Mad March and Luna Hares...
So here we are again in mad March and the clocks have now gone forward for British summer time!
Last weekend was glorious sunshine, so I went out for a drive in our new car around the Wiltshire countryside, visiting Avebury and on the way home stopping off for a cold drink at a country pub called the Golden Swan. I thought the name, Golden Swan was kind of magical, like the The Prancing Pony in Lord of the Rings.
Avebury was very busy and this time, we only managed to walk around the ancient stones. Usually, I like to visit the old Manor house and gardens with it's spring flowers in bloom, but since the house has been redecorated it was closed and only open at certain times of the day.
The Fairy Queen and Moon Jewellery!
Spring has truly sprung and I have been busy sorting out fairy postcards and making new moon jewellery.
Secret projects are going well at the moment and I feel very fortunate to have been asked to paint a collection of illustrations. I would love to share the new work with you, but the creative process needs nurturing and time to grow.
The Little Wren and Fairy Queen image will soon be listed as packs of five postcards in Etsy.
I illustrated the queen 2 years ago and since finding the feathers in the garden there will be some more illustrations of fairies wearing feathery hats. I'm in the process of building up a collection of drawings for prints. This picture might become a print as well.
Moons, hares and oak leaf pendants are the the new designs in the shop... Silver hares are also available on brooches too!
Last year I was lucky to sell a bracelet to a lady who is a good friend with Evanna Lynch. Most people know Evanna as the magical girl, Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter Movies. I sent Luna one of my Fairy Hare cards as well because she inspired me to create the illustration about 3 years ago.
What would be your special animal that protects you?
I think the obvious choices would be a cat or a dog, but I would quite like to have an owl or a raven as a guardian! ;-)
Dear blog friends I hope you all had a lovely Easter!
This is just a small message to say that I'm having a break for a while from Blogger and Facebook because of work commitments. I hope to see you again soon when things are less hectic... Have a good spring and summer. Best wishes. xxx
36 comments:
Hi Jo,
So nice to visit and hear about some of my favorite books :) I think your new pendants are a great success. The swirly moons coupled with hares or maple leaves are so original and gorgeous. And of course, the Luna bracelet is a charm. I'll have to stop by your shop one of these days soon...
Thanks for visiting my cousin Donna's blog. I do guest posts there once in a while, but still haven't gotten around to starting up anything new myself. For now I'm enjoying being a visitor :)
Take care & savor the spring!
xx
Della
I really love your hare bracelet - hares are very special animals. The Golden Swan looks a beautiful picture postcard sort of pub. I'd like to go inside the Manor House at Avebury, when I was there I spent so long at West Kennet and then walking round the Stones that I didn't have time for the Manor - I was on my way down to Sussex so only had a few hours at Avebury. Maybe later this year!
Lovely post as always Jo and Avebury looks beautiful in your photos. I haven't been for a few years but it is one of my favourite places. Your new designs are scrumptious - especially that sleeping hare, he's wonderful.
Many March blessings to you.xxx
Hi Della, Rowan and Jules,
Thanks so much for visiting!
It's great to read your comments about the moon and hare jewellery.
Della, I hope you are still enjoying your moon earrings!
Lovely to see you are still posting on Donna's blog.
I will stop by and visit your blogs soon. ;-)
Spring blessings! xxx
Its such a joy to read your posts Joanne. I love cats and birds although they dont love each other but my totem animal or protector is a crocodile. He's always with me and when i'm driving my car he's next to me and two angels are behind me. I know people think i'm crazy but i dont mind.........this makes me happy.
XXXm
hello dear Jo.xx ~
so lovely to see glimpses of your day drive. It looks wonderful, as does your art and jewelry. All in the spirit of magic.
lovely evening to you~
Hi Joanne,
Great that you took us along on your drive and how beautiful your part of the world is. Love the old pub and the daffodils.
Your secret project sounds great and good luck with that.
Also love your beautiful jewellery and cards.
Brilliant that you sold the lovely bracelet to Evanna, she is so beautiful and played such a wonderful part.
