EYE OF THE DRAGON

This week  we  take a look at the facts behind one of our favorite creatures of fantasy:

“THE DRAGON ”

Dragon by artist K. Pfeilschiefter

Dragons occur in many legends around the world, but generally fall into two categories: European dragons and Asian dragons. European dragons are often winged, while Asian dragons resemble large snakes. 
Typically depicted as serpentine or reptilian with either scaly or feathered bodies, the array of dragon physicality is vast. The creature can have a variable number of legs or no legs at all, is often seen with a row of dorsal fins, can be multi-headed or even have horns or tusks.

Dragon Family -Varna, Bulgaria

Commonly believed to be hatched from eggs, dragons are said to breathe fire or acidic poison. Their blood and organs can be poisonous or contain magical healing properties.

Fire Breather

Holding spiritual significance,  dragons are associated with wisdom, longevity, magic and the supernatural.

Revered as representative of the primal forces of nature, they are affiliated with the elements: Water, Air, Fire and Earth. 

In some cultures they are said to be capable of human speech, while others say dragons taught the human race to speak. 

Early cartographers used the Latin phrase ‘hic sunt dracones’ (here be dragons) to indicate dangerous or unexplored territories in imitation of the medieval practice of placing sea serpents on the blank areas of their maps.

"Hic Sunt Dracones"

Dragon Whisper Cuff Bracelet

European dragons are often portrayed guarding treasure hoards, while Asian dragons are pictured with pearls. Russian mythologies place emphasis on three-headed dragon, whose heads grow back, if cut off. Ethiopia was supposedly once inhabited by a species of dragon that hunted elephants. 

Water dragon

Jewish religious texts contain extraordinary references to dragons as sea-monsters, and according to an ancient creation myth, the Vietnamese people are descended from a dragon and a fairy. 

In all cultures around the world one thing seems to prevail: the dragon is a creature of great power. 

In modern times to use the word dragon in a name, object or office, is to imply greatness and strength. 

The fascination with this mysterious creature continues to grow as witnessed by the frequent use of the dragon in books, games, movies and the entertainment industry in general.

At Kirks Folly, we love dragons, they are one of the most frequently requested items from our collectors-right next to mermaids! Our dragon designs often associate the magnificent beast with the magical lore of wizards and kings, witches and unicorns, but we embrace the spirit of this powerful creature in all of its marvelous forms.

Take courage from the heart of the dragon and…

“SPARKLE THE WORLD”

Do dragons fascinate you? 

Please share your thoughts on this extraordinary creature with us in the comment box.

And take a look at this exciting video that uses technology to explore the possibility that dragons once roamed the earth.

Leave us a comment if you'd like a chance to win our July giveaway drawing.
 Click here for details. 

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GUEST INTERVIEW: FANTASY ARTIST JOSEPHINE WALL

THE SPIRIT OF FLIGHT by JOSEPHINE WALL

This week we are excited to share with you an interview with one of our favorite Fairy artists,

 JOSEPHINE WALL

"From childhood, Josephine has had a passion for light and color, fantasy and visual storytelling. Her enchanting and detailed images flow freely from her fertile imagination in an endless cascade of ideas. Jo uses her favorite subjects; fairies, castles, children, butterflies, magicians and mythical figures, to draw her audience into colorful paintings filled with hidden images embedded in the intricately  detailed scenes."*
Kirks Folly has had the pleasure of adapting one of her most popular fantasy paintings, The Spirit Of Flight into a collection of jewelry and accessories. We recently had the opportunity to work with Jo again on a second collection inspired by her painting "The Phoenix".
 We are extremely pleased to have Josephine as our guest this week. Please welcome her warmly as she shares the inspirations for her magical artwork. Welcome Josephine Wall, and thank you for agreeing to be our guest this week. Let’s get started.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND "SPIRIT OF FLIGHT"?
Ever since I was a young girl I have always been fascinated by the idea of being able to fly like a bird, and often dreamed that I could.!  With "Spirit of Flight" I have tried to portray the joy and exhilaration of being able to soar high and view the world from above.

The Spirit of Flight Necklace designed by Kirks Folly

WHO IS THE CENTRAL FIGURE AND WHAT DOES SHE REPRESENT?
The central figure represents the love of movement, and freedom.  The Spirit of Flight, the force responsible for the powers of movement of the wind and air, has gathered around her all the flying things she loves. Birds, insects, flying fish, swirling leaves, seeds of dandelions and sycamore trees, butterflies and fairies all dance around her in a grand array of wild free motion.

