A hike through Winter Island Salem MA

If you follow this blog you must know by now that i am obsessed with Winter Island! It not only has two magical beaches but there is an old fort known as Fort Pickering that you can hike through.

From Wiki:
"Fort Pickering is a 17th-century historic fort site on Winter Island in Salem, Massachusetts. Fort Pickering operated as a strategic coastal defense and military barracks for Salem Harbor during a variety of periods, serving as a fortification from the Anglo-Dutch Wars through World War II. Construction of the original fort began in 1643 and it saw use as a military installation into the 20th century. Fort Pickering is a First System fortification named for Colonel Timothy Pickering, adjutant general of the Continental Army and secretary of War in 1795. Today, the remains of the fort are open to the public as part of the Winter Island Maritime Park, operated by the City of Salem."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pickering

Bunkers for ammunition 

View from hiking the trail above the bunkers

A different view of the lighthouse taken from on top of the bunker trail. Once again i am in awe of the beauty of Winter Island. 

And i am eternally grateful that we were able to move back to Salem MA this 2018. Yes this year was a doozie for the entire planet... at least a few good things happened!

Wishing all a very happy last day of 2018. May 2019 bring us peace of mind, happiness, stability and magic!

You are invited to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PracticalMagicSalem/

Visit our online shoppe at:

https://whispersoftheofae.com

La Befana Buona Strega Art Doll

La Befana is the legendary good Italian witch aka Buona Strega who delivers goodies on the eve of Epiphany, also known as Little Christmas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Befana

I just finished creating another La Befana Buona Strega art doll. The last one i made was several years ago and she sold. A completely different doll.

Shown below:

I found a few vintage embroidered scarves that looked like my Nonna would have made along with a few vintage head scarves and fabric. I love using recycled fabrics to make these dolls. Her face is made eco-friendly paper clay. 

I added a broom and a magical bottle filled with herbs. She has snow on her cape, at her feet and a touch on the broom. A sari ribbon cord is attached to her back so you can hang her. 

See more of the La Befana Doll on our online shoppe:https://whispersoftheofae.com/la-befana-spirit-doll-2

The North Shore Beach Tour Continues...

It has been at least 13 years since we have been to Cranes Beach in Ipswich MA. Last time we went was in the middle of the summer and had no idea that parking would be so expensive ... nor did anyone warn us of the wretched green-head flies that bite! 
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2013/07/24/greenhead-season-day-beach/Zw8FGfuy51mjb55jQGYMKI/story.html

So after more than a decade we decided on the last Saturday of 2018 to once again visit Crane Beach. After all.. it wouldn't be crowded in winter and of course they wouldn't charge for parking... right? WRONG!!!!!!!!

From Wiki:
"Crane Beach was established in 1945 as a gift from Richard T. Crane Jr., son of Richard T. Crane, and his family. Along with Castle Hill and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, it is owned and maintained by The Trustees of Reservations."

This time there was a line (A LINE?) to get into the beach parking lot. (Did i mention it is cold and windy today?) And parking was $10. Really... $10 for what? It is winter! (In summer it is $30!)  Can you say snootie?
But we paid and parked. Hiked over the sandy hills through whipping cold winds to the beach.

Yes it is gorgeous. But not the same magical feel as any of the other beaches we have visited or haunt. Then again, we are not muggles and there were several there today. Perhaps it was crowded with tourists visiting relatives. 

The beach is big, lots of sand. Not many sea shells and the wind was just too wild to enjoy it all. Overall i would say this is my least favorite beach on the North Shore. Ironically it is voted best beach by most! That is fine. I prefer the quiet beaches filled with wild life and no humans!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_Beach

The highlight of this trip was meeting Dory the horse who seemed to love walking through the waves. A magnificent being and such a handsome boy.

  
I did love the colors of the sea - vibrant teal greens and dark hues. Too hard to capture on a cell phone camera. Would be a great place to bring your water colors and paint - if the wind is kind. 

