Phineas and The Secret Contest

As some of you may know, Cherie and I found a baby hippocampus on the shores of Lake Michigan this month. We didn't know where the poor thing's mother was and couldn't stand to leave it alone to fend for itself, so I ended up taking it home until we could figure out what to do with it.

Neither of us knew much about hippocampi and starting asking our Facebook fans and Twitter followers for words of advice. They helped pick a name for him, recommended food, and suggested types of suitable hippocampus habitats. And after we had learned that a mermaid must take ownership of hippocampi before they reach adulthood, we received a lot of great advice on how to deal with the merfolk of Lake Michigan. In other words, Phineas wouldn't be around today without their help.

On Saturday, Cherie and I made the trek back to Lake Michigan with a nearly full-grown Phineas. This required the help of close family and friends, plus a truck with an XL bed. After a short drive to the lake, we waited until the area was deserted and placed Phineas in the water. Within moments, his mermaid caretaker emerged. She accepted Cherie's thank you gift of an emerald and fishing net necklace, looped a harness around Phineas' neck, and disappeared into the water.

Before they left, Cherie was able to get a quick image of them as a reminder of our not-so-little Phineas.

Available for sale in the Mystic Moon Media ArtFire and Etsy shoppes later this week.

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You are probably wondering about the secret contest. This was such a secret contest that none of our followers even knew about it!

Whenever someone would comment about Phineas, we made two lists. One list was for Phineas suggestions that Cherie could work into the art piece. Essentially, all of the people that played along with us helped to create this image.

The second list was a list of names of the people that remarked on Phineas' progress. Those very same people unknowingly had a chance to win a free Phineas print. One name was randomly selected from the list and that person will be receiving their print within the next few weeks.

Here's the neat part - we have decided to continue this no-longer-a-secret contest. All you have to do to enter is participate in our Facebook and Twitter story each month. Not only are you entering to win a free print, but you help influence the art! *Each person only gets one entry, even if they make 183 comments on the story during the month.*

Another story will begin in February and we hope you'll join us on our new mythical creature adventure by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Anti-Valentine's Day Fantasy Gift Ideas

 Today's selections are for those special fantasy-loving couples or single friends in your life that couldn't give a rip about pink hearts, flowers, and sweet nothings.

Broken Heart Leather Mask

Masquerades n Bonesaws on Etsy

Necklace Pendant

Snarky and Sweet on Etsy

Custom Zombie Drawing from Photo

The Art of Kris on Etsy

Anti-Valentine Fairy Boy

Tracy's Garden Fairies on Etsy

Love Sucks Mug

In a Glaze on Etsy

Just a little hint - if you still want to give those pals a little gift for February 14th and none of the selections above seem right - you can't go wrong with a dragon!



Pro-Valentine's Day Fantasy Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is coming up, dear friends. We know not everyone is a fan of this particular holiday, so we are going to make this post for all you pro-Valentine people. Tomorrow, the anti-Valentine's Day advocates get the spotlight.

Without further ado... here are some suggestions for your favorite fantasy art lover (or yourself).

Set of 2 ACEO Valentine's Day Dragons

                                  Art by Hannah on Etsy                             

                                        

   Heart-Shaped Magical Mushroom Fairy Necklace

 

A. L. Designs on Etsy

Dragons in Love Sculpture

Kristiina Meiner on Etsy

Spencer the Dragon Sculpture

Billy Dylan on Etsy

Mermaid Valentine Postcard

Renae Taylor on Etsy

We still have that free gift with purchase offer going at Mystic Moon Media, so give your sweetie and yourself some love by purchasing from our Artfire or Etsy shoppe before the end of January ;) 

Faire Favorites: Entertainment Edition

While it might only be January, the folks at Mystic Moon Media are already gearing up for July and the opening of the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

Cherie has been one busy lady. Journals and Books of Shadows are being hand-constructed, new art work is being drawn, and hundreds of prints are being matted and framed in anticipation of the faire's 25th season.

Another reason we have the faire on the brain: Adam Crack. He is a fire whip performer who has been entertaining the masses at Bristol for the past few seasons and we've received word that he will be appearing on the Conan O'Brien show this upcoming Tuesday, January 24.

The Mystic Moon Media Bristol shop staff has a few favorite faire acts and Adam is on the list.You can't go wrong with whip cracking and when you add the fire element = one exciting show.

