The Guardian of the Glade Deep within the heart of an ancient forest, a hidden glade shimmered with an otherworldly light. It was a place of profound magic, untouched by time, where the boundary between the mortal world and the realm of forest creatures blurred. At the centre of the glade rested a strange and beautiful artefact: a labradorite skull, its surface rippling with hues of the forest floor, as if the auroras themselves were trapped within. Around the skull, delicate dried mushrooms sprouted in perfect symmetry, their caps tinged with magic as though kissed by sunlight that never touched this secret place. A preserved butterfly with tattered wings rested gently on the crown of the skull, frozen mid-flight, while the hollow of one eye socket cradled the fragile shell of a crimson lady beetle. The most mesmerising detail, however, was the snake. Hand-sculpted in appearance, yet undeniably alive, its sinuous body gleamed with an iridescent sheen that reflected the colours of the midnight moon. The serpent coiled tightly around a crystal embedded in the skull’s crown—a shard of spirit quartz so beautiful it seemed to hold starlight within. The snake’s jewelled eyes gleamed with intelligence, watching over the glade like a silent guardian. It was said that the artefact had been crafted by a powerful forest maker, a being half-human, half-fae, who collected treasures of nature and infused them with mystery. The mushrooms were plucked under the light of a crescent moon, the butterfly caught at the peak of its final flight, and the lady beetle carefully laid to rest in the skull’s hollow. The labradorite itself was a gift from the earth, shaped by time and pressure into the perfect vessel for enchantment. Legends whispered that the artefact was not merely a decoration but a guardian. Any who entered the glade with ill intent would find themselves ensnared by the snake’s gaze. Those who dared to touch the crystal would feel the serpent stir, its coils tightening with an unbreakable grip. Few lived to tell what happened next, for the glade did not tolerate greed or malice. But for those who came seeking solace or aid, the skull offered a different gift. On nights when the moon was full, the crystal would glow softly, casting beams of light that danced across the forest floor. The butterfly’s wings would shimmer, the lady beetle would glisten, and the snake would lift its head as if to sing a silent hymn. In that moment, the glade’s magic would seep into the soul of the visitor, mending broken hearts and granting clarity to those burdened by darkness. As the years passed, the forest thickened, and the stories of the glade became whispers in the wind. Yet the artefact remained, undisturbed and eternal, a testament to the beauty and danger of a world woven with mystery. And the snake, ever watchful, waited patiently for the next soul to cross its path—whether to heal or to hinder. About the skull: Handcrafted from polymer clay over a labradorite crystal skull, adorned with a hand sculpted snake with labradorite eyes, amethyst spirit quartz, tiny hand foraged mushrooms, fungi and real moss. The insects were found dead on the forest floor and given a new life within this beautiful oddity. Please note these creations are to be handled with care as they can be fragile with the amount of intricate details, it’s best to find it’s final resting place and leave it to be admired by eyes only, over time the moss will dull and may crumble and breakaway if handled and is a natural part of the design so should not be considered a fault. This piece comes inside the glass cloche (dome)
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