There may be more sea shells on a less crowded day or at low tide. I did find an Angel shell which i have not seen on any of the other beaches here so far. Lots of clams, some huge ones and one snail. 

Angel sea shell

We were frozen after walking back to the car. Happy to ride back to Salem and thaw out. Then we hopped back into the car to Winter Island just to get a sense of ahhhhhhhh! More photos tomorrow.

Winter Island Salem MA

Oh Aunty Em!

Scenes from Plum Island & Sandy Point Beach MA

Just a few snapshots of our visit to Plum Island & Sandy Point Beach in Newbury MA last weekend. A beautiful drive that is about 45 minutes from Salem MA (maybe more since we got lost!) We have not visited this area since we left MA 7 years ago. Located on the ocean with several beaches and a wild life preserve filled with all kinds of birds, deer, foxes and who knows what else! 

I love visiting the Audubon Joppa Flats Center on the way to these beaches and the wildlife preserve. 1 Plum Island Turnpike Newburyport, MA 01950
https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/joppa-flats

In February they host an Eagle Festival which celebrates the return of the bald eagles to the area. A mind-blowing experience for anyone who loves eagles & hawks. You can watch them float down the river on ice, fly above and swoop down into the water.Lots of educational live bird shows during that time where you can see owls, hawks, eagles and other wildlife that have been rescued. It is one of my favorite events of the winter.  https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/joppa-flats/news-events/eagle-festival

More info on Plum Island: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_Island_(Massachusetts)

It was c-c-c-old but gorgeous! Lots of waves, different sea shells than the ones i usually find on Winter Island in Salem MA. Moon shells, sand dollars, and driftwood. My muse is going to have a blast with these! Soon i will need a 12 step program for my sea shell addiction. My studio is now covered in them!

Sandy Point State Reserve Beach was my favorite of the beaches along this road. Very rocky, lots of tide pools and oh so cool sea shells! 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Point_State_Reservation
This is part of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_River_National_Wildlife_Refuge

  Tidepool

Once again.. i am soooo grateful to be back on the North Shore of MA! 

Wishing all a very happy rest of 2018. 

To make room for the new line of mermaid & dragon baubles that my muse has conjured up we are having a Year End Sale at the Whispers of the O'Fae online shoppe. No coupons needed. No expiration date! 

Our line of Peaceful Pea Pods, Enchanted Nests necklaces & Calling All Angel Earrings have all been marked down. Free USA Shipping on all orders $40 or over.

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Happy Boxing Day!

Happy Boxing Day! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas no matter what holiday you celebrate.

Our 15% OFF SALE will continue through midnight tonight at the Whispers of the O'Fae Onlne Shoppe. Free shipping on all orders $20 or more. Gift bag included. No magic code needed.

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Magical Jewelry for people & pets handcrafted with semiprecious stones & crystals. Charged with Reiki.

DIY Art Doll Kits & Classes

Salem Sea Magic Spell Kits

&

More!

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Merry Christmas from Salem MA!

Winter Island, Salem MA

Christmas Eve 12/24/18

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Yule!

https://whispersoftheofae.com

The Christmas Oyster....

Caution. Truth is stranger than fiction!

So the other day when i was gathering seashells on Waikiki Beach i found this gorgeous pink, purple and teal European Oyster Shell along with 3 bags filled with many more. (I am going to need a 12 step program soon for my seashell addiction.)

I have been taking them home and washing them so they don't stink up the studio or any art they are morphing into. When i picked up this shell i realized that it was still alive. OH NO! I do not want the wrath of the sea fae! So i put it in a glass bowl with some of the sea water that i have from this beach that is used in the Practical Magic Salem Sea Spell kits. 

And a few hours later the shell opened with the oyster inside. He's alive! (Or is it a she?) It was placed in my studio near the window so it could enjoy the full moon and maybe get some good vibes until i was able to bring it back to the beach. So for about 2 days we have had a pet oyster. We talked to it. Sang to it and apologized for the mishap.

And today, Christmas Eve we drove him/her back to Waikiki Beach and released it at high tide, wishing it well and thanking it - as well as apologizing! Who knows maybe this will turn into a children's book.

