Tales from the Old Wooden Art Table

Celebrating the Art of the Magical Paths

2012-01-26T12:11:00.001-06:00

From the art of The Hidden Path deck, this candle sconce featuring the quizical black cat will bless your home with magic!
Click here for the link.

If you've been to our Etsy shop lately you've probably noticed some new items from some classic art that wasn't there before. We have recently started a new line of gifts and prints from the art of The Well Worn Path and The Hidden Path. These are of course the first two decks I created artwork for, and they are sister decks. The Well Worn Path illustrated the 40 basic teachings of the craft, and The Hidden Path delves into the deeper spiritual teachings. The concept and accompanying book for each deck was created by Raven and Stephanie Grimassi and these decks have been highly acclaimed and are used for divination, meditation and teaching tools by many Pagans across the country. I put a lot of hard work, imagination and magic into these pieces, each one created with a combination of herb infused paint and painstakingly detailed colored pencil to bring these images to life. To learn more about how these pieces were concieved and created, click here. Each piece is full of magic created with the intention that every copy of the art would contain the same energy as the original art, making the printed decks and other items very magical indeed! Needless to say I'm very proud of these decks, and now I'm very pleased and honored to be able to offer you these special items created from the art right in my studio.

From the art of The Hidden Path deck, this magical mortar and pestle in an inspiration for the Kitchen Witch in you! Hang your herbs on candles or keys on this pretty iron rack. Click here for the link.

A set of 8 oval wall hanging tiles, one for each Pagan Sabbat created from my art from The Hidden Path divination deck. You can hang these all together, or hang one and change it as the Wheel of the Year turns. A truly magical way to celebrate the magical holidays of the year. Click here for the link.

For now, this very special art will find it's home in the Mickie Mueller Studio shop, but as we add new items, we will very likely give these special pieces their own home in their own shop. You'll see new items added every week, but I want to make sure that everyone knows that every card from both decks are available on any of the products that we offer in our shop, even if you don't see it, we can make it for you custom, and we don't charge a dime extra to do it. Our goal is to be able to offer you what you're looking for, and since we make all of these beautiful items ourselves, it's never a problem to make something special just for you, it's our honor.

This wall sconce is made of an iron frame with a 6x6 inch ceramic tile with my art from The Well Worn Path "The Crossroads" featuring the triform mask, key and symbols of the Goddess Hecate. Click here for the link.

Every card image can be made into beautiful items for your personal and ritual use such as:

tote bags
candle sconces
crystal jewelry
key/herb racks
compact mirrors
coffee mugs
ornament/car charms
oval wall tiles
handbags
tarot/oracle bags
beer steins

We hope you share our excitment about these cool new items, and watch for more beautiful things coming soon, we love making beautiful, magical things for you!

Bright Blessings!

This Isn't Your Moms Designer Handbag!

2012-01-24T14:43:00.000-06:00

I've been using this purse for six months and I love it! Now available in our Etsy shop.

Who wouldn't love a fantasy art handbag that's classy, functional and magically changes whenever you want it to?! I do! That's why we're so excited about the brand new product we're adding to our studio line. Click here to order! About six months ago Dan and I ordered a couple of these cool purse bodies with changeable flaps that we can add my art to using dye sublimation set up we have in the studio. Now, I'm often kind of hard on purses especially if they're not leather. Everytime I would get a cheap-o one it seems like they would fall apart, When these purses arrived, they seemed like really good quality, so I decided that I wanted to test this purse to see how it would hold up. Some people around town saw me carrying it and really loved it. They wanted to know if they could get one, then I explained that I was testing it to make sure the quality was good and that I would be offering these purses as long as it held up well. I'm happy to report that six months later, I totally love this purse!

You can choose whichever piece of art you want, or we'll be happy to custom make one with your favorite art on it if you don't see it here! Available in our Etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio

Dan and I worked on making some new purse flaps for our shop last night so we can offer them on in our shop. They are very pretty, black faux leather, so they're cruelty free. It measures 11.75"H x 7.8"L x 3.5"D, I can fit a large wallet, Nook, cell phone, lipstick, compact, and lots of other various items of junk I feel the need to tote around in this bag. I've not had the best luck with purses that aren't leather, but this one has held up great under my use and abuse. It has an adjustable strap, so you can use it as a hand bag or make it long so that you can wear it across your body or anywhere in between. It's not too big, not too small, it has a full zipper pocket, interior zipper pocket, cell phone holder and even a key clip, so your keys don't sink to the bottom like they do.

The adjustable strap attaches with shiney nickel clasps. The front flap has one of my art pieces on it with a cool decorative black and gray border design that compliments the purse details and you can get extra flaps with different art and change the front flap depending on your mood, season, or outfit!

This allows you to dress this purse up or down, from gypsy boho chic to office casual and anywhere in between. We hand press and detail these flaps in our studio just for you. I love that you can change the look of your purse without having to move all your stuff from one to another, super easy. If you have to clean the purse body, just wipe it with a damp cloth, the fabric purse flap can be cleaned with a baby wipe, although after carrying mine for six months, I stil haven't had to worry about it, it still looks a vibrant and pretty as the day it was pressed.

We only have a couple at this date, but more are being shipped to us even as I write this, so if we sell out, don't dispair, we'll have more by next week.

Blessings,

Monday Night Magical Movie: Big Fish

2012-01-23T08:05:00.002-06:00

Tall tales are the order of the day in this charming story that is ultimately all about love. Big Fish is a 2003 Tim Burton film that embraces legend, myth and fantasy in a very real way.

The story revolves around Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor/Albert Finney) who has chosen to view his life in the way that he wants to, he has woven his entire life as a story of legend, fantastical stories which he revels in telling and re-telling much to the chagrin of his son. Will Bloom (Billy Crudup) grew up hearing the stories, and now that he's a grown man, he has become disenchanted with his fathers tall tales, especially now that his father is very sick and dying. Will feels like he doesn't know his father at all, only his fairytale versions of him. Will returns home to attempt to reconcile his feelings and get to know the real man while he has the chance. "In telling the story of my father's life, it's impossible to separate fact from fiction, the man from the myth. The best I can do is to tell it the way he told me. It doesn't always make sense and most of it never happened... but that's what kind of story this is."

Ed Bloom catches the Big Fish, a lady fish on the day his son is born. The bait he used? His wedding ring, so of course he had to get it back!

This movie flashes back to times in Edward Blooms life, showing the stories that he tells about the events that shaped his life, and every one of them is a fantastic story full of magic, amazing people and amazing feats! The same theme always arises one way or another, his love for his beautiful wife Sandra.(/Alison Lohman/Jessica Lange) As Jenny who wanted him to stay with her was sad to realize, there were only two women to Edward, Sandra the love of his life, and everyone else.
This concept is illustrated by the fact that that Helena Bonham Carter plays both the oddly demure Jenny and the mysterious Witch with the magical glass eye from the town where he grows up.

Will:" Logically, you couldn’t be the Witch, because she was old back when he was young."
Jenny: "No, it’s logical if you think like your father. See, to him, there’s only two women: your mother and everyone else."

The stories Edward tells about his life are simply amazing, and the most fun part of this movie! He is the hero of his town when he convinces a giant that's scaring everyone to move on.

Edward and Carl decide the town of Ashton just isn't big enough for either of them and plan to hit the road.

He discovers the elusive and idyllic town of Spectre which he leaves but later returns to save.

Edward arrives in Spectre too early and meets Jenny.

Edward works in a circus for awhile with the sole purpose of learning information about his future wife Sandra, who he manages to win over with a series of romantic gestures including a field of daffodils, her favorite flower.

The first time Edward sees Sandra, time stops, but then it goes faster to catch up and he looses her in the crowd, but is totally smitten forever!

"I called everywhere in five states and explained this was the only way I could get my wife to marry me."

He tames a werewolf, survives a flood, robs a bank with a poet, crashes his plane during the Korean war and is rescued by singing conjoined twins, and yes, even catches a very big fish!

"I need twice the man
Cause baby, I've got twice the love to give"

The circus ringmaster is played perfectly curmudgeonly by Danny DeVito, who is a riot, and his sidekick clown/attorney Mr. Soggybottom played by the awesome Deep Roy. I loved Steve Buscemi as Spectres poet laureate Norther Winslow.

"Roses are red, Violets are blue...I love Spectre," Norther Winslow and his poet groupies.

Wills charming and pregnant wife Josephine is played by the lovely Marion Cotillard, I love her character, she's patient and kind listening to Edwards stories and seems so truly caring. I also loved the kindly giant Carl, played wonderfully by Matthew McGory, just misunderstood, and so hungry. Awww.

So what does Edwards son Will discover about his dad in the end? Is he for real, or just a big fish story? Well if you haven't seen it, I'm not delivering a spoiler, but I do recommend that you watch this fanciful story about magic, imagination and love with someone you're sweet on!

"Sometimes, the only way to catch an uncatchable woman is to offer her a wedding ring."

"A man tells so many stories, that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal."

Monday Movie Featured Item:

The Hazel Card print from Voice of the Trees official Etsy shop.

The Celtic legend of how the great Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn maCOOL) caught a magical fish and gained wisdom and inspiration is another great fish story. This is the hazel card from my Voice of the Trees deck. The hazel card represents wisdom, and inspiration and speaks of looking at the world in a new way or bringing your own creativity to life. This is the way Edward Bloom in the film Big Fish lived his whole life. He turned himself into a larger than life legend and found magic and mystery in every thing that he did. He also lived like the traditional Irish storyteller, weaving tales that captured the imaginations of those who heard them.

Blessings!

Celtic Tree Calendar Online Class

2012-01-19T16:23:00.002-06:00

Celtic Tree Calendar Series is being offered as an online class! I'm currently teaching this class live at Pathways in St. Louis, now you have the opportunity to join us by taking the online version of this class.

Printouts of the Birch class, just as an example of how beautiful this class is, with lots of extras like candle labels, meditation cards, etc. Click here to order.

While the idea of the Celtic Tree Calendar cannot be claimed as historical, the Celtic Trees are, and this system has much spiritual relevance for many people working within modern magical practices. Tree magic can help you find balance in your life and you will also find that working magically with trees is like working with herbs but on a different level. These great sentinels of the earth are great magical allies to have and as you progress through this class, you’ll find that trees have magical messages that come from both general tree teachings that are the lessons that all trees have to share, but also the specific lessons of each species of tree as well. You’ll learn about the 13 trees of the Celtic Tree Calendar, the lessons they have to teach you about each tree and through this class you’ll also learn a bit about yourself. You’ll find the Celtic Tree Calendar a great basis for full moon rituals, since it’s a lunar calendar. Through this class I will teach you ways to connect to the Celtic Trees and to your own personal World Tree to gain insight, wisdom, healing, balance, and a positive outlook on your life and the world around you.

Because this is a cyclical calendar that turns along with the Wheel of the Year, there is no beginning and no end. I've broken this class down so that no matter what month you begin with, you will build tree wisdom and magical tree techniques while you cycle through the Celtic Tree Months.

The class arrives by email, several PDF's each tree month, 13 in the year. With each class you'll get four beautiful full color pages, and loads of illustrated black and white pages full of tree wisdom and ways to work magically with the Celtic tree of the month including several tree spells and a full tree ritual that can be performed at any time of that tree month or during the full moon, the class shown below is 23 pages long, most classes will be about the same length. You'll also get a color page of extras such as candle labels, meditation pieces, talisman componants and more. Once you complete the full cycle of the tree year, you'll have over 200 pages of tree wisdom, and over 60 spells and rituals, you'll also recieve a beautiful certificate to put in your book of shadows or frame and hang on your wall. You have to order each class separately, so if at any time you don't want to continue, you don't have to cancel, you can just choose not to order the next class. But we know you'll love what you recieve every month and look forward to the next!

Click here for more info and to order.

I hope you'll join us!

Blessings,

A Little Magic for Your Car!

2012-01-18T18:16:00.002-06:00

Have a happy drive! These ornaments/car charms are available in our Etsy shop!

Last summer while on our usual festival circuit, we made some of the ceramic ornaments we use for the holidays with all of my other art designs on them, these lovely little ornaments aren't just for Yule. We discovered that if you hang these on a ribbon they can be small wall ornaments, they can hang above a wall altar, and at only 3 1/4" x 2 1/4" they also make a lovely car charm that you can hang from your rear view mirror! How cool. We have them available in our Etsy shop for anyone interesed.

We can put any of my pieces of art on these little gems, they're really cool. You can have your favorite fairy, God or Goddess watching over your car and it's passengers every day.

Here's super simple instructions to turn one of our magical ornaments into a car charm and a spell you can use to enchant it before you hang it in your car. You spend a lot of time in your car, why not add some art and enchantment to your favorite chariot and make it a more pleasent place to be! Who can't use a little extra beauty and magic in their lives?!

Ceramic Car Charm Spell

You'll need:

Ceramic charm with your choice of art prepared as shown above.
A bowl or cup for hot water that the charm can fit into.
Any or all of the following herbs,comfrey (safe travel) feverfew (safe travel) juniper (anti-theft) rosemary(protection and concentration) mint (for calm)
coffee filter
piece of string or rubber band
a white candle

Spell ingrediants, you only need one car charm, this pic shows lots of them, we can make them with any piece of art from our Etsy shops you like!

You may use any, or all of these herbs.

Put your herbs in the middle of a coffee filter, bundle up and tie with a string.

Put it in the bowl and pour boiling water over it and allow it to sit for about 1/2 hour while it brews and then cools.

Remove the herb bundle from the water and light the candle. Holding the car charm by the ribbon, dip the ornament three times into your magical brew, don't worry if some of your brew gets on the ribbon.

Lay it on the table next to the candle holding your hands over the charm, enchant it with your intentions by repeating the following three times:

"Magic charm magic art, I enchant you, do your part, May this charm bless my car As I travel near or far. Safely carry me over the road, To all destinations then safely home, Keep my chariot safe and sound By my will this spell is bound."Leave it by the candle and allow the candle to burn out. Then hang it in your car on your rear view mirror.

It's very important to remember that magic is not a substitute for safe driving, car maintenance or common sense, but it's a great idea to enchance your already good habits. Happy traveling!

