Nymbol's Secret Garden

There are some new friends coming to Nymbol’s Secret Garden and we thought you might like to see how they got here. At the beginning of this coming February Sam and I are going to teach a couple classes in puppeteering and puppet construction at FaerieCon West in Seattle. It looks like the event will be lots of fun and hope we are able to add to it. For our classes we only have about an hour and a half to teach folks how to make a puppet. Given that each of Nymbol’s friends have taken about a week  to complete there isn’t enough time. This past week Sam and I have come up with a more digestable process and hope to teach our fae friends the skills and give them all the know how they need to convert a couple ordinary stuffed bears found at the local thrift store to what you see here. The one at the top is named ZW (Zippy Wren White) and the one at the bottom is being quiet about her name thus far but I am sure she will let it slip in time. They are already cracking us up with their antics. We are still experimenting and playing and all the while our little studio continues to fill with all sorts of new creatures. If you aren’t doing anything on the second weekend in February please come visit us in Seattle. We have big plans.

When I spent my first year away at school I tried my best to create my own Christmas Card. Along the way this morphed into the Cass Family Christmas Card. For the last 20 years (wow) we created  a yearly card with modest success  except the one where we discovered the joy of two kids in Diapers. A couple years ago I did my first photographic Holiday Card because of this new character I created named Nymbol.   Being an illustrator at heart it was hard for me to “cheat” but something in me had changed and I certainly didn’t spend any less time on it. This year, with the help of our wonderful new friends Rob Marsanyi and Caven Keith we are able to bring you the next evolution in the “Nymbol Family” video Holiday Card. I am so Thankful to all of those who put their talents and soul into what has now become Nymbol’s Secret Troupe. A group that seems to grow, morph, improve and bring smiles to faces far beyond the shores of our Lovely Island. We have truly been blessed and kissed by the Faeries and at this time of year I hope we can share even a little of the fun we have had on our new adventure.

So to all of your out there  a very politically correct Merry  This, Happy HoHo That, but not a Bahhhh humbug allowed in the lot.

Nymbol and all his friends wish you and yours a truly Merry Holiday and a very exceptional New Year. I hope our paths cross sometime soon.

click ME or the image above to see the video

We had lots of fun trying to get just one decent take and had fun with the process. the Bloopers they are now on Vimeo

5 or so years ago a very good friend of the Cass Family got married in Zurich, Switzerland. The effect that this had on the family is that the girls, despite growing up in the rainforest of the NorthWest, know what the Holidays are suppose to look like. We weren’t planning another trip to Zurich but we decided that a quick jaunt to the very Continental city of Vancouver B.C. by train would be a great start.  As the train left the station we had the feeling that the holidays were getting closer with every passing mile on the swaying train track.

4 hours later including the border crossing we were ready for an adventure.  The entire troupe save Bloobie had squirreled away in our bags and they wanted out. We checked into the hotel, had a nap and then got down the first order of business. Ice Skating, followed by High Tea at the Fairmont Hotel and finally, the Christmas Faire at night a few blocks away. Hot Mulled Cider, Spiced Wine, Sausage and Sauerkraut, Lederhosen and Mountain Horns.  There was even a Merry-go-Round. What more can you ask for. O.k.,………I would like some snow but it was a grand time and we are already planning to do it again next year.

Click HERE if you want to see how well Nymbol did Ice Skating

The Most Merry Wishes to you and yours this HolidaySeason. This is the background for the video we just shot of Nymbol and Troupe doing “Suzy Snowflake” with the amazing talents of Caven Keith and Rob Marsanyi added in. I just saw the rough video and am very excited. Keep a lookout for something soon. 

PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTO FOR A SPECIAL SURPRISE

We are almost done with our latest mask project. It was a bit more difficult than I thought but that is true with almost any project. Just before Halloween Sarah Jacobsen and a small contingent from the Emerald Ballet in Bellevue came up to the studio to talk about some masks for their NutCracker production. After a short description I realized they would be more of a headpiece than a mask. After forming a plan we were off.

Once started the ideas flowed quickly and Sam sketched out the concepts. We refined a little, made a materials list, checked in with the Ballet and I started to make patterns.