Rumor has it there will be snow tonight. Woohoo! A white Christmas in Salem is all i wanted this year. 

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and Blessed Yule from the Witch City.

 from all of us at Practical Magic Salem.

Our 15% OFF SALE continues through Boxing Day, 12/26/18. 

Still time to treat yourself to that magical jewelry, DIY art doll kits, Salem Spell Kits & more. No magic code needed at checkout.

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Taking a stroll down to Waikiki Beach...

It finally stopped raining yesterday, Saturday 12/22/18 so my husband and i ventured over to Waikiki Beach, Winter Island. Still a tad chilly. The wind has a bite but Winter Island is nice and quiet today. Only four cars and a handful of people and a few dogs.

This pond is on the pathway down to the beach. Usually there are ducks or geese hanging out in it.

Almost there! I always feel like a little kid on vacation when i reach this point on the path. 

Can you hear the waves lapping? Smell the sea breeze? 

Ahhhhh much needed therapy!

Clouds still lingering over parts of the beach adding to the magic of the full moon scheduled to appear later in the evening.

So many gorgeous sea shells today. Lots of large clam shells, cobalt blue mollusks and a few sea shells i need to look up. My husband found a conch shell - which is rare in these parts. 

Not sure yet what i will be doing with these shells. They may be part of a new series of Sea Sprite Spirit Dolls. Who knows ... waiting for my muse to appear and direct me! This photo does not capture the beauty of the colors and the mother of pearl iridescent reflections. 

Geese swimming over to say hi.

I love writing messages to the Sea Fae in the sand. The full moon tide will bring it in later.  Grateful for a magical day and that we are back in the Witch City for this holiday season. 

Wishing all a Blessed Yule, Happy Winter Solstice & Full Moon in Cancer!

Our 15% Off Sale with Free Shipping continues through Boxing Day.

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Winter Solstice Blessings!

Wishing all a very Blessed Yule 

& 

Happy Winter Solstice. 

May this new season bring peace of mind, joy and happiness to all.

It is raining today in Salem MA. Chance of flooding later on thanks to the full moon that arrives tomorrow. It is a blessing that we are back in Salem and able to celebrate the holidays here. I am grateful! Here is hoping that the moon is able to peak through the clouds tomorrow night.

Our Whispers of the O'Fae online boutique will continue its 15% OFF sale through Boxing Day. 

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Be a Unicorn!

 Quan Yin Kali Wu wants to remind everyone to 

ALWAYS BE YOURSELF..... UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN.

THEN BE A UNICORN!

Wishing all a happy last Sunday of Autumn. Winter Solistice is on its way!

Please visit our online shoppe for magical Yule gifts. 

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Holiday Artists Market at Mercy Tavern

For all those in the Salem MA area - you are invited to the Holiday Artists Market this Saturday 12/15/18 

at Mercy Tavern on Derby Street. (Once upon a time it was the infamous In A Pig's Eye.)

I will be there with some of my Healing Pet Amulets, Jewelry & the new line of SereniTEA tea ball infusers. Since it is a small venue there will not be room for the art dolls & DIY kits.

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Icy Tidepools

Love these icy tide pools at Collins Cove Beach in Salem MA!

https://whispersoftheofae.com

The Witchery Salem MA

Tucked away in a corner on Pickering Wharf in Salem MA is a wonderful shop known as The Witchery. 

From their website:

"THE WITCHERY is a unique performance space, tarot reading room, art & gift shop located at 61 Wharf Street, Pickering Wharf, Salem, MA."

My line of Spirit Art Dolls, Faery Bubble Wands, Magical Jewelry and DIY Art Doll Kits are now residing at The Witchery along with other unique gifts and treasures. 

You can also created your own collage Tarot cards, get a tarot reading, take classes or watch one of their performances during the full moon. Only in Salem will you find a place like this!

Thank you for shopping local & indy businesses!

https://whispersoftheofae.com

https://www.facebook.com/PracticalMagicSalem/