Blessings,

Magical Movie Monday: The Mists of Avalon

2012-01-16T16:57:00.001-06:00

This 2001 two part miniseries directed by Uli Edel is a visually stunning adaptation of the best selling book by Marion Zimmer Bradley and is a great inspiration with it's myth and magic for many modern Witches and Pagans. The story is a wonderful re-imagining of Arthurian legend. The tale chronicles the story of the women who's power and magic influenced a kingdom and country.

The story paints the story of very complex characters, the plot full of intrigue, and many twists on the original Arthur stories that really work very well. Is the film version exactly like the book? No- but so seldom do screenwriters keep the story the same, for many reasons including time constraints, nonetheless, this is an excellent movie.

I've always been fascinated by the period of time during which the Christian religion moved into previously Pagan areas and began to take over, and this story is all about those elements of change and tension during that transition. It also is a study in the power struggle between the feminine and masculine powers.

The original "Fam Trad, sitting around the hearth, I looove this room!

The story is told through the eyes of Morgaine, (Julianna Margulies) Arthurs half sister and revolves around her mother Igraine, (Caroline Goodall) and her two aunts Morgaues (Joan Allen) and Viviane.(Anjelica Houston) She and her brother are taken away at a young age to study because the powers that be have plans for both of them. They are separated, Arthur goes to study with Merlin, and we follow Morgaine as she travels to the mystical land of Avalon to study the arts and mysteries of the Goddess with Viviane who is the High Priestess of Avalon also known as The Lady of the Lake. Viviane has a commanding presence and in this version of the legend outshines the aging Merlin.

Ooooh, I want to visit Avalon! But I would settle for it's mundane counterpart Glastonbury!

The magical land of Avalon co-exists in the same space as Glastonbury but not in the same realm. Morgaine grows up there, mastering Vivianes teachings, and before she leaves she is offered to a young man at Beltane for a fertility ritual.

The two wear elaborate masks, and having not seen each other since childhood, she doesn't realize that the man is Arthur. (Edward Atterton) Of course, she has concieved Mordred who will end up being raised by Igraines sister the power hungrey Morgaues.

Oooh, litle Mordred, he's so cute! What a good boy!

After King Uther dies and Arthur claims his right as king. He is presented with the magic sword Excalibur by Morgaine and Viviane with the agreement to rule in the honor of the Goddess. But all is not happy in Camelot, when Arthurs wife Christian wife Gwenhwyfar (Samantha Mathis) fails to produce a child, she believes God is punishing her because she has secretly fallen in love with Lancelot and also for the acceptance of the Pagan religion. Things become exasperated when in spite of her Christian faith, she desperately asks Morgaine for some magical intervention which manifests unexpectedly with Arthur inviting Lancelot into the king and queens bed, but still no child conceived.

This must have made for an awkward confession for Gwenhwyfar.

Gwenhwyfar increasingly becomes a religious fanatic, and relationships between Avalon and Camelot become hostile. Then Mordred,(Hans Matheson) now grown, has arrived at Camelot and commences his plans to claim his right as successor to the throne, and more chaos ensues.

Joan Allen as Morgaues and Hans Matheson as Mordred, I think he's hot, his look reminds me of my hubby Dan!

This film is steeped in the haunting melodies of Loreena Mckennit, enchanting in its own right, but then when you add the beautiful costuming and scenery, you have a magical film that is perfectly inspiring!

I want so many of the costumes in this move! I heard Anjelica Huston got to keep some of hers, I don't blame her one bit.

Magical Monday Featured Item:

Otherworld from The Hidden Path Oval Tile Wall Hanging

Otherworld wall tile available in our Etsy shop.

The art on this oval tile is from the "Otherworld" card from my oracle deck The Hidden Path. This piece shows a woman of the fae directing three swans to open the way to the otherworld. The scene is very magical and reminicent of the Priestess of Avalon parting the mist.

This beautiful gloss finish ceramic tile is a beautiful decorative piece to hang on your wall. It measures 4" x 6" and has a hanger on the back for easy display. (Hanger styles may vary) The art for this tile was printed right in our studio and heat pressed by hand fusing the ink into the surface of the tile.

Blessings,

My First Celtic Tree Calender Class at Pathways!

2012-01-04T11:33:00.002-06:00

We had the first Celtic Tree Calender class at Pathways in St. Louis last night! I had such a great time with everyone, we all shared stories of our favorite childhood trees, discussed tree magic, lore and mysticism, and learned about the legends and lore of the birch tree and had a very moving birch ritual. It was so wonderful to share this class with such a great group of people, I'm so looking forward to the next one, I'm loving sharing with other tree people and also getting the know them all better! Jan 31, we go on to the Rowan month at Pathways, really looking forward to it, I love Rowans energy!

Here we are at Pathways after the first class, what fun!

In other tree-related news, apparently my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter Olivia is a chip of the old block as far as trees are concerned. When my daughter took her holiday tree down, Olivia threw a total fit and cried because she wanted the tree to stay. "Nooooo...Treeeeeee!" They have since told her that the tree has gone outside to be with the other trees, so now she's happy, and when they drive places she gets excited and points when she sees a pine tree, she must think the tree is now traveling and having adventures out in the world!

Well, I have art to do today so I'm off to it. The weather here is really nice, it feels like March out there, so I also plan to carve out an hour or so today to take my Yule tree and decorations down and run them all out to the shed. I better do it before little Olivia gets here this weekend so she doesn't freak out!

Blessings!

Voice of the Trees Nominated for a PECTO Award!

2011-12-31T11:03:00.001-06:00

I got some cool news this week!

The recently founded Academy of Cartomancy Arts & Science has announced the nominees and winners of their 2nd annual PECTO awards...and who was a nominee in the category of
Outstanding Female Oracle Illustrator???
Mickie Mueller- Voice of the Trees!

Here's the link to their blog announcing the honors:
http://pectoaward.blogspot.com/

I was so surprised and honored! There are lots of very talented Tarot/Oracle artists and writers listed among the honored, some of them friends of mine like Lisa Hunt and Barbara Moore, and sooo many others who's work I really admire.

Voice of the Trees cards.

It fills up my heart because this project was such a personal undertaking, so when people appreciate the work and love I put into it, well, it's just wonderful!

Interior illustrations while I was working on my old wooden art table.

Fionns Window, the card back design from Voice of the Trees, this print is available in our Etsy shop!

I hope everyone has a great time celebrating the new calendar year, 2011 was a rough and tumble ride for many of us, so may we all move into 2012 with a bright new outlook. May 2012 be full of love, hope, prosperity and peace!

Blessings,

New Fairies on My Doorstep!

2011-12-29T14:54:00.003-06:00

In the midst of the holiday rush, a large Dell box arrived on my doorstep. I already knew what was inside, the wonderful Liana of Sacred Source had already told me a big Dell box was on the way with my samples of the rest of the new line of fairy plaques the produced based on my art!
You'll remember from an earlier blog post that I had gotten my sample of the Celtic Oak Tree Fairy.

Oak Tree Fairy, for the whole story, click here.

I hung the new ones on the wall, but I hadn't had time to get pics of them until now. So here they are for your enjoyment. These are all hand painted by Sacred Sources artisans, and they are limited edition plaques. These are great to use to bring magical blessings into your home and your life!

The Apple Tree Fairy brings balance and healing. She helps you find your happy place and heal your mind, body and spirit!

The sliced apple shows the five pointed star!

The Heather Fairy brings love on her gossamer wings. She helps you open up your heart to give and receive the love you need in your life.

I think her face turned out so pretty, they captured that wistful quality, she reminds me of Drew Barrymore from 50 First Dates!

The fierce Rowan Fairy brings protection energy with her sword and shield. She fends off incoming dark energy with her rowan shield and slices through any ties that don't serve you with her bronze sword!

If Uma Therman from Kill Bill were a but kicking redheaded fairy, this would be her!

The Steampunk Fairy sits on a paper moon and blesses us with the magic of invention, she reminds us that we can make our dreams anything we want them to be!

Her gaze slices through the barrier between what is and what may be, plus, love those brass goggles on her head!

I hope you enjoyed seeing these pretty ladies up close and personal, if you're interested in having any of them come and bless your home with their special energy, check in with Sacred Source, (click here)but don't wait too long, these are all limited editions, only 200 will be made!

Blessings!

Celtic Tree Calender Classes, Starting in January!

2011-12-28T19:56:00.002-06:00

Celtic Tree Calendar Class:

The first class will be at Pathways in St. Louis Jan 3

Start off 2012 following the Celtic Tree Calendar! I'm starting a series of classes in January, Celtic Tree Lunar Calendar, 13 Classes Held throughout the year near the First Quarter Moon; $30/class 7 – 9 pm; Tues, Jan 3: will be the Birch Moon Beth (beeth); Tues, Jan 31: Rowan Moon Luis (lweesh)

I'll be offering these classes in person at Pathways in St. Louis, http://www.pathwaysstl.com/news.html , also, watch for an online version for all you fellow Tree Mystics that don't live nearby coming later in January. I'll post more info right here at The Old Wooden Art Table.

"A Birch Grove" By Arkhip Kuindzhi, 1880

Working with the Celtic tree calendar is a very peaceful and magical way to align with natural energies of the earth and specifically trees. My approach to the Celtic Tree Calendar as a working model for a year of magic is based upon the tree calendar as it was first suggested by Robert Graves as a modern inspiration based upon the ancient trees. While the idea of the Celtic Tree Calendar cannot be claimed as historical, it has much spiritual relevance for many people working within modern magical practices. Tree magic can help you find balance in your life and you will also find that working magically with trees is like working with herbs but on a different level. These great sentinels of the earth are great magical allies to have and as you progress through this class, you’ll find that trees have magical messages that come from both general tree teachings that are the lessons that all trees have to share, but also the specific lessons of each species of tree as well. You’ll learn about the 13 trees of the Celtic Tree Calendar, the lessons they have to teach you about each tree and through this class you’ll also learn a bit about yourself. You’ll find the Celtic Tree Calendar a great basis for full moon rituals, since it’s a lunar calendar. Through this class I will teach you ways to connect to the Celtic Trees and to your own personal Tree Ally / World Tree to gain insight, wisdom, healing, balance, and a positive outlook on your life and the world around you.

Birch card from Voice of the Trees, A Celtic Divination Oracle by Mickie Mueller, Deck available at Voice of the Trees website click here, This print is available in the official Voice of the Trees gift shop click here

This series will include a two hour class to correspond with each of the Celtic Tree months; beautiful illustrated handouts included and a group ritual for each tree at the end of each class. The series of 13 classes will be offered throughout 2012, on a Tuesday near the first quarter of the moon, giving you the opportunity to work with the material on your own for each upcoming full moon. $30/ class, please reserve in advance. Seating is limited.

Celtic Tree Year:

Beth (beeth) / Birch Moon Dec 24-Jan 20

Luis(lweesh) / Rowan Moon Jan 21-Feb.17

Nuin (nee-uhn) /Ash Moon Feb 18-March 17

Fearn(fair-n) / Alder Moon March 18- April 14

Saille(shail-uh) / Willow Moon April 15-May 12

Huath(hoo-ah) / Hawthorn Moon May 13-June 9

Duir doo-er) /Oak Moon June 10-July 7

Tinne(chin-yuh) / Holly Moon July 8-Aug 4

Coll (cull) / Hazel Moon Aug 5-Sept.1

Muin(muhn) / Vine Moon Sept 2-Sept. 29

Gort / Ivy Moon Sept 30- Oct. 27

Ngtal (nyeh-dl / Broom/ Reed Moon Oct. 28- Nov. 24

Ruis(roo-ish) / Elder Moon Nov.25- Dec.22

"At the Edge of a Birch Grove" by Valaam-1860

Blessings!

Magical Movie Monday: Hogfather

2011-12-26T22:32:00.001-06:00

"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom." -Death, from Hogfather

Well, we all made it through the holidays. I must admit that sometimes I can't watch A Christmas Story one more time, if you feel like that too, this magical movie, originally a two-part TV special was a much appreciated fantasy escape from the usual holiday movies out there.

Hogfather (2006 directed by Vadim Jean) was a darksomely delightful surprise, Netflix kept on recommending it to me, but I hadn't watched it yet. Then Facebook friend Lisa Glen recommended it too, and I like a human recommendation better than a Netflix generated one, so during the holidays I decided to give it a try. I'm glad she suggested it, it was a really fun movie! It takes place in "Discworld" which is not some strange computer realm like Tron. Discworld is a place born from the mind of popular Sci-Fi Fantasy author Terry Pratchett, it's a flat world floating in space resting on the backs of four elephants that stand on the shell of a giant tortoise, very cool place to begin. As soon as I heard the fairytale that the governess Susan was reading the kids, I was hooked!

"And then Jack chopped down what was the world's last beanstalk, adding murder and ecological terrorism to the theft, enticement and trespass charges already mentioned, and all the giant's children didn't have a daddy any more. But he got away with it and lived happily ever after without so much as a guilty twinge about what he had done. Which proves that you can be excused just about anything if you're a hero, because no-one asks inconvenient questions."

Bet this wasn't on your holiday cards! Concept art for Hogfather

Hogswatch is a midwinter festival very similar to Christmas on earth, but they don't have Santa. They have The Hogfather, (Shend) is a porcine version of the jolly old elf complete with red suit, jolly laugh, tusks and pig nose above his snowy beard and a flying sleigh pulled by four flying boars. Now this all seems fine and good, but it turns out The Assassins Guild has been contacted to take out the Hogfather for good, and the villainous Teatime has been given the assignment. He enlists help and as the plot unfolds they have taken over the Toothfairys castle in an attempt to use children's teeth in a sympathetic magic spell to take away the belief in Hogfather thus rendering him back to his form of a sacrificial animal to ensure the sun rises again. If The Hogfather is destroyed, the rest of the mythical anthopomorhic characters will soon follow, thus zapping the creativity right out of humanity. As an artist, I'm against that. Death, (Ian Richardson) having realized that something is wrong and the Hogfather missing has taken it upon himself with his Albert his butlers assistance, to fill Hogfathers shoes (and suit) to try to keep the belief alive.

