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And another joins in the search...

10/20/2020

The signs are all here. The planets and the stars are in alignment. The word was coming in both from the Mushroom Line and the Twitter network to be on the watch for it. Even the Spite has said that she felt a change in the air. He almost felt he should mark his calendar as it was the first time the Spite had not been contrary since that first day he came to the Realms and the Spite had started following him.

Usually the Spite would point out to him why an idea of his would not work. “I would think she was just trying to get me out of the cave, but since she goes out when she wants, there must be something else going on,” thought Dewin. “If I could only believe that the Wish Dragons are back!”

And so, Dewin decided that today was the day to leave the cave and begin the search. He had taken care of the one problem needing his attention earlier that morning and now he was free to start. As he was packing he realized he still didn't know exactly where to begin.

He knew that by using his Zodiak cards and consulting his charts, the Dragon would be ‘seeking the air’ (see earlier post). “That could mean he is either near the Cave of Winds or getting ready to jump off of a mountain top,” Dewin muttered to himself. “That is the problem with deviation… never knowing for sure anything – just estimated guesses.”

It was then when he realized that maybe he had another option. It was old (really old) and had a small crack in it, but maybe if the Dragon was within its range it could help him narrow down the places he would need to search.

Reaching into a pocket, he withdrew a round glass ball. The crystal ball was one of the few things (besides his journal book) that he been able to hang on to when he was transported to the Realms by the wish of a Dragon. It was temperamental and did not always work, and sometimes when it did he would get strange pictures of a family lost somewhere in outer space that never seemed to find their way back home, but when it did work – it was a most useful tool. Whispering the incantation that would awaken the crystal, he held it out in his hands and started pointing it in four different directions. First south, then north, next west, and finally east.

East it was for when Dewin pointed the ball in that direction a glow started inside of the crystal and the beginnings of an image of a Dragon’s head slowly appeared!

“If this keeps working, I should find the Dragon and be back to the cave before dinner,” smiled Dewin. What Dewin did not know was that he had only asked to see the Dragon. He might have needed to ask just a little more for he did not know about The CAT…

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A Wizard's Past... how the heck did I get here?

10/6/2020

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Dewin gazed into his crystal ball, searching for a clue to where this young Dragon he has been hearing about may be. Whispering to himself, "It has been such a long time since I have seen a Dragon." He then slightly shook his head, realizing that lately he had started talking to himself. "But as long as I don't answer myself then I am okay" he chuckled.

As Dewin continued to stare into the crystal ball, he remembered the last time he had seen a Wish Dragon. The memory flashed quickly across his mind as did the anger too.

It had been when the Dragon had transported him from his world to this unknown realm. Before that day, Dewin had never seen a Dragon though he had heard about them from the stories told by Myrddin.

Dewin had been visiting a small village that fateful day. While he was walking through the village, the sky darkened and the ground began to rumble. As the buildings started to shake, Dewin threw up his arms trying to cast a protection spell as he was thrown to the ground. The next thing he knew, the sky was clear and the scenery had changed. Even as he was in the same village, everything else had changed. The trees and the foliage all now glowed and shimmered like they hadn't before. The magic that was usually difficult to feel now also felt stronger - more available. It seemed the village was not where it had been the day before.

It took several days before Dewin found out what had happened. A Wish Dragon apparently had landed on the mountain top overlooking the village. This caused the mountain to crumble sending chaos and rubble towards the sleepy village below. The Dragon didn't think but just 'wished' the entire village some place safe and out of harm's way. All it took was for the Dragon to "wish" for no place like home... and here they were in the realm of where Dragon's lived.

(If you have not heard about this story of the disappearing village -
click here to see how it has been told by another...)

So it has now been many years that Dewin has lived with the Fae of the realms trying to return home. It was when he finally discovered the story of the Dragon Clan and how they failed their duty to the Wish Dragons, causing all Dragons to disappear, that explained what it was that kept him from returning home. He needed a Wish Dragon to reverse the wish that had brought him to the Realm of Wymsy and now all the dragons were gone!

