Today we’d like to introduce you to Karly Bonfante
Hi Karly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey with Full Moon Fairy started with a simple desire, to create moments of wonder and connection for families. As a mom of two, life often feels like it’s moving at lightning speed. I wanted to find a way to help families slow down, be present, and celebrate the beauty of the seasons.
Before launching Full Moon Fairy, I spent 20 years in the fashion and wellness space, leading sales for some of the industry’s top brands. In fashion, I worked with premium denim companies like True Religion and 7 For All Mankind, where I learned the power of storytelling and brand building. When my son was born, I started looking for a change. I knew I had little eyes watching me, and I wanted to be intentional about the mark I was leaving on the world. That led me into the yoga and wellness industry, where I worked with brands like Manduka and B Yoga, companies that aligned with my values and passion for mindfulness and intentional living.
Through these experiences, I saw firsthand how brands could create real impact by fostering connection and meaning. That insight, combined with my love for nature and seasonal traditions, led me to create Full Moon Fairy, a brand designed to help families embrace the present moment, celebrate the seasons, and create lasting memories.
The idea for Full Moon Fairy actually started as a small tradition in my own home. On the eve of the full moon, I would tell my kids bedtime stories about Faye the Full Moon Fairy who went on an adventure with a different nocturnal animal friend on the eve of every full moon. In the morning, they’d wake up to find a little treat that the Full Moon Fairy had left behind, something simple but special, like a crystal, a small note, or a nature-inspired treasure. Seeing the excitement and wonder this created in them made me realize that this could be something other families would love too.
That tradition became the heart of Full Moon Fairy, a brand built around a magical ritual where Faye the Full Moon Fairy visits children, leaving behind a small trinket to remind them of the beauty of the natural world. The foundation of the brand is a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book series that follows the lunar calendar, helping families connect with nature’s rhythms. Alongside the books, I created a collection of organic stuffed animals, Faye and her woodland friends, that bring the characters to life, making the experience even more immersive and special for children.
What started as a personal passion has now become something much bigger, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead. Full Moon Fairy is more than a product; it’s a movement to bring a little more magic and mindfulness into family life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This question made me laugh out loud because the road has been anything but smooth. Every day brings a new challenge, but I try to remind myself why I started this journey in the first place and focus on the gratitude I have for being able to build something I truly believe in.
Coming from a background in fashion and wellness, I had zero experience in book publishing, toy manufacturing, or direct-to-consumer operations before launching Full Moon Fairy. To say this has been a steep learning curve would be an understatement and I’m still figuring things out as I go. From navigating the ins and outs of production and fulfillment to understanding how to market a brand-new concept, it’s been a crash course in running a business from the ground up.
One of the biggest challenges is that I’m not just selling a product, I’m introducing an entirely new tradition for families. There isn’t an existing brand I can look to and say, “I’ll do that, but in my own way.” While I believe this uniqueness will serve me well in the long run, it’s definitely made things harder in the short term. Trying to convey the magic and heart of Full Moon Fairy in the three to five seconds I have before a website visitor decides to stay or leave is not easy. I’ve had to get creative with how I tell my story, making sure people instantly understand that this is more than just a book or a stuffed animal, it’s a meaningful tradition designed to create lasting memories.
And then, of course, there are the general hiccups that come with starting something new, like my first print run of Faye & Friends arriving with the text on the spine printed upside down. That was a fun surprise! I had to get the entire batch reprinted, which was definitely a lesson in double-checking proofs and not assuming anything will go perfectly the first time.
Despite all of the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Every obstacle is teaching me something new, and every time a family reaches out to tell me how much their kids love the Full Moon Fairy tradition, it reinforces that I’m on the right path. It’s not easy, but I know it’s worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Full Moon Fairy?
Full Moon Fairy is more than just a book or a toy, it’s an immersive tradition designed to bring families together in a meaningful and magical way. The heart of the brand is a collection of 14 beautifully hand-illustrated hardcover books, each inspired by a different full moon throughout the year. These books aren’t just stories, they’re experiences. Every book features a colored fabric spine that corresponds with the theme of that moon, making them as stunning to display as they are to read. Each book is priced at $17.95.
What makes this tradition truly special is the element of surprise and wonder. On the eve of the full moon, children go to bed after reading the story and wake up to find a customized trinket, left behind by Faye the Full Moon Fairy. These trinkets are thoughtfully curated by age group and are designed to tie directly into the story, creating a deeper connection to the narrative. Trinkets are available for $11 each.
To bring the magic of Full Moon Fairy even further to life, we offer a collection of organic, fair-trade stuffed animals, handcrafted with the highest quality materials. These aren’t just plush toys—they are heirloom-quality companions, designed to be cherished for years and passed down through generations.
• Faye the Full Moon Fairy, the beloved main character of all the books, is available for $69.
• The animal friends featured in different stories—Lola the Fox (Under the Hunter’s Moon), Saffi the Owl (Under the Blue Moon), Mama Bear (Under the Snow Moon), and Louie the Otter (Under the Pink Moon)—are available for $59 each.
With Full Moon Fairy, families have an opportunity to create a new tradition that sparks imagination, connection, and appreciation for the changing seasons. It’s a whole world to fall in love with, one that brings the wonder of storytelling and nature into everyday life.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up in Palos Verdes, where I now live again, I was always drawn to nature and adventure. I spent my childhood riding my horse through the canyons, exploring every bit of wild space I could find near my neighborhood. I was the kid who would bring home pollywogs from the creek, carefully placing them in different containers around the house, much to my mother’s dismay! I was endlessly curious about the natural world, always wanting to observe, collect, and immerse myself in it.
I was also a bit of a tomboy. With a big brother and splitting time between my mom and dad’s, I had to keep up…especially when I was with my dad, where I was often “one of the boys.” That meant not being afraid to get dirty or a little scraped up along the way. In high school, I played volleyball, which was a huge lesson in teamwork and discipline. It also sparked my competitive side, something that has definitely carried over into my entrepreneurial journey.
One of my favorite places on earth is Lake Tahoe. My family had a house up there, and I spent my summers surrounded by towering pines, crystal-clear water, and the kind of stillness that makes you feel connected to something bigger. That deep love for nature has never left me, and in many ways, it’s what inspired Faye the Full Moon Fairy. She embodies that same sense of wonder and adventure that I felt as a kid, always exploring, always finding magic in the world around her.
Looking back, it makes perfect sense that I would create something like Full Moon Fairy, a brand rooted in nature, tradition, and storytelling. It’s a reflection of the childhood I cherished and the kind of magic I want to pass down to my own children and families everywhere.
Pricing:
- Books: $17.95
- Trinkets: $11
- Stuffies: $59.00 – $69.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fullmoonfairy.com
- Instagram: @full_moon_fairy
Image Credits
Images by Shane O’Donnell
www.shaneodonnellphotography.com
