Amazon finds to add a little woodland charm to your home Images from Amazon.com. Click the links below to view or purchase. Some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest. Soft moss a downy pillow makes And green leaves spread a tent, Where Faerie folk may rest and sleep Until their night is spent. The bluebird sings a lullaby; The firefly gives a light: The twinkling stars are candles bright, Sleep, Faeries all, Good Night. Elizabeth T. Dillingham, "A Faery Song" If your home is your castle, the fairycore decor trend is for you! Fairycore is more of a state of mind than a trend. You don’t have to completely immerse yourself in a room straight from a Grimm’s fairy tale; that would be too cliche. But a subtle reminder here and there, a decorative detail that catches your eye as you enter a room, is enough to awaken the subconscious inner child who still believes that magic exists in this chaotic, unpredictable world. And even if fairies aren’t quite your thing, a little woodland magic might convince you otherwise! For the true believers among you and future converts alike, here are 21 home accents that will help you add a touch of fairy woodland magic to your living room… Item 1—Cheesecloth Table Runner 35 x 120 Inches, Nude & Beige from Vitalizart Store The first item on the list is this cheesecloth table runner with soft blush and brown colors and an ombre effect that reminds me of tree rings. The crinkled gossamer fabric resembles a woodland fairy’s dress. Item 2—Off-White Knitted Throw Blanket with Tassels, 50” x 60” from the inhand Store The raised diamond pattern of this blanket is like diamond-paned windows on a fairytale cottage, and the addition of fringe gives this blanket a feminine feel. Cuddle under it with a good book, or wear it as a shawl on a chilly day. Item 3—Cloche LED Mushroom Lamp from the Hortsun Store This woodland item is a cloche with moss and mushrooms growing from a tree stump. The cloche with soft-lit LED mushrooms can serve as a nightlight or an accent for your fairy-themed vignette. Item 4—Leaf Shaped Ceramic Spoon Holder with Spoon from Dunluobo This ceramic leaf dish can be used as a spoon rest in your kitchen, or you can place it on a tray on your coffee table filled with your favorite woodland accents. The accompanying gold spoon is fit for a fairy queen! Item 5—Vintage Botanical Wall & Animal Art Print (Unframed) from the 97 Decor Store These woodland animal and botanical wall art prints can be clustered together or sprinkled throughout the room to create a moody, magical look for your space. The art prints come with adhesive dots, but you could create a more charming look by setting them inside coordinating frames. This wall art would also go well with cottagecore or dark academia decor if that’s more your style. Item 6—Resin Mushroom Decor from Barydat This resin home accent features realistic-looking mushrooms growing out of a fallen log. The piece is made to hang on a wall or sit on a table to accentuate your fairycore, cottagecore, or woodland decor. Great for use in fairy gardens as well! Item 7—Flight of The Butterfly Round Accent Table from Touch of Class Touch of Class is selling this beautifully painted side table with a woodland theme featuring tree branches and butterflies. Use this magical nature-inspired table to display your favorite fairycore lamp or home accents. Item 8—4Pcs 6.6Ft/Piece Artificial Flowers Silk Wisteria Garland from the DearHouse Store This set of four garlands with romantic, realistic-looking silk wisteria can be used in various combinations to bring a feminine woodland feel to your space! Item 9—Brown Glass Decorative Mushroom Vase from the hafhef Store This unusual item is a charming glass mushroom vase made especially for a small flower arrangement that can be used alone on a side table or as an accent for other fairycore, cottagecore, or woodland decor. Item 10—265 Feet Artificial Leaf Garland from Artiflr Cut this artificial silk leaf garland to any desired length to add a touch of woodland greenery to your fairycore decor. Embrace your inner child and let your imagination go wild! Item 11—Artificial Ivy LED-Strip Floating Shelves Set of 2 from the Kmise Store Add a whimsical touch to your walls with these floating shelves with jute twine, artificial ivy, and battery-operated warm LED lights. Use the shelves to display your favorite plant or fairy decor. Item 12—84Ft 12 Pack Artificial Ivy Garland with 80 LED String Lights from JACKYLED Store Create a magical woodland feel to your space with strands of artificial ivy bathed in warm LED lights. Item 13—Opening Fairy Door and Window from the Tree Poetry Store Redecorate your fairy garden or fairycore vignette with this door and window set with an acorn light. Use this set in a miniature log, tree stump, or diorama to create a home for the mystical beings in the fairy wood. The door opens to allow passage to the magic fairy folk. Item 14—Vintage Mushroom Botanical Wall Art Prints,11 x 14 Inch Unframed from LIYAOLI Bring the outdoors inside with this set of six