The Painted Lady

30/08/2025

🔮Life has been a whirlwind these past few weeks🔮

Between Miss E breaking her fibula in the first week of Term 3, working on a massive project (which needs it's own post), fending off the viral bug making its way through Perth, my first year making TWO Book Week costumes! and juggling plenty of other unexpected challenges, it has been a lot to fit into just four weeks.

With the October school holidays around the corner, I’m also preparing for something very special. My in-laws are flying all the way from Newcastle, England to Perth, Australia for the first time! Because this visit means so much to my family, I’ve decided to take a break this upcoming school holiday’s, I will not be hosting a Holiday program for large-scale public events. Instead, I’ll be taking some time to enjoy being with family.

I will, however, still have limited availability open for private event bookings and smaller creative sessions. If you’d like to bring The Painted Lady to your next celebration, or just book a small session, please get in touch with me via email.

Thank you for following along, and thank you to all the wonderful families I’ve had the joy of working with. I’m really excited for the upcoming private events, and meeting more amazing families.

♥️ Ainsleigh
The Painted Lady

           

05/08/2025

✨ NEW ON THE ARCHIVES ✨
Why I Use “Real” Tools (Even the Breakable Ones)
Ever wondered why I hand kids glass bottles, ceramic bowls, and tiny metal spoons in my sessions, instead of plastic replicas?
it’s not just for the ✨aesthetic✨.
It’s about trust, agency, sensory magic, and helping children rise to the occasion.
This one’s for the practical & curious; a behind-the-scenes look at The Painted Lady’s philosophy and why “real things in real ways” matter.
Read it now under The Archives at www.thepaintedlady.com.au
🌿(Click link in bio)✨

08/07/2025

✨ Glimmer Stars ✨
An ingredient from Potions Craft, inspired by real-world magic…

A few years ago, I stumbled upon the concept of “Glimmers” - the opposite of "triggers".
They’re those tiny moments that just bring a little joy: a kind look, sunlight through the window, the warmth of a mug in your hands. They're small, often quiet, but they light something up inside you.

The idea stayed with me.
I began consciously noticing these Glimmers in my own life… and something powerful happened... it worked!
Over time, I found myself automatically "seeing" the "practical positives", even on hard days. My mindset gently shifted. My inner world got a little softer. A little kinder.

So when I began developing Potions Craft and the magical, mindful world it came from, for my children - I knew this idea needed to live there too.
🌟Ingredient Discovery: Glimmer Stars 🌟
Are a magical potion ingredient that "appear suddenly" when a Potion Crafter remembers or feels a positive thought or memory. They sparkle quietly into existence like a magical acknowledgment for a mindset shift.

In Potions Craft, Glimmer Stars come in different colours. but most commonly Gold and Blue. Colour has significant representation in the world of Potions Craft. Each holds a value, emotionally, symbolically, and magically. 

Glimmer Stars remind us: there is light, even in the smallest moments.
Which can help re-centre ourselves and support that "creative mind re-set"

They were created to help young potion-crafters (and grown ones too) learn that positivity can be practiced, noticed, and collected like little stars.

What was your Glimmer Star moment today?
Finishing your cup of tea while it was still warm? (not entirely me, BUT! I did manage enough warm sips of multiple cups of tea that technically equate to finishing one cup of tea!) 😅

Whatever it was, it counts.

💫 Feel free to share your Glimmer Star moment of today below.  I’d love to hear your Practical Positive Glimmer Star moments!

04/07/2025

Flow and Create – School Holiday Sessions Available

Flow and Create is one of The Painted Lady’s unique offerings, a relaxed, soul-nourishing group session In her signature style that blends education, art, mindfulness, self care, and creative play, into a fun and fulfilling experience.

Each session begins with gentle creative “games” to "warm up" your imagination and ignite your creativity.

You'll explore colour mixing, layering, and texture using a range of tools and mediums.

The focus isn’t on a pre planned image or what it looks like, it’s about the freedom to explore your own individuality and style.

