The monsoon season is bringing beautiful rain these days. With the rain, come all sorts of bugs. I love bugs. As the sun goes down, I plug in my fairy lights in the great big old mesquite tree, and wait for all sorts of bugs to surround me and the lights. They land in my hair and on my shoulders.
Frogs gallivant around, stunning me time after time with their super long tongues. I dream of fireflies…
I search for them day after day, with no luck…
In a place where water in nature is more than sparce, droplets from the sky are beyond beloved. They collect in giant puddles, with just enough water to splash in…
The cacti are ever thankful…
The rain drops cool off the evenings, making bug loving quite comfortable under the light of the moon. The land becomes almost mystical and magical…
Bugs hide in trees and weeds, as the garden starts to need a haircut…
As the sun goes down on another rainy summer day, I prepare for my firefly search, yet again…
I make wishes in mirrored puddles…
Still, no fireflies. I sleep with the thought of butterflies and other winged insects flying around me. Last week, after a long night of dreams, I awoke to find someone sharing my bed.
Someone with delicate wee wings. Someone who had gone off to bug heaven, and made his last stop in my white fluffy bed…
I put his precious lifeless body in a little glass box. The tiny winged sharer of my dreams…
That night I sat on the front stoop with Franky the frog, Baby the dog and bugs, ever so many. I was wishing to be graced by the dance of the fireflies. Just then, a funny orange and brown beetle bug landed in the arch of my foot, between my foot and my sandal. It seemed to be glowing?
Could it be? I wasn't sure. I carried him around, then put him gently in a plant. I decided right there and then, I was going to have to take firefly magic into my own hands.
I went in the kitchen when it hit me! I quickly emptied a can of peaches for a snack, into a glass jar. Took my can, glued paper on it, and found some tools…
An ice pick and a hammer should work just fine I thought…
I waited for the paper and doily pieces I glued onto my can to be fully dry. I used white craft glue to glue on the papers. (my goal now is to rust a bunch of cans outside)
Then I drew a winged bug onto my can (avec swirly cue accents) with a sharpie, and followed my drawing to determine where to punch holes into my can by holding my ice-pick to the can's surface and hammering the top of the ice-pick handle. (I sandwiched my can between some books and an anvil to hold it in place.)
I made two holes in the upper sides, so I could run a wire through and make my can hangable. I put a few shells through my wire, and glued some old buttons to my new can-dle holder.
Firefly magic in your garden is right at your fingertips. And who knew, it's really a "green functional art project" too. Imagine lots of these hanging from trees, especially for a garden wedding?
You could even use coffee cans for bigger can-dle holders, and stamp in (with your ice pick) the initials of a bride and groom, or stamp in anything for any party or event. FUN!
From the moment I decided to make this, to the time I was finished was less than half an hour. Of course, you could get fancier with your can. I just kinda put it together really quickly. But the ideas are endless!
And there is a HUGE bonus. Beautiful firefly twinkly lights on your walls! I am going to hang a bunch of these in my bathroom, and light them for an evening bath…
Thanks to a few cans, we can now have firefly magic swirling around us any ole time.
Maybe one day I will be as lucky as this little gal…
For now, I must go to work. Being a full time artist is harder than I thought it would be. It takes huge (HUGE) amounts of discipline. I have oodles of treats I am working on, and must get in there and finish them once and for all… I think I need to play some Devo, and cr-ack that art whip…
🖤,V
ps: Miss Kylee sent me the best wedding video the other day that is rapidly making oodles of people smile. If you have not seen it, it's fun!
I LOVE this post. What a refreshing spirit you are!
I am in love with your blog(s)! Every time I read them I am taken away to a different place, I was thinking of doing a feature of your blog on mine, do you mind? I just want to share with my few followers a blog that is really something special!
***Blessed Be***
ooo. i think all the fireflies have come to vacation here – they play all night in the ravine behind me.
The other night two of them came home to visit me and flickered all night in all the corners of my bedroom and I feel asleep before i could see them out properly. Very rude of me, I know but those fireflies have stamina for partying that i just don’t.
I think they’d be very pleased with the firefly magic you made!
VANESSA…
Your awesome…thanks for the shout-out 🙂
I just love that firefly can you made…so creative and I’m sure it looks beautiful all lit up. I’ll have to make one..try to…at least 🙂 I need some firefly magic around here!!