mushroom prints suitable for a space that embodies the fairycore or cottagecore motif. Place the prints into your favorite frames and layer them on a table, or hang them in different configurations around the room. Item 15—Gold Frog Figurines Yoga Decor 3.7'' Set of 3 from Suoedd Imagine these gold resin frogs doing yoga in their favorite spot by a woodland stream! Add an unexpected whimsical touch to your table, counter, or fireplace mantle with this set of frog figurines. Item 16—Black Lumbar Pillow Cover with Mushrooms,12 * 20 in from CALHogar This lumbar pillow cover with ferns, mushrooms, and other woodland creatures is perfect for cottagecore, fairycore, or dark academia pillows. Item 17—Bunny & Botanical Lumbar Pillow Cover 12 * 20 Inches from CALHogar The bunny and botanical lumbar pillow is a lighter alternative to the previously mentioned black pillow cover design. Or use the light-colored design as a balancing contrast to the dark pillow covers, depending on your room style. Item 18—Vintage Butterflies Hanging Poster from the ABoby Store Add a vintage look to your wall with this hanging poster with butterflies on linen fabric. Can you identify all the butterflies on this chart?! Item 19—Assorted Green Glass Bottles with Corks, 6 Pack, 2.5in X 9in, 16oz from BULK PARADISE Display these antique-looking green glass apothecary bottles as they are, or fill them with your favorite flowers, potpourri, herbs, or oil. Item 20—3D Gold Butterfly Wall Decor 48 Pcs 4 Styles 3 Sizes from the SAOROPEB Store Use these bendable gold butterflies around the room to add small accent details to your fairycore look. You can cluster them on walls as a focal point or place them around as finishing touches in vignettes or decor. Item 21—6.25 Inch Thinking of You Fairy Sitting on Mushroom Statue Figurine from the Pacific Giftware Store What’s fairycore without the fairy, right?! My final find is this beautiful woodland fairy sitting on a toadstool daydreaming while her snail friend keeps her company. Related blogs you may want to read: Hygge Decor Ideas for Winter 2024 17 Must-have Cottagecore Home Accents Embrace the magic of fairy core decor this fall Dark Academia Decor for the Fall Create a cozy relaxing interior space this fall with neutral colors Brighten up your autumn decor with these items Pastel decorating ideas for autumn Need ideas for incorporating the color blue into your fall decor? Inspirational ideas for creating that cozy boho style Nine hygge decor ideas Winter color palette ideas for your home decor
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If you enjoyed one of my latest articles, “8 Flowers that Attract Fairies to Your Fairy Garden”, here are six more fairy flowers for your garden! Interest in fairy gardens has been growing for quite a while now, and the trend shows no sign of stopping any time soon! The act of creating a fairy garden awakens the inner child, providing an escape from the problems of the mundane and sometimes stressful world around us. And it’s a gift that keeps on giving! Once you create the garden, it becomes a refuge where you can escape from it all and let your imagination out of the box. I have been experimenting with my fairy gardens, and—being a lifelong lover of fairy tales—it got me thinking about the types of flowers fairies might like in their garden. I’m sharing some of my research with you to help you on your way to creating a fairy-friendly garden! Columbine Columbine is a beautiful, graceful flower that reminds me of the layers on a fairy dress! The flower is closely associated with women and sensuality and symbolizes the balance between fragility and strength. The word Columbine has a Latin root that means “dove” which symbolizes peace, but the flower also has associations with the eagle and war. This duality in meaning is also reflected in other names for this flower, such as Granny’s Bonnet and Lion’s Herb. Plant this stunning flower in your garden to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees…and fairies! Pansies Pansies are such sweet, colorful flowers! You can often find them growing wild just about anywhere, especially in shady or tucked-away places where the fairy folk like to hide. Other names this flower may go by are Johnny Jump-ups or Viola. Symbolically, the flower represents the act of reflection or remembrance, keeping someone in your thoughts. In folklore, pansies can attract love or make someone fall in love with you and are known to ward off bad spirits and evil spells. Look at the flower petals from a certain angle and see a fairy face staring back at you! This is a must-have flower for your fairy garden! Petunias Petunias (with their velvety petals) are a visually stunning and aromatic addition to any fairy garden! This flower symbolizes positive vibes of well-being and friendship, and is thought to repel negative energy and evil spirits. A garden filled with petunias will invite wonder, inspiration, and creative ideas. These beautiful flowers also attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Any fairy would