We're passionate about one thing: making faeries!

I'm a McHenry and I love my family history--McHenry Whiskey from Benton, PA--and I celebrate Celtic lore and my Scotch-Irish heritage. I’m a frequent visitor to Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and can often be found in the pasture—with the cows—overlooking the ancestral Kinbane Castle, Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland. There or in the Faerie Glens of the Scottish Highlands just a few steps over the Giant's Causeway (a good story that I’m all too happy to share).

Together with my sweetheart of 30+ years, my husband, Ed, we travel across Europe. I search for faeries (good & bad), he's a history buff, and we both enjoy happenstance adventures.

My Passions: fairy tales and golden-age illustrators, my beasts (Newfoundlands), my garden, travel, trying to replicate Nana Lucy's pies, historic restoration, and the obvious: faeries!

My totems: owls and red-tailed hawks; I love hawk walks!

 

Do I believe in faeries?

Without judgement, I believe that anything can exist in parallel, past or future worlds.

I have two secret sisters--Thistle McHenry & Thornea Bramble--who have been a part of my make-believe world since childhood and continue as my cosplay characters.

My childhood was magical! I played for hours in the “hollow” behind our Lightstreet home catching salamanders, swinging under the grapevines in my hidden castle, skinning my knees, getting dirt under my nails and, most of the time, slamming the screen door with my Mom or Dad running after me to put something on other than just my little tidy whities and red canvas Keds (why clothes--they’ll just get wet and dirty?). I played dress up, drew, painted, sewed, and danced my way through life. I’m a classically trained dancer, former NCA cheerleader (professional choreographer & coach), have two degrees—one in fashion merchandising and one in mass communications, had a career in NYC followed by another career on Long Island, and now, FINALLY, back to finding and sharing my joy of faeries!

We don’t know each other’s struggles, experiences and journeys. I’ve made/make mistakes--they're part of life--and although trials may challenge plans and dreams, the key is acceptance & resilience. Be grateful for your path and the folks you meet along the way with a smile & nod to naysayers that don't share your vision.

Since we don’t know what we don’t know, isn’t it magical that we can always share, discover, and learn from one another. I’m happy to share my explorations and to learn about yours!

The vision for Faeriessance is to provide an accepting platform, a cooperative, for like-minded folk to share a magical journey and to always keep this effort--to make more faeries--moving forward.

With age and challenges, strides can be small and I’ve learned to embrace the "oops" in life and to appreciate any and all steps in a shared direction.

 

Thank you to my blessings:

My husband, Edward Joseph, for believing in me and keeping true to my dream without hesitation! Always by my side with love, unwavering support, and encouragement, thank you for making me smile and for your patience, especially when traveling with me behind a lens!

My Mom, JoAnn C. Walk, for shaping my can-do attitude to overcome any and every challenge that comes my way. I’ve always believed that I could figure it out, whatever “it” is. For my love of reading, design, and appreciation for all music genres--thank you. For long talks and many an adventure, she’s my Mom and my friend, my polka partner  . . . where are we going next?

My Dad, Fred C. Cleaver, a humble man raised on a self-sustaining farm to whom the 1850 Studio is dedicated. For building my swing in a secret space under a grapevine canopy, for taking me to dance school, for helping me to rehabilitate a screech owl and set him free, for taking me out at night in my jammies to star gaze, for holding my hand, and for the years of unwavering morale support. Dad was the first person to ever ask me if I really believed in faeries. I miss him every day and I’m blessed to have walked with him for more than 60 years and to have cared for him in his final days with the eagles soaring overhead our home.

Finally, thank you to my extended Manngard, Cleaver & Shivokevich families and to friends that embrace my eccentricities with love and acceptance.