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Blog, Crafts, Events, Market, Monster Monday, New Product Release

The Home Gnome: When Creatives Congregate…

November 14, 2023 Kristy Fae

This little monster went to the market,
That little monster stayed home,
This little monster had so much fun,
That little monster had none!
This little monster went
“Wee, wee, wee”
All the way Gnome…

“Home Gnome” Decoration by Art of Nonsense

The monsters and I are gearing up for our next exciting event, a Winter Art Market, and we are shouting, “Wee wee wee!” in anticipation!

The Community Art Market is taking place on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26, from 1:00-5:00pm, at the Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Ave. Entry is free, so if you’re in the Victoria BC area, drop by and say, “Hi!” to us at the Art of Nonsense booth.

We’ll have for sale our beloved stickers, magnets, Beanbag Buds, art prints and puppets! And we’ll be introducing some Home Gnomes (one variation depicted above) just in time for the Holiday Season! They’re sure to bring a little pop of colour and joy into your home…or the home of whomever they are gifted to…

Visit the Greater Victoria Social Gathering Place website or their Facebook Event for more details. Thanks to Island Community Mental Health and Greater Victoria Social Gathering Place Society for making this event possible. We’re so grateful to have organizations like this supporting mental health, wellness & recovery in our community.

Come on down and support local artists as they come together to celebrate creativity and the joys of this season!

Play. Create. Discover… Be sure to subscribe to the blog to receive Biweekly reminders when we post! Also find us @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

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Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2023 Kristy Anne Fae All Rights Reserved.

Blog, Crafts, creative living, Fidget toys, inspiration, Monster Monday, play, puppets, Sensory, Toys

The Courageous Creative: Putting Yourself Out There!

April 10, 2023 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday everyone, I hope you all had a safe and joyful weekend whether you were celebrating a holiday, loving the onset of Spring, or otherwise living life!

First off, I want to say thanks to all the monster-supporters who came out to the Art Market last weekend. Super Max the Monster Puppet and I had a great time and we happily re-homed some fun-hungry monsters. If you had your eye on a Beanbag Bud (see last week’s blog if you missed it), we’ve still got some of these sensory friendly toys available for adoption— just send Kristy a message. They aren’t yet listed on the online Shop, but will be soon, along with new puppets, art prints and more!

*Beanbag Buds made by*
*Kristy Fae at Art of Nonsense*

I also wanted to say how special it always is to get out into a creative community, talk to other artists and art-lovers, event organizers, old and new friends, and share the joy of creativity and play! When you’re an artist who works primarily by yourself (or with your team of imaginary monster friends), it’s even more important to get out there and engage with other creatives, receive feedback about what people like about your work— and what they would like to see from you! The experience always sparks new connections, ideas, and inspiration.

*Kristy Fae & Super Max*
*at their Art of Nonsense Booth*

I say this to encourage you, if you’re an artist or creative-being of ANY type, to consider a way you can connect with other creatives or share your gift this week. Perhaps that means cooking a new meal for a few friends, playing music around a campfire, hosting craft-night or finding a local art market, event, or workshop to attend. You can even find ways to connect online, if in-person isn’t feasible, as there are plenty of online groups and communities across a multitude of platforms that allow for sharing your work and ideas. You’re always welcome to share pictures of your creations on our Art of Nonsense Facebook page (by the way, be sure to follow us to keep up with the inspiration and fun!). Whatever speaks to you, see if you’re called to take one small step towards putting yourself out there this week.

I don’t know if it’s the Spring air or the energy of last weekend’s event, but I’m definitely feeling the theme of BEING BRAVE this month… what would you like your theme to be? Comment below!

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

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Blog, Crafts, Fidget toys, Monster Monday, Monsters, play, puppets, Self-Love, Sensory, Toys

The Pocket-Monster: Carrying Joy & Comfort With You, Wherever You Go…

March 27, 2023 Kristy Fae

If you had a pocket-monster,
Would you ever wonder whether,
Once your pocket-monster wandered,
It’d be a pocket-monster no longer?
Or if it’d be a wander-monster?
Or perhaps a wandered pocket-no-longer monster?
In any case of ponder,
You can be assured as thunder,
That a pocket-monster, wandered,
Will keep up its pocket-monster wonder!

Think about a pocket-monster like a portable source of joy and comfort. Do you have something like that? Perhaps a beloved sketch book, a favourite stuffed animal, a calming stone or crystal, or a tactile fidget toy? Even a non-tangible thing like your sense of humour, playfulness, or an uplifting mantra can do wonders for your mental health and happiness! Finding ways to bring joy and comfort with us, throughout our day, out into the world, and at home or in private, is a very special gift indeed…and one that I would love to spread far and wide.

And well friends, if you want your very own ACTUAL pocket-monster, now’s your chance! Art of Nonsense is in the process of bringing to life more of our popular Beanbag Buds— the perfect monsters to carry in your pocket, or clip to your bag with their elastic loops, so they’re with you whenever you need to give ‘em a squish or a squeeze (without the worry of wandering!). They’re great conversation-starters, awesome smile-makers, and soothing-comforters too…Beanbag Buds are great sensory toys, fidget toys, toss ’em beanbags, or bag accessories…

Kristy Fae is excited to bring a few of these adoptable cuties to an Art Market this weekend, along with an array of whimsical and inspirational art prints, magnets, stickers, and some goofy, fun-loving monster puppets! You can also inquire about monster adoptions or commissions at kristy@artofnonsense.com or here

So what are the event deets?

The “New Leaf: Art Market & Making” is happening this Sunday April 2nd, 2023 from 6-9pm at the Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St, Victoria BC. With free admission, musical performances, an assortment of local artists, and more, it’s bound to be a fantastic night! A big shout out to the PSR Collab and Imagine After Hours for bringing this amazing event to life— HIP HIP, HURRAY!

Visit the Facebook Event Page for the Art of Nonsense Booth here

And the “A New Leaf: Art Market & Making” Event here

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop!

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