Death, posing as The Hogfather

Susan (Michelle Dockery) is Deaths granddaughter, and also the bravest monster fighting governess ever. She's not happy to be a part of the magical world, but the kids that she cares for seem happy to have her on their side. She reluctantly comes to the assistance of those trying to stop Teatime from completing his plan.

Susan, Deaths granddaughter

I may not care to admit it, but I haven't read the book yet, although I enjoyed the characters, humor and intelligent wit so much, I think I'll have to remedy that soon. There were some very amusing scenes in this movie, one of my favorites is when Death posing as The Hogfather shows up to do an in-store appearance and negotiates with a young girl for her good behavior in trade for gifts bestowed. Death was a riot, I could have watched him forever!

The God of Hangovers, of course!

Other unforgettable characters are Bilious, the God of Hangovers, the Toothfairy, the original Boogyman, and a magical thinking machine called Hex.

Author Terry Pratchett as the Toymaker!

Also delighted to learn the Terry Pratchett made a cameo appearance as the toymaker. There were times when the plot seemed a little slow, and sociopath Teatime's (Marc Warren) manor of speech although creepy was a little too reminiscent of Johnny Depps child-like Willy Wonka, but overall, I loved this movie and will surely keep it on my yearly holiday movie roster!

Assassin, Mr. Teatime, he prefers it to be pronounced "Teh-ah-time-eh"

Albert trying to teach Death the proper Hogfather laugh, "No, no, no! You've got put a bit more life in it, sir... Er, no offence intended. You've got to do a big fat laugh, sir. You've got to sound like you're pissing brandy and you're crapping plum pudding, sir... if you'll pardon my Klatchian."

Sigh...Brilliant!

Monday Movie Featured Item:

Winter Solstice at Dawn Wall Sconce, welcome the return of the sun with this beautiful piece available in our Etsy shop!

The Hogfather had to be saved so that the sun would rise on the winter solstice, we just raise a glass to the sun to welcome it's return! This piece of art called Winter Solstice at Dawn is a celebration of the return of the sun after to longest night of the year. We've made it into this cool iron and ceramic wall sconce so you can burn a candle through the long solstice night!

Winter Blessings!

Celtic Tree Calendar: Elder Moon To Release Regret

2011-12-10T13:25:00.000-06:00

"Everybody, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences" -Robert Lewis Stevenson

According to the Celtic Tree Calendar, an inspiration that came to Robert Graves while researching the Celtic Ogham Alphabet for his 1948 book The White Goddess, this full moon is the Elder Tree Moon.

The Elder Card from Voice of the Trees representing consequences and regret, featuring the Goddess Macha aka The Morrigan, available in The Official Voice of the Trees Etsy shop.

The Celtic month of the Elder corresponds with the Ogham letter Ruis. (pronounced roo-ish) This tree month is the time to examine things in our life that we may regret, that we might have done differently. These can be transgressions committed by us, but also to us. No one is perfect, and we must remember that from every mistake comes an opportunity to learn a valuable life lesson. Sometimes instead of embracing the lesson, learning from it and moving on, we instead focus on the regret for the situation which can be counterproductive for our spiritual growth. There is a purpose for regret, but we should use it for it's purpose which is to learn and then release it, not wallow in it and allow ourselves to spiral into self pity which can be self destructive.

Working with the energies of the Elder Tree during the Celtic Elder month allows us to release past errors and go forward feeling lighter and renewed with life lessons added to our wisdom and joy in our hearts. Elder reminds us to be ever vigilant and responsible for our actions, to be wise and vigilant enough to help prevent others from committing wrongs to us, and to do the clearing work so that we can usher in a new phase in our lives.

If you don't have an elder tree near your home, you can still work with the elder tree energy. Print photos of the tree, berries and foliage. Elderberry tea, wine, and even preserves are available. You can also find it as an herbal remedy in the vitamin section of your local drugstore. It's color association is red, and it's also associated with the Goddess figure of the Elder Mother, and has long been connected to witches and witchcraft. It is also associated with the plant diva Lady Ellhorn who woodsmen have long respected. To prevent bad luck before taking wood from an elder tree this charm was spoken, "Lady Ellhorn, give me some of thy wood and I'll give you some of mine when it grows in the forest."

This year is a particularly good year to release regrets that you might need some extra mojo to dissipate because this Elder Moon also had a lunar eclipse going on, so more transformational Goddess energy is attached to it.

Elder Card Oval Compact Mirror, for those who feel a close association with the energies of the Elder, Macha or the Morrigan, available in the Official Voice of the Trees Etsy Shop.

For more lore and legend about the elder tree see the Voice of the Trees Companion book.

A Quick Elder Spell to Release Regret

Find a quiet place and ground and center. Focus on elder energy, you can accomplish this by meditating on images of the elder tree, sipping elder tea or wine, perhaps light a red candle. Divide a sheet of paper in to two columns. Make a list of your regrets from the previous year in the left hand column, and the lesson learned from each experience in the right. When you're done, fold the paper three times, making the folds away from you. Draw the Ogham symbol for the Elder on the folded paper. (Find the symbol on the bottom right hand side of the Elder card illustration above) Feel the regret empty out of your heart into the paper.

You may recite the following charm,

"Elder Tree, I now cast away
All these regrets that stand in my way
I summon your power and keep lessons learned
As I banish regret my sorrow is spurned!"

Take the paper and bury it outside in the earth. If you're drinking elder tea or wine you may pour some over the place you buried it. Turn purposefully and walk away. As the paper becomes one with the earth, your regrets will dissipate and your heart will heal.

In Other News- Celtic Tree Calendar Classes Starting Jan. 3

For those further interested, I will be offering a series of classes on celebrating the year through the Celtic Tree Calendar at Pathways in St. Louis during 2012. The series of 13 classes will be offered
throughout 2012, on a Tuesday near the first quarter of the moon, students will learn folklore, magical correspondences, and ways to work with each tree energy magically. I will teach you ways to connect to the Celtic Trees and to your own personal World Tree to gain insight, wisdom, healing, balance, and a positive outlook on your life and the world around you. At the end of each class the group will participate in a ritual for the tree of that month. At the end of this year long series, you'll have a full Book of Trees with spells, rituals and lots of tree info to celebrate the Celtic Tree Calendar any time you wish. You can sign up at Pathways, click here for more info and to sign up.

If you don't live near St. Louis but would still like to experience the Celtic Tree Calendar Class, I will be offering an online version of the class, watch the Voice of the Trees website for details coming soon! http://www.voiceofthetrees.com

Bright Blessings!

Fairy Friday: When Life Gives You Cicadas...Fairy ACEO Cards

2011-12-09T18:11:00.002-06:00

When Life Gives You Lemons Make Lemonade-
When Life Gives You Cicadas...Make Fairies Of Course!

Toadstool ACEO, this one is sold already!

During the past spring and summer of 2011 the midwest was decended upon by a hoard of cicadas! They danced with revelry through the air around our oak tree and passed into the next realm of natural causes, all over the place. You couldn't go outside without hearing the endless humming and buzzzing and being dive-bombed at our house, they were everywhere. Apparently they really like oaks, and we have tons in our neighborhood. These were not the usual cicadas that we get every year, these were the periodical cicadas that emerge from the ground for mating in 13 and 17 year cycles. This particular brood of 13-year cicada is known as the Great Southern Brood. They make chimney-like exit holes in the ground in preparation for their lives above-ground. Then they crack out of their shells with a new set of wings and fly all over the place. They die off in about five weeks, at which time their eggs hatched, sending a brood of nymphs underground, to emerge in 2024.

I think their wings are beautiful...

...but this many is a little much!

I stood on my porch surveying the cicada shells and bodies that littered my yard. What a summer! I thought to myself, what to do about all of this?! Then it occured to me that when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade. But this time life had given me dead cicadas that had finished their lifecycle all over my yard! Then it dawned on me, make fairies!

I gathered up as many good ones that I could find and put them in a cauldron in the shed to await my creative energy that would allow them to be reborn with honor as fairies!

Drawing, painting, cutting, scrapbooking!

Here are the first of my new original fairy illustration ACEO cards featuring real cicada wings; created with Berol Prismacolor pencils on illustration board, mounted on scrapbook paper, accented with watercolor. Each one is a unique one of a kind piece of art.

This one called "Morning Has Broken" is still waiting for a loving home. Available in our Etsy shop.

What's an ACEO card? For those of you new to ACEOs, they are ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Originals) measure 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches and are miniature pieces of art that make it easy for customers to collect original art at an affordable price. ACEO collecting is becoming very popular throughout the world. ACEOs can be kept in a trading card book with sleeves, or displayed on small easels in curio cabinets. These new fairy ACEO cards are all original, one of a kind, hand signed, and created in my studio by hand.

Each one has the title and are hand signed on the back.

Daylilly, this one is still available in our Etsy shop too.

What makes these ACEOs special?

They were drawn by hand by lil 'ole me, then carefully cut out and mounted on a piece of decorative scrapbook paper with glitter acents. I included included real insect wings as part of the design. I'm having so much fun making these, I'm sure to have many in the future for you to collect.

In Other News: A Nice Review for Voice of the Trees

Today there is a great review for my Voice of the Trees deck over at Tarot News Blog! I was delighted and honored, I loved the pics the took of the deck in a tree! Here is the link, she has a great blog, lots of wonderful posts about the world of tarot. http://tarotnotes-majorandminor.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-voice-of-trees.html

Also in Voice of the Trees news, I'll be at Pathways in St. Louis click for the link doing readings from 2-5pm, so if you're local and would like a Voice of the Trees reading before the new year, now it the time to stop in! Sunday, December 11. $35 for 1/2 hour appointment, call to reserve your space today!

Bright Blessings,

Voice of the Trees: Decked Out for the Holidays!

2011-12-08T10:31:00.000-06:00

Dan and I have been hard at work in the studio filling orders and adding new items to our Fantasy and Fairy art Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio

We've Been Stocking Up Our Voice of the Trees Shop Too!

Our brand new holiday decorations, trees for your tree! Click here for more info

I wanted to take this time to introduce you to our other Etsy shop, The Voice of the Trees Official Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/VoiceOfTheTrees where you can get beautiful gifts created from the art of "Voice of the Trees, a Celtic Ogham Divination Oracle" including Mugs, Satin Card Bags, Jewelry, Prints etc. handmade right in our studio.

Voice of the Trees- A Celtic Divination Oracle

Drawing upon the ancient legends of the Celts and tree lore, I set forth to bring the Ogham teaching into a format for modern practitioners to use in intuitive card readings, meditation and ritual. Learn more about this unique deck at http://www.voiceofthetrees.com The deck is published with Llewellyn and can be purchased on Amazon, in bookstores, or if you want me to sign a copy for you, purchase from from voiceofthetrees.com

Magical Art From the Trees

When I created the art for this deck, I used infusions of each tree to combine with the paint, I did this with the magical intention that every copy made from the original would carry the same magical vibration. That includes the items made in our studio from this magical art.

Magical coffee mugs, this one is perfect for a hazelnut cappuchino to bring you inspiration! Click here for more info

Many of you who already have this deck have told me that you've discovered that when working with this deck you found one or more cards that you have a strong connection to, sometimes it's a favorite tree, a tree energy that you work with often, or even a card the represents something that you want to manifest in your life.

We have prints of every card, plus the back design (shown here) and the cover art for the Voice of the Trees Companion book.

Focusing on that card is a great way to connect further with the energy, but for those who want more, we offer crystal pendants, oval wall tiles, coffee mugs and even beer steins with your favorite images so that you can bring the tree magic into your everyday life.

We love these bags for keeping your cards in, custom pressed with your favorite design, the ribbons and beads added by hand. Click here for more info

We also created a line of satin art bags to keep your deck in, and you get to choose your favorite image on the bag, each one is custom made!

Our glass crystal pendants are a classy way to keep the energy of your favorite Celtic tree with you all day! Click here for more info

When you order from Voice of the Trees Official Shop, if you would like a different image than the one shown on any item, send us a message when you order and let us know which card you would like, ALL of the cards are available on every item. Look through your deck or images in the print gallery (click here) in our shop or on the voiceofthetrees.com website and see which one speaks to you, and we'll make you a custom item just for you!

These beer steins are very cool, Dan uses the Alder one for his favorite brew! Click here for more info

Choose from:
Birch • Rowan • Alder • Willow • Ash • Hawthorn • Oak • Holly • Hazel • Apple • Vine • Ivy • Broom/Reed • Blackthorn • Elder • Silverfir/Elm • Gorse • Heather • Aspen • Yew • Grove • Spindle • Gooseberry • Woodbine • Beech • The Ogham Shield (Book Cover)

If you think these gifts in the pictures look cool, just wait until you have your own!

These affordable ceramic tiles look great hanging in your home and bless it with it's good tree vibes! Click here for more info

We are really proud of the high quality gifts that we've been able to make available for you from this unique magical art. We hope that you enjoy browsing through them, and remember, we can put any card image you wish on any item that you see in the shop, so don't hesitate to send us a convo and ask if you don't see what you're looking for. Also keep in mind that if you find something you want to give as a gift, in order to get your order by Christmas, place your order by Dec. 19 if you're in the continental U.S. and by Dec. 15 for international orders.

If you like the look of this compact, you should see it in person! Choose the art that speaks to you. Click here for more info

We'll be adding more items over the next several days, be sure to watch for them!

Brightest Blessings!

Monday Night Magical Movie: Ladyhawke

2011-12-05T22:27:00.001-06:00

I just finished watching Hot Tub Time Machine, where four friends travel back to 1985 in a time machine, I wonder if they could have prevented Richard Donner from using the unfortunate soundtrack in the otherwise excellent magical film Ladyhawke which was released in 1986? That would have been nice of them.

I really love this film, it has a great story, actors, humor, fight scenes, cursed lovers, an evil bishop, and Rutgar Hauer on a giant black frezian horse. Too cool. Don't get me wrong, nothing against Allen Parsons, but sometimes when you nail two things together that don't seem like they should fit, it works, and sometimes not so much. It was a bold choice, and I applaud them for trying something different and although I do know that there are some who would disagree with me, I'm just saying the synthesisers, and electric guitars supporting a fantasy period piece in this instance didn't work for me.

