A Fairy Awakening:
Asked a simple question, never expecting the response received. I went into a local faery shop not long ago to see if the owner thought that my carved roof gourd containers would make saleable fairy houses if decorated inside. Needless to say, the idea went over great. We discussed doors, windows and furnishings of dollhouse miniatures. Little did I know it was the beginning of a new kind of adventure, and with my gourds the type that last for generations, what a treasure to hand down to a daughter, granddaughter, or even a son!
A New Style:
Since I grown my gourds, I’m hands on from the minute I put the seeds in the ground. My personality and artistic style have a hard time making these noble gourds “bright & frilly” looking on the outside, especially with paint. A painter I am not. I love the natural wood organic look of the gourd itself, but I don’t seem to have a problem making the insides into a fairyland of color. Played around with the dollhouse furniture idea for a few minutes, but just couldn’t get around the plastic look. Thought about painting the pieces or gluing stuff on them, but just couldn’t imagine that the plastic would ever fit the natural order of fairies.
Findings:
Walking the property looking for other fairy cottage furnishing, I had the idea of making furniture out of twigs and it ballooned from there. We make furniture from wood so why not use wood for the fairies furniture. All the twigs had to be laying free from any possible fairy house in nature. Luckily, strong winds and drought lately left me with all the shapes and sizes I could possibly need, and all dried and ready to use, just laying there waiting for me. The idea of using twigs hits close to home, as our own home is wood and all the furnishings are wood, either made by us or passed down vintage pieces. The outside of our home is rough sawn wood siding, much to the carpenter bees delight, and the inside is tongue and groove wood, ceilings, floors & walls. All under a tin roof. The porch beams are even cedar posts from trees damaged during a clearing of pine trees on the property due to an infestation of pine beetles. No paint in our house (not counting the basement).
So…my furniture building began. Luckily the pieces are light and easy to cut with a pair of clippers. Figuring out fairy sizes is the challenging part for me. I’ve never been much on 1 inch = 1 foot measuring. I eyeball everything. Even my measuring cups are just handled mixing bowls and my measuring spoons are great scoops. It took me a while to get the ideal size in my head, but once figured out, I can make anything furniture related from tiny twigs now, with no heavy lifting or major power tools! Truthfully though, I have since had thoughts of making some people sized outdoor furniture from large limbs with the bark still on… when I find the time and muscle up a bit.
Treasures:
Fairy benches are my favorite. No two pieces will ever be the same, as nature’s twigs, bark, etc. will never be the same. Beds and bedding are my second favorite. Each piece is handmade specifically for that special fairy scene and sealed with a non-toxic sealant. You might spot any of the following adorning the interior: bench, canopy bed, swing set, chair, lounge, table & chairs, dresser, windmill, well, fountain, wand, chandelier, lamp, garden tools, wheelbarrow, rug, ladder, birdhouse, bathtub, footstool, nightstand, torch, birdbath, desk, mailbox, hammock, fence, stool, topiary, frame, crate, lantern, windchime, bucket, hutch, bookcase, cradle, coat rack, easel, mirror, dinner bell, shelter, dipper, signs, books, teepee, hitching post, basket…the possibilities are endless and fun!
Customized:
Commissioned pieces can be customized for:
1. a particular faery, fairy, faeries, fairies
2. a hobby (ex: gardener, painter), a healthy lifestyle, an occupation (ex: nurse, poet) , a business (ex: bakery, florist )
3. a region (ex: desert, mountains), a color
4. a child or enchanted adult
5. a favorite vacation site (ex: camping, beach), a special occasion, an organized group (ex: redhat ladies)
6. a baby shower, wedding, anniversary, birthday, holiday, season, etc.
No guns will be depicted in any scene.
Features are secured in place, but still fragile. Not for young children. Not a dollhouse.
You might call it a house, cabin, cottage, dwelling, hut or home. Whether your interest is fairies or faeries, you will love these treasured habitats for the wee ones. Each one features my own hand crafted unique twig furniture pieces and is fully furnished and ready for occupancy.
