A Fairy Godmother

It probably won't surprise those of you who follow my blog that fairies aren't really my thing.  I love the idea of fairies, mind you, especially the somewhat menacing fairies of Irish folklore, but I generally find visual representations of them to be a little too cutesy for my taste (and sometimes weirdly sexualized, like those hoochie-mama fairies who lounge on toadstools wearing bikinis and looking like they just stepped out of the pages of Maxim).  But recently, my godmother's husband asked me to make a doll for my Godmother's birthday. (When family and close friends ask, my "no custom orders at this time"  dictum becomes a little wobbly.)  

And because when I was growing up, my Godmother was known as my Fairy Godmother, we agreed that the doll should have wings of some sort and a somewhat fairy-esque vibe (which to me means some diaphanous clothing and whatever else I feel like).  I also promised a tiny moose because my Fairy Godmother loves moose, and so I made a little albino moose and very stupidly forgot to take a single photo of him, even though I was quite delighted with how he turned out.  But I did manage to snap the fairy a few times, so here she is.

This fairy has flame-red hair, just like her human counterpart did when I was little.  So, why is she a Fairy Godmother rather than just the garden variety?  She used to help me get ready for school, and let me wear my tutu with a plaid shirt because I refused to be talked into something more sensible.  She gave me the best books, and once when I was about six and too small to reach the counters, she spread newspaper out all over the kitchen floor so that I could help make cookies.  We mailed the cookies along with a letter and some photos to my Grandmother in England, who later told my FG that when she opened the box left by the postman in the garage, she sat down on a box of old newspapers and cried.  

Happy Birthday Auntie Mo!

Comments

[Brenda]

Amazingly beautiful as always, I have your dolls in my wish list.

[StarSparrow]

Okay, I don't know if it's just because I haven't seen my own grandmother in a while, or because I've gone soft, but I got choked up at the visual of your grandmother sitting down and crying when she got your package. What a sweet story! I'm sure your Godmother will love the doll! It's beautiful!

[Yoli]

I am crying myself. What a beautiful gesture and relationship. My God daughter also means the world to me.

[Christine]

I nearly choked on my pumpkin loaf at your long "Hoochie Mama" faerie description..lol!!! I thought I was the only one who saw some of them like that:P
I like old fairy tales and certain artists renditions (like Kaerie Faerie) but I'm not into the fantasy sculpture pieces much either. One of the first gifts i made was a fairy doll for a girl's first birthday. I think yours came out beautiful and all the ore so because it was made for someone who was there for you as a child:)

Enjoy your vacation~looks beautiful and relaxing:)

[Kaerie Faerie]

Well I just love your fairy doll, I'm surprised at the way you feel about fairies, I do prefer the whimsical type of forest fairy, and according to my Norwegian Grammie, fairies are very dangerous. But I do like a female form, only because the dresses look so much better, and you know with me it is all about the fairy dress LOL
Kaerie Faerie

[Ashley]

The fairy godmother turned out beautiful. I love her red hair and green dress. I enjoyed reading the post. Very touching :)

[monika viktoria]

I've never related candy-floss and glitter to faeries... I relate bones and brambles and vines and midnight with fairies. I grew up reading traditional faerie lore and they were a race to be respected and feared, not goo-goo-ga-ga'd over.

But I do like this little depiction, she's not so different from your Alice series, with her organza dress and wispy hair.

How is your book going? I have thrown myself into reading the epic trilogy of Gormenghast, which I know Victoria and I have been un-subtley hinting you should read, and your dolls are all I can think of as I turn the pages! Beautifully macabre :-)

Hopw all is going well, and you're enjoying the stage of your life right now... and still making dolls :-) :-)

*hugs* ~monika

[Kim]

Oh...I feel the same way about Fairies as you do. Although I did like the Fairies in Pan's Labyrinth.

The doll you made is absolutely gorgeous. What a fabulous story about your Godmother. Thank you for sharing it!

Kim
Gerushia's New World

P.S. Just a side note ~ I'm having an art give-away on my blog this week!

[Melanie]

Beautiful face and fiery hair! I love the fae but that's because mine are twisted ;) The itsy bitsy nature bikini lot are a little disturbing it's true!
Love the tutu story.

[merle]

I love your story! I also love your Fairy God Mother and the Beautiful Doll you made for her! And, this is nuts, but I am also a red-haired, pale-skined, lover of aqua and God Mother to 2 amazing little boys whom I love as much as if they were my own. My name? Auntie Mo! It may sound like an odd name, but hearing my little boys yelling it when they run to greet me at the door makes it the best name ever! They already make me amazing art-I have it up all over my house!
We recently dressed up like swans and took photos. They are so much fun. I am super blessed.
take care,
merle