Philipe would have liked Ferris Bueller, they could have hung out.

The music aside, I love this movie. Philipe Gaston aka The Mouse (Matthew Broderick) a quirky thief, manages to escape from his imprisonment at Aquila. In his travels he meets the dark and mysterious Captain Navarre (Rutger Hauer) who rescues him from certain capture by the guards of the evil Bishop of Aquila. (John Wood)

Rutgar Hauer looking dashing and dark, he does it with ease!

Navarre is very interested in how Philipe escaped Aqulila because Navarre has been banished and wants to get back in so that he can kill the evil Bishop that runs everything there. As they travel, Philipe discovers that his companion Navarre and his hawk are only with him by day, once the sun sets he is joined by a beautiful woman named Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer) and the two seem to be under the protection of a black wolf. He soon learns that the man and woman in his company are in love with each other and under a curse.

Beware of jealous guys in big hats throwing curses!

The Bishop was obsessed with Isabeau but she was in love with Navarre, the captain of the guard. One day she confessed her love for Navarre to the trusted monk Imperious, (Leo McKern) but he betrayed her trust to the Bishop accidentally when he was drunk. The Bishop became furious and placed a curse upon the couple. By day, Isabeau would become a hawk, and by night Navarre would transform into a wolf, thus keeping them apart forever. The curse, however could be broken if the two stand before the Bishop in their human forms, and Imperious has figured out a way to make that happen, but he and Phillipe have to put his plan into action before Navarre just kills the Bishop instead.

Leo McKern as Imperious

This beautiful film was shot in location in Italy and the scenes are awe inspiring. I love the costumes as well, elegant and perfect. It's really a great story and I think the acting is excellent.

The avian beauty, Isabeau

Michelle Pfeiffer portrays a very avian quality and Rutger Hauer is a perfect lone wolf. I love the character of Philipe, he has a very personal relationship with "The Lord" and converses with him regularly and out loud. "I told the truth, Lord. How can I learn any moral lessons when you keep confusing me this way?" You can't help but love the characters and the heartbreak and love that Navarre and Isabeau share, and the hope that Philipe tries to give them. The storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is definitely one of my favorite magical movies!

Imperious: "I fully expect to meet you at the Pearly Gates, little thief, and don't you dare disappoint me."
Philipe: "I'll meet you there, Father... even if I have to pick the lock."

Monday Movie Featured Item:

The Sun God and Moon Goddess embrace on this Solar Eclipse Ceramic Oval Wall Tile, available in our Etsy shop! These oval tiles are an affordable way to add some magical art to your decor.

The Solar Eclipse Oval Tile features the Sun God and the Moon Goddess in a loving embrace as they meet in the sky during the Solar Eclipse. If you've seen Ladyhawke I'm sure you realize the connection, thought I hate to give spoilers. Add passion and love into your favorite room in the house with this beautiful ceramic tile.

This beautiful gloss finish ceramic tile is a beautiful decorative piece to hang on your wall. It measures 4" x 6" and has a hanger on the back for easy display. (Hanger styles may vary) The art for this tile was printed right in our studio and heat pressed by hand fusing the ink into the surface of the tile.
Bright Blessings!

Manly Steins Made With a Bolt and Wrench!

2011-12-01T07:00:00.001-06:00

We have a cool new item that we're making in the studio (and the kitchen) These ceramic beer steins are a real favorite among beer enthusiasts. These German style Steins have the look and feel of a stein from the old country. These steins are white ceramic with gold trim, and dishwasher safe, but shouldn't go in the microwave due to the gold trim.

We've made a few of these for friends and every dude that's received one says it's his favorite drinking vessel!

While we were pressing the images on some steins to put in our Etsy shop for the holiday shoppers, we thought you might like to see the process, it's pretty cool. Most of our dye sublimation products are made on heat presses in our studio, but the shape of the steins require a slightly different technique.

Mickie has created designs from her art using Photoshop Elements, we print the design backwards on "Frankenprinter" our special printer we use for our dye sublimation, it uses dyes that can bond with the ceramics. We also use a stein from one of our dye sub suppliers that's been coated to accept the dye.

The design is positioned on the stein.

Next Dan puts on the oven wrap. He has to tighten it up with a wrench to make sure there is sufficient pressure to transfer the design.

The stein is paced in a 400 degree oven.

When it comes out, that bad boy is hot! Dan has to move it quickly to a work surface because the heat goes through the O've Glove quickly!

He carefully removes the oven wrap...hot, hot... and then the paper revealing the design on the stein.

It's like magic every time!

The stein is submerged in a tub of water to cool.

It's done and ready to hold your icy cold brew, mead or beverage of your choice!

We thought you might enjoy seeing how we make them, they are really great to own, and even cooler when you see the process.

Blessings,

Lovely Decadance: Easy German Apple Pancake Recipe

2011-11-29T12:11:00.001-06:00

Dan and I had a little sweet tooth yesterday evening after I snuggled into my fuzzy celestial pajama pants and made a cup of Tension Tamer tea with honey to soothe my evening to a relaxing close. I got to thinking about the recipe my mother-in-law was telling me about for a German Apple Pancake. This is not like the thin little pancakes you're used to, it's more like a big ole delicious apple cake. She had been at Costco during the Black Friday shopping invasion and got a free cookbook they were passing out. In this cookbook she found the recipe for this delicious apple cinnamon wonder and tried it at home. She was raving about how simple and delicious it was, all made in the microwave, and I thought it sounded intriguing so I got online and found the Costco recipe myself. After making sure I had all the ingredients I figured I'd give it a try. She was right, it was super easy and really good. I didn't have the Krusteaz pancake mix they suggested, but I did have an off-brand one that I used. I had to add a little more water than the recipe called for to get the batter the right consistency, the Krusteaz brand mint be different, but it worked out great in the end. I used a mandolin slicer to do the apples and that made it really easy to get them thin.

My Apple Pancake and a cup of tea, both warm and delicious! (Magic is Afoot mug available in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio but you'll have to make your won Apple Pancake!)

The only problem is, now I have it in my house and I may just make it vanish little sliver by little sliver, oh well, it did warm our hearts and our tummy's last night.

German Apple Pancake

Apple topping
1/2 cup of butter (or margarine)
2 cups peeled, thinly sliced apples
1/4 cup sugar (or splenda)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Pancake Batter
1 cup Krusteaz Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

To prepare topping, place butter in a 9 inch microwave safe pie pan. Microwave on high for 45-60 seconds. Stir in apples, sugar and cinnamon. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high 3-4 minutes or until apples are tender.

To prepare batter, place pancake mix, water, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium bowl using a wire whisk. Pour evenly over the cooked apples in the pie pan.

Microwave uncovered on high 3-5 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let stand 3-5 minutes. Place a plate on top of the pie pan and using hot mits flip it upside down onto the plate and remove the pie pan. If you wish sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.

Blessings,

Fairy Friday: Join Me For an Interview on Blogtalk Radio Tonight

2011-11-11T17:24:00.001-06:00

Hi All!

Well in 45 minutes I'll be doing an interview on Pagan Perspectives a Blogtalk Radio show! I'm pretty excited to chat about art, magic, fairies, Voice of the Trees and who knows what else! It should be a really good time, so I hope you can join me live at 6:00 PM central time, or listen later on at your convenience.

Sitting on a log, waiting to talk on Blogtalk Radio!

UPDATE:

Had a great time with Rev. Sylvanis last night on Pagan Perspectives, we talked about art, fairies, creating oracle decks, music, inspiration and more! He played some really excellent music too, it made me feel like he was listening at my art table because it's the kind of music I love to listen to while creating! Also, congratulations to J.P. Plank for winning the Voice of the Trees deck and satin art bag giveaway! Super nice people, and had a great time!
Here's the link, enjoy!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pagan-perspectives/2011/11/12/an-evening-of-art-and-magic-with-mickie-mueller

Blessings!

Monday Night Magical Movie: The Secret of Moonacre

2011-11-07T09:15:00.002-06:00

Who wouldn't love that gorgeous room?!

I recently spent some time with fellow fantasy artist Christine Bowman who is known for her enchanting mermaids, fairies, angels and wildlife art. She also runs a wonderful business called Eco Emi mailing boxes of simply beautiful samples of earth and animal friendly all natural products to try, a great way to learn how to sift through the sea of green product to find the ones you love, so clever! Christine, like myself, also loves to have either music or movies going while she creates and loves many of the same movies that I do. Today, on this rainy November day I'm working on a piece far too large to fit on my old wooden art table, and I decided to watch The Secret of Moonacre a lovely film that was recommended to me by Christine. It's a beautiful, opulent piece of cinema in the true tradition of the fairy tale.

Young Maria Merryweather's (Dakota Blue Richards) father has died, and leaves her a book in his will, a book that tells the legends of her family's history, "The Ancient Chronicles of Moonacre Valley." Left orphaned she and her caretaker Miss Heliotrope (fabulously played by Juliette Stevenson) leaves London to live with her miserably cranky uncle Benjamin Merryweather to Moonacre Valley. She soon learns that there is a long time feud going on between her family and the De Noirs who also live in the valley. The house seems enchanted, and mysteries abound and nothing seems to be as it appears, she decides she must learn more about her family's history.

She learns in the book of a story from hundreds of years ago about a woman who was so loved by nature that the moon granted her a gift of enchanted pearls that could see the truth in men's hearts. The woman became known as the "Moon Princess." The Moon Princess was of the DeNoir family and was to marry Sir Wrolf Merryweather. When the princess showed the family the moon pearls on her wedding day, they all become greedy, jealous and possessive and the families are driven apart and a curse falls over the valley. As Maria learns more she discovers that she must locate the pearls before the next full moon or the valley will be destroyed.

This movie is like a living painting, the scenes, costuming and sets are nothing less than beautiful. I love Maria's room at Moonacre Manor, the walls and ceiling entirely painted with murals, I would feel right at home there. Every morning she discovers a new gorgeous dress and cookies waiting for her. Tim Curry plays the Lord of the DeNoir family with his usual delightfully wicked gusto.

The band of DeNoir youths that she encounters seem to have wardrobe reminiscent of goth versions of the Droogs from A Clockwork Orange, (but less crude of course, this is a PG movie after all!) I also just love the character of Loveday, the gorgeous, mysterious and reclusive lady who lives in a magical earth house with all of her animal friends.

If you love a rich tapestry of mystery and magic with a fairy tale flavor, make a cup of tea and indulge yourself in this delightful film.

Monday Movie Featured Item:

Moon Goddess Wall Sconce, available in our Etsy Shop, made right in our studio!

This Moon Goddess wall sconce is an elegant decoration for any moon princess. Even if you can't paint every corner of your room with magical moon murals, a little art can bring magic into your home.

This wall sconce is made of an iron frame with a 6x6 inch ceramic tile with my Moon Goddess art. We print the art right in our studio and then the print is heat pressed onto the tile and mounted in the iron frame. Hangs easily on the wall, and holds a tea light candle easily either in a tin or clear plastic cup.

Bright Blessings!

Fairy Friday: Sacred Source, Even Better in Person!

2011-11-04T11:35:00.002-05:00

A box arrived the other day, and inside were my two Celtic Oak Fairy Plaques, my first look at the new line of hand painted limited edition plaques from Sacred Source! I carefully opened up the carton and then opened one of the boxes containing the plaque, and even after having seen the pictures, I was floored. If you think the pictures of this piece in their catalog and on the website look good, I'm here to tell you, you will be even more impressed seeing it in person! Their artisans did such a great job creating this piece based on my artwork! The sculpting and painting is exquisite. I've tried my best to capture it here showing different angles so you can get the full effect of the work and detail.

I've sent energy for every one of these fairy plaques to bless the home she comes to rest in with vibrations of abundance an prosperity she carries a golden coin with the ogham for oak and an acorn for all the potential of growth and harvest! I suggest waving her through some patchouli, saffron or your favorite prosperity incense to bless her and add a little extra magical boost before hanging her up!

I love how they did her face!

I can't wait to see the rest of the line in person, I'll share detail shots of them also as soon as I get my hot little hands on them! :o) Enjoy!

Even her little toes!

I have to figure out where I'm going to hang mine...no probably not in the tree! LOL

Fairy Blessings!

Attention Shop Owners: A Contest to Win Voice of the Trees Merchandise!

2011-10-24T14:36:00.002-05:00

All across this country there are tons of brick and mortar independent metaphysical bookstores that are havens to all of the seekers out there on their paths. They offer books, candles, incense and other supplies, but they also offer an opportunity to learn and grow, and fellowship. I know, my husband and I used to run a little shop too. We know that some extra merchandise and some really cool store displays can really help sales especially when the economy is a challenging one.

With the holiday shopping season just about to commence, we wanted to offer all those great bookstores that support their communities an opportunity to win a box full of our beautiful new Voice of the Trees merchandise! (a $436. 00 retail value) All it takes to enter is the Voice of the Trees deck you probably already have in your shop to sell, some imagination, and a camera. If you haven't gotten your copies of Voice of the Trees for your shop yet, there's still time so don't wait. The contest starts today (Oct. 24, 2011) and we will accept entries until Nov. 23 2011, the winner will be announced on Nov. 28 2011.

Could all this good free loot be in your shop? Scroll down to get a closer look at all of these great items.

The Prize: This beautiful merchandise is made right in our studio using printing and/or dye sublimation, your customers will love these items! Sell them in your shop, give them as gifts or keep them, whatever you wish!

4 15 oz ceramic Coffee Mugs, microwavable and dishwasher safe
4 crystal glass pendants
4 ceramic 4 x 6 oval wall tiles
4 8 1/2 x 11 prints
8 satin art bags (a perfect compliment to Voice of the Trees deck)

The challenge: Create an eye catching store display featuring Voice of the Trees: A Celtic Divination Oracle by Mickie Mueller. You can set it up in the window or anywhere in the store you want. Get creative, use leaves, silk plants or trees, wooden wands or bowls, add other Celtic merchandise, candles, lights, etc. Make it eye catching and show stopping. Take a really clear photo of your efforts, if you need to show it from more than one angle, you can send up to three photos to show different angles or details. Email your photos to mickiemueller@yahoo.com along with the name and address of your shop, so we can ship your merchandise if your display is chosen as the winner. Be sure to put "Voice of the Trees" in the subject line to avoid spam filters.

