Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Party for Voice of the Trees!

I'm happy to announce that we're having a Voice of the Trees Deck Release Party and Art Exhibit!  Our friends at Red Fish Blue Fish are hosting the event, which promises to be a great time, local Celtic band Keltic Reign will be there as well!  Come on by if you're in the area, it should be a fun time, you'll have an opportunity to see the original art from the deck and book on display.  Bring your deck, I'd love to sign it for you.  If you don't have one yet, I'll have some on hand for purchase.  We'll also have all kinds of lovely items like jewelry, satin art bags, coffee mugs, prints and more featuring the art of Voice of the Trees, just in time for holiday shopping!

I hope you can come, have some cake, enjoy some great live Celtic music, fun and friends!
Click this flyer to see it larger
Here are some other events coming up as well, I hope you can stop in and see me on the road!


Sunday October 30 11am-6pm
Pathways
Located at 11419 Concord Village Avenue,St. Louis MO 63123
Come and join Mickie at Pathways big psychic fair for a meet and greet and deck signing for "Voice of the Trees, A Celtic Divination Oracle"  Mickie will also be having a small "trunk show" featuring select items from her Etsy shop including the popular full color satin art bags to compliment the Voice of the Trees deck.
* Mickie will also be offering a free lecture, "An Introduction to the Celtic Tree Calendar" time TBA
For more information contact Pathways at 314-842-0047

 Friday December 2th
Located at 412 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
Join Mickie for the“First Friday Art Show” As the featured artist in December Amethyst Moon is hosting a special exhibit of the original art from Voice of the Trees, A Celtic Divination Oracle. The original art from all the cards, book cover, and the interior illustrations will be on display and prints, satin art bags, jewelry and more created from the Voice of the Trees art will be available for purchase. Meet the artist and author of this deck, Mickie Mueller have your deck signed and join her for her lecture, "An Introduction to the Celtic Tree Calendar" time TBA


Saturday December 3rd and Sunday December 4th
Holly Holly Holly Days
Located at Westport-Roanoke Community Center, 3601 Roanoke Road Kansas City, MO
Meet Mickie at the Amethyst Moon booth,
Mickie will have art and lots of other items made in her studio for your holiday shopping.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voice-of-the-trees-mickie-mueller/1113141209


I hope to see you!
Blessings!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Crimson Wings: A Work in Progress

He's really getting there, coming along nicely, my first guy fairy.
Here's a detail shot.
Here is what he looks like now, having worked on his wings last night, I'm really having fun with his black and red wings.

I wish I had gotten more time in, my actual work time is not taking as long as the time in between working on him is, I've had some business matters to attend to that have been draining my time end energy, but I plan to be done dealing with it very soon, so that I can get back to what I'm meant to do, art, damnit! 
So what's left to do here?  Details, details, details!  I have to add lots to the greenery around him, tweek the wings, work on the blade a bit, and see what else he has to say, but I do feel confidant that I should be able to get down to business and get this one finished during other pressing matters this week.  I'll show you as soon as I'm done!

Hunky Fairy Blessings,


Monday, August 22, 2011

And the Winner Is....

First of all I want to thank everyone who entered my 100 follower giveaway!  It was so great to read everyones wonderful comments, I swear, I have the best fans anywhere!  All of you good people are one of the biggest reasons that I do what I do, it feels great to share my art with dears like you!  Every one of you warmed my heart!
Voice of the Trees Deck, Magical Almanac, Garden Flag, Tote bag and more!
So I spent the evening going through the entries and compiling a great big list of everyone that entered and entered multiple times.  Whew!  Once I finished, I plugged the list into an on-line randomizer, what a neat little invention that is, clicked the button, and the name that was ended up at the top?  Well...it was...
PinupMama!
That's right girl, yep, you won! Wooo-hooo!
Send me a private email and give me me your shipping address and we'll get that shipped off to you right away.  Check your email for further instructions, I have lots of schtuff to sign for you and I want to make sure everything is personalised correctly.
For those of you who didn't win, we had so much fun doing this one, I'm sure to do more giveaways in the future, so be sure to check back.
Well, I'm off to do a little business and a lot of art, my Crimson Wings fairy calls.
Brightest Blessings,
  

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Crimson Wings: A Work in Progress

Over the last week my fairie friends have been trying to get my attention, they've jiggled things around in my office and at home inexplicably right before my eyes, danced in my peripheral vision, let a frog in the house the other night, and grew mushrooms in my bone dry planter box...I got the message.  I had started a sketch I'm calling Crimson Wings and never went any further with it, I think they wanted to see more fairy art!  So I invited my fae friends and dance on the tips of my brushes and pencils, and we had a lovely time, look what we made!

