A Folk Reveries Interview with Moonhare!

This month's Folk Reveries interview is with Karen Davis of Moonhare. She was one of the first artists I asked to be a part of FR when it first began. Her art is filled with fairytales and dreams and I would like you all to meet her ;)

Name: Karen Davis

Shop name: Moonlight and Hares

Country: UK

What do you make/sell: I am an Artist and Illustrator. I sell prints and originals of my paintings and wooden hand painted decorative hangers. 

Website: http://www.karendavis.me.uk/
Blog: http://www.moonlightandhares.blogspot.com/

How long have you been an artist/crafter?


I have been an Artist/Illustrator on and off, since leaving Art College 20 years ago. In the past I've worked on Children's picture books, designed greeting cards and had magazine work.

What is the meaning behind your shop name?


My shop name reflects two things that I love and am inspired by. The pale silvery beauty of Moonlight, probably my most favourite light of all. And Hares, which I have always felt drawn towards. I'm interested in the folklore surrounding the animal and am particularly drawn to white hares. 

How would you describe your work?


I find it quite hard to describe my work, but, 'Capturing essence of magic' springs to mind.

Name five specific things that inspire your art?


Nature
Light
Words stories /poetry
Music
Strange or odd things (sometimes)


What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?


For inspiration I like to be outdoors. Listening to birdsong,star gazing, walking among trees. I also love to visit places with unusual old buildings and gardens. I always take lots of photographs for ideas. To create, I have to be at my desk surrounded by my things.

What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?


When I need a creative lift, I look at other Artists work,look at books/magazines visit somewhere where I haven't been before. Write down words and go back through old sketchbooks to remind myself what I am trying to achieve. 

What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?


Easy to use
Being in an enviroment of like minded people.
The variety of different work on there.
I love the treasuries too although I still haven't been quick enough to bag one myself yet!

Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?


To continue with my Etsy shop and supply a greater amount of work including more original work and cards. I also hope to get back into Children's picture books or book covers again.

What do you think about trades/swaps?


I like the idea of trades and swaps but as someone that is trying to make pennies to pay the bills I'm afraid I have had to say no to them. There are just too many lovely things out there to swap with and I would never earn any money. ;) 

What interested you about the Folk Reveries group and what do you like most about it?


When Andrea invited me to be a member of the Folk Reveries group I felt truly honoured.
It is filled with many talented artists. I liked the idea of a group who although are all very different have that connection with each other and get inspired by similar things. 

An Owl Giveaway!

Abigail Emerson of Bird on a Wire is hosting a giveaway over at her blog. It's part of her Christmas in July sale promotion that she will be having until July 25th. Her felted owl (the giveaway prize) is absolutely adorable and I love her honesty behind the giveaway (you'll just have to check her blog post for that one)!

The Drawing will end on July 25th and the winner will be picked by Random.org on July 26th :)

July comes with our newest members

Hello Summer and welcome to the following members:


BlueTerracotta, Intres, isobelblake, cartbeforethehorse, TheDiggingestGirl, dsudyka,runamuck, whimsiology, Malvavisco, Marjji, TheGoldenPlague, rootandflower, ElizabethFrank, heavensearth, nativevermont


Here, some of their work (in order with their shop names above)...

A Folk Reveries Interview with Faunfare!

I've decided to periodically post up interviews with various members of our group. I think it's a great way to get to know one another more and to be inspired by each other's creativity and passion. Here I share with you all, the first interview with...

Your name: Helena

Shop name: Faunfare

Country: Australia

What do you make/sell: A scattered collection of crafts including botanical perfume oils, natural bath and body elixirs, and needle felted fauns and woodland creatures.

Website and/or blog: http://aboutabun.blogspot.com/

How long have you been an artist/crafter?

I came to the handmade lifestyle rather late in life.  I was 20 and an avid photographer when I compelled a friend to teach me how to make elaborate period chokers to style in my portraits.  After I learnt to make jewellery, I dabbled in costume-making, before I discovered perfume blending and felting.  Crafting has now become a way of life.  When I discovered how deeply satisfying it was to make something seemingly complex on my own, I couldn't help but ask, "Can I make that?" with everything else.

What is the meaning behind your shop name?

