently. Many, many talented artists in this bunch. The results are a must see. 

Please be sure to check back on October 27 for all sorts of yummy fall goodness. I'll be participating in Toltec Jewels' Octoberfest Blog hop as well.