feel quite at home surrounded by a patch of petunias! Snapdragons Snapdragons (also known as dog flower, dragon flower, or lion’s mouth) symbolize peace, grace, and inner strength. In folklore, this flower wards off spells and evil spirits, attracts positive vibes, and provides magical protection. The curly petals of the snapdragon attract bees…and—of course—fairies! Tulips What would be a fairy garden without tulips?! Fairies have been known to hide or sleep inside the tulip flowers, away from the prying eyes of us humans. They even use these flowery havens as cribs for their infants. But the tulip is not just significant to fairies…According to old superstitions, tulips symbolize luck, abundance, love, and declaring new love. So plant a few in or near your fairy garden for your special guest! Violets Violets have powerful symbolism, and any garden would be bare without them! In many traditions, violets are associated with transformation and the cycles of life, birth, and rebirth. This flower can also represent new love. The magical and mystical time of twilight--when the veil between worlds is thin, as they say—is also closely associated with violets. This is the perfect flower for your resident fairy for easy travel between here and the Otherworld, and a must-have plant for a magical fairy garden! So there are six more flowers that you can plant in your fairy garden to attract the fae folk. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first article with eight flowers that attract fairies, the link is down below! Happy planting! (And say hi to the fairies for me!) Related blogs you may want to read: 8 flowers that attract fairies to your fairy garden Who are the Irish fairies? 10 essential elements for a magical outdoor fairy garden A brief history of the origins of fairy gardens My spring 2022 indoor fairy gardens Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens My outdoor fairy garden Sources: https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/05/wildflower-season.html https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/05/wildflower-lore.html https://theforestfairy.com/flowers-that-attract-and-welcome-the-fairies-into-your-garden/ https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/3028 https://greenwitchfarm.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-columbine/ https://amovitam.ca/the-fairy-in-the-pansy-flower/ https://hive.blog/hive-148441/@yidneth/violas-and-pansies-folklore-mythology-legends-and-properties-of-these-beautiful-flowers https://www.petalrepublic.com/petunia-meaning/ https://a-z-animals.com/blog/snapdragon-meaning-symbolism-and-proper-occasions/ Even if you don’t believe in fairies, a beautiful garden full of fragrant flowers bursting with vibrant blooms feels enchanting--don’t you think? To my mind, fairies are more than tiny winged or magical creatures. They represent the idea that the natural world is brimming with wonders, wonders we miss while living our busy lives. But take the time to go deeper, and you'll find magic all around you. Fairies and flowers have long had a close association, as this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson beautifully illustrates: The Flowers “All the names I know from nurse: Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse, Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock, And the Lady Hollyhock. Fairy places, fairy things, Fairy woods where the wild bee wings, Tiny trees for tiny dames-- These must all be fairy names! Tiny woods below whose boughs Shady fairies weave a house; Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme, Where the braver fairies climb! Fair are grown-up people's trees, But the fairest woods are these; Where, if I were not so tall, I should live for good and all” Robert Louis Stevenson When we were children, our imagination allowed us to escape this world into someplace ethereal and mystical...and then we grew up. But, let’s say, for the sake of argument, fairies DO exist…How would you go about creating a natural haven for your magical guests? My quest is to find the perfect flowers to attract fairies to my garden, and it’s been a fascinating journey! In today's blog, I'd like to share a few flowers that may help you create your magical fairy world! Bluebells Out of all the flowers, bluebells may be one of the most closely associated with fairies. Carpets of bluebells can be found on many forest floors, rippling like water in the breeze. It may look beautiful, but enter that field of blue at your own risk! Fields of bluebells represent places of the other realm where the fairy folk meet, dance, and feast. Stroll into this field, and you may disappear into the realm of the fairies! This realm is a place of enchantment where time moves much slower. If you manage to escape and return to reality, you may find significant time has elapsed. It is also said that stepping on bluebells or hearing them ring can mean impending death for you or someone close to you. But don’t let any of that scare you! Planting bluebells in your garden, nurturing them, and