WHY DID YOU USE THIS PIECE AS THE COVER OF YOUR BOOK, IS IT YOUR FAVORITE?
I used this piece as the cover of the book, because it is the painting that (more than any other) people associate with me.  It seems that no matter what product is made using my work this one is always first choice - it gets on everything.!!  It has been on cards, puzzles, journals, mugs, posters, tiles, bead designs and of course your beautiful jewellery - it seemed an obvious choice.  Although it has brought me lots of luck over the years, it is not necessarily my favourite, as I have quite a few "favourites". 

THE PHOENIX by JOSEPHINE WALL

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND "THE PHOENIX"?
The Phoenix inspires me because of the wonderful story - "Rising majestically from the flames, this colourful and proud Phoenix embarks on his journey through the world. As he will live for 500 years or more he will travel to all corners of the earth and see many wonderful sights before returning to his nest to be consumed by fire and be re-born to continue his journey".  One of the first presents I gave to my husband was a silver phoenix to wear around his neck - we both think that it keeps him from harm..!! 

The Phoenix inspired necklace by Kirks Folly
To view a larger image click here

CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
At the moment I am working on a commission for a beautiful model living in California whose favourite Indian Goddess is Lakshmi.  I have tried to make her look as magical as possible with all the correct objects in each of her four hands.  She is in a lovely garden together with her guardians - four white elephants, and two white tigers.  There are too many other images in the painting to mention here, but when it is finished it will on my website.

WHERE CAN OUR READERS SEE MORE OF YOUR WORK?
www.josephinewall.co.uk has hundreds of images grouped into 'Fairies', Goddesses', 'Surreal', Zodiac, 'Air & Water' and of course my 'Latest'.  www.josephinewall.co.uk  
https://www.facebook.com/#!/TheOfficialJosephineWall.  
My gallery is in Poole, Dorset U.K. and all are more than welcome to view as many as 30 originals plus close to 100 limited edition prints.  I could also arrange to meet them and say hello.

Looks like we’ve reached the end of our time together. Thank you again for this wonderful interview, Josephine. 
Readers, be sure to visit Josephine Wall’s website to see more of her astonishing works. And if you are in the U.K. don’t miss an opportunity to see her original works. Light and energy simply emanate from her paintings!

Until next time…

“SPARKLE THE WORLD”

CONGRATULATIONS 

TRACEY MCCARRIHER of Corapolis, PA

the WINNER of our MAY 2014 Drawing!

Tracey, Please email us @236helenjane@gmail.com, 

so that we can get your beautiful Mother of Dragons Necklace to you.

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ORIGINS OF THE IRISH SIDHE FAIRIES

Riders of the Sidhe

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day we share a much-condensed version of the mythical origins of the Irish fairy or the aes-sidhe.  Myths and stories like this often serve as  inspiration for our fairies, mermaids and other figural jewelry designs.

Long ago the Fairy Queen, Danu, came from the North in great ships and led her tribe (Tuatha Dè Danann) to Ireland. Upon arrival, Queen Danu ordered the ships burned and told her people that they were in Ireland to stay. Danu was also know as Mother Goddess and after arriving she and her people fought two major battles to lay claim to the land. In the first fierce battle they defeated the Fir Blogs, also known as the Big Belly Boys. In the second battle they brought down a tribe of giants called the Formorians.

Green man kinsman of Dagda

The fairy queen brought four talisman to Ireland. The first was the Stone of Fal or Stone of Destiny, which cried out when a true king of Ireland stepped on it.
Another treasure was the bloodthirsty weapon (sometimes a spear, a sword, or a sling-shot) of Lugh, a respected warrior of the Tuatha Dè. Then, there was the Magical Sword of Nuada, which always swung a fatal blow.
Finally, there was the Cauldron of Plenty, a bronze cauldron belonging to Dagda, warrior son of Danu. This cauldron would satisfy the hunger of anyone who ate from it.

For many years the Tuatha Dè Danann lived peacefully, practicing their art and magic on the Emerald Isle, but the Milesians (Gaels) eventually discovered the rich  and bountiful land. At first, the Tuatha Dè Danann tried to negotiate with the invaders, but the fierce, magical, fairy folk were either defeated or gave way, there are different versions of the story. 
Fairy Queen Danu and her tribe retreat to the Otherworld, (Tír na nÓg) the land of eternal youth, which is entered through the mounds that are so much a part of the Irish landscape and became known as the  'aes Sídhe', the mound folk. They are also called the fairy folk or the wee people. Leprechauns, merrow (Irish mermaid) and selkies are only a few of the Sidhe fairy who are written about in Irish folklore.
There are marvelous tales and works of art that record all of these events, each as intricate and complicated as the beautiful Irish knotwork. 

That's all for this week, we hope this story brings out the Irish fairy in you.

"SPARKLE THE WORLD"