Where did all the time go? The good thing about events is that they happen. They happen on a particular day, even at a particular time. That gives you a focus. All of your energy has to be metered out to get things done by then. We had two events we wanted to create something for this month. The first one was SteamCon in Bellevue. That one was just for fun. Fun to get dressed up and see how other folks bring their own creativity and passion to concept of SteamPunk. Last year we showed up with a couple hats we made and adjusted our costumes appropriately. This year we made a bigger effort. We upcycled a couple old leather jackets from Good Cheer and got out all those bits and bobs I have been collecting to create some fantasy weapons and custom fitted holsters. It was really fun and I learned a ton. On the day of the event  we drove the sidecar down to Bellevue and along with Nymbol we shot a bunch of video. The highlight of which was waiting in line for the high society teaparty with Nymbol. I will try and edit that into something digestible soon.  There were some truly spectacular costumes and artisans there.

From that fun we moved into completely new territory. Our first Large Scale puppet. Whidbey Children’s Theatre is doing a production of the Hobbit and both of our children are in it. Even before they were cast into their parts I wondered what Rosie and Crew were going to do for a dragon. This is Smaug we are talking about after all. Once we found out we weren’t needed to paint the background I suggested we use our time and skills to make a dragon. Sam was not 100% on board as she knew how involved this would be but she eventually acquiesced (Accept something reluctantly but without protest. I had to look up how to spell it. Thought I might as well include the definition.)

I did the math and ordered the materials. Even with extra shipping they would not arrive until exactly one week before the show. This was going to be tight so I called Rosie and told her. Fast forward to the day the materials arrived. After a day of toiling and pattern making it is 12am and I am now by myself in the studio.  I am putting the finished touches and stitches on my last connection points for the nylon poles and it is looking good. All of the sudden someone or something bitchslaps me in the temple. Hard. I look around and no one is there. I am seeing stars and rubbing the side of my head. When I can focus again see that one of the nylon poles has come out of the frame. It was this moment that Smaug truly earned the nickname Sam would give him the next day during a similar experience. I can’t write it here but you can only guess. Thus began a three-hour plus fight with the poles. I tried a myriad of things but in the end I used that old standby. Duct-tape.

From there on everything rolled pretty smoothly but “muthermaƒµ©√¶∆∂” Smaug still had some surprises yet in store. Time was now ticking like a frieght train and it wasn’t until dress rehearsal that Smaug made his maiden voyage over to the theatre. There were still some things to finish but at least he could take the stage.

A Grand Entrance.

You know when you tell someone you gained 30 lbs and they go ” Don’t worry, You look great!” Even though they have seen you in photos and video. Then you show up in person and their eyes say “holy crap you are fat!” (o.k. I digress. That describes my own life right now.) Well,….That is pretty much what happened when we showed up with Smaug. After some Frenetic, Dress Rehearsal adjustments were made only a day later Smaug rolled through the side curtain to Ohhhhs and Ahhhhs from the Audience. During Sunday’s performance, when he was stuck down at the end of the scene a concerned little Cindy Lu Hu voice from the audience was heard “Why did the dragon die???” It melted my heart. We had pulled it off. That is what I have always loved about creating. Puppets in particular. When the finished puppet transcends it’s materials and becomes a living, breathing creature it is very rewarding. It goes without saying that the Production is amazing, and not because there are now  three of our children in it. Tabatha charms as Bilbo, Izzy adds her zest into her Elve and Goblin characters and Smaug scares up a good performance as himself.  Our adopted Nephew Caelen Coe also absolutely rocks his acting debut as Gollum. All those years of Dance and movement make for a truly eerie version of everyone’s favorite bug-eyed lunatic. Please go see it if you can.

A New photo of the Cass Family and all their magical friends.

 We are finally back from FaerieWorlds. Both Literally and Figuratively. Our bodies were home for about a week and a half before our minds caught up. Sitting here now it seems a little like a dream. The Studio is finally back together and we have moved into a new phase here at Nymbol’s. Podcasts or Videocasts, whatever the name is. More about that in a minute.

