Sadie Marmalade, The Snake Charmer!

"Meet The Amazing Snake Charmer, Sadie Marmalade, live for 3 days only in Coney Island, her last East Coast Appearance before her tour abroad, tickets still available, call circusmaster now for tickets and details!"
This is the poster on the enormous billboard I saw on my way to Coney Island, I was instantly mesmerized, just something about Sadie which instantly puts you in a trance, under a hypnotic spell, bringing you to a place where your mind can turn your imagination, your dreams and thoughts into reality, after all Sadie is a snake charmer from Cairo, with descendents traced as far back as the year 3000 BC, with an ancient ancestor named Caledone, snake charmer to the Pharoah Simoat
Mixed media painting on coffee and tea stained watercolor paper with inks, watercolors, paints and glitter watercolor!

Candyland Court, Tea Time with Pageant Queen and Fiji Mermaid

I just loved the time I spent with the Fiji Mermaid and the Pageant Queen at the Carnival Soiree, I had to post my experience with them in the blog titled after this event held in my blog: Faerie Enchantment http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com below is the full post no.6, my fave part of the day last saturday.
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Candyland Court, Tea Time with Pageant Queen and Fiji Mermaid!Post Six

Do you smell that?, its the smell of Cotton Candy, Fried Dough and Kettle Corn, laced with the sweet fragrance of Jelly Apples, Roated Nuts and Coconut and Penny Dogs, so delicious. I just couldn't resist buying a bag of Cotton Candy puffs from Lara's Sweets on my way to tea.


I wonder where it is?...Oh, now I see it, just follow the signs and the sugar sticks to that glorious and humongous Tea Pot, it must be nearly 10 feet tall and wide.
"Oh, Sage, look at all those sweet and edible jewels and dazzling stars, I also see all of the Soiree Attendees are here, finding their seats and exploring their goodie bags!"



And here she is The Glorious Fiji Mermaid, Zoe! I just had to take loads of pictures of her and her carnival-esque tea outfit!





Here is a dazzling photo of last years Carnival Pageant Winner Corneilia Gatsby, Isn't she just the prettiest ever? I want to win Carnival Queen one day.

Here is a photo of the two belles of the soiree:

Some scrumptious sweets and treats we all munched on sugar sweet pink cupcakes, Lara's Award winning Cotton Candy, which just won the prize for best Cotton Candy at the Carnival.

Notice Lara's Sweet Top Hat, made with floral satin ribbon, flowers and jewels.
Award winning Cotton Candy
This vintage inspired award was handmade with Satin floral ribbon and cardstock,instructions this week.

So much to eat, be inspired by and photograph, and its only 1:30pm....

The Fiji Mermaid

Here is a digitally altered art piece I created awhile back called:
"The Figi Mermaid"
This piece was inspired by the old circus/carnival posters and sideshow images, from the legend of the figi mermaid, which is what I have fittingly called this piece.
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The Legend:
The Fiji mermaid (also Feejee mermaid) was a common feature of sideshows. During the Renaissance and the Baroque eras, it was a staple of wunderkammers. They were often people afflicted of sirenomelia or a dugong.It is presented as a mummified body of something, supposedly a creature that was half mammal and half fish (like a grotesque version of normal mermaid stories).

The original exhibit was popularized by circus great P.T. Barnum, but has since been copied many times in other attractions, including the collection of famed showman Robert Ripley. The original exhibit was shown around the United States, but was supposedly lost in the 1860s when Barnum's museum caught fire. The exhibit has since been acquired by Harvard University's Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and is currently housed in the museum's attic storage area.

The Fiji mermaid came into Barnum's possession via his Boston counterpart Moses Kimball, who brought it down to Barnum in late spring of 1842. On June 18, Barnum and Kimball entered into a written agreement to exploit this "curiosity supposed to be a mermaid." Kimball would remain the creature's sole owner and Barnum would lease it for $12.50 a week. Barnum christened his artifact "The Feejee Mermaid" and began to "puff" her to the skies. In Barnum's exhibit, the mermaid was allegedly caught in 1842 by a "Dr. J. Griffin." Griffin was actually Levi Lyman, one of Barnum's close associates. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji_mermaid
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I just love the mystery surrounding this legend, My question to you: Is it real, does she exist?, or is it a Hoax, another ploy to drum up business by Mr.Barnum? I'll let you decide....
http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/fj-gaffs/
http://www.thefeejeemermaid.com/
The following site has loads of info on the Mysterious Fiji Mermaid
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/Hoaxipedia/Feejee_Mermaid/
http://www.lostmuseum.cuny.edu/home.html


"Cryptozoology"
Cryptozoology is the study of "hidden""Mysterious" animals!