Adam Crack - "Adam performs sophisticated, high-energy routines, featuring Adam's dry humor in spoken material, anecdotes, historical or educational stories. And yes, there is room for audience interaction in his shows, always more than just a series of amazing tricks. Routines include single-handed whip cracking, double-handed multi-crack demos, stunts and tricks including balloon popping, candle snuffing, paper cutting, flower snipping, whip dancing, wraps, fire whips, and much, much more." - http://www.winrichwhips.com/adam-crack.html

Other favs include:

Tartanic - "Dressed in kilts and sunglasses, Tartanic gives its audiences a barrage of sound from not one but TWO Highland Bagpipes, and three percussionists. Imagine one dancer, six drums, six drones, 18 notes, fast fingers, high comedy, flying bagpipes, taste-defying stunts and scorching hot music played at over 120 beats per minute with driving speed and high-volume, all brought to you by five men without pants." - http://www.tartanic.net/band

Barely Balanced - "Come watch as Margret, Cameron, and Jimmy, or as you will come to know and love them,“Small,” “Medium,” and “Large,” balance precariously on top of each other, contort their limbs, and juggle knives as razor sharp as their wit. They'll incorporate a cornucopia of circus props into the fun including: Chinese yoyo (of death), rolla bolla (of doom), and hula hoop (of no particular threat). They may even use one of their favorite and most unpredictable props- YOU!"
- http://www.barelybalanced.com/Bios.html

Christophe the Insultor - "I am Christophe the Insultor, Archbastard. I make my living insulting people for money. If you find any part of this site insulting to you personally, you owe me money. Means for you to pay your debt will be provided on the page where I sell things." - http://www.insultor.com/

Now if you'll excuse us, we have a DVR to program for Tuesday evening!

Fantasy Food

Today I posted a link on the Mystic Moon Media Facebook page that shows people how to make unicorn poop sugar cookies. Yes, it is gross, but it's also funny.

This got me wondering if there were any other fantasy world inspired recipes. The answer was a resounding YES!

Here is a little list of links for you to click through when you want to try a recipe that brings a bit of fantasy to life.

 Elven Lembas Bread from "The Lord of the Rings"

Butterbeer from "Harry Potter"

Princess Leia cupcakes from "Star Wars"

Dragon Snot

Pumpkin Pie Kor'Kron Krumkake from "World of Warcraft"

Budget Light Frame Tutorial

Here is a unique way to display your favorite Mystic Moon Media artwork!
The main supplies for your budget light frame include:

• two identical deep, non-ornate frames - make sure they have prop arms and are not just for wall display
• 2 or more battery-operated tea light candles
• a utility knife
• a pen or pencil
• hot glue gun and or a strong craft glue like E6000
• your favorite Mystic Moon Media print
• items to "fancy up" your frames (optional)

Supplies

First, separate all of your frame pieces. Remove the backs of both frames. You will only need one of the frame backs for your final project. Place the candles on the frame back and trace circles around them. You will be be cutting out the circles out of the backing with your utility knife . Space the candles on opposite ends of the frame back. Tip: Placing the candles too close to the middle of the frame back will end up making the large "Do Not Reproduce" stamp on the print visible.

Tracing candles

After you cut out the circles, place the tea candles into the holes making sure the on/off switch is on the outside of the frame back (the part we see when it is assembled). Take your glue of choice and glue the candles into the holes. Add a little extra glue if you accidentally cut the holes a bit too big.

Glue candles securely

Okey dokey, now attach your print to the glass of one of the frames. I put a little dab of glue on each corner of the glass and then gently pressed the print down. Make sure the glue is hidden by the frame. Now remove the glass from the second frame. You won't be needing it. Attach the back of the frame that contains the print with the front of the frame that has no glass using your glue of choice. After the glue is dry, attach the frame back. Remember, you only need one frame back.

Frames glued back to front and attaching back

The hard part is all done! Now you can turn the room lights off and turn the tea lights on for a soft glow. However, you may want to add a little pizazz to your light frame. Tip: Dollar stores have great decorative supplies, but don't get your frames from them. They aren't deep enough.

We glued some moss strips around the edge of the frames to give it a woodland feel. If you were to use a mermaid print, adding some seashells or netting could look cute. Whatever you decide, be creative!

In the middle of gluing on moss strips

Other notes: We used  8x10 prints, but you can experiment with different sized prints and amounts of tea light candles. Be sure to get the type of candles that have replaceable batteries. If you find deep enough frames, you could also use other types of low wattage lights from craft stores to create your own twist on a light frame.

Our favorite light frame (so far)!

 

Zazzle Update

We recently asked our fantastic followers on Facebook what kind of Mystic Moon Media products they'd like us to sell in addition to our current goodies and they came up with quite a list for us!

Besides working on new art pieces, Cherie has been busily adding products to the Zazzle shop, many of which were requested by you.

Select designs are available on t-shirts, iPhone cases, trinket boxes, mouse pads, mugs, post cards, and more! Keep checking back at the Mystic Moon Media Zazzle store to see what other goodies have been added. 

Sneak Peek...A Sketchbook Snapshot

Hello everyone!

If you are a Facebook fan, you may already know that once we hit 275 likes we unveil the newest art piece and begin our contest.  Need a peek of what this art may entail?  

Well, here is a glimpse of this little winter fay's beginning...

If you want to see more of this wonder... pass this link to your friends and don't be afraid to like us!

http://www.facebook.com/MysticMoonMedia