2017's first 2 Faery Lanterns

Wow, I didn't realize I hadn't posted in here for nearly a year - jeeze!!!!   I've got a lot of catching up to do, it seems.... yikes!! 

So, going to try to keep this in some sort of chronological order, if possible... and I my group like-items together just to save on time and too many similiar posts...


Here was my first Faery Lantern commission of 2017, in December. I really liked this one, it turned out beautifully!  As always, the foxglove blossoms are a pain to sculpt, but very very much worth it in the end. :D 

 -I really enjoy cutting designs into the lid so the light inside can shine upwards. :)

My customer loved her new Faery Lantern and I was thrilled to hear that as this took a lot of time and effort. :)

~*~

This next one was created in January, it's the "Tree-house Faery Lantern", now sold to a lovely gentleman in Australia. :)

-I have to say that, so far, this is my MOST detailed and complicated Faery Lantern design to date.   I included a Faery Door built into the tree wrapping around the side of the lantern, complete with winding stone steps leading up to it.   Large metallic mushrooms hugging the opposite side of the lantern, and at the top, a hollow tree-house tower with a roof and a window made of translucent clay - which actually glows when the LED candles inside are turned on. :D
This piece took soooo much time and soo much effort!

 

 

-I included a number of genuine quartz crystals and Swarovski crystals, along with iridescent glass bubble gems, in this design. A decorative metal door hinge and a small metal key hanging from the door's leaf-handle.  I adore the extra touch of the crystals, personally. And that door, such a nice little surprise when you turn the lantern to the side a little. :D

 

 

-Got a shot of the backside here, which I also like to add a little decoration to from time to time, the tree's branch and root wrapping around the back here.

And a night-lit shot - you may not be able to see too well in this shot, but the fairy silhouette has a fairy sitting on a tree-branch which stretching out on the inside from the tree.   I like to imagine that inside her home she's got a jumble of tree roots which are fashioned into furniture and here she's just sitting on one of the many roots, perhaps in front of a fire, staying warm. :)

~*~

Next up, with Valentine's Day approaching, I really wanted to create something beautiful for it, especially as I'd never before created anything for V-Day, period.

 -A romantic rose themed lantern with a Fairy inside. :)     This was my first ever attempt at handsculpting rose petals...it was a learning experience, but I feel like it was a pretty successful one! :D

-I love the almost metallic look to the rose petals.  I applied some gorgeous deep red pearl pigment over black clay and once I applied the clear gloss varnish, the color really came out!!   And both the petals and leaves are spotted with tiny faceted crystals and there are small iridescent glass bubble gems on the petals and leaves to simulate dew drops. :)

Details:

 

-I really struggled over how I wanted the lid to look...but in the end I decided on a small up-side down rose and I love how beautifully it turned out. :D

I wish I'd gotten a better shot of the lit silhouette in the dim lighting, but my camera really has a problem with low-lighting, even outside, where I like best to do my photography.       Shortly after this lantern was listed to my Shop, it sold to a gentleman buying it for his wife for Valentine's Day.  How sweet!!! :D

Each of these lanterns is entirely handsculpted from clay and attached to a glass lantern.    These pieces are not intended for use or decoration outside as they are fragile, but I do hope to eventually offer a line of lanterns which are capable of being outside for long periods of time, perhaps in a garden.     They are each entirely One of a Kind and Unique.  

**My art can be purchased, currently, through my Shop album in the photo albums section of my Facebook page, linked below.

Handmade by Megan Johnson of "The Midsummer's Night Masquerade" and you can find me and more of my art through my Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/TheMidsummersNightMasquerade The Midsummer's Night Masquerade 

and on Instagram: @TheMidsummers_Night_Masquerade 

Greenman Mushrooms

My next logical step up from mushrooms was....Greenman Mushrooms!!!

Each one was handsculpted using Sculpey's Original polymer clay in white and then carefully painted by hand with acrylic paints.

My first one was small and grumpy looking, but really cute and I was soo proud of him!!

 

The next one was larger and MUCH grander, in my opinion...I immediately fell in love with this one. I spent HOURS just painting him. I was trying a watercolor effect technique, which involves lots of layering of watered down acrylic paint. But well worth it!

This one I call, The Autumn Greenman Mushroom!

 

And come Spring, with all the trees budding and the flowers blooming, I had to create this lovely Lady:

I call her The Spring Mushroom Goddess

*She is covered in a multitude of leaves and flowers from butterfly bush spikes, in a variety of colors ...which have attracted a couple of blue butterflies, to a mane of pink and apricot colored rose petals around her face.

I admit to having had a hard time capturing a feminine look to her face after having done the earlier grumpy old-men looking Greenmen...but I think I finally was able to capture the feminine essence in her face. :)

Her mushroom cap, much like the earlier Autumn Greenman Mushroom, is imprinted with knotwork designs and carefully painted in a gradient from light to dark.

My smallest Greenman Mushroom is currently available for purchase in my Etsy shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/MidsummersNightMasq

And now you can find my artwork and more in-depth posts on Patreon!  If you would like to help me to make more and better art, please consider becoming my Patron:

www.Patreon.com/TheMidsummersNightMasquerade

Faery Lanterns

I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy. Always creating!!

With the recent new Fairy Jars I was struck with inspiration. I took that idea and added my own twist to it. Faery Lanterns!   My Faery Lanterns are decorated with handsculpted polymer clay accents.  A friend recently commented that in adding these additional clay details, I've created a scene in which the Fairy lives, and not just a jar for her to be captured in.
-This was really neat as I wasn't conscious of this effect 'till she had pointed it out.

I had the idea shortly after watching a YouTube video of Pixie Hill's Fairy Jars and then later a polymer clay video which used these lovely little lantern jars. Inspiration just about knocked me out of my chair!!
-I immediately set to scribbling down notes full of ideas for my own Faery Lanterns and I was thrilled once I had all of my supplies in hand and was ready to start on my first one.  And they have each turned out beautifully!

My very first one:

I was really happy with how this one turned out, it was so cute!!  

And then I had to create a 2nd one:

With each new one, I wanted to try something new, something a bit different than the one before.  So, the 3rd one...I wanted to try some color and a lot more detail:

 -My first ever try at sculpting Foxglove blossoms.

 -And my first ever Fairy Frog!

Each of these lanterns have since sold, but I am currently working on 2 more Faery Lantern commissions and have an idea for a 3rd, soon after.

These are absolutely adorable and make for fantastic night-lights in children's bedrooms, or even as a cute and whimsical touch to a home. :)

Watch my Etsy shop for up-coming lanterns!
www.etsy.com/shop/MidsummersNightMasq

And now you can find my artwork and more in-depth posts on Patreon!  If you would like to help me to make more and better art, please consider becoming my Patron:

www.Patreon.com/TheMidsummersNightMasquerade