puppets – Play. Create. Discover…

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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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 Kristina Durst aka Kristy Anne Fae All Rights Reserved.

art, Blog, Crafts, creative living, Fidget toys, illustration, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, play, puppets, Toys

Monster Max: Channeling the Inner Child

August 22, 2022 Kristy Fae

In case anyone didn’t know this about me…I ADORE PUPPETS! There’s something extra fun and unique about getting to animate your own character with your very own inner child in the driver’s seat. Puppets have been used in play and in therapy, in entertainment and in storytelling for ages. There are all kinds of purposes hiding behind those beady eyes and hinged mouths, but what I love most about them is that they are a great opportunity/excuse/reason for PLAY! You get to channel something within you that doesn’t always get to come out in everyday life, and often, for me anyways, that’s my inner child (and boy does she LOVE to PLAY!).

So I encourage you to grab an inanimate friend (whether it’s a puppet, plushie, toy, marionette, cardboard cutout, etc) and see what happens when you let your inner creative creature out. Start by telling a simple story about your day, or telling your version of a classic fairy tale or favourite children’s book or movie. Try out different voices and personas. What if the puppet was an emotion; how would they act and what would they say? There are no rules… that’s the secret! Let yourself simply play!

Puppets and homemade toys can be made easily with nearly anything— an egg carton makes a great mouth or set of eyes, for example, and of course a sock with a few googly eyes glued on does just the trick! I’ve got hand-made monster puppets for sale if you’re looking for something fancier, but anything will do! Give it a whirl and let me know how it goes… it may take some practise to get comfortable with this, so don’t be alarmed if it’s awkward or uneventful to start! Also, it’s perfectly fine (and encouraged) to be absolutely RIDICULOUS. So if you needed it, there’s your permission. You can even use the excuse “I’m just doing my homework” 😉 Just don’t try to blame your puppet for eating your homework, fantasy only extends so far here… lol.

My favourite puppet Monster Max (aka Super Max) and I had a great time meeting everyone at the Community Art Event last night! There’s nothing like a big furry monster to break the ice, right!? Talk about a conversation starter and a convergence of the inner children in us all! We are sending out LOADS of gratitude for all the love we received at the event and for the support we were shown leading up to it. A monster-sized special thanks to the organizers at Image After Hours and the wonderful venue and staff at the Victoria Event Centre for making this Art Night possible!

Kristy Fae and Super Max the Monster at Art Night

In the next months we will be adding new products to the Art of Nonsense Shop online: all new puppets in bright and brilliant colours, new art prints, magnets, stickers, beanbag buds fidget toys/keychains and plushies…! We can’t wait to share more monsterly fun with you all! And if you have any questions or are interested in a monster or custom work, don’t hesitate to reach out to kristy@artofnonsense.com !

Play. Create. Discover…

Thanks for stopping by… also find me and the monsters @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

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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! © 2022 Kristina Durst aka Kristy Anne Fae All Rights Reserved.

Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, play, Poetry, Self-Awareness, Self-Help

“Monsters for Hope: New Year, New Creations”

December 28, 2020 Kristy Fae

Can you believe 2021 is just about here? No one expected 2020 to be what it was, but I think many of us can agree that it challenged us in new (and hopefully creative) ways. However you’re feeling about this past year, it’s valid! Completely. Give yourself all the permission to feel it.

For me, it’s been a year of major downs and also ups. Yes, there has been grief, loneliness, frustration, and a plethora of other jumbled emotions. I’ve felt these sentiments deeply and will continue to come against them, I’m sure. But what I’m trying to move ahead with most of all from this past year is a profound gratitude for the time and resources I have been given to dive back into my wonderful world of monsters! When I create stories and creatures, my soul ignites. Creativity is my fuel. And each time I create a character, a poem, an illustration, a puppet, or — anything, I feel a deep belly joy bubbling up and spilling out of me. And this is what gives me hope, even in the darkest days.

With the fresh year comes fresh projects and ideas— including the new colour line of monster hand puppets I have been promising you. They are coming along well and are eager to meet you! In the meantime, I wanted you to meet them, and get to know their personalities a little bit more in hopes that they will stir up some joy in you, too. So without further ado, here are the little cuties!

Introducing the New Colour Line of Monster Puppets!