You'll be supported in a warm and welcoming environment where learning, expression, and self-care are cheered on joyfully.

Whether you’re 8 or 80, this is process art at its most magical.

Limited spots available for the school holidays DM or email [email protected] to ask any questions!

Head over to website to book your spot today

01/07/2025

🔮Potions Craft Experience: School Holiday Special 🔮

📖 Our Guided Brew: The Potion of Calm

📅 Wednesday 9th July

🕘 9am – 12pm

📍 The Painted Lady at The Maker Space Floreat

We’ll be bringing a little midweek magic with one of my most beloved recipes - The Potion of Calm. ✨

Truth be told, I was a little stuck choosing which potion to have as our Guided Brew for this session… but the Potion of Calm is probably my most favourite guided potion I've written, so it felt like the perfect Spell in Focus to begin our first Potions Craft Experience at The Maker Space, this school holiday's.

In this School Holiday Special 3-hour Potions Craft Experience, young Potion Crafter's (ages 6+) will explore:

🔮Guided Creative mindfulness

🧪 Hands-on potion crafting fun

🎨 Crafting and Bottling their very own Mood Brews

After our guided brew, we’ll move into fun exploratory potion-making, and then finishing off with creating our very own bottled Mood Brews, using our newfound magical crafting skills.

Magical, Mindful, Creative, and Fun; This hands-on holiday experience is perfect for curious minds and growing imaginations.

🍄Limited spots available🍄

Book now to secure your Potion Crafter’s place.
https://strengthheroes.com.au/spark-creativity-wellbeing-workshops-for-kids-adults-toddlers-in-perth

(and check out all the awesome offerings happening at - Powered By this school Holiday's)  

23/06/2025

The Painted Lady is at The Maker Space for the July School Holidays!

Come explore creativity, mindfulness, magic, and imagination with these beautiful hands-on experiences for young people:

🧪 Potions Craft (Ages 6+)
📅 Wed 9th July | ⏰ 9am–12pm

🎨 Flow & Create (Ages 8+)
📅 Wed 9th July | ⏰ 1pm–4pm

🧚‍♀️ Fairy Feelings Houses (Ages 6+)
📅 Fri 11th July | ⏰ 1pm–4pm

🧁 Toddler Potions Craft (Ages 3–5)
📅 Fri 18th July | ⏰ 10am–12pm

🎨 Flow & Create – Again! (Ages 8+)
📅 Fri 18th July | ⏰ 1pm–4pm

📍 All workshops are held at The Maker Space – Floreat
🎟️ Bookings via Strength Heroes:
https://strengthheroes.com.au/spark-creativity-wellbeing-workshops-for-kids-adults-toddlers-in-perth

Spaces are limited - join us for a little bit of wonder this winter ✨

16/06/2025

10/06/2025

✨July School Holiday Workshops

Join The Painted Lady and many more brilliant local creatives at The Maker's Space, Floreat Forum this school holidays! The Painted Lady will be bringing the magic a bunch of whimsical wonderful, creative experiences designed to spark imagination and joy

🎨 Bookings are now open via Strength Heroes:
👉 www.strengthheroes.com.au



📅 What's On:

Wednesday 9th July
🧪 9am–12pm – Potions Craft
✨ Potion Crafting, recipe writing & magical brews for ages 6+
🎨 1pm–4pm – Flow and Create
A joyful process-art session exploring intuitive creativity (Ages 8+)

Friday 11th July
🏡 1pm–4pm – Fairy Feelings Houses
Create your very own fairy sanctuary while exploring colour, mood & meaning (Ages 6+)

Thursday 18th July
🧚 10am–12pm – Toddler Potions Craft (Ages 3–5)
A whimsical sensory experience made just for little ones—filled with magic, wonder… and maybe even a Fairy!

🎨 1pm–4pm – Flow & Create
A fun, freeing art session to finish the holidays with colour and heart (Ages 8+)

✨Come craft, create, and connect. Let the magic begin!