Enjoy Spring and thanks for sharing a beautiful post.
Hugs
Carolyn
Beautiful! Lovely blog I will definitely visit your Etsy shop! ~ I'm now following ~ ♥♥
Best,
Anne
(Love Zigsa!)
Sweet greets Martine, Tammie, Carolyn and Anne!
Interesting to hear that a crocodile would be your protector, Martine. I think most people would run away from them, so in some ways a croc would make a great patronus charm! ;-))
Tammie and Carolyn, I like to show photos of our old English buildings because I know they are very different to the buildings you have in NZ and the US.
The new creative project is exciting and a bit scary at the same time. There is so much work to be done!
Anne, thanks for stopping by and following. It's nice to meet you and it's always good to connect with new blog friends.
Thank you all for the lovely comments. Have a great week! ♥
Hi Joanne,
Must be nice to live near to Avebury,it's such a magical place,in fact your blog is like a parallel world,a place of endless possibilities.I love the Little Wren illustration,we have a wren nesting in a nesting box surrounded by a honeysuckle bush,they're quite difficult to spot,usually I only hear the loud chirping.Your jewelry is beautiful as always,especially Evanna's bracelet.
For years my protector has been a white wolf.
And the answer to your meditation question is yes and out of doors if possible!
Happy days!
Rubyxx
So cozy to visit here in your lovely and magical space! XOX, Diana
You live in a fairy land!!
Reading your blog, I had a nice surprise, because in Japan we see rabbits pounding rice cakes in the full moon. How interesting it is to see Luna conjuring up her patron animal.
The little wren and the queen are talking happily. Her hat is definitely beautiful!!
It is so happy and delightful for me to be in your magical world escaping from an ordinary life for a while.
I’d like to choose the three-legged raven that appears in Japanese myth.
Thanks a lot for taking me to such a wonderful journey.
keiko
Your jewellery is beautiful Jo and the picture of your primroses look almost exactly the same as the one I posted on my blog today! I suppose we are quite close by geographically. :) You illustration reminds me of Wayne Anderson.
Jess xx
I feel really lucky to receive such gracious compliments from blog friends. Thanks so much Ruby, Diane, Keiko and Jess!
I think we all need a bit of magic in life and I love that people visit here for some fairy escapism.
Keiko, I like the story about the rice cakes and the rabbits under a full moon and also the 3 legged raven. You have such wonderful stories to tell from Japan! ;-D
Jess, There seems to be a lot of primroses growing this year, maybe that is why everyone is featuring them on their blogs for spring.
I have never thought of my work being similar to Wayne Anderson, I will take that as a big compliment. Thank you! ;-)
I especially love his dragon illustrations.
XXX
What a great post:)Love your photos,hope one day to come to Uk and visit these magical palces.London is great but not magical exept for squirrels walking on you:)
The illo is fantastic,I'm so happy to hear about your project.
Hi Jo, and thank you for the lovely comments you have left me at the crafte nook, and how lovely too, to hear of another that remembers Hollie Hobby, i can remember my mum buying me some stickers with her on, and i can also remember having a large nightdress case that was a Hollie hobby, and i absolutly loved it, in fact i used to use it like a doll,,sad thing is, i don't know what happened to her,, probably got lost in one of the many moves during my growing up......would be great to find one again.....who knows,, maybe i will.
Have a good week too, love your posts and the wonderful jewellery..
Pixie x
Another fabulous post miss May!
Spring, fairy queens and moon jewels all looks sumptuous.
I looked in your shop for the sleeping hare necklace, but I see it has gone. I hope you will be making some more!
I think everybody loves Luna in the HP movies.
Enjoy the Easter holidays.
Sarah. xoxox
Wow..what a magnificent post..such gorgeous and stunning photos..simply beautiful! and wow..your art is absolutely gorgeous..this touches my soul deeply..wildly beautiful! and of course I adore and love your jewlery..you are fabulous at all you do..shine on..you are a wonderful spirit!
Hugs
victoria
Happiest Spring to you, wishing you magic all season long..and many visits from the fairies!