respecting the space is a surefire way to entice fairies to your garden! Clover We’re all familiar with the iconic clover! How many of you spent hours as a child lying in the grass searching for the elusive four-leaf clover? So it should come as no surprise that clover leaves symbolize luck, particularly the four-leaf variety. Four-leaf clovers not only attract but allow you to see the fairies! Clover leaves in fairy lore are said to offer magical protection and fairy glamour, but the clover flowers have a symbolism of their own--they aid in matters of the heart. And bees love clover too, so clover just might be a handy plant to have in your garden! Cowslips Cowslips are related to primrose and are one of the first flowers of spring. The flowers resemble keys and are said to be the keys to the fairy realm. Another common name for cowslips is "fairy cup" because it is said that fairies take shelter in these during times of danger. Fairy folklore says a patch of cowslips is a sign that fairy gold or treasure is hidden nearby! This flower is a must-have if you want some powerful fairy magic in your garden! Foxglove Foxglove is another flower that has traditionally been very closely associated with the fairies and is said to be a flower in which fairies like to sleep. Other names used to refer to foxgloves are fairy thimbles, folk gloves, or fairy gloves. The name means gloves of the Good Folk (Fairy Folk) because, in fairy lore, magical creatures were said to wear foxgloves on their feet or as gloves. Like the bluebells, foxgloves have contradictory symbolism. These flowers can be used for healing but can equally be associated with death or witches, but as long as you treat foxgloves and the fairies with respect, you have nothing to worry about! So plant a few of these blue beauties to attract fairies—and bees—to your garden! Lavender Lavender is such an aromatic and beautiful flower to have in your garden! Another common name for lavender is elf leaf, as this plant is thought to gift the ability to see the fairies when they are near. It is also a powerful defender, warding off negative energy or evil fairy folk. Lavender also has practical benefits--a beautiful scent and medicinal properties. This gorgeous and fragrant flower is known to attract fairies and—of course—bees. Primrose The primrose plant symbolizes the gateway to the fairy realm and offers protection from dark fairy magic or witchcraft. But it’s worth noting that, as much as primrose grants you the ability to peer into the enchanting realm of the fairies, this flower also allows fairies to use it to become invisible! It’s worth noting that fairies love primrose, so neglecting this flower could cause you to lose favor, but nurturing the plant and helping it grow will encourage fairy blessings. This is a potent fairy flower, so use it wisely! Rosemary Another name for rosemary—just like lavender—is elf leaf. Rosemary is a powerful herb that is said to ward off wicked fairies and their spells and attract only the good fairies to your garden. Rosemary is incredibly aromatic and handy in a wide variety of recipes. It’s one of my favorite herbs--and the fairies love it as well! Thyme Planting thyme can help ward off harmful fairies while enticing the good ones to stay and make their homes in your charming garden. Thyme is one of the plants—along with primrose and lavender—that is thought to help you spot the fairies when they are nearby. Maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to glimpse the fairy queen asleep in her bed of thyme! This herb is so aromatic and can be a beautiful ground cover in a fairy patch. This journey of learning about flowers and their relation to the fairy folk has been fascinating! The ones covered today are just a sample of the wide variety of flowers associated with the mystical world of the fae. My research is ongoing, and more articles covering fairy flowers are in the works. But hopefully, this will inspire you to get started with your fairy garden…and drop a line in the comments below to let me know how it goes! Related blogs you may want to read: Who are the Irish fairies? 10 essential elements for a magical outdoor fairy garden A brief history of the origins of fairy gardens My spring 2022 indoor fairy gardens Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens My outdoor fairy garden Sources:
https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/the-faery-dozen https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/plants-the-fairies-like-and-dislike/ https://talesfromthefairies.wordpress.com/tag/flowers/ https://solsticesisters.co/blogs/post/5-plants-to-please-the-fae https://sarah-liz1976.tripod.com/id28.html https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/3028 https://www.icysedgwick.com/fairy-friendly-garden/ https://theforestfairy.com/flowers-that-attract-and-welcome-the-fairies-into-your-garden/ http://chalicecentre.net/blog/the-faery-lore-of-foxgloves/ https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/05/wildflower-season.html https://annafranklinhearthwitch.wordpress.com/2022/04/16/the-lore-magic-of-clover/ https://www.pansymaiden.com/flowers/meaning/clover/ https://greenwitchfarm.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-columbine/ https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/05/wildflower-lore.html https://www.luminescents.net/shop/herbal/botanicals/flowers-and-petals/cowslip-flowers-primula-veris/ https://gardenandhappy.com/fairy-garden-ideas/ https://www.moonfishwriting.com/post/a-celtic-spring-of-flowers-folklore-and-food https://www.moonfishwriting.com/post/chamomile-and-lavender-in-medicine-celtic-folklore-and-magic What would you say if someone were to ask you to describe a fairy? Would you envision tiny winged humanlike beings small enough to fit in the palm of your hand? Sure...this is the image conjured up by the modern mainstream. If you look up the word fairy, you’ll find descriptive terms like diminutive, magical, feminine, imaginary, and supernatural. But there are much older cultural ideas of the fairy not so benign and whimsical. Over the years, I’ve developed a particular fascination with the rather more ambiguous nature of Irish fairies. And that’s the topic I’d like to touch on today… The faerie folk To start with, those “diminutive” little fairies with wings are a recent phenomenon, more or less dating from the Victorian era. Before that, most European countries had a rich collection of fae, faerie, or fairy folk that took on many shapes and sizes. The more recognizable include magical beings like pixies, gnomes, trolls, elves, dwarfs, brownies, and giants. Ireland's unique flavor of fairy folklore is blended with its rich historical mythology. This mystical green land is known for a mythical race of beings that are not spoken of by name but referred to in generic phrases, such as “the people of the mounds”, “the good people”, “the fair folk”, “them”—anything but “fairy”. These beings are also often referred to in ancient Gaelic terms as the “sidhe”, “daoine sidhe”, or “aes sidhe”. The term “sidhe” refers to the places where they dwell—typically natural or man-made mounds—but also represents the people as a way to name “them” without incurring their wrath. Just like in the rest of Europe, the Irish have specific names for each being belonging to the sidhe. The most recognizable is the leprechaun—a crafty little man who guards the treasure. The banshee (or ban sidhe, in Irish) is a wailing woman who predicts the death of a member of a particular clan. The Cailleach—possibly the predecessor to what we now know of as the witch—is an old woman who is said to have flown through the air and dropped large boulders from her apron to form some of the more dominant landscape features that play an important part in Irish mythology. The Irish also have their version of the mermaid called the Merrow. The female half woman half fish was attractive with a beautiful song that enticed young men, but the uglier male versions would pull sailors into the depths of the sea and enslave them. A rather terrifying creature in Irish fairy tales is the Pooka (Puca in Irish). The Pooka can take the shape of any animal but most often appears as a black horse with red eyes. This creature (like the banshee) is sometimes an omen of bad things to come but can be either helpful or destructive. These are just a few of the many types of sidhe in Ireland. Irish Mythology & the Sidhe So what are the origins of the sidhe? Let’s take a brief dive into Irish mythology for a moment… Most of the sidhe seem to represent old deities from ancient times, particularly from the mythical race of people called the Tuatha De Danann or the People of Danu. The origins of these people are shrouded in mystery and described as a group of invaders deep in antiquity that ruled over Ireland for a time, eventually being replaced by new invaders from Spain called Milesians, or sons of Mil. The mythology says the Milesians banished the Tuatha De Danann to the hills, and the mythical land they came to inhabit was called Tir na nOg, Land of Youth, or the Otherworld. Interestingly, the Greek word for the Iron Age Celts—Keltoi—means “the hidden ones”. It’s a curious coincidence, don’t you think?! Irish mythology can be complex and contradictory, and there is so much more than I can discuss here. If you’d like to take a deep dive into this topic, check out mythicalireland.com, where Irish author, researcher, and photographer Anthony Murphy provides endless material about everything to do with Irish mythology. Another site--https://emeraldisle.ie/home--has a plethora of tales and legends you can read, but even this is just scratching the surface! The habitat of the sidhe The sidhe are said to live lives similar to our own but in a parallel world, if you will. A magical barrier keeps us from seeing them most of the time, but they are there just out of reach. The ethereal places of fairies or fairy magic are often described as “places where the veil between this world and the next is thin”. The old timers and true believers will tell you the sidhe can be found in many