04/06/2025

✨Naming your inner critic can turn self-doubt into self-awareness.✨

Naming your inner critic is helpful because it gives you space from the harsh thoughts; Like turning down the volume on a mean inner voice by seeing it as something outside of you.

(Image reads)
For example, let’s say you make a mistake and your thoughts spiral: “I always mess things up. I’m hopeless.”
If you’ve named your inner critic “Grumble Goblin,” you can pause and say:
“Ah, that’s just Grumble Goblin at it again getting cranky when things go sideways.”
Suddenly, it’s not you attacking yourself. It’s a character; A pesky voice that doesn’t get the final say.

It turns shame into awareness, and self-blame into self-compassion.
This trick can be especially helpful for kids and neurodivergent folks, because it makes the inner world easier to understand and talk about.

💭 Try naming yours, and next time it pipes up, you’ll know who’s talking.

02/06/2025

✨ Fairyfolk Wisdom: 5 Gentle Ideas to Build a Brighter Mindset ✨

Emotional resilience doesn’t need to be loud; Sometimes it looks like naming your inner critic, or sipping tea wrapped in a cosy blanket in your Comfort Corner. 🌿

Try these 5 simple ideas to enchant your days and nurture resilience:

Name your inner critic

Keep a “Done List”

Shift mood with scent

Retreat to your Comfort Corner

Set a daily “Pause. Breathe. Smile.” reminder

Small things can make a big difference. 💫

26/05/2025

A lesson from the Floraphian’s; Slowing Down is Magic:

Some days, we’re not fast and agile like the Ashfyre Dragons, and that’s okay.
Some days are meant for slowing down, being soft & steady, and noticing the little glimmers of magic all around us. That’s a different, and a very special kind of magic.

For the Floraphian’s, the colder months are sacred. This is their time of rest and renewal. As the season turns, they begin their Seasonal Abscission, a natural process where their wings gently fall away. But this isn’t a sad time for the Floraphian’s, in fact, the Floraphian’s embrace it with special celebrations.

One of their most cherished ceremonies is The Gifting of the Wings - a symbolic act where a Floraphian offers one or more of their fallen wings to someone they care about, as a gentle reminder to slow down, rest, and care for themselves too.

The Floraphian's use this season to practice self-care, gratitude, and the art of slowing down. Their wings will return in spring, stronger and brighter than before.

Perhaps this is the perfect time for us to do the same? to slow down, reflect, to take care of ourselves, and notice the quiet magic in our own world. You never know what you'll find…

For the grown-ups in Perth, WA:
Do you know a magical local spot where a Floraphian might leave behind a wing? Or, has you or a loved one already discovered a gift from these friendly little creatures?
Comment/DM and share your special places, you might just help bring the next magical adventure to life for your little ones.

🧚‍♀️How many Floraphian’s can you spot in this picture?

I’ll be updating The Archives soon with more about these amazing little beings and their discovery & connection to the human world. It’s been a busy few months, with a lot more excitement and adventure ahead! But today, I just wanted to take some time and share some magic with you.

© All content, characters, and stories are original creations by The Painted Lady (Ainsleigh Terry) and are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, reproduce, or use any content without written permission. Thank you for respecting the magic.

20/05/2025

This just fills my heart 🥰 it's so wonderful to be recognised for the love and care I put into my work ❤️ Willowfang is in such wonderful hands🥰

Small buisness shout out.

How beautiful is this dragonling the boys adopted at the Medieval Fair ob the weekend.

Handmade by .perth the details on it are exquisite. And the whole experience was amazing.

They had little 'dragon stones' the kids had to pick from and create a potion (add vinegar) to reveal a dragon gem inside the stone. They could then use this gem to find out which dragon had chosen them to adopt it and become the Dragonward.

These touches of magic turned it from just another store to a memory that will last a lifetime.

My boys life Willowfang and he is being a great dragonling helping the boys make good choices when feeling g big feelings thanks to the calming strategies he came with.

Highly recommend - if you see The Painted Lady around pop in their stall