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Off Dancing with the Pyksees!

3/30/2017

Starting my new Pyksee series and I thought 'what really is a Pyksee...(Pixie)?' Historically they are called Piskeys or Pixies (also pixy, pixi, pizkie, piskies and pigsies). So many names for such a little thing. As a kid I grew up with what was called a "Pixie" hair cut and even now my haircut is along that same line. A broad characteristic of a Pyksee is short and sweet... maybe with eyes that have a slight slant upward at the temple.

Anne Hathaway (not me)...

My first Pyksee beginning the series will have laughing eyes. As I start pulling him together, his story will be about finding his laugh. In his development, hopefully he will reveal not only how he lost his laugh but more importantly, how he found it again. Laughter is an important element of the Pyksees.

As I continue my study of the Pyksee, most books acknowledge that they are mythical creatures of folklore. That Pyksees are considered to be particularly concentrated in the high moorland areas around Devon and Cornwall, suggesting some Celtic origin for the belief and name.

I am so excited that I will soon begin my trip to Scotland and the surrounding area. What fun it will be to explore the history and magic. To be able to trace the roots of the Pyksee by visiting Cornwall (as that place is certainly on my agenda). I am even hoping to be served tea out of a real Cornish tea pot too!

As my Brownies helped me see the magic and allowed me to invite them in, my Pyksees will teach me how to dance, to find the rhythm and flow of the music which brings forth my laughter.

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Esmeralda, the Singer

3/16/2017

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I always find it interesting how each of my characters develop their own story and I am so glad they are all willing to share them with me. Esmeralda is no different. My first inspiration came from the movie, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". I loved the singer's long nose in the movie but with her ears she looked 'fae-like'.

This may have been where I planned to start, but my paths always seem to go off on different directions - so in comes another new path/inspiration.

If Esmeralda (which by the way - she is soooo glad I finally spelled her name right!) was going to be a singer, she was going to need bling! I love the costumes of the jazz era and it was handy that "Chicago" hit the TV late night showing to give me some additional inspiration.

Now to be a performer, one must have lots of bling. The lights hitting the stage, reflecting off jewelry and sequins, and all that jazz! Good thing (as a Brownie), Esmeralda loves lot of bling! Bling is like the light of Magic... all sparkly and new. As Leprechauns have their pot of Gold... Brownies have their Bling!

Finally, after following all the paths Esmeralda took me on, here she is for her Debut! To me she has a little look of Barbra Streisand like in "Hello Dolly"... so, introducing her to you, here is...

"Esmeralda!"

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The Brownie Apprentice

3/3/2017

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Ember, the little brownie apprentice to Granny Flare, is showing off her new clothes. Little does she realize that my choice of her dress was based on my great grandmother’s wedding dress. I put out on Facebook that I needed some ideas how to clean this 100 year old wedding dress (and I do appreciate the input I received). In the meantime, I have since washed it and it has been laying around for me to decide just how I am going to keep this piece of history without looking like I am setting up a memorial in my house (*lol).

As I was looking at the wedding dress I realized I never really looked closely at it before. The sleeves were a two-tone contrast of material and texture and all of a sudden I was inspired to capture this type of sleeve. I hadn’t seen anything like this style before and thought it would be perfect for my little Apprentice.

I find it is interesting how something as simple as a dress can tell you something about a person. Yes, my great grandmother was shorter than I. But then being the second tallest girl in my school growing up, everyone was shorter than me. I never realized truly how small of a waist she had. She certainly had the small 18 inch waistline required of her century. Also, the detail in the dress of the pin-tucking and lace enhanced a very basic design - taking it out of the ordinary for her special event of her wedding.

Her dreams were just beginning to start with a new life as a married woman. Not knowing, I am sure at the time, that she would leave her home in Kansas and end up several states away in Montana. This little style of a sleeve took me on an adventure in rediscovering my great grandmother. I also could create a part of "my" dream by making my little Apprentice come to life with a touch of dreams from long ago.

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My Brambles

Off Dancing with the Pyksees!

Esmeralda, the Singer

The Brownie Apprentice

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