Trusting the Way Today

Trusting the Way Today

Once again I’ve gone to my Bluebird Fairy Deck to draw at random a card to write about and it’s…..

Yes, this wonderful fairy has shown up during this Holiday Season to shed her light. 

Once before when I wrote about the “Fairy of Trusting the Way” I quoted the Reverend Al Sharpton.  I'd loved hearing him speak at the Unitarian Church in Burlington.  One of his focuses was the importance of goals.  "If you don’t have them you don't know when you’ve arrived!!!”  

I don’t know about you but “the Holidays” overwhelm me.  The feeling quietly starts seeping into me after Thanksgiving gives way to nonstop commercial holiday music playing and an overwhelmingly unabashed spotlight shines on consumerism. 

What allows me to move through saying “Let’s go!” all the way to the New Year is with guidelines.

Here's my list for this year:

Find a few moments to sing and listen to the holiday music you like.

Visit an elderly friend.

Call a long lost friend on the phone.

Take a mini road trip.

Design a holiday card that gives a little summary of the year and wishes for the future.

Have festive moments.

Give gifts that mean something. (It’s OK if they’re really small, you made them or you can’t see them) 

Whatever you do please have fun.  Find the light.  And count on a little magic surprising you when you least expect it. 

Wishing you easy times in whatever form you wish.

Sincerely,

Emily and the Bluebird Fairies

Taking the Extra Moment to Smile

Today when I look at this smiling face I’m thinking of what we collectively need as we step into “uncertain times”.

This fairy takes me back to a class I took at the Flynn Theater a bunch of years ago.  It was called “Speaking in the Limelight”.  An opera singer taught the class and brought to it wonderful pizzazz and practical knowledge.  We, the students, brought our fears of speaking in public and got tips and opportunities to work them out. 

The best piece of advice I got - “Once you arrive at the podium.  Take a breath.  Look out at all the people you’ll be speaking to.” 

Today this fairy is suggesting we “Take that extra moment to smile.”  Smiling allows you to connect in with yourself.  This then allows you to connect in with others in a genuine way.  People LOVE that.

Start first with yourself.  Smile your brightest smile inward and connect in with you and how you’re feeling. Then get up, go out, and find ways to make practical and positive movements that take us forward. 

It might just be smiling at others. 

Whatever it is, it’ll be good.

Have fun!!!

Fondly,

Emily and the Bluebird Fairies

Announcements:

Our GoFundMe goal was reached in 20 days.  Thank you to all who read about our new project and to those that contributed.  I'll keep you posted about the "Fairy of the Day" app's progress.

esterday was our second "Demon and Fairy Drawing" Workshop.  Due to the feelings about the presidential election I'd changed the theme to "Inspiring Ourselves Forward".  The workshop was wonderful.  The next one will be Saturday December 10th.  I'll send you a notice.

astly, come find us the weekend after Thanksgiving at the Women's Festival of Crafts.  It has a new location.  Hope to see you there.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Fairy of Aunts of All Sizes and Flavors

I love this zany fairy.  I find myself telling people that more than speaking directly to the role of “aunt” she promotes and supports women of the world finding their own way of being female.  Hurray!!!

Since I haven’t children of my own being an aunt provides me one of my opportunities to support children coming their understanding of who they are and can be in the world.

One of the best ways for me to do this is to pull out my Bluebird Fairy Deck and spread the cards out before my teen aged nieces and have them pick three at random.  We then enter into a wonderful back and forth conversation about what's important in our lives, what's working and note what areas of positivity we can move more strongly into. 

The structure is easy and when you fill it in with the real stuff of our lives it gets interesting really fast. If we get into some heavy stuff the easiness of these fairies turns the energy light again. 

Please consider who you might have this kind of conversation with in your family.

Invite them and they will come.

I hope you are having a LOVELY autumn.

Fondly,

Emily and the Bluebird Fairies. 

Upcoming Opportunities:

The Fairy and Demon Drawing Workshop in the new Bluebird Fairies Studio was a success.  So, we're having another one next month on Saturday November 19th, 1-3.  

The theme is: "Bracing for the Holidays".

Please consider joining us and then sign up by writing me.  Limited space (register soon). $10. 

Guess what?!  Just in time for the election I'll be launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to create a “Fairy of the Day” app people can put on their phones.  I want to get these 'earnest little drawings out into the world so they can do BIG THINGS'. 

Please support us in whatever way feels comfortable to you. (and know that, as my friend and mentor Mark Utter says- “The gentle rays of your heart are often just enough.”  

Home Sweet Studio Home

Dear Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

Hello and welcome to all those who've signed up during Burlington's Art Hop to receive monthly notices about fairy postings from me.  It's been a bit since I've written which is mainly due to the amazing transformation that took place in Bluebird Fairies’ new studio home.  

I was delighted to pick this fairy from my deck recently. 

I drew 'The Fairy of Home Sweet Home' when I lived in a house that felt like a really good friend.  She was off in the country, down a dirt road and next to a soft, easy (most of the time) creek. Whenever I would come home and walk in the door I would feel her greet me with 'Hello' and I'd feel a big 'ah' in me. 

This new home of Bluebird Fairies feels that way to me. It's in a great space up on the 3rd floor of an old bristle factory now full of artists.

What a blast it was to initiate the space with so many people passing through it during Art Hop. Stopping at the fairy booth to have a card reading, look at my old demons on the wall and have a conversation to hear what becoming of “These earnest little drawings to help us do big things”.

Now sitting down a few days after the event I feel what a comfortable refuge it is for meaningful creative expression. 

 I welcome all the good that will come here and how this space will connect with you.

Have fun!

 Emily and the Bluebird Fairies

Ta Da! Monthly Fairy and Demon Drawing Workshops are starting up in the Bluebird Fairies Studio, 4 Howard St., Burlington, VT

The first one is Saturday, October 15th, 1-3.

We’re starting off at the very nominal cost of $5 ($10 if you'd like a fairy card reading too.) All supplies included. Email me to RSVP.

Fairy of Good Morning, Good Night, and In Between Hugs

This fairy’s from a time when I was living in a house out in the country by myself.  Even though the thought of living there alone had been almost too overwhelmingly scary I had moved forward and into the house.  Steadily and carefully I grew the ability to overcome the nightly fears.  I knew that for my new unfolding life it was necessary.

This fairy honors all of the times people came to visit me and allowed me the opportunity to revel in the experience of having regular doses of people in my daily life.

Now, in our home by the high bank of the Winooski River I am thankful to have this every day.

So, whether you have this in your own home or you find it out in the world please rejoice in the wonder of us humans truly regarding one another again and again.  Right now.  Here.  In this Moment.

Fondly,

Emily and the Bluebird Fairies

The new Bluebird Fairies Studio Home on the 3rd Floor of the Howard and Pine building in Burlington is coming along.  We‘re gearing up for Art Hop and after that workshops that will unfold in the unfolding space.  We hope you’ll come visit or just keeping tuning in from afar.