Let me know which monster puppet is your favourite in the comments below— and tell me, what has this year been like for you? What challenges and what gifts did the year bring? What hopes and dreams are you stepping into the New Year with? Let’s honour and celebrate ALL of that!

Happy New Year everyone, may it bring good health and an abundance of joy and creativity!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable creatures and other products.

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Blog, Crafts, Creative Learning, Funny, Monster Monday, Monsters

“Fuzzies and Owls and Monsters, Oh My!”: Handmade Monsters

July 6, 2020 Kristy Fae

Hello to all my monster-loving friends out there! Between commissions and gifts, it’s been a busy few weeks in the Monster Workshop here. I thought you might like to see what’s been coming to life… enter fuzzy blue hand puppets and fun fleecy sleep masks! All handmade by yours truly, these puppets and masks have your play-time and rest-time covered. The fleece and felt monster hand puppets come in different styles and colours and have plastic enforced mouths for easy operation. They’re great for make-believe, role playing, story-time, sing-alongs, teaching, and fun. I’m also happy to bring back these much beloved monster sleep masks, with a new and improved design to keep light OUT and comfort IN. There will even be matching hand puppet and sleep mask sets- yes, “Oh My!”

Stay tuned for new hand puppets and sleep masks for sale in the Art of Nonsense Shop coming soon: https://artofnonsense-shop.square.site/

Monster Sleep Mask with a light-blocking nosepiece and 100% cotton backing for comfort.

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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Creative Learning, Monster Monday, Monsters

Monster Hand Puppets: How Much is that Monster in the Window?

June 15, 2020 Kristy Fae

Puppets are a great toy for inspiring the imagination through make-belief, storytelling and role-playing. They can be a terrific avenue for expression, laughter and fun! Puppets are also a wonderful learning tool— they can be used to teach children any subject in a creative way! What better than a silly, playful friend to engage young ones? I’ve had a lot of success using my puppets in classrooms and after school programs to teach math and literacy and for adding a special allure to story-time! I’m happy to share the joy of puppets with a few now available for sale and more varieties coming to life in the Monster Workshop!

Adopt your own fuzzy friend through my online Art of Nonsense shop at: https://artofnonsense-shop.square.site/

I currently offer fleece puppets like the ones shown directly below and I also make more complex ones like Super Max, the grey fury guy, in the next picture. Send me a message if you’re interested in a customized puppet.

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Crafts, Monster Monday, Monsters

Playful Puppets: Embodying Play

May 4, 2020 Kristy Fae

I often find myself missing my childhood play time— the magic of disappearing into fictitious stories and make-believe worlds; the joy of embodying a character with uninhibited freedom of expression; the escape from the world’s problems into mystery, laughter, romance… the imagination is the limit. That is to say it is unlimited of course.

Play is an incredibly powerful activity and, not just unfortunately— but tragically — is often left in the wake of adulthood. Play allows us to discover more about the world and about ourselves while expressing in ways otherwise inhibited. It is crucial, at any age, in my opinion (and in the opinion of many experts who study play).

Play can take many forms, from art and creative projects, to songwriting, to improv, to sports, to frolicking at the beach or amongst the trees, to laughing and goofing around with friends to — (insert your favourite fun activities here!). If it is coming from a pure, authentic, free place, and eliciting joy, I think it is safe to call it “play” though others may have a different definition.

As many of you know, one of my favourite sources of play is creating monsters— both on paper and off, the “off” part including HAND PUPPETS! Puppets are such fun and create an often immediate bridge of connection with children in different activities and environments as well as reacquainting us “older kids” with our childhood selves. What better than having a ridiculous character attached to your arm to elicit sporadic voices, movements, storytelling, and whatever else may come. I love puppets, and I’ve recently been called to create more of them.

You can make your own simple puppets by using an (old?) sock and some googly-eyes and get creative with other crafting supplies like felt, pipe-cleaners, fabric scraps, buttons, sequins, paper, popsicle sticks… oh how the memories of my childhood are dancing fresh on my mind right now! Perhaps I’ll post some tutorials on puppet-making here in the coming days… anyone interested?

Below are 3 different Monster Puppet designs I’ve created, please help me out by voting for the one you’d most like to see come to life! Option 1, 2 or 3!?

Let the play begin!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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