I first need to tell you that the weather was perfect. It rained on the island and it rained in Portland but it did not rain on all the Faeries. We slept out under the stars our first night and after that were quite happy and warm in our little tents. The days were warm in the sunshine and cool in the shade. As I said, Perfect. As far as the crowd at FW it was definitely lighter than the June version. If I had to guess I would say about 1/3 the amount of folks. That didn’t stop all those who attended from feeling like they were skipping school for something grand. Wait a minute,….. My kids were. We had some fun shows and were really flying by the seat of our pants most of the time. Nymbol and Wotan played together nicely and much merriment was had in both their antics. A shout out needs to go out to one wonderful Faerie Goddess mom who laughed so hard at all of Nymbol’s jokes that he started to laugh at his own jokes before finishing them. Thank You. You made our whole trip worth while. We got to play Pirates with Matt and had the best soundcheck ever with Betsy and SJ. There are plans in the works to get together with them and collaborate on a piece for next year.

The FirePit was a huge hit. It was an awesome experience watching and photographing all the lovely Fey dancing around the “Fire Creature” that Tim Leonard, Ryan Wright and I banged out a couple days before. A big thanks is still owed to those two who were so gracious and giving of thier time and experience. Wish you could have been there.

Low lights. There are a few. Flash Powder is Dangerous. Ask the blister on my hand and some of my hair. On the positive side we discovered a new gag. Imagine this. ………Moments before the show starts,………BANG, flash, Woooosh. sparkle, sparkle from behind the stage. Nymbol’s voice comes over the speakers. “I’m o.k.?!?!?”  The Foot pedal needs a safety pin that will not be bent and fall out when a 220lb plus maroon steps on it. Kind of embarassed by that actually.

Fire Danger. Kind of put a damper on the whole firepit thing that was suppose to be flaming all weekend. At least we had a fire, it was wonderful but you could tell how nervous everyone was. I know the Danger is real but  we still wondered why the Fire Department was sooooo cautious.  After watching more than a few fire goblins completely ignore the “no smoking” policy and one piece of work actually throw his remnant in the hay we had spread around out stagecraft I realized the need for caution.

Even with those little things we had a wonderful time and plan to go back again next year. Look out for some videos to pop up soon. I have some fun clips from our trip to Eugene along with the new stuff we are shooting now.

We are now really looking forward to making a dragon for “the Hobbit,” Halloween and our next adventure. SteamCon. Wear did my goggles go?????

If you would like to see some photos of our trip check out this link on Flickr. FaerieWorldsHarvest2011

Crazy times here at Nymbol’s. Chair sized Red Cap Mushrooms are sprouting up around the studio, a new tent is being outfitted, Shoes are being drawn and metal is being cut. Lots of it,… I think. If all goes well we will be bringing the center “Fire” piece down to the FaerieWorlds Harvest fest in Eugene Oregon next weekend. Nothing like a daunting deadline to motivate you. I just hope it fits in the trailer with all of our stuff. We won’t be dragging down a piano this time so I am crossing my fingers it is an even trade. We shall see. I will be working with Tim Leonard and my new best pal Ryan Wright to get this to look remotely like my drawing. I hope my patterning and design skills translate. I promise to post lots of Pictures. I imagine a bunch of faeries dancing in the firelight and it makes me smile. Nymbol is excited and Serraffina has threatened to put a spell on it so it walks around. That would be cool.

if you are on facebook I have posted a bunch of photos here

Update. The “Fire Demon” is finished. We blasted it out in one Solid day with the help of many hands, Ryan’s plasma cutter and more than a little midnight oil. Good thing Tim’s Neighbors and Family are so understanding. Even with the Doors closed I can’t imagine smashing plate steel with a sledge hammer wouldn’t wake some Zombie somewhere. This afternoon we Load the thing in the back of our trailer and cross our fingers that everything fits. I am really hoping there is no “I told ya so!?!?” from Sam.  I posted a new batch of photos on the above link and if you prefer Flickr click here

We have begun working with Matt Hawk of FaerieWorlds on the NeverWorlds stage. You will see little bits and bobs being added here as we work on them. This is the idea so far. Now we just have to make it.

Update. Hopefully this will be what we do for faerieworlds in June 2012. Our stage will still be there but the ship construction will have to wait.

As long as the Mayan calender is wrong that is.