Zizzyfay Presents: Dance of the Phoenix

Faery fashion favourites Zizzyfay have just launched their latest collection in their Unfurled range, Dance of the Phoenix. Inspired by the transformative energies of 2012 and the power of losing yourself to the music, the Dance of the Phoenix collections features designs that literally make you want to dance. From full, flowing skirts to Zizzyfay’s signature boleros with attached organza wings, they are designed for movement and play. The collection is ethically made and as ever comes in a variety of beautiful fabrics in eye catching jewel-like colours.

Faery Craft: Weaving Connections with the Enchanted Realm

Faery Craft offers a glittering introduction to the Fae and the people who love them. You’ll find nearly 200 beautiful photographs and illustrations, and simple yet effective ideas on how to engage with this wondrous realm. This gorgeous guidebook explores all things Faery, from the amazing variety of magical beings to natural gateways to the Faery realm. Discover how to practice Faery spirituality and magic, create altars, and find a Faery ally. Brimming over with practical advice, Faery Craft features an original Faery zodiac, guidance on Faery etiquette and prohibitions, and instructions on how to find your own unique gifts and place in the Faery world. Those already enchanted by Faery beings will love the book’s original art, meditations, and poetry, as well as interviews with Faery authors, artists, and musicians, including R. J. Stewart, John and Caitlin Matthews, Brian and Wendy Froud, Linda Ravenscroft, S. J. Tucker, and Charles de Lint.
Faery Craft is the latest offering from artist and author Emily Carding, who also created the Transparent Tarot and Oracle, and Tarot of the Sidhe. Her artwork has featured on Fae Nation, and her essays have been published in numerous books and magazines.

The Music of Thoby Loth

Described as ‘grand melodic rock with medieval influences’ Thoby Loth are a fairy tale rock band from Finland. Formed in 2007 by Tobias, along with band mates Peter, Roger and Daniel, Thoby Loth has produced one album to date. Lägereldarnas Tid is a conceptual album, a musical tale, each song forming a different chapter, taking its inspiration from fairy tales, elemental beings and Mother Nature. There is also a DVD, Thoby Loth – Live From The Wooden Realms. Their second album Cauldron of Life is to be released this month.

The Little People of Ärbrölds

Wonderfully whimsical, the creations found at Ärbrölds – sculpted imps, faeries, gnomes, fungi and vegetables, are full of character. They offer not just figurines, but candlesticks, clocks, plant pots and lamps to brighten up your home. The creators are French couple Jean-Louis and Joceyln who sell their wares on the web but also have a delightful looking shop in the hamlet of Montchalin in Courtenay. They also take Ärbrölds on the road to various fantasy and Medieval festivals around France.

The Art of Paul Kidby

Best known for his covers for Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, Paul Kidby also pursues his own projects in fantasy art. In recent years Paul has begun sculpting, and his limited edition bronzes are highly sought after. In 2010 Le Royaume Enchanté was published in France by Daniel Maghen, collecting together Paul’s faerie-inspired artwork.

Lost Girl: Its a Fae Fae Fae Fae World

There is no TV in Fae Nation HQ so I am a bit behind here, but airing on SyFy is Lost Girl, and urban fantasy series about Faeries. It is currently on Season 2 (like I said, way behind!), and has been commissioned for a third season. Described as a supernatural crime drama, it follows the life of a succubus named Bo, played by Anna Silk, as she learns to control her abilities, helps those in need, and discovers the truth about her origins. In the first episode, Bo saves a human girl named Kenzi; the two quickly become friends and Kenzi decides they should team up to create a Fae/Human detective agency. Confronted by the Fae elders with having to choose a side (“Light” or “Dark”), Bo declares herself neutral, deciding instead to side with humans. The Fae featured in Lost Girl are mythological creatures the writers referenced from real-life folklore. Throughout the series, the Fae live among humans and feed off of some type of human emotion or energy. Most have evolved to a point where they can pass as human while others remain physically hidden from the human world, since they can only take the form of actual creatures, such as spiders.

Some Kind of Fairy Tale

Author Graham Joyce won the 1996 British Fantasy Award for Best Novel for The Tooth Fairy, which explored the menacing but seductive relationship between a fairy and a young boy growing up in the 1960′s English Midlands.
His new novel Some Kind of Fairy Tale, Joyce returns to the fairy haunted woods.
For twenty years after Tara Martin disappeared from her small English town, her parents and her brother, Peter, have lived in denial of the grim fact that she was gone for good. And then suddenly, on Christmas Day, the doorbell rings at her parents’ home and there, dishevelled and slightly peculiar looking, Tara stands. It’s a miracle, but alarm bells are ringing for Peter. Tara’s story just does not add up. And, incredibly, she barely looks a day older than when she vanished.
Peter’s parents are just delighted to have their little girl back, but Peter is not so sure. There is something about her. A haunted, otherworldly quality. Some would say it’s as if she’s off with the fairies. And as the months go by Peter begins to suspect that the woods around their homes are not finished with Tara and his family…

The Art of Cris Ortega

Author and artist Cris Ortega is based in Spain, and her work explores the themes of horror and fantasy. With four books to date featuring solely her own work, Cris has also produced the artwork for numerous other books, as well as calenders, puzzles and posters.

Enchanters: Glys of Myradelle

While holidaying in Norway, Glys Erlendson encounters an eerie woman deep in the forest. Thereafter she is plagued by frightening visions, which no one can explain. After a terrifying, near-death experience, Glys discovers that she is not human, and belongs to a secretive race known as Enchanters.
Fearful of her destiny, yet unable to remain in the human world, Glys is stalked by a host of sinister creatures who identify her as a future opponent. A grim warrior-magician named Tarune is sent to guide her safely to Myradelle, an Enchanter domain. But danger lurks at every step; in order to survive, Glys must embrace Mystiir, the limitless power of nature. To do so she must abandon her human shell, and accept what lies underneath.
Aided by powerful companions, Glys’ transformative journey leads her through a dreamlike, prismatic Enchanter realms, a human city dominated by murderous Changelings, and into the terrifying Noctivoll Underworld, where her ultimate destiny – and that of the entire world – is finally revealed.

An exciting début novel by David Bryan Russel, Enchanters: Glys of Myradelle is a vividly imagined modern fantasy in which a young recently awakened Faery must embrace her destiny, for the hope of the planet and all inhabitants – both seen and unseen.

Fae Nation spoke with David to learn a little more about his inspirations and Glys’ world.

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The Art of Rachel Oakes

British artist Rachel Oakes combines a love of enchantment and faeries in her multi-media work. Costume designs, paintings and sculpture capture an elegant otherworld of faery queens and witches. She is available for commissions should you wish to have your own one of a kind faerie art doll realised.