She talks to wolves...

Times are tough all over: this I know. I'm currently one of the jobless desperately seeking work, feeling more and more everyday that finding a job is equivalent to winning the lottery. To be honest, I'm worn down and I'm starting to crack a bit and I know plenty of others who are fractured or fracturing. My heart and hopes go out to all of us.

In such times, delight is an even more important facet of our lives than ever.

And that's why I'm telling you that elisem is currently running a sale on her gorgeous shinies: objects of such curious names and whimsical nature and stirring composition. There's been a magpie among the bins, slashing her prices-- and though there seems so little to spare, maybe there's a bit for a wondrous bauble that'll lighten your heart and bring you some small joy. (N.B. Sale ends at midnight CST.)

Any relief of stress can help transform your world.

And that's why I'm also telling you that penmage is celebrating a very Hobbity birthday indeed. This month, the month of her birth, she's giving away fantastical young adult novels through her journal: just leave a comment, and you're entered in the giveaway.

This week's offering is for the first two books in the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. Haven't heard of Fablehaven? Here's a cheat sheet:

For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.

The lady's got good taste. She's already given away a signed copy of Janni Lee Smith's Bones of Faerie, a post-apocalyptic fairy book and quite compelling read. Now skedaddle on over there.

I hope, by now, everyone is aware of chimera_fancies, Mia's amazing little fairy tale poetry-pendant boutique. (If you missed it, see this post of mine to catch up!)

Well, exciting news! She is holding a contest wherein, if you write the winning poem, you can win a pendant she's made especially for the contest. The pendant is a sparkling beauty, the words bestowing it with either whimsy or menace:

( Click for a picture of the pendant. )

If you're interested (please! be interested!), trot over to her contest post and leave your name and e-mail address to sign up.

I'm one of the judges for this competition along with cadhla and copperwise herself. And I can assure you that we are excited to see your entries!

So, I have this friend named Mia who makes beautiful things.

They're pendants: small, ceramic, painted in metallic and pearlescent and flat paints, often with different types of media mixed in: flowers, maybe, or sparkling bubbles or little images.

But there's so much more than that: these pendants are stories. They're little poetic fairy tales, phrases built from words cut from old fairy tale books that, when oriented just so by Creatrix Mia, transform the world. These little poems are powerful. They're the distilled essence of folk and fairy tale and myth, and we all know where those live in the human consciousness.

So far, I am the exceedingly lucky owner of two such pendants, with negotiations in progress for a third:

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I have received "wicked girls saving ourselves" in the mail already, and all I can say is: Wow! It packs as much punch for me in reality as it did in the picture. For all intents and purposes, I am a wicked girl saving myself. And having such a lovely pendant, textured by a dried flower, red iridescence over pure black, all strung on a red ribbon (easily switched out with a cord): well, it just makes me want to strut a little straighter.

I can't wait to receive "Glimmers in the Dark" or finish up negotiations on "Firebird Outside of Time."

For the vernal equinox, Mia debuted a huge collection of new pendants. Completely unsurprisingly, they're almost all gone. Completely surprisingly, on the other hand, are the ones that haven't sold:

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Can you believe those gorgeous pieces are still available? I can't! And, if I had more money, they wouldn't be. But it's lucky for you, dear friends-- you still have the opportunity to secure these remarkable creations for your own.

Thank you, Mia, for your friendship and your creativity. You are enchanting.

(If you are interested in any of her pendants, hie you over to chimera_fancies. The "Beautiful Magician" pendant is actually available from her first posting, while all the others are in her most recent Vernal Equinox update.)