Here are some shots of the progression of the new piece.  This will be part of the Enchanted Visions Project and I'll have it on the Etsy shop also as soon as he's done.  I've been wanting to do a "Fairy Dude" for quite some time now, this will probably be my first of several.  I love the challenge of making a masculine looking fairy, and I'm digging this guys vibe, he's no Tinkerbell.

I transferred the original sketch onto a sheet of Crescent Hot Press illustration board, then I paint liquid frisket on the areas I want to keep white.  I use a cheap throw away brush because that frisket is a mess.
I chose lots of spicy powerful herbs for this red winged warrior, I add them to my water to use with my watercolor adding a magical boost to my art.  In this case I used red pepper, cinnamon, nettle, dragons blood, High John the Conqueror root, and fresh ginger, I think those herbs fit his personality. 
The herbs are brewing!
Started working greens and earthy shades into the background, when it dries, I peel the frisket off and start adding colored pencil work.
I got a lot done so far, but still have a long way to go.  His weapon of choice?  A bronze bladed Fae crafted dirk.  My weapon of choice?  Berol Prismacolor Pencils of course!

I hope you like Crimson Wings so far.  I hope to get more done on him this week. 

In Other News: Mystical Cats Tarot

Also, the cat is officially out of the bag on a brand new project! I'm pleased to announce that my contract is in the mail for a new Llewellyn project! I'm creating artwork for The Mystical Cats Tarot, authored by the renowned Lunaea Weatherstone, to be published fall 2014. 

Watch for Lunaea's The Victorian Fairy Tarot illustrated by Gary A. Lippincott coming out fall 2013!  I have three pieces done and I'm working on more sketches for The Mystical Cats Tarot, and although I can't show you any quite yet, but hang in there, you'll see them before the deck comes out for sure, watch this blog for more news on the Mystical Cats Tarot.  In the meantime, enjoy Crimson Wings!

Blessings,

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Win a Signed Copy of Voice of the Trees and More!

Well Dears,

I have reached over 100 official followers here on the Old Wooden Art Table! I'm so happy that all of you are here and enjoying looking over my shoulder from time to time to see what's unfolding on my old art table, I love sharing with you!  And with the early release of Voice of the Trees, A Celtic Divination Oracle, and the milestone of blog followers corresponding so closely, I decided it's high time to do a great big giveaway!

I do mean big, it's not just a deck you'll be getting if you win!  Dan and I have had a blast pulling together over $160.00 worth of merchandise to fill up a medium sized flat rate box, you would be surprised how much stuff will fit in one of those! 

Here's what we fit in the prize box:
  • Voice of the Trees deck, signed and personalised to you
  • Voice of the Trees Satin storage bag featuring the Oak card
  • 2012 Llewellyn Magical Almanac featuring 2 articles and illustrations by Mickie, signed
  • Wooden "piano hinge" treasure box, velvet lined, featuring Rowan Fairy art, signed on the bottom
  • Triple Goddess full color tote bag
  • 2 mini pocket mirrors
  • 1stainless steel Triple Goddess two sided compact mirror
  • 5x7 Lugh of the Long Arm print, signed
  • Autumn Blessings garden flag
  • Priestess of Bast oval tile signed on the back
  • Rhiannon bookmark, signed
  • Thin Veil incense, this was a prototype package
That's a lot of stuff!

So, would you like us to send that box to your house?  Maybe we will, all you have to do is enter the contest, here are the rules, one lucky person will have their name drawn at random and be announced on Monday August 22.

