Legend of the Yuletide Spider

Legend has it that a poor family didn't have anything to decorate their Yule tree. Along came a snow spider and spun beautiful webs all over the tree. Santa was so impressed he turned the webs into silver and gold. Thus the origin of tinsel on our trees.
Also spiders bring good luck.
This snow spider is hanging out in my Etsy shop. And I do have one Krampus left now the one holding the little red haired girl.

Run Little Children Krampus Is Coming

Oh no these little children must have been naughty! 

Krampus is going to carry them away and perhaps spank them! Santa is horrified but there is nothing he can do! Their fates are sealed.
Krampus as you all know is the side kick of St. Nicholas. He punishes the naughty.
If you know someone naughty check him out he is listed in my etsy shop. More to come I'll keep you posted!

Making Krampus

Little Primitive folk art Krampus had a partner in crime.
Brown Krampus is full of Holiday spirit just like his buddy!  He is made with a wine cork and his horns are shells.
Both are available in my etsy shop. I am working on some feather tree Krampus ornaments which sold out last season.  I'll keep you posted when those are ready!

Swedish Easter Witch and Glad Pask

Thanks to my Aunt and ancestry.com I found out that my Great Great Great Grandfather is Swedish. I'm always interested in family traditions and folklore so I thought I check out Swedish Easter traditions.Well looky what I found! Easter Witches!

According to Swedish folklore during the Witch trials of the 1600's it is said that on the Thursday before Easter Witches would fly to the Blue Mountain(Blakulla) and dance with the Devil.

They would fly back on Easter Sunday. Children/girls then started dressing up as Witches and wishing Glad Pask(Happy Easter). They would go door to door and get rewards such as treats and money.

Here are some wonderful vintage postcards featuring Easter Witches.

I am looking forward to exploring more about my Swedish heritage.

Wishing you all a Glad Pask/ Happy Easter!

The Legend of the Scarecrow

I was amazed by this short film!

Halloween and Fairies

Halloween has a long history with all magical being in the fairy realm.

Here's what I found on my hunt for folklore concerning Fae.

~ Fairies emerge on Hallowe'en when the veil between our world and theirs opens

~ It is best to leave them an offering so they do not cause you any mischief

~Iron is said to keep them at bay

~It is best to use a horseshoe which is sacred to the Moon Goddess and shaped in a crescent

~There are thousands of different types of Fae from goblins, fairies, brownies, pixies and so on

~On Hallowe'en Fae disguises themselves in the form of cats known as pooka.

~A Halloween full moon is known as a fairies lamp.

~Avoid Hawthorn trees on Halloween they are the portholes of Fae.

A little Fairy Rhyme

Hallowe'en will come, will come

Witchcraft will be set agoing,

Fairies will be at full speed,

Running in every pass,

Avoid the road, children, children.

Meet My Primitive Poppets

Poppets are an old spelling of puppet. In folk magic a poppet is a doll that represents a person for casting spells on that soul, or to aid them through magic. I'm not sure if I will command them to do my bidding. I like them as they are little spookies!  My poppets are made with found parts of all sorts. They are full of spirits! Wine spirits that is. I used wine corks for their bodies.
I also found a wonderful New England Folklore Blog I'd like to share with you. I found this in my search for interesting info on poppets. Click here to have a look see!
I'll be listing my poppets on ebay soon I'll let you know. Wishing you all a magical weekend!

Happy August and Corn Husk Dolls

Corn Husk Doll Weaver/ Spinner and Corn Husk Doll Harvest Mother Guardian.
I was told as a child the Harvest Mother Guardian looked over and blessed the first Wheat and Corn Harvest. She would roam the fields keeping watch at night.  You see she has a little candle in her lantern. These two are from my collection.

A wonderful photo from the 1950's of a Corn Husk Doll Maker creating her magical doll!

Finishing touches.

Two master works from maker Roslie Piess.

A book I'd like to read.

Oil painting by artist Ruth Blosser.
Happy August!

Krampus and Yeti Oh My!

Krampus is a favorite of mine when it comes to mythical creatures and folklore. Krampus is the devil like creature and sidekick of St. Nicholas. Known in many European regions such as Austria and Bavaria he makes his appearance with St. Nicholas during the first 2 weeks of December. He even has his own day which is December 5th. Krampus punishes the bad children by spanking or carring them away in his basket. Yeti is the cousin of Bigfoot. He is found in the Himalayan regions. He also makes an appearance in the Rudolph movie.
Both of these creatures are in my Etsy shop if you'd like a closer look click here! I also want to wish you all a very magical December!