The Rules: This contest is open to all "brick and morter" New Age/Metaphysical book shops, individuals may not enter this one, only retail shop owners with a wholesale license, if you don't fall into this catagory, don't worry, there will be more contests in the future. Only 1 entry per shop. Email up to 3 photos of your store display (which must be set up in your shop) featuring Voice of the Trees: A Celtic Ogham Oracle to mickiemueller@yahoo.com including a photo of the front of your store and your stores mailing information. Entries must be recieved by Nov. 23.
The displays will be judged on creativity, visual appeal, customer appeal and the best presentation of the Voice of the Trees deck. The photos will be judged blind (the judge won't know which shop entered which display) the judge is president of a Point of Purchase display company who has worked with major corporations and created nationwide programs. Your display should be in the shop until the end of the contest to win. The winner will be announced Nov. 28, prize to be shipped immediately to dazzle your December shoppers, so again- be sure to include your address when you enter for fast processing! Remember, get your entry photos to us on or before the Nov. 23 cut off!

All the store owners that enter will have an opportunity to get their creative juices flowing and create awesome displays that will boost their sales this holiday while making an even more exiting shopping experience for their customers, and one lucky winner will get a box full of great free merchandise! Scroll down to see the items closer.

Everything you see is packed in the box and ready to go to the lucky winner's shop, they are all made by the Mickie Mueller team right in our studio!

These 15 oz ceramic mugs are gorgeous, full color designs all around and are microwave and dishwasher safe. Included are Ivy, Hazel, Grove, and Willow mugs. Each mug shows the meaning of the card as well as a quote from the companion book for that card. (inset)

4 x 6 ceramic oval tiles are very popular items for us especially when people see them in person at festivals . Each one has a hanger on the back and they look great hanging on the wall or on a small easel. Included are Alder, Oak, Fionns Window (card back) and Ogham Shield (Companion book cover)

These satin bags are aprox 5x7, the Voice of the Trees cards fit in them nicely, we've sold many of them along with decks. One side has one of the more popular card images, clockwise from the left: Grove, Alder, Hazel, Willow, Oak, Ivy, Holly, and Yew, the other side has the "Fionns Window" card back design. (inset) Satin drawstrings and beautiful glass beads complete these beautiful bags.

These crystal clear glass pendants sparkle with light. they are 1 inch x 1 1/2 inch and are 1/4 inch thick. These are made in our studio using dye sublimation, they are not paper glued on glass, through our process the art becomes part of the glass. These come in kraft boxes with white padded insert as shown, ready to display.

These 8 1/2 x 11 size prints are always a good seller for us, we've included a selection of four of our more popular designs, Fionns Window, Oak, Ogham Shield and Willow. Each one is packaged in a crystal clear acid free bag with a sturdy baking boadr for easy display.

Good luck, we look forward to seeing your stores entry!

Blessings,

Monday Night Magical Movie: The Crow

2011-10-17T19:52:00.000-05:00

"It can't rain all the time..." Eric Draven, The Crow

"People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right."
-Sarah, The Crow

This 1994 movie was based upon the dark graphic novel written and illustrated by J. O'Barr, and is surrounded by tragedy. J.O'Barrs inspiration for this dark Gothic masterpiece after his fiancée was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. It's a very good example of using a creative outlet for self therapy after a devastating tragedy. If you haven't read the graphic novel, I highly recommend it.The star of this truly excellent movie about an avenging "dark angel" upcoming star Brandon Lee (son of martial arts film star Bruce Lee) was killed in an accident during the filming. I was working as a colorist in the comic book industry during the time of the filming and I was following the story closely at the time. There was some controversy surrounding his death, and with conflicting reports, some claim it was a blank that was fired through the grocery bag he was carrying in a scene where his character is killed sent shrapnel from the bag into his chest killing him. The final report was that dummy cartridges had been made from real ones and the gun having been used in a previous scene had pushed one of the dummy cartridges into the chamber unknown to the crew. The blanks were loaded, and when the gun was fired during the scene, it was enough power to push the lodged cartridge through the barrel and into the actors chest. And then of course there was talk of the Lee curse, that his father died in a mysterious manner, and now his son had followed, and also a conspiracy theory about the Chinese Mafia. As you can imagine, J. O'Barr was devastated when the star of the film version of his story was killed and set about to help raise money to help Brandons family by releasing special editions of his graphic novel and other venues.

Following the accident, the film makers used ground breaking techniques at the time to map Brandons face onto another actor and body doubles to complete the film. The edits worked seamlessly and created one of my all time favorite movies.

The Crow was directed by Alex Proyas who brought his previous experience in directing music videos to create this cult classic masterpiece. Eric Draven and his true love and fiancée Shelly who were both brutally murdered the night before Halloween the day they were getting married by a gang of very bad guys.

Eric and Shelly dancing in a flashback.

What these bad guys didn't know is that rock n roll musician Eric Draven would be be brought back to life a year after his death by the spirit of the Crow, the mystical bird who connects the natural world with the afterlife. Painting his face like a Harlequin mask that belonged to Shelly, Eric's soul purpose for his resurrection is retribution upon the gang that comitted the murders, the crow following him as his guide and totem.

The thing that you just gotta love about this movie is that while in real life we don't always get to see the bad guys get their comeuppance, which I like to think is part of the appeal of shows like The Sopranos, is that sometimes you just like to know that they're not getting away with it.

From J. O'Barrs original comic

"Abashed the Devil stood and felt how awful goodness is."

This film is so beautifully filmed in all it's dark Gothic glory, and many of the beautifully lyrical lines are taken right from the graphic novel. The soundtrack is one worth owning, and I have played several copies to death over the years. The biggest hit from the soundtrack was Big Empty by Stone Temple Pilots, you'll also find The Cure, Rage Agaist The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Pantera, Jane Siberry, Helmet, This is a rockin soundtrack. I loved this movie so much back in the day that I talked a store manager out of their Crow VHS display and I had it in my livingroom with all my tapes (including The Crow) on it.

Eric Draven leaves his mark in lighter fluid.

Erics character while bent on revenge shows much more depth to his character when he interacts with his young neighbor Sarah and also the cop Officer Albrecht (Ernie Hudson) who handled the murder of himself and Shelly. After scaring the tar out of a bad guy and finishing him off, he uses his otherworldly powers to turn around Sarah's heroin addict mother, as he holds her arm, heroin oozes from her tracks on her arm ans he tells her in an intent filled tone, "Mother is the name for God on the lips and hearts of all children. Do you understand? Morphine is bad for you. Your daughter is out there on the streets waiting for you." Whoa! The gang in this film is truly nasty with names like Skank, Tin-Tin, Fun Boy, T-Bird, and Michael Wincott was just the ultimate bad guy as their leader crime lord Top Dollar.

Top Dollar and his creepy sister

Draven meets the crime syndicate on their own turf.

Brandon Lee created this great character with many layers of anger, sorrow, ruthlessness, humor, love and strength. He could have played it as an angry killing machine, but instead he brings you in and makes you feel his pain and sorrow while you route for him to succeed in the end and find peace. If Brandon Lee he had lived, I believe he would be one of our great actors today.

Eric has a talk with Sarah

I wanted to love the sequels but I just didn't, they couldn't live up to the original. There was also a T.V. series that had a short run, but again I'll always be a fan of this 1994 classic movie the one, the only, The Crow.

Rest in Peace Brandon Lee 1965-1993

Monday Movie Featured Item:

Alder Print from Voice of the Trees, available in our Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/VoiceOfTheTrees

Bran the Blessed is another tragic hero who's totem animal was a big black bird. Like Eric Draven, he was a warrior who fought off the bad guys, Bran went to war when he found out his sister Branwen was being mistreated by her husband. Bran also had a magic cauldron that brought the dead back to life. He was considered brother to the alder tree, and is illustrated here beneath the alder. One more connection, some guitars are made of alder wood, and Eric Draven was a guitarist. Was his guitar made of alder wood? I like to think so.

Blessings,

Fairy Friday: Sacred Source Oak Fairy Prosperity Wall Plaque

2011-10-14T08:41:00.001-05:00

What a happy Fairy Friday! I've been sitting on a really cool project that is now beginning to manifest! Sacred Source is producing four new Celtic Fairy wall plaques based upon my Celtic Tree Fairy series!

Limited Edition Oak Tree Fairy -- Blessings of Prosperity and Growth
Sacred Source's excellent artisans did a great job of reproducing my art as this lovely wall plaque. These plaques are full of magic, and I have personally sent magical energy to charge each one of these special limited edition Oak Fairy collectible plaques with energies of prosperity and abundance.

Click here for more details from Sacred Source

The graceful Oak Tree Fairy rests sheltered in the arms of the mighty oak, cradling the acorn of new life, her wings dappled with sunlight. She offers the ever-present magic of solid strength, dependable century-long growth, and the promise of new opportunity ready to burst into life.

Each 9" x 12" resin plaque is hand painted by the master artists of Sacred Source faithfully reproducing my art, and each limited edition piece is numbered to enhance their value. The Oak Fairy was the first design to be released, but all four will be coming, so you can collect them all. They are great for bringing fairy magic into your home and can be used in your fairy spells as well. The series will have fairies for prosperity, love, healing, and protection, that's a lot of fairy magic!

In Other Fairy News, A Short Enchanted Nature Walk:

We are working on packing up the office where I work for my day job, the boss is moving to a different location and I'll be working part time from home and being a full time Professional Bohemian making more beautiful art for all of you dears, writing, offering readings, and classes both in person and online.

This gorgeous bridge is across the parking lot in the golf course. We get Canada geese, cranes and egrets out there, so pretty!

Yesterday after everyone had left and I was getting ready to head out myself, The fairies that live in the little stand of trees at the back of the parking lot called to me, "Mickie, come and walk a bit, come and play."

Praying mantis on a pin oak branch

What's a witch to do? I followed of course, but not before grabbing my handy camera to see what treasures my fae friends had for me on this Autumn afternoon.

Not being ready to traipse through the woods quite yet with my slightly gimpy foot, this was the perfect, non-challenging nature walk my soul needed.

There are so many mushrooms, soon it may be a ring!

I found mushrooms growing, all fall and winter the birds will enjoy the ripe berries that swell where honeysuckle flowers once bloomed, leaves donning a fresh coat of Autumn color.

I decided as I walked along, that even after I'm not working in this building, I will have to come back for the occasional visit, it's so pretty, and I'll miss this gorgeous view out my window.

Birch, for new beginnings.

Ornamental Crab-apple Tree with the pond in the distance.

I hope you can go out for a Autumn walk, even a short one and see what secrets you'll find!

Blessings!

Beautiful Things From Afar

2011-10-13T12:23:00.001-05:00

Running a home business and Etsy shop, we have a lot of mail going out every week. But this week I got a taste of being on the receiving end of beautiful things coming in the mail!

Owl Post art by Mary GrandPré

The first of these magical packages came from a dear friend of mine that sent me some very cool treasures from the across the pond! I was totally delighted to discover an envelope with a small chalk stone from Uffington, (I work a lot with Rhiannon) a little soil from Glastonberry Tor, and a vial of White Well and Red Chalice Well Essence that she made! I put a few drops on my hurt foot. I put the soil in a pretty jar I had and made a label for it, yes, I'm a dork. But I was absolutely giddy at the unexpected thoughtfulness and I'll treasure each item always!

Pretties gathered in the U.K. by my dear friend!

Then- I got another unexpected envelope in the mail! This time it was from a woman who had ordered a deck from me, she live in Albuquerque, where I grew up. There was a hand made card with a photo of the Sandia Crest, the mountains that you can see from anywhere in the city. I felt a little lost when I moved to the Midwest with no mountain to watch over me. Seeing it just brought back a huge whoosh of memories having grown up seeing it every day. I'm framing it and hanging it over my art table so she can watch over me again. :o)

Oh look, my old mountains!

She also included a little rock from the Sandias, what a treasure, and included a leaf from a cottonwood tree, the fae tree of the Southwest!

This little rock from the Sandias will have to go somewhere very special!

This great gal also makes these gorgeous journals which she sells on Etsy, it's a beautiful supple leather cover, and you can change out the blank book inside so you'll always have it even if you fill it up. So clever! I'm loving this, it's so beautiful, the one she sent me is a pretty shade of leafy green, I'm going to use it for a sketchbook. Here's a link to her shop if you want to see more of her pretties! Magical Intentions http://www.etsy.com/shop/MagickalIntentions I hope my travels bring me back to Albuquerque someday, I would love to meet up with my dear old friends, new friends and see the mountain again!

This leather book is simply delightful!

Last but not least, yesterday the print I ordered from Colorado inspirational fairy artist Lisa Steinke arrived. When I first saw it online, I just had to have it, I thought the art was beautiful, and I love the message and decided that I would like to see it every day. This is a gorgeous print, even better in person. I need to pick up a frame and decide where to hang it now.

Lisa Steinke has lots of gorgeous inspirational prints check out her websites http://www.thefaeriegathering.com/ and http://lisasteinkeart.com

Sometimes it's the little things in life that can just brighten your outlook, a beautiful sunset, a thoughtful word, or just knowing that someone out there "gets" you. Who knew I would find so much magic in my mail box this week! Well, the weekend's almost here and I'm sure I'll be mailing out some more of my own magic soon!

Blessings,

Monday Night Magical Movie: Practical Magic

2011-10-10T09:40:00.000-05:00

Well, I spent the week feeling sorry for myself over my injured foot, and the last blog post I did was about the cancellation of the Voice of the Trees party, so I'm ready to get back to happy things. They say that behind every dark cloud is a silver lining, and that is true, I even found some good in the bad of last week, one of my magical sisters and I got back in touch after a few months and we had a wonderful long conversation, late into the night sharing war stories and putting to rest some old ghosts, and brightening each others outlooks...we chuckled that we probably wouldn't have had that wonderful chat if not for the tragic "iron table vs foot" incident. True magical sisters are a rare treasure, when you are at a dark low, they swoop in and pick you up and get you going again, and you're happy to trade the favor. In honor of all true magical sisters, (I believe you gals know who you are!) and the spirit of the season of the witch, I give you this weeks magical movie, Practical Magic.