wild or hidden places across the land. The natural world and mythical heritage sites are full of fairy habitats, and these places are to be respected and left alone. Ireland is a land of mystical beauty, to be sure. Dotted all along its verdant landscape are thousands of ancient and prehistoric sites--ring forts or raths, burial mounds, stone circles, dolmen, and henges. These sites have significance in Irish history and folklore and make convenient dwelling places for the fairy folk. Trees in Celtic lore are highly symbolic, and any solitary tree or cluster of trees with a unique presence in the landscape are identified as “fairy trees” and are said to be imbued with sacred or magical powers. One such tree is the hawthorn (aka, whitethorn), whose striking form with branches lopsidedly outstretched and seemingly reaching out can be seen dotted across the countryside. The rowan is another revered tree whose berries are associated with youthfulness and healing and are said to be the food of the Good People. Other trees with sacred significance include oak, blackthorn, holly, yew, and elder. Water in Irish folklore—as in most cultures—plays a significant role in all things mystical and sacred. Many Irish wells and springs were usurped by Christian saints (such as St. Brigid) and the Virgin Mary, who act as guardians of the sacred water. Ancient peoples threw precious objects into some of these water sources as a sacrifice in reverence to the life-giving female aspect of existence or to the gods and goddesses of their time. The salmon of knowledge known in ancient Celtic mythology swims in a stream under a hazel tree. Not only is water symbolic of wisdom, but it can often be the gateway to the Otherworld. The do’s and don’ts when dealing with the sidhe The sidhe are known for their enjoyment of music and dance, entrapping travelers who happen to wander into their magical spaces. On the surface, it may sound like quite an adventure to stumble upon such a place, but there are stories of people who spent time with the fairies, only to return to the land of the living to find many years have passed and everyone they once knew is long gone. Reverence to the sidhe and their dwelling places remains embedded in Irish culture to this day. Trees and mounds are left alone, and construction projects have been forced to work around certain areas so as not to anger the sidhe. The retribution of these fairy folk when angered can be swift and vengeful. People are said to have been struck ill, plagued by bad luck, or even died because they dared mess with a fairy dwelling! According to popular superstitions, you can repel a malicious fairy with salt or iron. There are tales of mothers placing something made of iron near a baby’s crib to prevent the sidhe from stealing their babies and replacing them with changelings. If you happen to be on foot traveling and are trying to avoid a pursuing fairy, you could try crossing a stream or other body of flowing water. Popular lore says most fairies do not cross running water. (Remember the Lord of the Rings with the Black Riders?) If you want to get on the good side of the fair folk, try appeasing them with gold trinkets, gemstones, shells, shiny jewelry, or shrines with offerings such as milk, candies, or sweet cakes. Ending thoughts… With all that being said, given the right circumstances, the sidhe can sometimes be helpful to humans, so they are not entirely malevolent creatures. Like many other supernatural creatures of the fairy world, they are neither good nor bad. Fairy folk in Ireland and Europe represent the duality of the good and the bad in humankind and life experiences. Ireland has a rich and colorful history, with a penchant for interweaving mythology, history, religion, and folklore. The fairy folklore of this land has been born out of this tradition and is just as rich and contradictory. There’s simply no way of telling where the ancient Celtic religion ends and the more modern fairy tales begin. It is all just one fantastically colorful tapestry that defines the very essence of what it is to be Irish. Related blogs you may want to read: 10 Fun Facts About Leprechauns A brief history of the origins of fairy gardens A brief history of the Irish shamrock Celtic Tree of Life Celebrating Irish art for St. Patrick’s Day Sources: http://chalicecentre.net/blog/into-the-faery-woods/ https://thecelticjourney.wordpress.com/ https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-legend-pooka https://www.teeliesfairygarden.com/blogs/ https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/ http://irishhedgerows.weebly.com/folklore.html https://britishfairies.wordpress.com/ https://donegalsquare.com/are-fairy-trees-a-fairy-tale/ https://irishfolklore.wordpress.com/ https://folklorethursday.com/folklife/the-fairy-trees-blackthorn-hawthorn-and-rowan/ https://www.irishcelticjewels.com/celtic-wedding/2010/09/irish-mythology-the-merrow-sea-fairies/ https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/the-irish-folklore-of-the-celtic-merrow http://www.zeluna.net/list-fairy-english-celtic.html