Sassy winter fairy

par Bill Tiepelman

Cup of Frosted Magic

Once upon a snowy morning in the enchanted woods of Glimmergrove, a very tiny and very annoyed fairy named Zephyra found herself in a rather undignified position. She had been minding her own business—by which she meant napping in her favorite rose petal hammock—when a freak gust of winter wind catapulted her into an oversized red mug. The mug, left behind by some careless human, was now her unwelcome residence. “Great,” she muttered, blowing a strand of silver hair out of her face. “This is exactly what I needed—an icy prison disguised as bad pottery.” She crossed her arms and gave her wings a disgruntled flutter, sending a small flurry of frost into the air. “If I wanted to freeze my butt off, I’d have taken that modeling gig for the Snow Queen’s stupid ice sculpture garden.” Zephyra’s wings were glittering icicles, her hair was tangled into a messy bun that screamed “overworked sprite,” and her freckled nose was bright red from the cold. She stared up at the towering rim of the mug. To her dismay, it was coated in a slick layer of frost, making any escape attempt a slippery disaster waiting to happen. “Perfect. Just perfect,” she said, throwing her hands up dramatically. “I’m a centuries-old fairy with magical powers, and I’m stuck in a coffee mug like some kind of winged garnish.” Enter the Fox As she plotted her escape, a curious fox padded into view, its fluffy tail swishing through the snow. The fox paused, sniffed the air, and then locked eyes with Zephyra. A slow grin spread across its face—or at least as much of a grin as a fox could manage. “Oh no,” Zephyra groaned. “Don’t even think about it, furball.” The fox tilted its head, clearly considering how best to knock the mug over and claim its new fairy snack. With a sassy flick of her wrist, Zephyra conjured a small snowball and lobbed it at the fox’s nose. It yelped and scampered back a few steps, glaring at her with wounded pride. “That’s right!” she shouted, standing up in the mug with as much authority as her two-inch stature could muster. “I’m not some appetizer for your winter buffet. Shoo!” The fox gave a disdainful snort and trotted away, clearly deciding she wasn’t worth the effort. Zephyra plopped back down into the mug, her tiny fists resting on her hips. “I scare off predators, I survive snowstorms, and yet I’m still stuck in this stupid thing,” she muttered. “What’s next? A squirrel trying to use me as a tree ornament?” The Coffee Wizard As if on cue, the sound of crunching footsteps reached her frostbitten ears. A tall figure emerged from the trees, bundled in layers of robes and scarves. The newcomer carried a steaming thermos and was humming a cheerful tune that made Zephyra’s wings twitch in irritation. “A wizard,” she muttered. “Of course. Because my day couldn’t get any weirder.” The wizard, oblivious to the fairy glaring daggers at him from inside the mug, approached with a look of delight. “Well, what have we here?” he said, his voice booming and warm. “A wee fairy in a cup! What a delightful surprise!” Zephyra arched an eyebrow. “Delightful for who, exactly? Because I’m not feeling particularly whimsical right now.” The wizard squinted down at her. “Oh, you’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” “Feisty? Listen here, Gandalf knockoff, I’ve had a rough morning, and unless you’ve got a ladder, a teleportation spell, or at least a decent cappuccino, I suggest you keep walking.” The wizard chuckled. “Fair enough, little one. But how did you end up in there?” Zephyra rolled her eyes. “Do I look like I know? One minute I’m napping, and the next I’m a popsicle in this monstrosity.” The wizard nodded sagely, as if this were a perfectly reasonable explanation. “Well, fret not, for I shall free you from your porcelain prison.” “Oh, finally! Someone with some common sense,” Zephyra said. “And maybe throw in a blanket while you’re at it. I’m freezing my wings off here.” The Great Escape With a flick of his wrist, the wizard cast a gentle spell, and the mug began to warm. Steam rose from the rim, melting the frost and allowing Zephyra to spread her wings. She flitted up into the air, doing a little spin just to shake off the cold. “About time,” she said, brushing imaginary dust from her shimmering dress. “Thanks, I guess.” The wizard grinned. “You’re welcome, little one. Though I must say, you’re quite the character.” “Yeah, well, when you’re this tiny, you’ve got to have a big personality,” she said, giving him a cheeky wink. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a nap to finish—and if another mug gets in my way, I’m setting it on fire.” With that, Zephyra zipped off into the forest, leaving the wizard chuckling and shaking his head. And so, the frosted mug sat empty in the snow, a monument to one very sassy fairy’s determination to never let winter—or bad ceramics—get the best of her.    Bring the Magic Home If Zephyra’s frosty adventure left you enchanted, why not bring a piece of her world into your own? Explore our exclusive collection featuring "Cup of Frosted Magic" on a variety of products: Beautiful Tapestry: Transform your walls into a magical winter wonderland. Canvas Prints: Capture the ethereal charm of Zephyra in vibrant detail. Challenging Puzzle: Piece together the whimsical magic, one frosty detail at a time. Spiral Notebook: Jot down your own magical tales in a notebook as enchanting as Zephyra’s story. Click on the links above to shop now and add a touch of frosted whimsy to your life!