Fauns are the untamed guardians of the woodlands in Roman mythology. In honour of its namesake, Faunfare is a celebration of nature.  A place to gather and share handmade delights with other wild spirits who find peace in the deep, dark woods, even when they are surrounded by asphalt and concrete.

How would you describe your work?

I would like to think my creations are authentic and earnest.  In a past life, I sold my jewellery under a different store on Etsy.  With so many talented jewellery makers on the site, I felt I needed to distinguish myself by mirroring my designs after the trends and adopting an embarrassingly aggressive approach to grassroots marketing.  Although I was fortunate enough to make many sales, I was absolutely miserable because I had turned myself into a one-woman factory production line.  I made a conscious decision when I opened up Faunfare that I will only sell what I love to make and have fun doing it.

It's also really important to me that what I make remains affordable.  There seems to be an explosion in recent years of organic, natural, and green production.  When it's genuine, I think it's an amazing thing, but at the same time, I have also seen the prices of natural perfume oils sky-rocket because it has become so desirable.  I passionately believe natural, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly products should be a right, not a luxury reserved for those who can afford to be ethical.

Name five specific things that inspire your art?

Mythology, poetry, especially the lyrical works of Baudelaire, Keats, and Yeats, alchemy, and Celtic, folk, and tribal music.

What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?

I get my best ideas in moments of intense pressure, like in the middle of an exam, or during long trips on the train with a notebook rested on my handbag and a pen in my hand.  Ideally, I would love to create in a meticulously organised and labelled craft room where everything is where it should be, but unfortunately, the reality is vastly different!

What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?

Other crafters and artists, especially those I have met through Etsy, have been an invaluable source of support to me.  They understand exactly what it's like to go through the ups and downs of selling on Etsy and I have never met another seller, whether newbie or veteran, who was not a font of practical advice and creative inspiration.

What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?

Hands down, number one, are trades!  I love everything from the concept, which is laden with old world charm, to the friendships that are forged as a result.  My house is now filled with mementos and keepsakes from all the trades I have done in the past couple of years, including artworks from Andrea around my dining room.

Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?

My dream for Faunfare is to keep creating, collaborating, and challenging myself in new areas. I aspire to learn new techniques in not only perfume blending, but also in the distillation and extraction of essential oils, absolutes, and attars.  I'm also flirting with the idea of designing a line of solid perfume lockets, which would be a marvellous way to combine my skills in perfumery and jewellery design. I hope to augment and refine my line of fragrances and form an intimate coterie of fauns and satyrs for whom I will blend and create botanical perfumes, for free, and for life!

What interested you about the Folk Reveries group and what do you like most about it?

Folk Reveries is an amazing collective of some of the most talented, yet personable, people I have ever met. I felt immediately at ease when I joined Folk Reveries and have received the most sweet and heart-warming messages from fellow members wishing me luck and happiness on my journey.  It's a team where I think people are motivated to be here because they actually want to be, not purely because they think it'll give them a step up in promotions or sales.  I also appreciate Andrea's dedication in her role and her seemingly infinite capacity for patience and support.

New June Members

Folk Reveries is happy to announce this month's newest members. Please give a warm welcome to:

LambCandy, ilgattoselvatico, tamaragarvey, pheeadornments, DearOhDeer, gypsymoonart, LiaLane, BirdonWireStudio, Matayo, ArtistBeingHuman, tstellanova and kindlyowlherbs!


Welcome to the Family!

June Sales

I thought it would be useful if every month we featured the members who are having sales in their store. To have your store or particular items that are currently on sale featured in this post, please comment with the link to your item/store and I'll add it here as soon as possible!

This month the following Folkies are having sales:

Darkling Woods: 2 prints for $25

Faunfare: 50% off on all perfume oils

friendly friday delights

Week 3 - 52 Week Print Project Bears Julie Fillo Bella Luna Studio

Bird Cult by Kinrisu

Oliver and the Princess of Blue Meadow....Original Painting by The Ruby Nest

Prayer Warrior -- 9 inch x 12 inch Art Print by AutumnArt

Our Oak Tree, Print by Marmee Craft

Les ornements by Felicula

Two Canaries Print by Swan Bones Theatre