I hope you have a mystical wonderful amazing weekend!!
xoxoxoxoxo
Kylee
Oh My Magical Muse, I love the photo of the raindrops in the puddle (or bird bath?). One of the many things I find amazing about you is your ability to make the simpliest thing magical just by the way you see it. Thank you for helping me to see with magic eyes. **blows kisses** Deborah
beautiful, beautiful! i kept having the thought “Midsummer Night’s Dream” running through my mind. just magical.
Yay for Kylee!!!!
That is the happiest wedding i have ever seen, and believe me, i have seen my share of happy weddings! (No no, I dont mean in an elizabeth taylor, zsa zsa gabor i collect husbands kinda way…I mean in a I live on the beaches of florida and my grandpa was a methodist minister kinda way!)
I loved it!!
As for you Ms. Cutest Cuz in the Desert….did you know Cowboy is laughing this time? (I laughed last post because only you would think of transforming your skates into couture!) He laighs, because i have had to explain to him several times why i have 2 dozen don fransisco coffee cans outside rusting??????
Your firefly light is lovely! That should attract them like Batman’s signal over Gotham City!
Maybe i just send mine to you yes? (Cans not fireflies..though i could try!)
xoxoviiixoxovivivixoxoxox
Love those cans…oh, I want to make some. I love fireflies or lightning bugs as we called them back in Louisian. I now live in the city and never see them so maybe I should make my own.
Luminarias!!! Perfect. String your faerie lights in the trees around your magical dreamin tub. Make little firefly costumes out of small (tomatoe sauce size) cans for the faerie lights. Waa laa a magical bubble bath while the fireflies danced in the trees 🙂
Pattie 😉
Mazatlan Mx.
Hey Missy!
I’ve come up for air – having just finished the Mother-of-All-Projects. And I come over here to find Bug Love and Monsoons:D
I know how much you enjoy monsoon season – very clever that can of yours…
xoxo,
Kate
Oh, how magical! I spent last weekend at a friend’s house in the forest and in the evening everything was sparkling with fireflies. It was beyond magical! I miss them where we live… Love your firefly can!! 🙂 Silke
I have faerie lights in my bedroom in blue which I love. I do think your dragonfly lamps would look lovely a wedding or outdoor event.
i HAVE seen a firefly and saved it from the hungry clutches of a spider…well out of the web to be exact if a spider was anywhere near i would have run in the other direction. and you know what, that little firefly flew onto my cheek and then off into the night…it was if he kissed my cheek to say thanks!!
they are such sweet creatures and are found far up in north queensland here in my state of australia.
keep dreaming those dreams.
%*_*%rosey
Vanessa…Your photographs are stunning. Love the 5th one. Great contrast of water and vegetation. Love all of your art too of course. I’ve made candle hangers for the trees before out of baby food jars. muah
xx
Beautiful, fun and magical :~)
What a great idea!! I was thiking of buying some candle holders with some sort of sparkle for my room and I just couldn’t seem to find any. Now you gave me a great idea!! You are fab Vanessa!!
Beautiful Photos!
I like your candle holder, funny I have 3 used coffee cans lined up in my pantry waiting for the same treatment. I’ll have to post pics when I get around to it.
I came across that wedding video last night right before I went to bed. The massive ammounts of joy it seeps made me tear up a bit (not that it takes much for me anyway).
oh this is just mesmerizing me tonite – you speak to me of my favorite insects in all the land- the ever elusive firefly and the dragonfly
the art project makes me want to rust cans out too
and i am envious of your discipline to create and make a living from it
brava!
That is brilliant-I love it when an idea overtakes and comes together so quickly! It suits my impatient nature! I can’t believe fireflies exist they are so magical. I wish we got them here! I saw that wedding video yesterday weirdly enough-I loved it!
Have a lovely and hopefully fire fly filled weekend!
Sarah x
Your images are so beautiful – and the coffee can transformed is fab! As for bugs, not a fan, other than fireflies (we call them lightning bugs in the South). 🙂 xoxox
You always have the best little creative ideas Ms. V, you’re the best, tee hee! And I agree, how fun would those be for a wedding outside. So glad you finally got your fireflies…I love to chase fireflies too, what fun they are. I saw that wedding video too the other day and it brought a happy tear to my eye, what a fun bride & groom to have that in their wedding…oh me oh my! And that dear dragonfly to come share dreams with you for his last moments, too sweet. Have a grand weekend Vanessa, I’ve got some firefly lights for my studio I’ve been meaning to hang, now you just gave me the motivation…thank you as always!