This movie from 1998 was based on a book of the same title written by Alice Hoffman. The book is a very different story from the movie, but I truly love both for their similarities and differences.

In the movie, directed by Griffin Dunne, the Owens women suffer under a curse going back to their magical ancestor Maria Owens. Back in the old days, her heart was broken when she realized that her lover would never come to her rescue, so she cast a spell so that she will never fall in love again, but her bitterness over the incident turned the spell into a curse. Now it seems that an untimely death comes to any man who dares to love an Owens woman. As children, Sally and Gillian Owens parents died, their father from the curse and their mother of a broken heart, and they are raised by their wonderfully witchy aunts Fran (Stockard Channing) and Jet. (Dianne West)

Midnight margaritas...I know that spell...er...recipe!

After learning of the curse and then spying on the aunts working love spells for the desperate women of the town, Sally decides she never wants to fall in love and casts a spell of her own to fall in love only with an impossible man who could never exist, or could he?

Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) grow up, Gillian plays the field never getting too serious about love, but Sally falls in love with a great guy, has two beautiful daughters and then the curse kicks in. When her husband dies in a freak accident, she goes into herself, brings her daughters (played delightfully by Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandria Artrip) and moves back in with the aunts. Times get tough, but her sister shows up and gets her back on her feet and breathing again. Next thing you know it's Gillians turn to need her sister when it turns out the guy she's involved with, Jimmy is a real bad guy. After a kidnapping, an attempted strangulation, a belladonna overdose and a botched resurrection spell the sisters find themselves trying to rid themselves of one mean angry ghost.

Enter the very hot lawman, officer Gary Hallet (Aiden Quinn...mmmm) who shows up looking for Gillian's ex boyfriend who it turns out is/was a murderer. Dodged a bullet there ladies, Gary also has fallen for Sally and he has all the impossible attributes of her childhood spell!

What a house! I could have breakfast there, want to join me?

There are so many wonderful scenes in this movie, the classic scene where they have midnight margaritas, the spell to bring Jimmy back including the pentagram drawn on his chest with whipped cream, the phone tree, and who wouldn't want the aunts Book of Shadows?! I love Sally's trick for blowing candles "on," and how about that house!?

"Something white to write with" whipped cream in a pinch!

I also love, love, love the soundtrack for this movie, featuring Stevie Nick's Crystal (which I have always believed has magic in it) This Kiss by Faith Hill, Coconut by Harry Nilsson, etc. great music!

Halloween at the Owen's house.

One of the greatest witchy movies of all time in my book, and I always love to watch it this time of year!

Magical Movie Featured Item:

Spellwork is always afoot in Practical Magic, you'll look your witchy best in this super soft t-shirt featuring my
art Magic is Afoot. Available in our Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio

Blessings,

Voice of the Trees Party Cancelled Due to Injury

2011-10-04T11:52:00.000-05:00

I have bad news this morning:

Yesterday at about 6 am, I went to the bathroom in the dark, forgetting that we moved the iron tables that were in the bathroom so that we could put the new bath mat in place. We left them sitting in front of the sink. At six am in the dark I totally forgot they were there. Oh yeah, you can see this coming, right? I knocked one of those iron tables over onto my leg and foot yesterday morning. I smacked me right in the shin and dragged down onto my foot. I initially thought I had broken my foot. Turns out it's not broken, but it's bruised to the bone and really swollen and I can't put any weight on it and I'm supposed to keep it elevated. Today I woke up with my neck messed up, I guess from moving around on my husbands tall guy crutch yesterday getting to the bathroom, so I'm a mess. To top it off, the pain pills I'm taking are making me pretty loopy, haven't taken them yet today, I needed to write this and contact everyone first. The foot hurts worse today than it did yesterday.

I had to make a decision, and the shape I'm in, I have to cancel the Voice of the Trees Deck Release Party that was sceduled for this Friday at Red Fish Blue Fish. I don't know if I'll be able to move around or even be coherent by Friday.

I don't want to take a chance on Friday, the pain pills I'm taking are making me pretty loopy and I don't think I'm going to be able to manage to do the event. I'm really very sorry to everyone that was looking forward to it, I know I sure was, but I figured I would be better to cancel sooner than later, because the way I feel now, I may have to hobble to the chiropracter as well. I will be ok, but I do tend to push myself too hard sometimes and I really need to heal, the timing couldn't have been worse.

If you have a deck you would like signed or you need to pick one up or just to say hi and hang out, I will be at Pathways on Sunday Oct. 30 for the psychic fair signing decks, I would love to see you as long as a meteor doesn't fall on my head or something, I'll be there!

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

I'm going to put a heating pad on my foot and one on my neck, and lay down for a bit.

Blessings,

Greenman and the Muse, Autumn and Apple Crisp!

2011-09-23T11:09:00.000-05:00

A Project Comes to Fruition

I was contacted earlier this year by my friends from Indiana Cern and his lovely wife Anaan Sapphira to design cover art for their upcoming CD release "Magic Planet." They send the concept of what they wanted mocked up on the computer, basically the planet earth in space with my Greenman art worked in there somehow and looking very magical. After reading his description and seeing his concept rendering, I got a really cool idea to make the Greenman image smiling through the land-masses.

I really had fun working on this piece, and I was happy with the results too. Cern and Anaan worked their butts off in the studio and I wanted this cover to be really special for them. By the way Anaan celebrated her birthday yesterday! Happy birthday dear songstress!

I just got the finished CD in the mail the other day, and I wanted to share it with you, been listening to it in my car! These are wonderful original songs, performed by this magical duo. Listening to their music makes you feel a very personal connection with them and the messages in their songs. Here's a link to their facebook page where you can "like" them and ask about how to pick up a copy for yourself. Lovely and inspiring music from Greenman and the Muse!

If you're interested in some Greenman magic to go with the music, make sure to get a copy of the 2012 Llewellyn's Magical Almanac, I have an article in there all about making prosperity and abundance magic with the Greenman, and who can't use some extra prosperity magic these days?!

Greenman Abundance article and illustrations in Llewellyns 2012 Magical Almanac

In Other News: Autumn in Thoughts, Pictures and Taste Buds

Happy Autumn Equinox/Mabon! I woke up and found a mist had fallen over everything this morning. We had orders going out at the studio, so I placed them on the porch in a clear plastic tote for protection and so the mail carrier could see them easily, then I made my way to the office. I wanted to share a few photos of the beautiful foggy cornfield that I passed on my way to the office this morning and the meadow right outside my office window. I love this time of year, the big second harvest of the wheel of the year!

"Shrouded Harvest Awaits"

"Mabon Road"

"Autumn Meadow Mist"

Tonight, I'll celebrate with a small feast with my family at home to give thanks for all the blessings that we have had throughout the year. I know times are tough for everyone right now, but it's more important in difficult times than ever to make an effort to look for the good things and pay attention to them. Magically, whatever you are giving your attention to is what the universe will give you, so don't focus on what you don't have, train your eye upon your blessings, and more blessings will follow. Tonight when I turn the Wheel of the Year plaque to Mabon and change the items on our family altar, that will be my focus. For desert I'm going to try making Weight Watchers Apple Crisp recipe! I'll let you know how it turns out in the comments below.

Weight Watchers Apple Crisp

Ingredients:
- 4 medium apples
- 1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cups uncooked old fashioned oats
- 3 tbsp reduced-calorie margarine

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Stir together apples, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice; pour into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
Cut flour, oatmeal, remaining brown sugar and margarine together with a pastry blender or fork in a medium bowl; sprinkle over apple mixture.
Bake until apples are tender and top is browned, about 45 minutes.
Serving size = 1/2 cup
Each serving = 3 Weight Watchers Points

Autumn Blessings!

ACEO Cards From the Archives

2011-09-22T14:53:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I forget how long I've been doing this, seriously a very very long time.

We had decided that we needed a new mattress and I wanted to do it before I go to full time Professional Bohemian and part time home office worker. That big change in my life will happen exactly at the Celtic New year, that's right Oct. 31 is when the office I work at will close, although the business will remain but running lean and mean, with a small office in the city and most of our work done on our laptops. My boss has decided that she wants to keep me on part time working from home so I'll still have a suplimentary income and lots more time for my art career. It's pretty exciting, especially now that I'm starting on the Mystical Cats Tarot with teamie Lunaea Weatherstone.

"Love Spell" an unpublished spec illustration from years ago that I hand colored last night!

So Dan and I decided that any upgrades we needed at home better happen now while I still have that full time check rolling in, and our mattress had big dips in it where our bodies go, not so nice. In the process of getting our new mattress, I pulled a couple of those flat plastic tubs from under my bed that store tons of old memorabilia in from days of yore...yep, yore. You know, the old days when I used to make promotional art for local rock bands, and my early forays into my current path of spiritual art. I really had fun going through it, so many memories. I kept about half of it, pitching duplicate flyers, notes that didn't mean anything anymore, etc. Some of what I found as I dug through were some original pieces that I had created for different reasons, circa 1997-99. I have some small full color art I had made to use for various promotional pieces back when I was Mickie Hodges, before Dan and I got married. I also had a few small pen and ink line art samples that I had made as spec pieces to show as examples of my work from 1999. At the time I was stretching my fledgling wings and sending samples to magazine and book publishers looking for illustration jobs.

All the ACEO cards made from "lost art!"

I almost put these little gems back in the box to go back into storage until the next time I took a trip down memory lane...almost. Then it occurred to me, these were pretty darned cool and they were just hidden away. Someone might really enjoy having these little drawings. Then I realized that they were almost the right size for ACEO cards. Inspiration had struck! I measured them and I was right. I trimmed them down ever so slightly, three full color pieces, and three pen and inks. I decided that I would add color to the pen and ink ones, and I must say, it was really fun and I love the results.

Pen and ink unpublished original illustrations, hand colored all one of a kind.

Promotional pieces, used to promote my art business long ago, also unpublished, one of a kind!

So there you have it, I have 6 new ACEO cards to offer, each one a little history from the Old Wooden Art Table that you can own if you're so inclined. Three unpublished spec illustrations hand inked in 1999 and hand colored with watercolor and colored pencil in 2011. Three colored pencil drawings created in 1997 as promo pieces for my business. All six are one of a kind. I just posted them in our Etsy shop I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed creating them!

For a closer look at these unique one of a kind cards click here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio?section_id=6838048

Bright Blessings,

The Magic of Oval Art Tiles

2011-09-21T11:05:00.003-05:00

We love our oval art tiles and wanted to share with you all to great things about them including ways to use them for decoration, and yes, even for magic! When we go to festivals, our 4" x 6" ceramic oval wall tiles are really popular, people pick them up, hold them in their hands, and just love the feel of them. We think there are many reasons for this, here are a few of our favorite reasons that we love them, we think you will too!

Lady of the Forest peers out mischievously from this wall.

Great to Collect: These tiles look really nice hanging in groupings on the wall. We know someone who had an open space over a long doorway and filled it with a row of fairy oval art tiles. They also look nice hanging with a grouping of other items like candle sconces, wreaths or art.

Solar Eclipse, the embrace of the Sun God and Moon Goddess, wouldn't this add lusty energy to your bedroom?!

Magical Uses: These tiles can make really great permanent magic for your home. You can write on the back with a fine line permanent marker or metallic paint pen, so why not add your own magical symbols or charms to the back and charge it with your intentions. Bridget could add happy home and healing energy. Use the Rowan Fairy to shield your home from negative energies. The Oak Fairy or Greenman could hang around and add a boost to your finances! You could also add an herbal wash to the back and let it dry before adding your writing or symbols for an extra magical punch.

Affordable: At only ten bucks each, these tiles are a great value. These beautiful gloss finish ceramic tiles are a beautiful decorative piece to hang on your wall. They measures 4" x 6" and are a great way to collect artwork when you're on a budget.

Tatianas New Dress, I have one in my bathroom which is all decorated in greens and fairies.

They're so Pretty: The look of the art printed on these ceramic tiles gives it a very attractive soft look. The fronts are glossy, and the back is uncoated ceramic. The art is not paper decoupaged onto these tiles, we use the dye sublimation method to make these tiles right in our studio. The art is printed using special dyes and then with heat and pressure the dye is actually infused into the surface of the ceramic.

Versatility: They come complete with a hanger already on the back, so you can hang them wherever you want, and you don't have to buy a frame, it's self contained and ready to go. Great for hanging near your altar, or they can be displayed on a small easel.

Here's what the backs look like.

Gift Giving: Because they're so affordable, they make great gifts, many of our customers have told us they've given these as gifts. One bride ordered several to give her bridal party, she wrote the names and date on the back with a metallic pen to make them personalised keepsakes of her special day. We also had a customer pick one up to give as a gift to someone as an initiation gift. Who would you give one to?

Convenient Size: For people who don't have room for prints but want to own a piece of this magical art, these great art tiles are a great solution, you can always find a little nook or corner to display one of these sweet oval tiles.

That's what our oval tiles are all about, a really classy looking and affordable way to add flair to any room. We have loads of them now in our Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio and adding more over the next 24 hours. If you ever see any of Mickie's art that we don't have an an oval tile, drop us an email or convo, we're happy to make you a custom one.

Blessings,

Monday Night Magical Movie: Excalibur

2011-09-19T12:22:00.001-05:00

Here's a blast from the past, 1981 classic fantasy film Excalibur directed by John Boorman and based on Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory. I think it's the best movie ever made based on Arthurian legend. I went to see this with my grandmother when it first came out in theaters, I remember sitting next to her there in the theater when I was 16 watching Uther Pendragon have sex with Igrayne (Katherine Boorman) while wearing his armor. That had to be more uncomfortable for Igrayne that it was for my poor grandmother.

To me this is one of the best magical movies out there, it's beautifully filmed, full of magic, good and evil, romance, an intense soundtrack and it taught us all The Charm of Making! "Anall nathrach, oorfas bethud, dorhiel dienvay" a charm that we since discovered, if said with feeling, is great for dislodging in a most speedy manner aggressive fundamentalists from New Age shops, but that's another story.

