Get to Know The Captain
A childhood dream turned into real magic
Welcome to my little corner of the world where everything is art, and whimsy is absolutely necessary for survival.
Good morning, Friends
My name is Kelsey Turpin and I am a bubble fairy.
I am also a mother, a wife, a chef, a poet, a party coordinator, and a toymaker.
Truthfully, I am much more than that. I am an entity made up of endless love and chaos. I lived the kind of life that makes one wonder how I am even alive today; I ask myself the same question some days. Unfortunately, that life also involves living with lupus, bipolar, and borderline personality disorders.
In spite of it all, my story of survival lead me to discovering Astrid. To call her my alter-ego would be a understatement, for Astrid and I are one-in-the-same. When my whole world crumbled beneath my feet, Astrid grew wings and taught us to fly.
Today, Astrid is more human than Kelsey is. She breathes life into me when I have nothing left to give, and reminds me that love and human connection is far more important than anything my anxious brain wants me to believe.
I have no idea how much time I have left on this earth, so I make art every day. I tell someone new they are beautiful every day. I make strangers smile every day. I tell my kids that I love them and I am proud of them every day.
Because, at the end of it all, my goal is to leave a legacy of whimsy, magic, and love that burns bright long after I am gone.
As long as I am still kicking, I will spread my bubbles far and wide.
As long as I am still breathing, I will keep the whimsy alive.
Welcome, new friends; I hope you enjoy the magical ride.
An INtroduction Via Poem
~I am Captain Astrid Kick~
I speak softly and carry a big bag of tricks
I became a fairy pirate queen
With a heart bigger than the sea
Please, friends, allow me to break the ice
I will tell you my secrets if you promise to be nice
I was born in the year 1444, and raised by pirates
‘til my captain met Davy Jones on the ocean floor
I then found comfort in Hell’s sanctuary
The price of admission was my poetry
And as I continued to grow, the Devil himself could not contain me
No matter, he swore to keep me safe and sound
In exchange, I swore to return to this world with my chin up and my whimsy loud
I trained for a millennia
studying magical arts and mastering alchemy
Now, I spread love by blowing bubbles with new friends and fairies
~And I am here to ensure that whimsy stays alive~
I refuse to hide; I refuse to stand aside
And should there be any among you who feel lost in this crowd
~Fret not, for this little fae is your Captain now~
The Human Behind the Fairy
My artistry goes much deeper than bubbles...
Underneath the glitter and wings is a little girl who has always believed in fairies...
When my 18-year culinary career came to a medically-necessary end, I suddenly found myself lost in unchartered waters. Refusing to let my chronic-illnesses win, I took everything I had left inside of me and created art: I dug through years-old notebooks and unearthed forgotten poems and essays; I taped paper to my walls and drew fantasy maps; I taught myself makeup and photography and let my creative muses run wild.
Through this journey, I remembered who I was before the tendrils of adulthood took over, and embraced the forgotten skills of a renaissance faire nipperkin: devil sticks, flow dancing, whip cracking, and acrobatics.
As a child, I had the unique experience of hands-on lessons from the professionals themselves, up-close and personal, with all the insider tips and tricks. They were all happy to share their knowledge with the next generation, and I was all too happy to watch, learn, and absorb every drop.
I have very fond memories of dancing with royalty and swearing fealty to the pirates and the feeling of magic coming to life. Now, 30 years later, I have returned to my roots to keep the cycle going.
Behind the Scenes
Every Fairy has a support system
and I am no exception. I am a lucky fairy to have a husband and child who believes as fiercely as I do in the magic of bringing whimsy to life. From muscle, to manning the vendor table, to just making sure I remember to eat and stay hydrated- these two ensure Astrid's Bubbles & Baubles continues to fly. If you ever see them in the wild, be sure to say hi!