The Side Show Follies! Fiji Mermaid!

LEGEND:
This is Zoe, The Figi Mermaid. She is the main side show exhibit at The Bentley Bros. Carnival. Zoe was born in Figi and was discovered by Andrew Bentley when he was on Holiday. Here Zoe can be seen drinking coco kelp tea and wearing her new tiara, as you can see, Zoe is treated like a Queen and is the wealthiest Figi Mermaid to date.

But just because Zoe whose real name is Akirah, wears a dazzling tiara and gets paid thousands of dollars, doesn't mean she is side show perfect, Zoe is hiding some important secrets. Recently Madame Laduree, the shows Gypsy Fortune Teller, was awoken in her sleep of a mysterious woman who was going to approach Zoe with a secret, Madame Laduree's predictation came true before she could warn Zoe, this mysterious woman informed Zoe that her real father was British and head of a Royal Navy Ship with the respected name of Samuel J. Lundy.

She continued to tell her the whole story of her parents encounter, starting from the day they first met, when his ship had become was dis-oriented after a severe storm, when it hit sharp coral reefs off the Madagascar coast, this is where he met the beautiful and exotic Loraina, who was frolicking in the sea.

Then Samuel dove into the water to save Loraina who he thought was drowning and together they swam to land, he quickly took off his shirt and placed it over her, asking if she was okay. and she replied; "Yes I Am", but neither of them took their eyes off one another. After 3 months on Madagascar, Samuel told Loraina, that he would be back to to marry her, but he never returned, this broke poor Loraina's heart, but what Loraina didn't know was her horrible sister Orgasta, who was banished from the Madagascar, to an un-documented isle, met a sea vamp Natashia who by day slept in a coral cave and by night roamed the land and sea searching for un-expecting victims, whom she could turn into sea-vamps aka Vampire Mermaids, who lure sailors to their doom through fake beauty and voice symphonies, Orgasta was one of her victims, who became stronger and stronger, eventually destroying Natashia, and gaining all her power and more.

When Orgasta found out about Loraina and Samuel, she fled to his new ship, placed the whole crew under an invisible and silent spell, so no one would ever find them, and poor Samuel would become her slave, carrying out her deeds.

Then this strange woman disappeared from Zoe's carriage, without a trace, minutes later Madame Laduree, arrived at Zoe's tent to tell her the vision she had, but found she was too late, the mysterious woman had already came and vanished, the look on Zoe's face said it all, she intantly through her arms around Madame Laduree and burst into tears. Zoe finally asked: "What should I do?"............
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Zoe was hand drawn and painted with a variety of paints and coffee/tea on Strathmore Watercolor Paper, with the dimension of an ATC: 3 1/2 by 2 1/2/ and enhanced with a variety of altered art techniques such as collage, and glitter embellishments, making this a: Mixed Media Piece On Strathmore Water Color Paper!

From this original image I have made several different art pieces, from the digital carnival poster above to smaller digital art pieces and the image medallion on my Fiji Mermaid Jar Fairy/Specimen Jar located in my book: Altered Art Circus.


Stay tuned for more Carnival Mysteries, Magic and Mayhem!
Hugs!
Lisa!

Carnival ATC Pocket/Book!

Welcome to the Pixie Boutique, located inside Madame Carwright's Pixie Carnival, the most elite Pixie Carnival in the world. Where Pixie celebrities such as Daisy Blythe, Mercury Adams, and Pipie LeMer all perform.

These Wiegfeld Follies gals perform at Carwright's in their off days at the Follies, performing musicals, water shows and Operetta's with musical talents Langley and Bowman, even a few members of the Wiegfeld Symphony make guest appearances. Lannel Dujoir is the sole costume designer for the Carnival, and travels in the summer with them in his traveling Pixie Boutique, housed inside an elaborate carnival house wagon, complete with the designer's fabrics, and taste.




