DIY Fashion Friday: Masks

So this week I tried making a mask for my Halloween costume. It was pretty fun, so I made a couple of them. It’s not too late to make your own…hint, hint.

painted paper bag mask
painted paper bag mask
two masks made from store-bought masks
two masks made from store-bought masks

Step 1: Make it!

Store-bought Mask: Find a mask at a resale or craft store or recycle one you already have. To change the shape, put the mask on in front of the mirror, mark it with a pen, then trim with scissors.

Handmade Mask: You can cut out a mask from a paper bag, craft paper or foam. Or you can use tin foil. Fold over several layers of heavy foil, press it tightly to your face, mark the shape and the eyeholes with a marker, and then trim. You can decorate the foil or use it as a base for paper maché.

Paper bags and tin foil are also cool because you’re recycling. Continue reading

I Won’t Forget.

Last Friday I spoke to 100 5th grade girls in a school outside of Houston. This was the official kick-off school event for my Birdie’s Book tour. The day before I was interviewed on Fox’s Good Day Houston. Live television is unpredictable and scary, but I got through it with a bit of humor and a stellar musical performance by 12-year-old Gabby Gillespie, who is not afraid of anything.

So I was not prepared for shaky knees and welling eyes as I stood in the back of the Alexander Elementary library watching girls file in one by one, class by class. I was deeply aware that they were the answer to the question, ” Why did I write this story?” Bad timing for a speaker to cry just before going on. This is how I know something is true to the core of my being. Tears just happen, and there is nothing I can do to compose myself. I wiped my eyes and went out there and spoke about the books and the other things I had created—for them. Continue reading

Autumn Ball Collection & New Notions

Introducing the Autumn Ball Collection in the Aventurine Wardrobe! Check out these example outfits below!

I Love Fall.

leaves and hightops
Leslie and Eva in NY sent me this cool pic.

I love fall. It just feels good to be outside this time of year, like nature is celebrating. And the colors are amazing. Red leaves against blue sky are sooooo beautiful. I especially love the red maples (Acer rubrum) we have here in NY. And back in Califa, we had quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides—isn’t it cool how the latin word makes you think of “trembling”?) The leaves turn crystal clear yellow and make such a soothing sound in the breeze, like they’re whispering just to you. Sometimes I really miss those. Continue reading

Sing-Along Video: Your Heart Is A Map

Free Music Friday!

The Fairy Godmother Academy is giving away 1000 free MP3 downloads of our new music. This week, we have 2 great songs to share with you… happy Free Music Friday!

What A Best Friend Knows by Gabby Gillespie
from Fairy Godmother Academy Vol 1

Gabby Gillespie“I can really relate to Birdie and Kerka’s friendship. My best friend and I are always learning things together, having adventures together, laughing and crying together. I loved recording ‘What a Best Friend Knows,’ it’s a song I can sing from my heart”
— Gabby Gillespie

Free Song Code: FGAFRIEND
First 500 dreamers to use this code get a free MP3 from the Fairy Godmother Academy Shop Continue reading

What A Best Friend Knows Sing-Along

This song makes me think of my friend Kerka. Of course we’re friends at school, but if you’ve read my book then you know we’ve been on BIG adventures together. We couldn’t be more different, but I think that’s what makes us such a good team. When we were travelling together, I’d be noticing the leaves on a tree, and then realize Kerka was already halfway through climbing it! We’ve laughed and cried together and even gotten in a few fights, but put us together and there’s no challenge we can’t beat. Continue reading

My Interview with New Moon

I’m very proud to have gotten a five-moon review from Raspberry at Luna’s Book Club on New Moon Girls Online. New Moon is a great site where a lot of smart, cool girls share their creative spirits.

1.) Hi Jan! As I read your book 1, I was wondering, did you have to do lots of research on plants and nature to be able to make Birdie’s love for plants come to life?

Jan: I am a gardener in my area in central Texas but also asked my sister who lives in Denver and has gardened in England to help me. We researched the area where Granny Mo lives in the book, New Jersey, to make sure the plants we chose could really grow there. But I also added fantasy plants both at Mo’s and in Aventurine and some of the plants in Mo’s green house wouldn’t ordinarily grow in that area, but Mo is magic! It would be fun to see if girls who read the book can find out which plants are real and which ones are fantasy. I also love love love trees so it was easy to imagine the Glimmer Tree and make it play a major role in the story. The natural world has always been a source of inspiration for me. It is there that I feel most alive. Continue reading