Miss Wondersmith’s Art is a True Hidden Treasure

By
David S
-

Stumbling upon treasure buried in the ground during a picnic sounds like a nice beginning of a fairy tale. But what if it happened in reality? Walking down the woods and tripping over a mysterious ceramic object buried next to a stone – doesn’t it sound exciting? Miss Wondersmith is making this come true for people! She is hosting free magical events for her guests, and she has been doing it for several years now.  

Everything began when she threw a surprise party for complete strangers, which resulted in a huge success. First, she hid invitations in the woods and created artistic vessels for food and drinks. This experience was amazing, and she started to organize similar events more often.  

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Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! ✨ My, what a year 2019 was… I don't think I have ever felt more passionate and engaged with my work, nor have I ever struggled with my health quite so much. This year I had two (and a half) surgeries, was hospitalized once for a week, had about 6 ER visits, and have spent an awful lot of time in bed recovering through it all. Honestly, I am deeply grateful to be alive, there were more than a couple of nights I thought I wouldn’t make it. This year I ALSO found more ways to engage with people, through magazines like @faeriemagazine @plants_are_magic @witchologymag and more! ✨ I am also extremely grateful for the community that has formed around all I do – this has got to be one of the most compassionate, kind, engaged, and creative groups on the web. 💚 The generous support of my medical expenses has completely blown me away this year – I have no idea where I would be without all of you rooting for me. (And I am still getting support from @wildfoodlove and the bevy of generous artists who have collaborated to create a gorgeous calendar to help me raise funds.) It's pretty remarkable to think back over the complexities and details of this last year. I am hoping that 2020 brings me the health I need to get back into the woods I love so much and continue sharing wonder with all of you in some new and exciting ways! I have some big (and rather crazy) news to share soon, so stay posted! Just working out a few of the little details now 💚 I hope this year brings all of you more magic, joy, and wonder! . ✨✨✨ . #bestnine #happynewyear #reflections #newsurprises #thewondersmith #misswondersmith #gratitude

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Now, she has decided to share with us the pieces of her wonderful art online, and the plan for the future is to be able to give away her pieces. She is looking forward to being able to share her art with those who are in need of comfort.   

Check out the amazing collection of artsy pieces created by Miss Wondersmith, and if you are interested in more, visit her Instagram or Patreon page!  

Enjoy!  

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I’m still slowly working away at my Messengers Series! I have been using a teensy paintbrush to paint on my various colors of underglaze. I do each part in three coats to ensure full coverage, then add more texture and details. I can finish painting about one set on a good day, so getting all twelve done will definitely take some time! Once I finish with all of them, they will be fired again to set the underglaze. Then I will paint more details, emphasize the lines, and apply a couple kinds of glaze. After that, one final finishing touch ✨ I only fire most of my pieces twice, but I really want to get a good depth in these illustrations so I am giving this set special treatment! The colors right now are an approximation – the true colors will show up after firing when the organic pigments burn out and the mineral pigments are transformed by heat. (That’s why test tiles are so important!) This is highly-detailed work requiring a lot of concentration (I even wear a headlamp while painting inside the goblets so I can see better to make everything more accurate) but you know what? I kind of love it. 😉 Thanks for following along and I will be sure to post some comparisons with every firing! 💕 Which one of these is speaking to you the most? . ✨✨✨ . #messengersseries #thewondersmith #misswondersmith #functionalart #ceramicdesogn #wip #workinprogress #potsinaction #ceramicprocess #claybuddies

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In case you missed it… I made a pretty big announcement yesterday!: I want to start giving my art away! Once I reach a monthly goal on patreon that will cover my living expenses, I will no longer need to sell my art to supplement my income. Instead, I'm picturing real-life treasure hunts, special hints for my patrons, and surprise challenges for the people that help to support me! Head to facebook.com/thewondersmith to find a Bored Panda article about what I'm up to 😉 Here's an excerpt: "Why give it all away? Because I want to believe in a world where buried treasure and secret clues exist, and the best way to make that happen is to make them myself. Because I want my artwork to be accessible to people of all social classes, not just the wealthy, and I don’t like thinking of my creativity as a transaction. Because I want the creations that I put my heart and soul into to bring wonder into someone else’s life. Because several brushes with death have made me appreciate the magic of this world and given me a new perspective about why I fought to stay alive. Because I am Miss Wondersmith, and spreading wonder is my life’s purpose." I am so freaking excited. I hope hope hope I can meet this goal and be free to add more wonder to the world! This is one example of what might just be buried in a chest somewhere special… If this resonates with you and you'd like to help me make it happen (while receiving other rewards for your contribution as well), just head to Patreon.com/thewondersmith This world is just so full of magic. 😍 . ✨✨✨ . #makingmagic #sharingwonder #artabandonment #reallifetreasurehunt #treasurehunt #magic #wonder #thewondersmith #misswondersmith #ceramicart #functionalart #handsculpted #seaurchin #teaset #buriedtreasure

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And what would the holidays be without a little extra gift for my patrons? This recipe is a delightful ode to the history and magic of amanita mushrooms, 🍄which have far more to do with the festivities of midwinter than you might think. 😉Mapley mushroom caps iced with naturally red frosting and sprinkled with pearl sugar sit atop sturdy stalks. They are planted in a whiskey-infused crisp rice dessert full of hemp seeds and chocolate for a fun treat that has a big impact! Patrons, you can find the recipe for this gorgeous dessert on your membership page. 😘 If anyone would like to learn more about this program and how you can support my goal of spreading wonder while also getting little bonuses like secret recipes, head to patreon.com/thewondersmith ✨ This was SUCH a fun dessert to plan and put together, I hope you like it as much as I do! Also, to those of you tagging me in posts when you try my recipes: THANK YOU! It makes my heart so happy to know that others are enjoying what I share! . ✨✨✨ . #amanita #amanitamuscaria #amanitainspired #mushroomdessert #secretrecipe #grownupcrispricedessert #gourmetcrisprice #mushroomcookies #amanitacookies #showstopperdessert #yule #pagan #ancientcelebrations #amanitamagic #thewondersmith #misswondersmith #wildcrafted

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Reminiscing about this project I worked on at an art camp in Oregon a couple of years ago. I was thinking about the power of symbols, how certain patterns or shapes affect us in nearly-universal ways. These spoons were just a "side project" to the main artwork I was focusing on, but somehow they felt the most charged with ancient energy or mystery. Even as I was creating them, I felt like I was holding something in my hand that had been excavated from an archaeological dig or discovered in a deep field. Sometimes it's fun to look back and see how earlier work has influenced current themes… what do these spoons make you think of? . ✨✨✨ . (By the way, they are long gone as gifts to friends and family.) . ✨✨✨ . #ceramicart #ancientstones #artifacts #artifactinspired #artifactart #ceramics #potsinaction #madeinaskutt #thewondersmith #misswondersmith

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