Until now! It seems recently one has been sighted or actually it was because of a conversation he had with an ancient troll where Dewin was told of signs that a young Dragon had returned to the realms. "I must find this Dragon first! I'll convince it to reverse the spell. It is the only way I can get home," Dewin muttered. Again realizing that he was talking to himself, he decided that again it was alright. "I am still not answering myself," he thought.

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Dewin, the Wizard

9/29/2020

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Yeah, my wizard has finally decided to show up! Let me introduce him to you.

It all begins with me being a big lover of Disney movies, and Merlin from the Sword in the Stone is always the first wizard who pops into my head when I think of any wizard. I wasn't sure though if this type of wizard was the direction I wanted to go. Any wizard quirky like Merlin is just up my alley but my wizard needed to be a younger one.

I think Dewin, my wizard, still has a lesson or two to still learn. But do you know how hard it is to find the perfect outfit for a wizard? It isn't easy (*smiling). So, I then went searching for my second favorite wizard, Gandalf of the Lord of the Rings for further inspiration.

Now as cool as these two wizards look and there is wonderful detail in the White Wizard's robe, this wasn't the texture I was looking for in Dewin's robes. He is still a "doll" (don't say that too aloud around him) and still needs more bling or magical energy than a human dressed as a wizard. In looking for something I wanted I was at least deciding on what I didn't want.

So back to the cutting board and my notes on Dewin. As I said, he is young and is also willing to look into the darkness to see the light. He wants balance between this world and the other one that he came from. So very often when we are looking for magic, it is usually right in front of us, so I do feel he is on a search. So... I went on a search of my own and opened my stash of fabric. There I found this purple material with glitter mixed into it. This is the bling I wanted for him.

Plus he needed his crystal ball. After all, he will need it to fulfill his destiny with the Wish Dragon. How he will do that will depend on what he finds when he sets out looking for that little Dragon that everyone keeps asking about.

And so, without any further ado... Let me introduce you to
Dewin, the Wizard.

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The Age of Enlightenment... The Why of a Wizard???

9/22/2020

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Why a wizard?

The question was asked (mainly by my husband), "Why a wizard? Why not an alchemist, or a sorcerer, or a druid?” They do have cool toys to play with after all. To start with, I had to educate him with what the difference between each one was (other than that is what Dewin told me he was) and why I would choose a wizard.

An alchemist did peak my interest. According to history, an alchemist is someone who transforms or creates something through a seemingly magical process. You would think the wizard is doing the same thing. But an alchemists believes that lead can be “perfected” into gold, diseases can be cured, and that life can be prolonged through transmutation or a change of some essential element into a superior form. Their secretive experiments usually involve heat and the mixing of liquids. Their power is to transform things for the better, real or imagined. Dewin knows these things but he is more than just about transformation.

What is a sorcerer then? This one was a little harder to research as most definitions involve the use of magic (nothing wrong with that). I mean, telling me it is someone who practices sorcery does not help much. Again, that would be the same as saying a wizard practices magic. It was when I started reading up on sorcery that I realized that this still was not Dewin’s style. His powers were not gained from the assistance or control of other spirits. He was more than that.

Finally, what is a druid? The origin of the word ‘druid’ is unclear, but it is the Irish-Gaelic word for oak tree (which is also a symbol of knowledge and wisdom). Druidism relies on a combination of contact with the spirit world and nature. A druid is someone who connects others with the gods but also has other highly respected roles. They are teachers, judges, herbalists, and historians for their people as well as storytellers, musicians, and environmentalist. The earth and all living things give them their knowledge which makes the druids more like a library of knowledge and power. Dewin, I felt, has some of these skills and knowledge, but he was not interested in being a teacher or leading in the path of a druid. His unending search for knowledge was not for others, it was for himself.

So, that brought me back to ‘why a wizard?’ Wizards are said to have great skill and are clever in their doings and are able to influence powerful magics through their innate abilities and learning. Their thirst for knowledge and hunger to learn unknown magic focuses them on a single path. It may take a wizard years to achieve this knowledge, but the years will not be noticed as long as it takes them to their desired goal.