par Bill Tiepelman

The Black Cat Fairy of Winter

Deep in the frosty woods, where the snow piles up higher than a bad decision on New Year’s Eve, lived a creature of legend—or perhaps infamy. She wasn’t your average sweet little pixie with flower crowns and doe-eyed innocence. No, this was The Black Cat Fairy of Winter, and she was here to raise hell, sprinkle glitter, and drink spiked eggnog—though not always in that order. The Black Cat Fairy, or "Kat" as she liked to be called, had a reputation. Her wings were as dark and shimmering as a blackout drunk text, and her feline tail swished like she was perpetually annoyed with everyone—because she was. Her wardrobe? A mix of gothic lace, thigh-high stockings, and a corset so tight it looked like it owed her money. But Kat didn't care about modesty. After all, as she liked to say, "If you’ve got it, flaunt it—especially if it makes the elves uncomfortable." A Snowstorm of Trouble One frigid evening, as snowflakes kissed the tops of the evergreens and the wind howled like a hungover banshee, Kat sat perched on a frozen log, sipping from a steaming mug. The mug read, "World’s Sassiest Fae". Inside? A suspiciously potent mixture of hot cocoa, Bailey’s, and something that burned like regret. "Ah, winter," Kat purred, her tail curling lazily behind her. "The time of year when people pretend to like their relatives and cry over failed resolutions." She sighed dramatically and took another sip. Just then, the quiet forest was interrupted by the crunch of boots on snow. A group of travelers had wandered into her domain. Kat perked up, her eyes narrowing with predatory glee. "Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite type of idiot—lost hikers." Emerging from the shadows like a cross between a seductive goddess and a walking HR complaint, Kat stepped onto the path, her wings glinting in the moonlight. The travelers froze. One of them—a burly man with a beard that looked like it had been grown out of spite—blinked at her and stammered, "Uh… are you… are you real?" Kat smirked. "As real as your browser history, big guy." The Fae's Mischievous Bargain The group exchanged nervous glances. They had heard stories about the Black Cat Fairy, though most of them involved drunken tavern tales about people who had returned from the forest missing wallets, pants, and sometimes dignity. "We’re just trying to find the main road," one of them piped up, a petite woman clutching a map that looked like it had been printed off the internet in 2003. "Do you… do you know the way?" Kat tapped her chin, pretending to think. "Hmm, I could help… but where’s the fun in that? No, no. Let’s play a little game." The hikers groaned in unison. Games with Kat never ended well. But it was either play along or risk wandering the woods until they became popsicle versions of themselves. "Alright," Kat said, clapping her gloved hands together. "Here’s the deal. If you can answer three riddles, I’ll guide you to the road. If you fail…" She trailed off, her grin widening. "Well, let’s just say you’ll be leaving the forest with fewer socks and more regrets." The Riddle Gauntlet The first riddle was simple enough: "What has a tail, no legs, and loves mischief?" "A cat!" shouted one of the hikers, looking far too proud of himself. Kat raised an eyebrow. "Sure, we’ll go with that. One point to you." The second riddle was trickier: "I’m cold, I’m hard, and I get in your way—what am I?" The hikers debated for a moment before the petite woman shouted, "Ice!" Kat’s tail swished. "Well, aren’t you clever? That’s two for two." But the third riddle? Oh, she wasn’t going to make this one easy. "I’m dark, I’m moody, and I’ll ruin your day if you cross me. What am I?" Silence fell over the group. They whispered amongst themselves, throwing out answers like "a thunderstorm" or "a wolf." Finally, the burly man stepped forward and, with a sheepish grin, said, "Uh… you?" Kat blinked, then burst out laughing—a laugh so loud it startled a squirrel out of a nearby tree. "Damn right, it’s me!" She clapped him on the shoulder, nearly knocking him over. "Congratulations, meatbags. You win." The Road Ahead True to her word—something that didn’t happen often—Kat led the group back to the main road. But not before pilfering the last granola bar from one of their backpacks and giving the petite woman a slap on the rear for good measure. "Remember," Kat called as they trudged away, "next time you’re in my forest, bring wine and snacks. Or don’t come at all." As the hikers disappeared into the distance, Kat leaned against a tree, sipping the last of her now-cold cocoa. "Ah, humans," she muttered. "So predictable. So entertaining." And with that, the Black Cat Fairy of Winter vanished into the night, leaving behind only faint pawprints in the snow and a lingering sense of mischief. Legend has it that she still roams those woods, waiting for the next unlucky soul to cross her path.    Take the Black Cat Fairy Home If the mischievous magic of The Black Cat Fairy of Winter has captured your imagination, you can bring her charm into your life with a variety of unique products. Whether you're looking for stunning decor or a touch of whimsy, we’ve got you covered: Acrylic Prints – Add a sleek and modern touch to your walls with a vibrant, crystal-clear print. Tapestries – Create an enchanting focal point in any room with a soft, high-quality tapestry. Tote Bags – Carry a little fairy magic with you everywhere you go, perfect for shopping or daily use. Canvas Prints – Enjoy this stunning artwork with a classic, gallery-quality finish. Shop these exclusive items and more at Unfocussed.com, and let the Black Cat Fairy bring a little sass and sparkle to your space!