We are forever CHARMED -

 LeeAnn Kress has sweet magic in her hands.

Years ago (as in, over a decade), we happened upon some of her creations and were hooked. Her world of mischievous witches, classic monsters like Frankenstein, jaunty, top-hat wearing ghosts, cats, bats and pumpkins, to name but a few, all created through her "Charmed Confections" shop, forever delighted us and others who followed her works. We thought, holy smokes, Batman, this gal's really on to something! She has that rare ability to snatch a sparkly Halloween essence from the air and make it manifest into a treasure comprised of clay, paint, glitter and whatnot, each of which are indescribably sweet with a touch a naughty thrown in.

Every character elicits a feeling of sheer elation. LeeAnn never fails to bring it. She is amazing! Just ask any one of her many collectors who jump at the chance to add another one of her original hand-made creations to their collection.
 

It was our extreme honor to feature her as our very first Spotlight Featured Artist, in the Fall 2020 premiere issue of AUTUMN BRILLIANCE! Getting to know her as we chose from the many photos of her abundant creations was a pleasure like no other.  You can see LeeAnn's creations by getting your FREE digital copy - just click the link to take you there. 

https://online.flipbuilder.com/pour/iijy/mobile/index.html

LeeAnn had to take some time off all last year, therefore largely missing Halloween, and her legion of fans missed her dearly... but as of early 2023 we're thrilled to announce that she's back in her studio, using her talented fingers and imagination in the most darling ways. 

As we know, Valentines Day shall soon be upon us, and what LeeAnn has brought to the table will delight everyone. How better to proclaim your eternal love than to give the gift of a Poisoned Apple Heart?

Of course, if you'd rather keep it for yourself, it's totally understood, and we will certainly not judge you for it...

She has several different varieties in her shop, and will be happy to paint a custom-colored heart just for you. 

Click on the link below to take you to Charmed Confections. It's a guarantee you'll find something sweet!

 https://charmedconfections.com/

 

  

A word about the fabulous Alycia Matthews -

Honestly speaking, we've ALWAYS loved Alycia's artwork. Everything she creates truly does bring on a sense of Halloween happiness in a literal instant. Great artists will do that to you no matter what, they seem to know how to hit your heartstrings in just the right way. Alycia is not an exception! Try looking at her art and not smiling, it's flat-out impossible.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/alyciasart/

 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063174431437

Whilst putting last year's magazine together, we knew that we really wanted to feature some of Alycia's marvelous creations because, like all of the artists we painstakingly curate and hand-pick, we were eager to share it for all the world to see. Halloween art is important (and is the main reason why this magazine exists in the first place). 

Largely considered "folk art," that is, it's a singular, unique and handmade style, pertaining to a specific genre; in other words, definitely not generic factory-made. Many folk artists have a style that is so unique to them, you can spot it out of a crowd in a split-second, and Alycia's handcrafted papier mache artwork is right there at the top of the list. 

(Which is why we featured this amazing lady in the Fall 2022 issue of AUTUMN BRILLIANCE!)

With the long, frosty, dead of winter months dragging on, so many of us are feeling that palpable sense of blahs, as the landscape remains bleak and bereft of the lively kaleidoscope of foliage that wraps itself around our spirits during the Halloween season. Will autumn and our favorite season ever get back to us, we bemoan? 

Well, fear not, for you can dip your toes into a rich well of colorful delights on January 31st, 2023, by visiting the EHAG (Eclectic Halloween Artists Guild) where Alycia will be offering some exciting new pieces of her art in an event dubbed "Ghoulish Goblins and Other Spooktacular Halloween Treats." 

How could you resist!?

https://ehagemporium.blogspot.com/

Now, imagine our absolute surprise when we received a package in the mail recently ... from none other than Alycia herself. Holding it and wondering, "What in the world could this be?" we carefully unwrapped it and then sucked in a great breath of ecstatic shock ... it genuinely left us at a loss for words. It's a Candy Corn character, grinning mischeivously, and clutching a hand-created mini-copy of AUTUMN BRILLIANCE magazine - the premiere issue, with "Jack," our pumpkin mascot, on the front cover!!! SQUEEEEE! Happy tears! We were left completely speechless at her kindness in bestowing such an exquisite original piece of art on us, but mostly at the unbelievable detail that dear Alycia invested in making it so special.

What else can we say, but that it's perfect, precious, and will be treasured forever. It is in a place of honor, front & center in our glass display cabinet, among the many other original works of Halloween art I've collected over the years from the multitude of my favorite artists... one of which Alycia will always be.

Thank you, Alycia. Thank you so, so much. We love you!

🎃 🎃 🎃

***Keep posted here and on Alycia's websites/Facebook page on the next live appearances she'll be participating in this year!***

Happy Birthday to Dolly Parton! -

If America ever were to have a Queen, she would unequivocally be Dolly Parton. 

There's simply not enough space here to list even a fraction of the many things she's done for humanity, so instead, we'll just go ahead and wish our Butterfly a very loving and happy Happy Birthday!

You can read about Dolly in the exclusive interview she gave us, which you'll see only in the fabulous, super-duper-sized Fall 2021 issue of AUTUMN BRILLIANCE magazine, available here by clicking the link to the left which will take you to our Etsy shoppe.

 We love you, Dolly!

 

 

Counting the days ...

 

 

 

Welcome, 2023! -

 A new year, a fresh start.

What are you planning? Or do you go with the flow? 

Don't forget, Halloween is only 302 days away!

The Winter approaches! -

 Seems that most of the US will be C-C-C-COLD this week, just in time for Yule/Hanukkah/Christmas! 

We personally love this kind of weather, but for most folks who live in more northerly regions that tend to get buried in snow, we send our warmest thoughts in the hopes that they stay healthy, safe, happy and - yes, WARM!

Working on new articles for next year's issue of the magazine. It helps being able to look out my window onto the wintery looking landscape for inspiration. Halloween for most of all never ceases, does it? Although it does take a bit of a back seat during this time of year, it's still the gateway into what we call the Dark Season... a time to sit back a bit, reflect on things, take it easy. A hot cup of cocoa, broth or mulled cider warms the insides and illuminates the imagination. 

Do you have any special things you're doing during this holiday season? Drop us a line and let us know!

 

 

Thankful ...

Our hearts will forever remain thankful for the abundance of life's experiences.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!