A wizard is a practitioner of magic who has gained the greatest of skill and is worthy of the highest praise for their ability. To coin a phrase – to be a "wiz" at it... or a wizard! That fit Dewin!

My hubby has now been enlighted (which is partially why he never complains about the body parts or magical elements laying around the house that all go into the creations of each of my characters as he enjoys this as much as I do).

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By the Light of the Moon and the Position of the Stars...

9/15/2020

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Dewin is my up and coming wizard. This is what he has revealed to me. He has spent most of his life in the pursuit of knowledge, both arcane and exotic. He has studied with the Druids, learned astronomy with the Stargazers, and has expanded his magical abilities with Fae magic obtained while being held in the Shadow's Realm. (More about that to come...)

He is also on a mission to find this "Wish Dragon" that he has seen signs about.

He first thought to start with the ways of the Druid in locating the Dragon. Reaching out to the trees, he tried to see if they had seen the Dragon but for some reason they were not being very clear in their answers. It was as if someone else had told them not to let anyone know where the Dragon was. But Dewin knows the stars, the Zodiac, and the celestial bodies and that they have no masters to control who could see their messages - if one knows where to look.

Taking out his Zodiac charts, and charting the sun's location compared to the moon phase, he started his latest attempt to determine where the Dragon could be. He can see that the Zodiac Cusp was coming up - when the sun leaves one sign and enters another, this one being of Virgo and Libra.

Dewin knows that each of the Zodiac signs had distinct personality traits. As Virgo is receding, Libra is ascending and this could be a good time to start his search for the Dragon in a new way. He had once read in a scroll that Dragons were susceptible to these changes and would act upon their influences.

For example, the influences of Virgo confirmed his feelings that the Dragon must have been at some time somewhere in the woods but not near water. The colors of Virgo's sign point him in this direction by listening to their silent messages within the shades of green and browns - blend, camouflage, hide where you can't be seen and least expected.

But with the coming of Libra, the Dragon could now seek out the air. Dewin decided that maybe the answers would come easier if he listened to the color of Libra and brought out his blue sapphire. After all, the sapphire wasn't known as the "wisdom stone" for nothing.

The sapphire is said to release mental tension, unwanted thoughts and confusion. All things that would help restore his balance. It can align the physical, mental and spiritual planes, bringing serenity and peace of mind. A sapphire is also known as a "stone of prosperity" and hopefully would help Dewin in fulfilling his dream and desire to locate this strange Dragon he has felt.

As Dewin continues his divinations by consulting his maps of both the realms and the stars, trying to find the mysterious young Dragon, the big question in the minds of everyone in the Realms was "Where is that Dragon?"

The funny part of that question was that only The CAT knew and he wasn't telling anyone just yet... as he sits pondering. Maybe instead of wondering where the Dragon was, everyone should be more concerned about what The CAT was pondering...

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What Every Wizard Needs...

9/8/2020

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There are so many details that can go into making each of my characters, but that is where I get to play as I discover what it is that they need. Dewin the Wizard is my latest character so what extra things does he need? Then it hit me! What self-respecting Wizard could be without a crystal ball? After all, this was my original intent and in the back of my mind when I sculpted one of his hands to hold one.

What I thought I would use as a crystal ball soon got scrapped (just didn't work out) resulting in my dolls taking me on another new adventure. I was out surfing Youtube (one too many times I might add) when I discovered resin crystal-looking orbs.

Yes, I am one of "those people". Meaning that if I see it then I just have to dabble my hands into it even if I haven't done it before (and the best part is that it is easy to get the hubby also involved because he has never done any of this stuff before either). First I needed to order the supplies (isn't the internet great?).

Now that I had the supplies for making it I realized that something was still missing. Just like I don't like seeing just white walls in a room, I couldn't see my Wizard looking into a crystal orb without seeing something in it. A Dragon is certainly part of his story which got me digging out some Dragons I had drawn for me.

Everything always looks better with glitter (all artists will tell you this is a proven fact), that I just had to add a pinch to the mixture too.