Here is an ATC/Pocket/Book inspired by this fabulous Carnival. This piece is altered/decorated on both sides, with pocket, pocket pixies, pixie clothing and a theater all along this piece.

Directions on making these kinds of atc pockets/books can be found in my book: Altered Art Circus!

Magic and Joy!
Lisa!

Meet Henrietta Bellows!

Meet Henrietta Bellows, the Hippo Ballerina from The Carlisle Circus, her pals are Jeannie The Giraffe and Alistaire the Lion. Henrietta just joined the circus and was recommended by Lucy the Elephant, whose one of the lead stars of the Mer-Elephants Water Show at The Carlisle Circus!

Miss Bellows or as her friends call her Lady Henrietta, hails from Africa and was discovered dancing near a water hole from the symphony coming from the voices of 3 crocodiles known as the 3 Tremors, who also were asked to join the Circus. One of the 3 Tremors, Bethany Gaterstone, wrote a special song for the Mer-Elephants Water Show which consists of 5 acts, Henrietta who opens with her Royal Under Water Ballet, The Sea Horse Opera, The Fiji Mermaid of Madagascar, The Water Sprites and The Mer-Elephants Water Extravaganza.

Come visit Henrietta and The Water Show for 3 days only at Dreamland in Coney Island, until the show and circus sails to their tour of the seven seas.

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Here is another example of how you can alter a rubber circus animal. This is a great recycling project/Green too. The original project is available in my book: Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books Feb. 1, 2009!

Papier Puppen: Carnival Dolls!

New Papier Puppens, called: Carnival Dolls, using the images of my own vintage carnival dolls, and vintage illustrations, which I either photographed or scanned into the computer, enhanced then cut out and layered onto sturdy cardstock, and used for the head of my new papier puppens!
Claudette Andrews
Tinsel Andrews

Made with antique silver color glitter from Martha Stewart, Topaz blue glitters, German glass glitters, Vintage gold, silver and black crepe paper, the lilac crepe paper is new. Vintage book paper, chenille, pom poms, Dresden Trims, and more.

Carnival Soiree, Still More Magic to Create!

While the main game staff is adjusting the Carnival Games located in the Carlisle Pavillion, the rest of the staff are painting the carnival tokens in all the colors of the rainbow and the confectionaires are preparing their sweet recipes for the Candyland Court and Food Pavillions.

A new cotton candy flavor, Blue Raspberry, Grape Flavored Candy Apples and Peanut Butter and Jelly Sundaes will be released as new items. There will also be Sweet Rainbow Kettle Corn and Snickerdoodle Animal Crackers, all guests to the SugarPops Show will receive free candy jewelry, either necklace or bracelet, first come first show only.

The Toy makers have just about completed the cartons of toys, which will be stored behind Shakey's Speedracer ride, in the Carnival Toy Warehouse which resembles the toy factory from Babes in Toyland, like it came straight out of Coney Island's Dreamland.


Inside you will find Kewpies, Carnival dolls, pull toys, wind up toys, marionettes, puppets, racers, ball and Jacks, Pick up Sticks, Tinsel Dolls, Crowns and party hats.



The Carnival Queen Dolls, Tiaras, Hats, Fairy Wings will go to The Tinsel Tent. Inside the Tinsel Tent you will find the Royal Flyers Show, The Dunk The Queen Game, The Tinsel Parade and Sparkling Doll Carousel.

So many toys to see, and win, some requiring carnival tokens or tickets, others with the luck of the draw, or a visit to Gypsy Carmichael's Booth of Magic, could bring you a sparkling surprise, this Papier Puppen called: Bunny Tallaway, a replica doll of The Rabbit Tamer, Bunny Tallaway! So be certain one lucky winner will receive this doll as one of the giveaways at the Carnival Soiree!

Just about 11 days away on March 14, 2009.

Carnival of Venice

This is a mask I made this past fall, called
The Peacock!
The Carnival of Venice (in Italian: Carnevale di Venezia) was first recorded in 1268.