RULES:

  1. One Entry:  In order to enter you must do the following: follow this blog either on "Google Friend Connect" or on "Networked Blogs", click "like" on Mickie Mueller Fairies & Fantasy Art  on Facebook. Visit my Etsy shop and then post a comment on this blog post telling me what your favorite item is in our Etsy shop, and let me know that you are following and "liked" on Facebook.  I've included the links right here, so it's super easy.  Please include your email address so we can contact you if you win!
  2. Two Entries:  What?!  You want to double your chance to win?!  Ok, I'm easy, but you'll have to do # 1 first, then, go to Facebook and "like" Voice of the Trees  book/fan page and also visit our brand new Voice of the Trees Official Etsy Shop and add to your comment on this post which item is your favorite in that shop. 
  3. Three Entries:  Seriously?  You want to enter one more time?  Well, ok, you'll have to do #'s 1 and 2 above, and then either share this contest on your blog with a link, Facebook or Twitter, easy peasy, right?  Make sure you tell me in your comment that you shared it!

I've had a couple of people send me messages because they can't post a comment, I had trouble finding the comment section when my daughter first had her blog up too, and she helped me find it.  I did a screenshot that might help, especially if you're new to blogger.
I hope this helps you find the comment link.  :o)  Scroll down just a little, you're almost there! Depending on the link you followed to get here, if you can see comments below, just scroll down to the bottom to leave yours!  Good Luck!

    Ok, there you have it, go out there, look at some pretties, and drop a comment on this blog post and tell me all about it, and you'll have a shot or three at winning the package of Mickie Mueller Art loot!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Recipe: Hot Car Garlic & Rosemary Bread

When we first moved to Missouri from Albuquerque NM, I was in High School and it was a really hot summer.  My mom came up with a clever trick when dinner time rolled around.  She often planned a dinner that wouldn't heat up the house too much.  We all loved to have warm loaves of bread or rolls with dinner, but Mom didn't want to use the oven.  So she tossed the loaf of french bread, still in it's packaging from the store in the car before she started dinner, by the time it was done, she's send one of us out to get it, and we had piping hot bread!

I decided to put a gourmet spin on this 1982 family classic.  I made this bread last night to have with spaghetti, here's the recipe
Mickie's Hot Car Garlic & Rosemary Bread

Ingredients:
1 loaf of french bread
2-4 cloves of garlic depending on preference
2-3 springs of fresh rosemary
1/4 cup butter or margarine
Parmesan cheese
aluminum foil

(Most recipes don't start like this) In your driveway, on a hot summer day, roll up your windows and preheat your car to 100-120 degrees, or however hot it gets in the middle of summer by the power of the sun only, do not turn on the car.

Slice the loaf of french bread length wise.  Put the butter in a small dish. mince the garlic cloves and mix with the butter using a fork.  Spread it on both halves of the bread. Pull the rosemary leaves off the stalks and chop coarsely.  Sprinkle on both halves of the bread.  Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.  Put both halves of the bread back together and wrap with aluminum foil, shiny side in.  Place the bread, seam side up in your car, in a sunny spot if you can.  Bake in the car for 30-45 minutes.  Slice and enjoy!
If your car feels like an oven, why not?!

Blessings,

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Balance the Elements With Magical Yard Decorations That Don't Wilt

Crystals in my little herb garden by the front door.
Man, has it been a HOT one this year in the Midwest, we've had record highs in all 50 states in the month of July!  All of my plans for a gorgeous garden went asunder, many of my plants even when watered can't make it in this heat.  But that's ok, it's to darned hot to go outside to enjoy them even if they hadn't croaked.

But you know, I try to be a glass half full kind of gal, so in that spirit, I began to think about the pretties outside that still looked good in my magical garden.  Sure the garden does still have some life in it yet, but there are the accessories, the baubles and bangles that can make a garden fun.  It's kind of like jewelry for your yard, and me?  I love jewelry!  They all represent the elements and can become the magical jewelry of your garden space whether you have a big yard or a small balcony, it's easy to work the elements into your outdoor space.

