Imura Kimie Fairy Art Museum
Nestled in the forest by Lake Numazawa, (Kaneyama, Japan) is a museum dedicated to Faerie art and literature. Gathered together are paintings, illustrations, books, dolls and other Faerie artifacts from the British Isles and beyond, including paintings by Victorian artists William Holmes Sullivan and William Bell Scott. Various types of faeries are represented – nature spirits, elves, water nymphs – even Puck and Titania, though they are a long way from home!
Filed under Places to Visit | Comment (0)Stephanie Blythe Art Dolls
With a doll making career that spans nearly 30 years, Stephanie Blythe’s art dolls are amongst the best available from artists today. Inspired by fantasy, and particularly faeries, each one is created to ‘inspire an awakening of dreams, memories, stories, longings through the tactile, the sensual, the unexpected and the surprising.’ Stephanie’s background in textile design led to an interest in antique fabrics which are then given a new lease of life on the figures. The dolls themselves are white porcelain with layers of colour to build up depth. Each one is unique too – although Stephanie does utilize moulds, each piece is then individually sculpted once it comes out of the mould to give every doll their own character.
Filed under Sculpture | Comment (0)Seeb the Tinpo
Tinpo’s are small modular vinyl block toys that have become popular in the currently very hip ‘Designer toy’ art scene. Created by American clothes label Unkl Brand there are ten different characters to choose from including Seeb. Although he’s not your average ‘faerie’ toy he has an undeniably cute pixie-like quality. Standing around 2″ tall and sporting a rather natty striped green pointy hat, this sharp eared fellow would be at home in anyone’s toy collection.
Filed under Gifts & Collectables | Comment (1)The Cauld Lad O’Hylton
There are varying legends concerning the spirit that inhabited Hylton Castle in Sunderland (UK) during the 15th century. One states he was a playful brownie that worked in the castle kitchens at night – disturbing things that were left tidy or tidying up items left in disarray. Another legend claims he was in fact the spirit of a stable boy cruelly murdered by a Hilton family member. Whatever his origins, the castle’s servants tired of his antics and decided to get rid of him by leaving out a hooded cloak of green cloth. Delighted with his new attire, the Cauld Lad dressed and danced away merrily – he danced so long that it wasn’t until the cock crowed he realised he’d been caught out by the rising sun. Sadly he declared “Here’s a cloak and here’s a hood, the Cauld Lad O’Hylton will do no more good!” before disappearing entirely. He was never seen again, although there are reports of that same song being heard on occasions. Hylton Castle (sometimes also spelled Hilton) is now in ruins and in the care of English Heritage, but can still be viewed from the outside.
Filed under Faerylore, Places to Visit | Comment (0)La Belle Dame Sans Merci
Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight,
Alone and palely loitering;
The sedge is wither’d from the lake,
And no birds sing.
Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight,
So haggard and so woe-begone?
The squirrel’s granary is full,
And the harvest’s done.
I see a lily on thy brow,
With anguish moist and fever dew;
And on thy cheek a fading rose
Fast withereth too.