I chuckled watching it again, the font used in the opening is so "1981 Fantasy," but once the film actually starts I found that it's really not dated at all. The casting was perfect, so many wonderful actors are found in this masterpiece. A very young Helen Mirrin shows her regal talent early on as Morgana, Arthur's sister and dark sorceress. I find that Nicol Williamson was the best Merlin in film history, playing the enigmatic mage and teacher with equal parts of warmth, humor, wisdom and power.

Morgana and Merlin face off.

I thought Nigel Terry was wonderful as Arthur taking him from wide eyed youth to aging king. Again I thought Cherie Lunghi was the most charming and sympathetic Gwenevere in film. Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, it is what would become an all star cast.

Coolest Medieval wedding ever!

There are some things about this movie that I love. The clever way they used lighting to portray the living magic in the sword Excalibur was brilliant. Whenever it's drawn, you see a green light reflecting on every ones armor, it's subtle and cool. The scenery and costuming is absolutely inspiring.

I love the two creepy kids as well, who is creepier, little Morgana as a child or her son little Mordred? I think they are both pretty darned creepy. I love Mordred's golden armor.

Little Morgan leading Arthurs Knights to their doom, his mother is so proud!

Little Morgana, she knows what's up even if the growups don't and she tells them so in her creepy dubbed voice.

One of the most iconic scenes in the movie is when Arthur and his knights ride through an orchard of trees in bloom, petals falling all around them.

I love this classic magical movie, it has everything you need if you're looking for a great movie to enchant your imagination!

Arthur drawing Excalibur from the stone.

Blessings,

Giveaway! Autumn Masque Necklace Hosted by "Love of the Goddess"

2011-09-17T11:07:00.002-05:00

Happy Weekend Dear Readers,

I'm pleased to announce that Love of the Goddess Blog is hosting a giveaway of one of my Autumn Masque Glass Crystal Art Necklace!

Autumn Masque Glass Crystal Art Necklace The art on this classy sparkling pendant is mounted on the back, the beveled edges are faceted adding a bit of sparkle, and the art looks brilliant shining out from behind the 1/4 inch thick pendant. We print the artwork right in our studio, then we heat press it and the special dye transfers to the treated back of the crystal. If you hold it up to the light, it shines through. The size is just perfect, 1 inch wide x 1 1/2 inch tall, with a beautiful silver tone bail. This pendant comes on a sepia colored satin 18 inch cord and has a chain to make it adjustable up to 20 inches. They are packaged in a little craft jewelry box with white padded insert as shown, tied with a silver cord. These are securely shipped in an additional box to arrive safely to you.

Ok so now for the rules to entering. Go to our Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio and then go to Love of the Goddess Blog and comment on some of your favorite items. For extra credit, follow my blog. If you already follow this blog, make sure you tell them you're following over at Love of the Goddess. The giveaway will last for one week, at which time they will choose the winner using random.org. Make sure they have easy access to your contact info! Thanks to Love of the Goddess for hosting this giveaway! I hope everyone has fun playing.

* Don't enter here on my blog, it will only count if you enter at:
http://loveofthegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-from-mickie-mueller.html

Have fun and good luck!

Fairy Friday: Lisa Hunt's Fairy Tale Tarot

2011-09-16T11:06:00.001-05:00

Happy Fairy Friday Readers!

I'm here to share the fairy love! I have long been a fan of fairy tales, I love the old "original" versions of Hans Christian Anderson and Grimm. (they don't call him Grimm for no reason you know)

My copy of The Fairy Tale Tarot

Magical stories, cautionary tales, dream inspired, morality tales, I love them all. I have also long been a fan of the beautiful watercolor art of renowned Tarot artist and writer Lisa Hunt, who I am also proud to call my friend. So when I learned that she was working on The Fairy Tale Tarot, I was simply over the moon! I ran to get my copy in 2009 shortly after it came out.

I love the Fairy godmother card representing the traditional Empress, one of my favorites!

This is a simply stunning and magical deck. Lisa's obvious reverence for the childhood stories is reflected in the work, it's so full of spirit. I love her wonderful eye for detail. Her fairy tale world is lush and ornate with bejeweled maidens, roots and vines that twist like scroll work, light and shadow reflecting the very soul of the classic fairy tales they represent. Every detail is a delight, down to every last tiny pebble, secret spider web or myriad of hidden faces in the background. Her mastery of the medium of watercolor is so apparent when examining her rendering of water, sky, and land and her amazing ability to create glowing light upon paper.

When I got my copy, I was at work and my boss and I plopped right down onto the floor and did a reading. It is a lovely deck to work with, and I find that the fairy tale messages really speak to your inner self, these are stories that live within us at very deep levels. I also was so moved by Lisa's portrayal of the stories within her art. Each piece skillfully created has as many details, layers and hidden messages as the original stories do.

For me, as someone who grew up deeply loving fairy tales, another great thing about this deck is the book. Lisa has really done her research and brings tales of other cultures to explore, so there are all new fairy tales to tickle your imagination!

I know you will enjoy this deck as much as I have. Every time I use it, it's a new journey into realms of imagination and a treat for my inner child.

If you would like your own copy of The Fairy Tale Tarot, click here!
Visit Lisa Hunt's The Fairy Tale Tarot http://www.thefairytaletarot.com/
Visit Lisa Hunts website for more of her beautiful art http://www.lisahuntart.com/
Follow Lisa's blog http://lisahuntart.com/blog/

Also, watch for her Ghosts and Spirits Tarot coming soon from US Games, I can wait to get my hands on this one! http://www.facebook.com/GhostsAndSpiritsTarot/

Have a great weekend!
Blessings,

Rainy Day and Secret Messages in the Magical Garden

2011-09-14T14:39:00.000-05:00

My sweet grand kids are visiting on this rainy Wednesday, and we looked out the window and noticed a walking stick sitting there on the screen! So I grabbed my camera to go take a picture. I didn't want to mess up my camera, so I stuck it in a plastic bag to keep the rain off of it.

Miss Olivia loved the walking stick!

I looked up the message that the walking stick has as a spirit animal since he came to sit on my window today while I'm working from home. One of the walking sticks messages is that meditation and prayer will bring much greater results and benefits now. I found that interesting since I have been doing the thirty days of meditating on the crystal grids for world peace, which I'm happy to report is going well, and filling me with peace as well. Apparently another lesson of the Walking stick is that there are things going on behind the scenes that I am unaware of, and that I need to sit still waiting and watching and the the proper course of action will make itself known. Also the need to camouflage and prepare in a quiet and calm manner for what we seek to accomplish and we will find ultimate success. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, it really is. Interesting, I will try to heed the lessons of the walking stick, he's still there on my window as I write this.

Raindrops clinging to newly forming acorns on my oak tree.

Once I was outside taking pictures of my friend the walking stick in the rain, I saw lots of other beautiful things on this rainy day I thought I would share with you.

All the flowers are enjoying the rain, the garden is so happy!

Morning glory, I'm trying to clear them out, they've taken over my little alcove, it was looking like Gray Gardens for awhile there! Here's one I missed, they are so very pretty, I just wish they weren't so aggressive.

Something as simple as blades of grass can become a source of inspiration on a rainy day.

Have a beautiful day!
Blessings,

Top 5 Fall Recipes For Warm Mugs!

2011-09-13T11:52:00.002-05:00

The pumpkins are showing up in the grocery stores and the leaves are just beginning to change. The cool air is welcomed after the blazing hot summer we had! I'm feeling excited about the warm fall beverages that I love. Budgets are tight though, and I don't want to drop five bucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte at the coffee shop. So I'm breaking out my favorite mugs that make me feel more special than a paper cup anyway and making my own at home! I hope you dig these recipes as much as I do. At the end of each recipe I've listed the magical properties of the ingredients that bring blessings to your cup! If you like the mugs in the pictures below, they are all available in our Etsy shops, http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio & http://www.etsy.com/shop/VoiceOfTheTrees they are dishwasher and microwave safe and will make enjoying your favorite warm beverages at home even more special...and magical!

Pumpkin Spice Latte, made right at home and served in the Pumpkin Fairy mug.

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Everything pumpkin is gooood!

2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons sugar or 2 packages of stevia
2 tablespoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar (or stevia) and cook on medium heat, constantly stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy.

Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Top it off with the coffee. Sprinkle with a bit of pumpkin pie spice, if you want to get really fancy you can use whipped cream.
Magical Blessings in Your Cup:
milk:Goddess energy, nurturing
pumpkin: moon blessings, intuition, love
sugar:kindness, protection
stevia:balance, wisdom, love of self and others
vanilla: love, higher consciousness
pumpkin pie spice: prosperity, protection, love
coffee: energy, mental acuity

Mocha Coffee, can't get enough chocolate as you can see! This warm beverage tastes even better in my Steampunk Fairy mug!

2. Mocha Coffee
This one is a super easy classic.

1 cup hot brewed coffee
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon white sugar (or two packages of Stevia)
A splash of milk

Pour hot coffee into your favorite mug. Stir in cocoa, sugar and milk.

Magical Blessings in Your Cup:

coffee: energy, mental acuity

cocoa: divine drink of love, prosperity

sugar: kindness, protection

stevia:balance, wisdom, love of self and others

milk: Goddess energy, nurturing

Nutty Irishman, I especially love the flavor of Frangelico hazelnut liqueur!
The hazel mug from our Voice of the Trees Etsy shop is perfect for this warming delight!

3. Nutty Irishman

I worked as a bartender for seven wonderful years, and while I don't have the urge to do it again, I had to share my version of this wonderful coffee drink! Are you 21? Let's see some ID!

1 oz Baileys or generic Irish Cream
1 oz Frangelico
1 oz Kaluah or generic coffee liqueur
Hot coffee
Whipped cream

Dampen the rim of your coffee cup and dip it in cinnamon sugar. I like a 15 oz mug for this one so I can have two and not get too tipsy. You can adjust the liquor according to taste. Top off with hot coffee, add whipped cream and top whipped cream with more cinnamon sugar.
Magical Blessings in Your Cup:
Frangelico/hazelnut liquor: inspiration, wisdom
Kaluah and coffee:energy, mental acuity
Baileys/vanilla, almond: love, higher consciousness, intuition
whipped cream:Goddess energy, nurturing
cinnamon: prosperity, health, and spiritual energy

Home made hot cocoa melts the ice from your cold bones, but won't melt the ice on this Midnight Ice Fairy mug!

4. Home Made Hot Cocoa
Perfect for a snow day, this recipe makes 4 cups so you can share! If you believe the Old Farmers Almanac, we're supposed to get early snow this year, so keep these ingredients on hand!

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup water
2 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 oz can low fat evaporated milk

Add water to a large saucepan and whisk in the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt, stirring, bring to a slow boil, reduce to simmer and for about 2 minutes, stirring so it doesn't scorch. Stir in the milk and evaporated milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.

Magical Blessings in Your Cup:

sugar: kindness, protection

cocoa: divine drink of love, prosperity

salt:banishes negative energy, protection

water: balance, life force energy

milk, evaporated milk, whipped cream:

vanilla: love, higher consciousness

Hot Mulled Cider, we always serve it on Halloween night, you guys and gouls can fight over the other mugs, the Autumn Masque mug is mine!

5. Mulled Cider

An all time fall favorite, we love this one on Halloween/Samhain. It makes the house smell so good!

1 jug of apple cider

5 cinnamon sticks

2 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

Pour the apple cider into a large pot or crock pot and heat on low heat. Add the spices to the cider and allow it to steep for 1/2 hour-45 minutes. Share and enjoy!

Magical Blessings in Your Cup:

apple: love and healing

cinnamon: prosperity, health, and spiritual energy

cloves: truth, harmony

nutmeg: health, good luck

ginger: love, health, power

cardamom: love

I hope you enjoy these warm drinks this fall, I know we'll be enjoying them around the studio to keep our hands warm and our hearts happy!

From my kitchen to yours!

Crimson Wings: Fairy Dude Warrior is Done!

2011-09-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

At long last! It's not like the actual working time took me this long, he just kept sitting there unfinished glaring at me from the old wooden art table, but I finished him up last night, and I must say now that he's done, grrrowll.

Close up detail

Some people might think fairy folk are all goodness and light, but this guy may beg to differ. If you cut down the wrong tree or insult the Good People of the forest, well if he's around you don't want to do any of those things. If you are a friend to the fairy races however, this fae warrior print will be a great defender to you, your property and family. You'll love having this guy to watch your back as he graces your home with protective energy! This piece will also be part of the Enchanted Visions Project.

Here he is in full view.

I'm so happy to have gotten him finished, adding the tattoos and more detail really brought him to life. He's in our Etsy shop now as both open edition and limited numbered prints, so you can bring him home to your house anytime you want to! Watch for indoor/outdoor flags, coffee mugs, oval tiles, candle sconces and more!

Enjoy!

Sandalwood and Smelly Socks-World Peace Meditation Challenge: Day 2,

2011-09-09T22:17:00.001-05:00

I challenged myself to thirty days of meditation using the Reiki World Peace Cards yesterday. Click here for the original post explaining this challenge.

Day One, Yesterday:
I started the challenge last night, and I have to say working with the Reiki crystal grid cards on day one was really powerful. I plumped up the pillows on my bed, lit some saffron incense and hit the relaxing wind chime sound effects button on my alarm clock and laid out the cards in front of me. I gazed at the cards for a bit, then I drew the Reiki symbols one by one over the cards. I placed my wrists on my knees so my open palms were over the cards and I sent Reiki to the grid. I could see them all in my head, so I closed my eyes. I reached a meditative state and saw my usual purple swirls of energy. At one point during the meditation I could actually feel the metal of the grids, it was really cool, my hands were vibrating with energy, and I had visions of the grids pulsing and rippling energy outward. Wow! I was impressed. I felt very relaxed and balanced when I was done and propped the cards up on a shelf in my bedroom.