Jamie 🙂
What a great post. We have had a lot of rain as well, but I dont like bugs.
I adore your candle holder. Very wonderful
What a fantastic idea. These will be great hanging on our porch while we are outside at night. 🙂
In this part of my journey; I find that I miss very little…but fireflies are vacant from my fields as well. Sniff! They are so awesome.
The wedding video was wonderful. It brought tears to my eyes. I love the act of creating joy with love and enthusiasm.
Hugging you
Loving your fairy can-dle!!!
SueAnn
Don’t you have fireflies there or are they just scarce this year? I think I heard something recently about their numbers decreasing, which makes me very sad. How can it be summer without fireflies?
Oh my GOSH! Those candle holders are PERFECT! We are trying to get married in our backyard next year (finances permitting of course), and those will be PERFECT for the wedding! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Hugs!
Dragonflies are all about transformation you know…and the wedding video is so fun! I always wondered what it would be like to be with someone who wanted to be so fun and silly at your wedding? I think I shall have to find out someday, no? Until then, I will be making some of those lovely little lanterns…
Beautiful post! These are so wonderful thank you for the inspiration and for sharing 🙂
Hugs,
Sprite
cool!
You like having bugs land in your hair?!?!?
Now I know how to bring fireflies to Sweden! Yay! Um, except it doesn’t get dark at night :-/
Gorgeous photos and fireflies were my favorite growing up…and now we search for them when I head back to the midwest.
Clap clap clap!!!!! Thank you for sharing and shining the light! COOL!
Oh your new little gal is wonderful. That video made me cry, what a happy way to walk down the aisle. A wedding is a celebration, and everyone always looks so somber walking down the aisle.
Fireflies, I remember collecting them in jars when I was little and then the whole jar would become a giant twinkling light. Your luminaries are brilliant. I am going to show this project to my daughter. The possibilities are endless, just like your creativity.
Karen
I hadn’t seen fireflies in decades.
I went to Sleepy Hollow IL to visit my dear friend D (who was turning 40 years young with a lavish surprise party on the 4th of July). We were in her mother’s backyard as dusk was upon us. And all of a sudden I started seeing flashes. I thought I was seeing things, or losing my marbles (not entirely out of the realm of possibility!). Fireflies! That is what they were! And those blinky bugs were calling to one another with their light up be-hinds. Such a sweet ending to a perfect day…and then the fireworks exploding like daisies in the sky as seen from the edge of a quarry were the best. Fireflies are magic I tell ya! And you are too, sweet V!
xox
e
How very beautiful – I have to make this. Thankyou for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful new week.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with after you crack that whip Miss Vanessa!
~Martha
Where we used to live there are lots of fireflies I see. Oh I remember them when I was young. They really are such beautiful creatures and their lights are so yellow/neon.
No fireflies here now. But like you said, why not make your own. I love this idea. I think it’s just great. I like seeing the light pass through those holes.
Li
I woke up at 3:30 AM and couldn’t go back tp sleep. Too much on my mind I guess, I loved your post on rain, bugs and dragonflies. I live in Tucsan and the Mosoon is what I wait for every year. But I clicked on your friends wedding vidio. Thinking to myself, it’s just a wedding vidio how different can it be!? Thank you so much!!! I laughed and smiled and had stupid tears running down my face before it was over. I sent it to my daughter…You made my day!That was fun, wish I’d been there!
Sorry still laughing… forgot to spell check for my last post (Tucson, Monsoon), I really can spell better when it’s not this early!!!
I adore fireflies and hadn’t seen any since I was a wee-child. Last month (before our heat wave hit) I found a park that was full of trees – very “Lord of the Rings”.
There were about 200 fireflies flittering about and glowing *off & on* like crazy. It was magical and I was gently walking among them in glee. I wish you were closer because I’d take you there.
Dear Miss Fanciful,
Only magical people know the real secret to making fireflies!
You are one of those special ones!
Happy day to you and Mr. L!
xox
Constance
Vanessa, you are such a sweet and sensitive soul! So kind of you to gently remember the dragonfly and his delicate beauty. Instead of brushing him off without a thought you made a lovely memorial for him! So very sweet!
My back yard is always lit up at night with these wonderful creatures. The pups all chase them, jumping up like hoppy toads trying to catch them 🙂
What a wonderful project!
