A Magical New Year!

What do Magic Mushrooms have to do with "Happy New Year"? I found some fun and fascinating folklore!
The Autumnal Magic Mushroom or Amantia Muscaria has long be associated with elves, gnomes and fairy tales. Just look inside a children's book they pop up everywhere. It's history as a hallucinogen dates back 10,000 years. Often used by Shaman and mixed with other ingredients to ward off potentially deadly side effects. Magic Mushrooms are associated with Midwinter, Christmas and New Years. Folklore says Santa used these Mushrooms to aid in the flight of his reindeer. Santa an elf himself is dressed in the same colors as the Magic Mushroom.
The Vintage postcards above are just amazing! They are French "Bonne Annee" meaning Happy New Year. "Prosit Neujahr" which is a German toast to the New Year! Slovakia "Stastlivy Novuy Rok" Happy New Year. I love the last one which is the money bag holding the Magic mushroom umbrella.
So on that thought I'd love to end by saying "Happy New Year"!
May 2011 find you and yours: Health, Happiness, Love and Prosperity! These are my Wishes for us all!

Wonderful Winter

Wishing everyone a beautiful Winter!

Celebrate 365 Magazine has featured my Krampus

I guess I'm on nice list this year! My Krampus Ornament is featured in Celebrate 365 A Journal For the Ornament Enthusiast Winter 2010 issue. There is a wonderful article about Krampus among many other fantastic articles, ornaments and folk art! This magazine is a must for collectors. If you are an artist it's just full of inspiration and wonderful & amazing folk artists. Artists whom I'm so just so thrilled and honored to be among! Thank you Connie and everyone involved at Celebrate 365! To order a single copy of the magazine click here.
I'll be listing Krampus in my Etsy shop soon. Right now I'm enjoying using him as a behavior modification tool for my boys. Just as a little reminder not to be naughty!
He's now listed in my Etsy Shop click here to be transported.

Krampus A Devilish Sidekick

Krampus is the Holiday Devil that traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas during the first 2 weeks of December. The eve of December 5th known as Krampusnacht on this night St. Nicholas brings gifts to the good. The bad however aren't so lucky! Right alongside St. Nicholas is Krampus. He is the punisher of the bad! Have you been naughty this year? Do you deserve a spanking or perhaps you need to be carried off entirely! Krampus gives a whole new meaning to You'd better Watch Out, You'd better not cry! I'm telling you why Krampus Claws is coming to town! The word Krampus is Old German for Claw(Krampen).
The versions above are from old postcards. As you can see there are many different types of Krampus. My Sugar Cookie version is a tamer version but don't let him fool you! He carries a Birch branch for spanking!
Some fun Krampus links:
Krampus.com
Krampus Movie
Etsy

A little more than frost on the pumpkin

Poor Jack the critters really tore up his face. One Jack is completely gone maybe he was carried off by a Yeti. You have to be on the look out for them this time of year! Happy December!