Day Two, Today:
I had a pretty good day, felt pretty relaxed and happy and got a lot of things done. This evening I set out to repeat my meditation, closed my bedroom door, set everything up as before and focused. I closed my eyes and it went something like this, "Mmmm...world peace, world peace...do I smell socks? Someone left socks on the floor. It's not my feet, I had sandals on today...definitely socks. Focus, world peace, world peace...Sandalwood, I like sandalwood, but maybe I should go back to the saffron...sandalwood and socks, hmmmm. Focus, world peace, world peace, crystal grid, I'm sitting too far from my pillow, scoot myself back, sit up straight, better. It's Soma's birthday today, wish we could have made the party, but I'd hate to pass Dans cold on to anyone...Focus, world peace, crystal grid, I see the North Pole and South Pole grids bringing energy to the world, poles, poles, did I set the pole cards up differently than yesterday? Reverse the poles? Reverse Polarity?
Cue the music in my head:
"A tired mind become a shape shifter,
Everybody need a mood lifter,
Everybody need reverse polarity. Everybody got mixed feelings
About the function and the form.
Everybody got to elevate from the norm."
No, no, lyrics from Vital Signs by Rush are not good for focusing on meditation! Focus, focus, world peace, crystal grid, Gods, this bra is really digging in, maybe I should loose the bra..."

So yeah, one amazing meditation experience, one not so much. What's the lesson here? I believe that it's this; the thing you're trying to do but you're having trouble, that's what you need to do more of. The more you do it, the better you'll get at it. I used to be really good at dropping into a meditative state with ease, but I'm a bit out of practice, so it's good that I'm doing this. I gathered up my cards, held them in my hands and quietly send Reiki energy to them. It's all good. Anyone who does Reiki could do it that way and it will work just as well as meditating through it. I really want to do the meditating because I know it's good for my peace of mind and well-being as well as the rippling out effect. \So tomorrow, I'll be back at it again.

Blessings,

Visualize Whirled Peas, ahem World Peace Actually

2011-09-08T21:38:00.001-05:00

I've decided the meditate on World Peace for at least 15 minutes every day for thirty days.
How did all this all start? Well, it all started with Barbara Moore, author of many Tarot decks and books including the upcoming Steampunk Tarot. She posted the following video on Facebook and challenged her friends to try something new for thirty days as well. I thought the idea was intriguing. Here is the video...http://www.wimp.com/somethingnew/

So earlier this week I had signed up for a Reiki newsletter. For those who don't know, Reiki is a energy healing technique in which the practitioner channels universal life force healing energy through their hands to heal mind, body and spirit. I've been a Reiki Master/Teacher for years now and I thought it would be a good way to keep up to date on all the new Reiki stuff out there. Shortly after I read Barbara's post, I checked my email and the newsletter was there, I had found my new thing to do for thirty days! William Lee Rand of the International Reiki Center has had these really cool Reiki crystal grids made and has placed them all over the world, even at the north and south poles. He has taken photos of them when they were placed, and created downloadable cards that you can print out.

Some of the World Peace Grid cards I printed, front and back.

The idea is that if loads of people meditate on the cards each person become part of the World Peace Grid. What a cool idea! By simply opening to their energy, you’ll become a channel for love and peace which will flow through you to all the people on Earth. To do this, hold the cards in your hands or place them in front of you. Then simply meditate on peace. The cards are also supposed to create peace in the environment they are located in and healing within you when you meditate with them. Bonus! Send good things into the world, good things come back.

The inscription on the grids read:
"May the followers of all religions and spiritual paths
work together to create peace among all people on earth."

All of the cards fronts, with the Triple Goddess looking on. I'm going to go meditate now.

So I decided, why not? I need to be meditating anyway, so I decided to start using the cards for at least a 15 minute meditation every day. I printed them out, they're really pretty! If any one else is interested, it's a free download, so far there have been nearly 250,000 downloads of the World Peace Cards.

Here's the link to download the cards and print your own set and join me.

Additional World Peace Cards
http://www.reiki.org/WPCM.html

Blessings!

Party for Voice of the Trees!

2011-08-31T14:08:00.003-05:00

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

Amethyst Dreams

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.

I hope to see you!

Blessings!

Crimson Wings: A Work in Progress

2011-08-30T11:56:00.001-05:00

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 Night Magical Movie: Time Bandits

2011-08-29T19:31:00.001-05:00

This is one of those movies that takes me back, it's a classic in my book.

Time Bandits was released in 1981 and is another of those great movies that tie back to the Monty Python gang, written and directed by Terry Gilliam, co-written by Michael Palin, and John Cleese makes an appearance as well as Robin Hood. Another notable contributor is Beatle George Harrison who is uncredited, but wrote and preformed the song for the closing credits Dream Away.

While at first glance, it's a fun movie adventure full of sci-fi and magic, if you look a bit deeper you'll find that it's a tale about the nature of good and evil. In fact one of my families most quotable lines from the movie is, "It's evil...don't touch it!" delivered with a proper English accent. In our house this line can apply to anything from whatever the cat left on the floor, to a recipe gone horribly wrong, although never as wrong as the one at the end of this film! That's all I'm saying, no spoilers, although I will say my 12 year old son does not like how this movie ends, he has a soft heart!

Our story begins in the home of Kevin (Craig Warnock) a bright imaginative kid and his parents who seem quite dull and obsessed with TV and all of the latest and greatest gadgets it presents to help you have a convenient and modern life. Poor kid, seems out of place to me. But his life gets much more interesting when a magical door appears in his bedroom sending a mounted knight tromping through his bedroom. He does what any self respecting 11 year old kid would do, he sits up the next night with a camera and waits. This time he meets a band of six small men, Randall, Fidget, Vermin, Strutter, Og and Wally, with a "borrowed" map of all the holes in space and time.

The group posing for one of Kevins photos with the map.

They are on the run from their annoyed employer, the Supreme Being. Kevin ends up being dragged along with them and soon finds out that the group is in charge of fixing the holes in space and time. This was apparently a demotion from their previous job of creating trees and bushes, being moved into repair duty after creating the Pink Bunkadoo a particularly smelly 600 foot tall tree. Not happy with their new career situation, they decided that stealing the map and plundering history for it's riches was a much better idea that fixing those holes. Which would be why they are now being pursued by the Wizard of Oz like head of the Supreme Being who bellows, "Return the maaaaap!"

The Bandits doing a questionable performance of "Me and My Shadow" for Napoleon

Following Randall (David Rappaport) who asserts his leadership, by reminding them that they decided there would be no leader, followed by, "So shut up and do what I say!" They end up stealing from Napoleon(Ian Holm), donating to Robin Hoods cause against their will, stealing from King Agamemnon (Sean Connery), and sinking on the Titanic.

John Cleese as Robin Hood calls sincerely as they leave, "Thank you very much! Thank you very much. Thank you very very very VERY much!
Then says aside, "What awful people."

Kevin with Agamemnon, a pretty buff Sean Connery in a tunic....nice!

The whole time unaware that Evil (David Warner) has been watching them with great interest and intends to get his hands on that map. He secretly influences them to visit the Time of Legends in order to pilfer "The Most Fabulous Object in the World," which just happens to be located in Fortress of Ultimate Darkness, Evils abode.

Evil has several minions, but only the ones stupid enough never to question him last very long, the smarter ones who do question him seem to get blown up during conversations quite easily.
As Evil tells one of his more faithful followers, "Oh, Benson... Dear Benson, you are so mercifully free of the ravages of intelligence."

It's Evil, Don't touch it!

Evil is really pretty scary, with his crazy sci-fi industrial meets Gothic costuming and realm, it reminds me a bit of the Harkonins from David Lynch's Dune, but that's a movie for another day!

One of the most iconic images from the movie happens in the Time of Legends after the travelers end up swept onto Winston the Ogre's boat. They turn the tables on the ogre and his wife (delightfully sinister Katherine Helmond from Soap) tossing them both overboard only to discover that the ship is actually being warn as a hat by a really cool giant who goes stomping across the land!

A couple of re-occurring characters are the ridiculous pair Pansy( Shelly Duvall) and Vincent(Michael Palin), as a couple that meet throughout time, although they always seem to have some kind of unspeakable personal problems standing in the way of any kind of normal relationship.

Pansy and Vincent tied to a tree in Sherwood Forest, "The problem, Pansy! It's started again! ...I must have...fruit!"

When Ralph Richardson finally appears as the Supreme Being, (his full body, not just his very aggressive floating head) he still reminds me a bit of the Wizard of Oz, but delightfully so, very matter of fact, and in charge.

Kevin: "Why does their have to be Evil?'
Supreme Being: "I think it has something to do with free will."

It's quite a journey, and well worth the trip!

Happy Monday!

And the Winner Is....

2011-08-22T19:18:00.000-05:00

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,

Monday Night Magical Movie: August Rush

2011-08-22T10:00:00.002-05:00

The first time I saw this film I fell head over heels in love with it and had to buy it to play in the studio whenever I wanted!

Freddie Highmore, Keri Russel and Jonathan Rhys Meyers star in this 2007 film about music, love and magic.

Evan is a dreamy and talented 11 year old musical prodigy who lives in an orphanage. He says, "I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales." He hears music in everything, every sound is music in his ears. The naive youngster follows the music and the moon and finds himself outside the orphanage for the first time and lost in the middle of New York City. We learn that his parents were both musicians, his father Lewis was an Irish Rock musician and his mother Lyla a classical cellist. The two met one magical night on a rooftop as he serenaded her with Van Morrison's Moondance. The pair were separated in the tradition of star-crossed lovers without any way to find each other again.

Evan grew up without his parents even knowing of his existence. His father never knowing of his conception, and his mother was lead to believe that he was lost late in her pregnancy when she was involved in an accident. Evan never stopped believing that he would find his parents and that they wanted to be with him, but they somehow got lost.

Evan meets Arthur playing his music in the park.

He befriends a young street musician about his age who brings him to an abandoned building and introduces him to Wizard. Wizard is man who trains children as street musicians to play for money, reminiscent of Oliver Twists Fagin. Played by Robin Williams who proves once again that he can play not only clever lovable characters but also a complex self serving creep. But Wizard has his good side, he teaches Evan about music, and to play his guitar, taking him under his wing and even comes up with his stage name August Rush which he sees on the side of a truck, in a message about the August rush to the beach.

Evan, now named August Rush horsing around with Wizard.

August, continues to follow the music and it leads him on an amazing journey. Both parents and the son seem to be guided by the hand of fate who contacts them through music.

Hope teaches August about notes, he thinks she mus be an angel.

This story not only is a tribute to the power of love and the magic of music, but it points to the concept of cellular memory, the magic of what we carry in our DNA that makes us who we are. Without giving you any spoilers, if you listen closely to the orchestral piece at the end you'll get a wonderful surprise. Each one, Lewis, Lyla, and August believe that the music that they play is for the one that they love, that somehow they need to hear it and that it will help them find each other.

Johathan Rhys Meyers rocks, who knew?

I love the music in this movie, we even get to hear Jonathan Rhys Meyers perform. Freddie Highmore is just delightful as he embraces this child who loves music more than food. Keri Russel is sweet as Evans heartbroken mother.

This is a story full of little magical moments that all add up to a whole lot of big magic that will make you happy and make your heart sing. "The music is all around us, all you have to do...is listen."

In Other News

This evening somone will win all this loot, read on!

If you haven't registered to win the awesome box full of Mickie Mueller loot including a signed copy of Voice of the Trees, today Monday 8/22/11 is your last day to "Rush" over and get signed up! Click here for the blog post and instructions on how to register. I'll do the drawing in the evening and the winner will be announced by Tuesday! Good luck!

Blessings!

Crimson Wings: A Work in Progress

2011-08-17T20:47:00.001-05:00

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,

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

2011-08-04T10:15:00.004-05:00

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:

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!
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.
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!

Recipe: Hot Car Garlic & Rosemary Bread

2011-08-03T13:54:00.002-05:00

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,

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

2011-08-02T13:47:00.001-05:00

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,

Tales from the Old Wooden Art Table

Celebrating the Art of the Magical Paths

This Isn't Your Moms Designer Handbag!

Monday Night Magical Movie: Big Fish

Celtic Tree Calendar Online Class

A Little Magic for Your Car!

Magical Movie Monday: The Mists of Avalon

My First Celtic Tree Calender Class at Pathways!

Voice of the Trees Nominated for a PECTO Award!

New Fairies on My Doorstep!

Celtic Tree Calender Classes, Starting in January!

Magical Movie Monday: Hogfather

Celtic Tree Calendar: Elder Moon To Release Regret

Fairy Friday: When Life Gives You Cicadas...Fairy ACEO Cards

Voice of the Trees: Decked Out for the Holidays!

Monday Night Magical Movie: Ladyhawke

Manly Steins Made With a Bolt and Wrench!

Lovely Decadance: Easy German Apple Pancake Recipe

Fairy Friday: Join Me For an Interview on Blogtalk Radio Tonight

Monday Night Magical Movie: The Secret of Moonacre

Fairy Friday: Sacred Source, Even Better in Person!

Attention Shop Owners: A Contest to Win Voice of the Trees Merchandise!

Monday Night Magical Movie: The Crow

Fairy Friday: Sacred Source Oak Fairy Prosperity Wall Plaque

Beautiful Things From Afar

Monday Night Magical Movie: Practical Magic

Voice of the Trees Party Cancelled Due to Injury

Greenman and the Muse, Autumn and Apple Crisp!

ACEO Cards From the Archives

The Magic of Oval Art Tiles

Monday Night Magical Movie: Excalibur

Giveaway! Autumn Masque Necklace Hosted by "Love of the Goddess"

Fairy Friday: Lisa Hunt's Fairy Tale Tarot

Rainy Day and Secret Messages in the Magical Garden

Top 5 Fall Recipes For Warm Mugs!

Crimson Wings: Fairy Dude Warrior is Done!

Sandalwood and Smelly Socks-World Peace Meditation Challenge: Day 2,

Visualize Whirled Peas, *ahem* World Peace Actually

Party for Voice of the Trees!

Crimson Wings: A Work in Progress

Monday Night Magical Movie: Time Bandits

And the Winner Is....

Monday Night Magical Movie: August Rush

Crimson Wings: A Work in Progress

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

Recipe: Hot Car Garlic & Rosemary Bread

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

Visualize Whirled Peas, ahem World Peace Actually