One Dragon with a dash of magic - now sealed up - to which I add the brew that will hold it all together (pouring it through that small hole was the hard part).

This being my first attempt at resin making, I didn't think it turned out too bad. Even though, I am not sure I like the way the glitter turned out (like all magic, sometimes unpredictable). So off again to try my hand at crystal ball making to create that perfect crystal orb for my wizard.

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Being "asked to leave"...

9/1/2020

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While the others were in the breakfast room, the Sleeping Sisters were in Awena’s chambers forming a circle in which Awena sat in the center. She had closed her eyes and was meditating on what they must do. Finally she spoke. "Sisters, as you all know, we must not directly interfere with events. I may have already stepped over the bounds by telling Hewy of the prophecy, but we must not divulge any more information. They must leave immediately." Nodding their heads, the Sisters left Awena to do as instructed.

As Hewy and the others finished their meal, a Sister entered and bade them all to follow her. They were lead to the entrance of the Hall where other Sisters were holding the few items they had left in their rooms. "Please take your things and go. There is nothing more here for you to learn."

Soon they were all standing on the front yard of the cottage, wondering what they were doing outside. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN? We haven't learned anything," growled Efem as she was handed her things. "What is going on here? What is the big hurry in having us leave?" Efem continue to scowl at the Sisters.

Hewy just nodded his head and turned to go. Cornelia and Parsley glanced at each other when they noticed Hewy leaving. Without saying a word, Cornelia grabbed Efem's hand and started pulling her in the direction of Hewy's departure while Parsley motioned for Sprout to follow. "What are you doing? We came to get answers. We can't leave yet!" Efem growled at her sister.

"Look at Hewy. I think we did get an answer but we will need to get it now from him," answered Cornelia. As Efem started towards Hewy, she could finally now see that his shoulders were slumped, his eyes cast downwards, and what might have been tears at the corners of his eyes.

All of a sudden it hit Parsley!

"How did you know his name? We never told you his name was Hungry," she asked Sprout.

"You mean the Dragon? I was taking him home to meet you a few days ago after we met at the Bakery, but we were separated,” answered Sprout. “He said something about trying to find his pillow." Turning to Cornelia he continued, "How far is it to your home? My stomach is starting to growl again. Did anyone not eat the chocolate mint that was on your pillow last night?”

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Come on...Tell us what you know...

8/25/2020

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Soon Awena bade Hewy to return to his room as the dawn was approaching. Reluctantly, he started for the door to find another Sleeping Sister waiting to lead him back to his room. As he followed her, Hewy repeated the prophecy over and over in his mind so he would remember all of it.

The next morning, as he and the others were taken to the breakfast meal, Hewy again passed the doors where he had found Awena. This morning they were closed and he also noticed that they did not meet any other Sisters on their way to the dining room. "I wonder where they are," he thought. He did not know that the other Sisters were meeting with Awena while he sat for the meal.

"Hewy, are you okay?" Efem asked as she noticed he was only picking at his meal. "What is happening here?"

After a long pause, Hewy finally answered. "It all about a prophecy and a Dragon..." he began.

"Awena told you a prophecy?" asked Parsley. "What do you remember of it? And she thinks it is about a Dragon?"

Hewy paused for a moment before answering. "The prophecy includes a Troll that must mend what was broken, the last Wish Dragon, a Dryad who has forsaken it's way, a musician, and one other who was unnamed. The unnamed one will ask the Wish Dragon for something and if the Dragon is not taught it will cause the destruction of the Realm."

Efem, Cornelia, and Parsley all looked at each other in shock. A Dryad who has forsaken it's way - what could that mean and who could it be? Each of them secretly thought that they could be the one. Parsley who decided to work with herbs and flowers instead of trees, Cornelia who talked to animals and the bees, and finally, Efem who had given up teaching many years ago. Each felt that in some way they had forsaken their way.

Sprout was the first to ask Hewy, "and you are the Troll?" Hewy looked at Sprout with a small smile and told him "that's what Awena thinks anyhow?"