Lovely pictures of Avebury, I haven't been for a while. There is really something a bit magical about those big stones right in the middle of the village. Your jewellery is lovely, specially the hare bracelet.
I love the idea that Luna Lovegood is wearing one of your creations, it's the perfect match! ; ~ )
I'm fascinated by animal guardians real and imagined. When I was small one of my classmates was accompanied to school each day buy a huge Great Dane who walked the children to school and home again in the afternoon. He was very majestic and I was quite envious.
Wishing you and Ziggy a wonderful Easter weekend!
I love Harry Potter, went to Florida and saw the new set, the best bit was the station waiting room where they have holograms of owls on one side and they disappear when you look form the other side and all that you see is loads of bird poo! I would like my animal guardian to be a robin, they are such friendly creatures I am sure they would like the job. I notice you live in Wiltshire, my grandma lived at Oriel House in Hilperton, I wondered how it looks these days if it's near you. Thanks for visiting me - I love your art work and will be back again soon. Betty
I love your pictures of Avebury - I haven't been for years. I am delighted with my sleeping hare necklace and luna bracelet. They are beautifully made and the little sleeping hare is gorgeous. My animal guardian would definitely be one of these beautiful creatures. I love your art work and am looking forward to buying some prints from you. Karen X
Hi Joanne,thank you for your lovely comments on my blog about my two dogs, Maud and Millie.Avebury is a very special place - it's only 20 minutes away from where I live- and I used to drive past it everyday on my way to work when I was still working in an office.... and Silbury Hill of course. Wiltshire is full of magical places .....I love your hare bracelet by the way, and your illustrations.I must check out your Etsy shop.
Have a great Easter.
Bea
Modern Country Lady
My Aunt Agatha on Etsy.
Hello, Joanne.
Your heartwarming work provokes my impression.
The passion for the art. It is universal.
Thank you visit to the garden of the cherry blossoms.
The prayer for all peace.
Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma ❀
I hope you are all having a lovely Easter. It's been good to catch up with you again! ;-)
Sarah, I will be stocking up my shop this week with some more hare pendants and bracelets. Thanks for contacting me about the new pieces.
Karen, I'm really pleased you are happy with your jewellery items. Great to see you on blogger and it will be nice to visit your new blog soon! ;-)
Bea, It's always good to meet new people living in the Wiltshire area.
I love living here and visiting magical places like Avebury and Lacock.
Thanks everyone for leaving your warm best wishes. Have a great weekend!
xxx
Ahhhh...you know how I would love to visit you in that gorgeous place you live.
I'm just loving the new jewelry pieces!
Of course, you know my special animal is the rabbit. ;)
Hugs!
Your hare bracelet is adorable :)
Mine would definitely be a hippo!
;-)
Have a good break Jo, but I hope you come back soon!
You will be missed if you stay away too long.
My animal would be a deer!
Adorable illustration and jewellery. i am a big fan of all your fairy work.Gem.
Gemma,
Thanks so much for your kindness!
I will try and return to blogging soon, it's just my creative work has taken over my life for a while, but I think that's a good thing because it is an exciting time!
Many Blessings and good wishes. x;-)
All so lovely and magical! Your jewelry is sooooo charming!
do
Dulcy
Hi Joanne , are you still blogging, just hopin' your ok. x
HI Joanne..just stopping in to say hello and wish you a happy day! Hope all is well and cannot wait to see what you have been up to and what you will be creating next!
Blessings kindred!
Have a sparkling June!
Victoria
Good to look back to Spring again - would love to see what you have to say about summer when you have time. Your blog is so nice. :)
~my dear sweet one...not sure if you have moved elsewhere...much time has passed and thought i would stumble over for a visit and send forth new year wishes and blessing...i hope life has been treating you kindly...be well and always much love light and blessings~
Love these photos! Did you take most of them yourself? Wish I could chronicle a Harry Potter type voyage in my adventure travel blog, maybe visit Hogwarts in person :)
I started following your site, would love if you followed me back!!
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