(art print by pjeanartmachine on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pjeanartmachine?ref=seller_info )
I feel like I am seven years old!
That is the age I was when I first stayed up all night reading J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit".
Two years ago, I heard rumor that Peter Jackson (the very gifted director behind the incredible Lord of the Rings films) was making The Hobbit, and that it was set to be released December 2012.
Two Years!! Two whole, long years.....I didn't think I could possibly wait...
And now, here it is, on the eve of December 2012, and the film I have been waiting so long for is going to be playing in theaters in two weeks. I'm so excited!!!! I feel like a kid and it's definitely one of the best christmas gifts ever...
(I literally got goose-bumps watching the trailer, at the part where the dwarves began to sing )
As I mentioned, I have loved Tolkien's stories since I was very small--after reading The Hobbit, I went on to read the entire Lord of The Rings trilogy and The Silmarillion (which is still my favorite book of all.)
I maintain (to anyone who gets me on the subject and will listen :) that Tolkein was no mere fantasy writer, but created an entire world, just as real in it's way as our own. His books are not made up stories, but based heavily in Norse and Celtic mythologies and histories. The Silmarillion is a creation myth, and Elvish is based on authentic rules of language--you can learn it, as you would learn french, spanish or english. So, Tolkien was incredible. All agreed?
And then comes Peter Jackson, and his cast and crew, who somehow were able to tap into the very soul of Tolkien's world and make three astoundingly beautiful films that revolutionized the film industry, and more importantly, truly did justice to their inspiration. When I watched them, it brought home to me again how real this world was that Tolkien had created--so real in fact, that we all saw it exactly the same way while reading the books. We were all transported to the very same place---Middle Earth.
Because I knew that all of the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed at the same time, I had the tiniest hope in my heart that Mr. Jackson had also secretly (to us, anyway) filmed The Hobbit and would surprise us all at a later date by releasing it.
Well, it seems that was not the case--but this film from what I can see looks just as incredible as the others--and it's in three parts as well, to come out over the next three years (and so I am again hoping that, The Hobbit being a relatively shorter tale, he is incorporating bits of The Silmarillion throughout, as well ;)
Galadriel is my personal favorite, so I was thrilled to see that she has a place in the new films...
I now of course have Hobbit Fever. Usually for me these kinds of obsessions translate into my creations, so I've been very busy the last few days making lots of Tolkien-inspired pretties for my etsy shop:
Smaug the Dragon brass beaded bookmarks
https://www.etsy.com/listing/116571302/smaug-the-dragon-brass-bookmark-keepsake
Or, a Smaug ear cuff, perhaps?
Galadriels 'Nenya' Flower Necklace:
My version of Galadriel's "Mirror Gown'
(I have a few more things in the works, I will share them soon!)
Etsy is indeed a dragons hoard of handmade Tolkien-inspired treasures. Some more I've found while browsing....
Phial of Galadriel Necklace by asilomarworks:
Hobbit Hoods by BlueDaisybyDawn:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/110178812/hobbit-hood-gandalf-the-grey?ref=sr_gallery_31&ga_search_query=The+Hobbit&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all
Hand-felted Leaf Bags by Pennyjanedesigns:
Hobbit Pipe by FloggleWerks:
On that note, I'm off to see what other goodies I might find. Wishing all a lovely evening, and remember: "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" :)