Garden Flags (element of air)
It seems a little cooler when you have proof that the air is actually moving when you gaze out your window.  A bright garden flag is the perfect way to brighten up your yard, and they look good no matter the weather.  I even hang one out in the winter, I love to change my flag with the seasons.  I keep mine under the oak tree, keeping them out of direct sunlight helps to make them last longer.
This is the flag that's gracing my front yard right now, we make these ourselves right in my studio!  Many designs are available in our Etsy shop.
Solar Lights (element of fire)
It's an easy way to make your yard look pretty in day or night.  Many of them come in bright colors so they look great all the time.  Solar lights are very magical because they aren't just a candle lit with a lighter or a match, they harness the power of the sun himself!  Plus, they are so much easier than the old lights with wires, all you have to do is stick these in the ground or even in a pot, as long as it gets sunlight all day, you'll have a pretty glow in the evening.  Getting enough sun this year?  Not a problem!

Bird Bath (element of water)
If you want to keep birds in your yard to munch up the pests, this is a must.  They have concrete, plastic, even glass birdbaths, some just use a pretty bowl or dish.  It's an inexpensive way to add a healing element of water to your yard and it's loads of fun to watch the birds splash around in appreciation.  They really need it this time of year, puddles are hard to come by.  Have you ever seen them pant, with their little beaks open, looking all pathetic?  It's just wrong, so keep plenty of fresh water in your bird bath.
This Celtic knot birdbath was a gift from my kids one year, I love it, and so do the birds!
Statuary (element of earth)
It can be a graceful fairy, a tenacious toad, clever garden gnome, or a protective gargoyle, these denizens of the garden never wilt, run off or dig through your trash.  Well, the gnomes run off occasionally, but at least they send pictures!   Statuary is a really fun way to express your personality in your gardening, and you can enchant them to watch over things for you.  I love the Goddess statue I found years ago, she watches over my house and garden.  Many people have contacted me to tell me that they use my Triple Goddess statue (from Sacred Source) in their gardens in the summertime, very nice peeking out amongst the leaves and flowers.  I would keep her out of direct sunlight and bring her in in the winter, or better yet, use the bronze.
I don't keep this one outside, but I do bring it out on special occasions.  I designed this statue and they are made by the good folks at Sacred Source, click here to see more.
Party Lights (element of fire)
Light up the night as these summertime lights twinkle and shine long after the fireflies have gone.  They used to be glorified holiday lights, in fact, before they became all the rage, that's what we used for summer parties.  Now there are a variety of fancy lights, we got some cool paper lantern covered ones for Dans Roman themed birthday party a couple of years ago, but that's another story! Strung from the deck or draped in a tree, they make summer evenings seem a little more enchanted, don't they?
Light up the night!

Natural Stones (element of earth)
I keep several crystal clusters near the front door, they halt negativity in it's tracks and they are naturally cleansed every time it rains or storms.  I have many interesting stones throughout the yard, and the nice thing is, you don't have to put them away for the winter.  I even have a stone with a natural cup I use for leaving an offering of wine or mead for my fairy friends.  One of the best Mothers Day presents I ever got was a box of rocks, man, I'm easy!
My offering stone, it sits under my oak tree.
Bird Feeders (element of air)
Another great way to keep birds in your yard of course is the handy bird feeder.  Some are decorative, some more utilitarian, seed feeders or hummingbird or oriole feeders, whatever you choose, they bring life into your garden when the summer heat takes the life out of it.  I love to keep a finch feeder, we have lots of gold finches in our neighborhood.  We place ours within view of the window so that we can watch them from air conditioned comfort.  It's also in view of our cats, they are indoor kitties, but the love to watch the birds, and we love to watch them watch the birds!
I haven't gotten one good hummingbird picture at my house this year, our window is great for watching them, but my cats are always in the way of my pics.  These are hummingbirds at my moms country house.
A Quiet Place to Sit (element of spirit)
While it's been way too hot during the day, it's nice to sit outside in the evening when it's a cool 90 degrees and sip a mojito or margarita with someone special or conjure up some night time magic on your own.  This simple little wire set has served us well and weathers the storms great.  It's been to hazy not much star gazing to do, but that's ok, fall will come, I promise!
A pleasant Lammas evening just before sunset on my front porch.
A toast to you my friends, join me and sit for a spell.
So there are some ideas for adding the magic of the elements to your garden, and only the birdbath needs to be watered.  Soon things will cool off and I'm really looking forward to spending some time enjoying the garden other than the mad evening dash to water everything as quickly as possible and get back in where it's cool!  Happy summer!

Blessings,