Love,
LuLu~*xoxo
your blog is *ever so* lovely <3
OH yes!! FIREFLIES!! I grew up in Ohio and I have such fond, fond memories of chasing fireflies around my backyard as the evening came. I found them to be magical and I so wish that my own children could have experienced the same delight – but alas, no fireflies in Arizona. Someone once told me that they are not to be found west of the Rockies as they would not be able to make it up over the mountiain range…I do not know if this is true!
Your luminous ‘firefly’ can is soooo sweet! What a wonderful creation! Love it! And how magical that Mr. Dragonfly chose your fluffy bed as his last perch. I’ve heard that to see a dragonfly is lucky and one must make a wish when this happends. Can you imagine when one lands on your bed!??!! Oh my!!
Enjoy the monsoons – your photos are beautiful…as are you!
: ))
VB
I thin you need to win an award for thee craftiest diva! Truly 🙂
In Colorado we don’t have fire flies either. I saw them once when visiting relatives in Ohio when I was 14. They were so awesome!!
I love the sounds of crickets at night in the Summer.
Happy fire fly hunting,
Tracy M.
Vanessa~
Lovely firefly lights~~~*****
So glad you had rain, your garden needs it!
I’ve only seen a few fireflies here, but they scoot by far too quickly to be caught. 🙂
xo
If I could, I’d send you some fireflys!! They are too much fun. Amazing little beings 🙂 Love the lights, I’m going to make some with the kiddos tomorrow!!
I hope your monsoons are better than ours. We are getting robbed this year. It is especially frustrating because the weather report keeps saying storms … and there are no storms. Well, one so far, but that is as good as none. Ya know, I have never seen a firefly, except for on Pirates of the Caribbean, of course. They seem like a mystical insect, only mentioned in fairy tales. Your cans are so cute. Maybe I will make some to dress up the trees.
Oooooh – I LOVE fireflies! We have so many here….wish I could send you some. 🙂
Your lantern is just enchanting.
LOVED the wedding video too – thanks for sharing it!!
~ Carolee
Well I’ve finished those canned apricots…washed that can…and now off to gather my tools…thanks darlin for the continuing inspiration!
You know what? Your art and your photos… are just… MAGICAL!!! Thanks for sharing with us!!!
Hello just wanted to let you know that Im no longer blogging at Willow House. I can now be found at Murder and Mayhem
Oh I do love bugs,too…..although, not in my hair! 😉 tee hee! Your far more accepting of little crawling legs than I !! 😉
Your post, this day, is so lovely!!
thank You!!
Hello again Vanessa 🙂
Today is the day! I am going to make one of your can-dle holders!
Oh, and by the way, I do see the magic in most things, yes, even twigs 😉
Though I wish when I was writing about that photo I thought of the word ‘twigs’ instead of ‘sticks’ haha it just sounds softer.
Your comment did work on the end of that post but it doesn’t say there are any comments unless you click on it. Silly computers doing my head in lately.
THAT’S why I’m off to make your latest brilliant idea 🙂
Take care ***Blessed Be***
Hi Vanessa, I have included you in my circle of friends award. I think you don’t really do awards but I do consider you a friend and I was just including everyone! If you would like it it is there though!
Sarah x
PS am going to make some of those bug lanterns at some point!
Hello Lady V,
I cannot remember how i discovered your blog now, but i have spent a very happily delighted couple of weeks reading through it from Day One. yep – Day One!
i cannot really put into words how much you inspire me and how i love spending time with you and your adorable Mister Lovee here, but your magickal view of the universe keeps me determined to see the wonder in my everyday life. you also have renewed in me my love for rain! here in the UK it is oh so easy to shake a fist at it 😉
oh, and your film recommendations? essential! after reading your opinion of some of my favourite films i can almost guarantee that we’d love the same things, and so have added all your best recent viewings to my list (57 and counting).
wishing you love and laughter, Lady
Heidi x
agh…i miss the summer fireflies back in philadephia…your lantern and pictures are lovely!
I adore fireflies! So glad you were able to create some to lend a little magic glow!
Also, just want to say how much I LOVE your blog. Everytime I take the opportunity to catch up on your posts, I feel like I’m transported to a magical fairyland. What a beautiful creative spirit you have! Thank you for sharing it w/ us!
Hey chickie… you know, if you freeze water in those cans before you start pounding it with nails, you can pound to your hearts content without smushing the cans~ You would be able to do a more detailed design if ever the mood hit ya’ 🙂