Efem piped in, "Did she tell you anything about the others mentioned in the prophecy?" Hewy frowned and replied, "No, after she told me of the prophecy, the night was ending and the dawn was near. I was asked to return to my room. I didn’t see or hear anything until I was invited to breakfast with the rest of you," Hewy answered.

"We need to talk more about the prophecy and exactly what Awena told you. Prophecy is fickle. Every word can have a hidden meaning and every sentence may have several outcomes that are not expected," said Cornelia. "My home is the closest. Let's go there and talk when we are done here. Maybe Nemmer will be there with news of the Dragon he was sent out to find. He does seem to be the center of everything."

"Hungry?" asked Sprout.

"I am sure I can make you something," answered Cornelia with a smile. "Nemmer is the greatest hunter in all of the Realms." Cornelia boasted. "If anyone can find a lost baby Dragon, it will be him. While we wait I can make you something to eat."

"No... The dragon's name is Hungry," replied Sprout.

The others decided that Cornelia was right. They needed to talk and get the latest update on the search for the young Dragon Hewy knew that he needed the others to help solve the prophecy's mystery.

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The Fun, The Daring... The Challenge

8/18/2020

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The black glove was, so to speak, tossed to the ground. Well that is what they used to do when a person was issued a challenge. Would I pick it up and accept it? Of course I would! *lol

Here is the challenge. Another artist (who will remain nameless until the end of our game), challenged me to a Fairy House Creative Challenge.

To be fair, we will both start from the same house design. Next, it will be up to each of us to decide what it will look like. The only limitations being that it must either become a woodland (like a mouse or tree like house) or a fairy home. We also both had the same types of battery operated light strings if we chose to use them.

Now you might be interested in wondering why the first thing I did was run to find some brown paper bags. This has always been a favorite technique that I like using to change the shape of something. It involves brown paper, glue and candles. Though right now I am so busy creating the shape, I haven't had a chance to use the candles yet. I still have not decided if I am going to do the full effect though. If you have tried this technique with paper bags, then you might have seen the bronze-like look it creates. Since I am shooting more for a tree trunk effect, I might pass on the candle soot look part.

And a tomato sauce can? What mischief am I up too? *lol

Here is a hint... every fairy house should have a way to warm up the place during those cool fall evenings or blustery winter days.

This isn't a project that will happen overnight but it is something that will challenge my creative juices. After all, I have someone that is trying to "out magic" me and as any descent wizard would say... "One wouldn't surely let this happen."

As I continue to plot and plan how I will finish this house, my own Wizard is also reminding me that he could use some creative inspiration too. I have found that one creative project often inspires creativity in another. As magic is a creative energy - the more it is used - the more it grows.

As my fairy house opens it's doors to challenge me, you too are invited in. Maybe a new technique not thought of or something that I use in a different way will inspire the creative magic within you. So, let's be challenged and make some magic!

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I was asked... what comes first?

8/11/2020

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I was asked the other day... What comes first? Is it the concept and personality of the doll (which leads me in a direction to sculpt), or do I just start sculpting and the personality and the direction develop with the character while I work?

For me I get inspired by a thought or a spark of emotion. Just a flicker of an idea sparks, then off I go on my journey. Now the Wizard is an interesting spark because it starts with one of my sons.

But after sculpting each of my sons about 100 times, (my hubby has told me that I will not do another one...). But that story is for another time as we can't afford the changes that happen each time I sculpt one of them *smiling* (as he still thinks that somehow I cause the minor topsy - turviness *lol).

This journey began with the thought that I wanted to capture the essence of the magic I saw in my son's hands. Then I knew I had to look somewhere else though (remembering my husband's request) for my guide. It did not take long for another spark. Who better than Thor, Lord of Thunder (with a dash of a space ship captain)?

Now I had my inspiration and my guides to accompany me along the way. Before I start sculpting, I have to remember to put on my listening ears too. Otherwise how will I hear what my character will share with me as bit by bit he reveals himself to me.

His name is Dewin... from what I understand this is Welsh for wizard. What next will he tell me?