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

The Home Gnome: When Creatives Congregate…

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!

Artwork & Puppets by Art of Nonsense

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!

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.

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

Monster Max: Channeling the Inner Child

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!

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.