Masks have always been a central feature of the Venetian carnival; traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. They have always been around Venice. As masks were also allowed during Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise. Maskmakers (mascherari) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild.

In 1797, Venice became part of the Austrian-held Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia when Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio. The Austrians took control of the city on January 18, 1798 and it fell into a decline which also effectively brought carnival celebrations to a halt for almost two centuries.

Carnival was outlawed by the fascist government in the 1930s. It was not until a modern mask shop was founded in the 1980s that Carnival enjoyed a revival.

Carnival starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday.

Mask Varieties:

Venetian masks can be made in leather or with the original papier-mâché technique. The original masks were rather simple in design and decoration and often had a symbolic and practical function. Nowadays, most of them are made with the application of gesso and gold leaf and are all hand-painted using natural feathers and gems to decorate.

Bauta
Bauta is a "mask which covers the whole face, with a stubborn chin line, no mouth, and lots of gilding". One may find masks sold as Bautas that cover only the upper part of the face from the forehead to the nose and upper cheeks, thereby concealing identity but enabling the wearer to talk and eat or drink easily. It tends to be the main type of mask worn during the Carnival. It was used also on many other occasions as a device for hiding the wearer's identity and social status. It would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside the bounds of identity and everyday convention. It was thus useful for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters!

Moretta
The moretta is an oval mask of black velvet that was usually worn by women visiting convents. It was invented in France and rapidly became popular in Venice as it brought out the beauty of feminine features. The mask was finished off with a veil.It was secured in place by a small bit in the wearer's mouth.


Larva
The larva, also called the volto mask, is mainly white, and typically Venetian. It is worn with a tricorn and cloak. It is thought the word larva comes from the Latin meaning "mask" or "ghost". Like the bauta, the shape of the mask allowed the bearer to breathe and drink easily, and so there was no need to take it off, thus preserving anonymity. These masks were made of fine wax cloth and so were much lighter and were not irritating to wear making them ideal for eating, dancing and flirting.
This is a mask I made this past fall, called FiFi!

The Mask-Makers
The mascherari, or mask-makers had their own statute dated 10 April 1436.
They belonged to the fringe of painters and were helped in their task by sign-painters who drew faces onto plaster in a range of different shapes and paying extreme attention to detail.

For more info visit wikipedia!

Other Sites:
http://www.carnivalofvenice.com/
http://www.venetianmasksshop.com/
http://www.visitvenice.co.uk/venice-carnival.html
http://www.meetingvenice.it/en/

Barnum and Bailey Circus! A Timeline!

Ad for "The Greatest Show on Earth", 1878

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was started when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses separately until they were finally merged in 1919.

Timeline
1871 P. T. Barnum's "Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan & Hippodrome" created with William Cameron Coup
1875 (circa) James Anthony Bailey starts his circus
1881 James Anthony Bailey and P.T. Barnum combine to form "Barnum and Bailey Circus"
1884 John Nicholas Ringling starts Ringling Brothers Circus
1891 Death of P. T. Barnum[10]
1891 James Anthony Bailey buys Barnum assets from Barnum's widow[11]
1906 Death of James Anthony Bailey[12]
1907 The Ringling Brothers Circus purchases the "Barnum and Bailey Circus"
1919 John Ringling merges the two into "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus"
1937 John Ringling North takes control[13][1]
1943 John Ringling North cedes control to his cousin, Robert[13][1]
1944 Hartford Circus Fire
1947 John Ringling North takes control from his cousin, Robert[13][1]
1967 Irvin Feld and Israel Feld and Roy M. Hofheinz buy the circus from the John Ringling North[13][2]
1971 Sold to Mattel
1982 Irvin Feld buys the Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Inc. from Mattel[14]
1985- Ringling Brothers headlines the "Living Unicorn"
1986- Ringling Brothers headlines the "Shanghai Acrobatic Troup"
1987- Ringling Brothers headlines "King Tusk" the largest elephant since Jumbo
1989- Gunter Gabel Williams embarks on 2-year farewell tour
1990- David Larible becomes first clown to be the headliner of show
2001- Bello Nock becomes headline clown with show and is named "America's Best Clown" by TIME magazine

For more info visit http://en.Wikipedia.org