https://blogs.lib.ku.edu/spencer/how-well-do-you-know-your-irish-fairies/ I love the month of March for two reasons—spring and St. Paddy’s Day. Most years, I try to find some cerebral topic to write about for St. Paddy’s Day as a way to embrace my own Irish heritage respectfully…but this year, I thought we’d just have a little fun! No sense in taking ourselves too seriously, right? This year’s topic is fun facts about the little green men. No, not aliens…Leprechauns! What do you know about those little green goblins called leprechauns? Today, I thought I’d give you ten fun facts you can share at that St. Paddy’s Day party! Red leprechauns?? Believe it or not, leprechauns were not always dressed in green. A couple hundred years ago, leprechauns in traditional Irish folklore wore red jackets and knickers with a tri-cornered red hat. What we know as the jolly little man wearing green with a red beard is a fairly recent development. Little dudes In Irish lore, leprechauns are almost always little men with withered faces. They are known for their diminutive size (in most cases), and there are no female leprechauns! Crafty little dudes! Many Irish folk stories depict leprechauns as craftsmen, usually shoemakers. They are very good at making and repairing things. These guys have no problem working with their hands! Hidden homes According to popular lore, leprechauns like to live in dark, out-of-the-way places like caves, tree trunk hollows, or basements (especially wine cellars). Out of sight, out of mind! Treasure hoarding Leprechauns are only one of many fairy folk known to collect and guard coins and treasure. This is deeply rooted in the mythology and folk tales across Europe. Tricksters Leprechauns are known to be shrewd tricksters who use human greed to fool those who want their gold. Keep your eyes on this little man if you want his gold, but know he will trick you by any means necessary! This mischievous fairy has fun inflicting low-level harm and practical jokes, so beware! Three wishes! If you are lucky enough to catch a leprechaun, you’re mighty crafty yourself! Now, set him free so you get your three wishes! Ancient gods Leprechauns are considered fairies or one of the many beings from the mythical people in Irish mythology called the Tuatha de Danann. These were said to have once been a real race of people conquered and banished to the ancient mounds to live for eternity. Leprechauns could be a modern relic of one of their important Celtic deities, the sun god Lugh. Water sprites?! Alternatively, leprechauns could be descended from the ancient water sprites. Many folk tales from various parts of Ireland mention names of fairy folk that seem similar in the ancient Irish language to various versions of the word leprechaun. Protected by EU law? Seriously! And I’ll leave you with the strangest one of all… There is actually a place in Ireland said to be inhabited by many leprechauns—the caverns of Carlington Mountain. And—believe it or not—this place is actually protected by EU law! The leprechauns are an important part of the local ecosystem! Yes, seriously! So that’s it! Ten fun facts about leprechauns. You’re welcome. Now, go enjoy that green beer! Related blogs you may want to read: A brief history of the Irish shamrock Celebrating Irish Celtic art for St. Patrick’s Day Who are the Irish fairies? As a child, I loved everything related to castles and fairy tales. The irresistible pull of the unseen world wormed its way into my psyche and never let go. The sense of wonder I felt when I imagined worlds full of magical folk like fairies, elves, gnomes, and talking animals was perhaps a way to escape a troubled childhood. But it was something more than that…something hard to describe. There is just something about the world of miniatures that has always held my imagination. What is more fascinating than doll houses with miniature versions of our world, with tiny bits of furniture and interior decor? Or how about model train landscaping with streets, buildings, and train tracks? These are entire worlds where “little people” go about their business, oblivious to us mere mortals staring down at them like giant Cheshire cats. Fairy gardens evoke the same sense of intrigue and fascination, and creating a fairy garden is the perfect invitation to allow your imagination to again enter the realm of magic. Creating a fairy garden is essentially an activity inspired by nature and all that exists in the natural world, with a touch of whimsy that gives us a space tp escape the “rational” world for just a bit. So, what makes a fairy garden? What types of things are “essential” to a fairy garden? Let’s take a moment or two to suspend belief and discuss the ten essential elements that I believe are necessary for a successful fairy garden! Fairy habitats When it comes to creating a fairy habitat, the sky is the limit! Fairies love a habitat that is attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies…but maybe your fairy has other ideas! At its core the fairy garden is a tiny haven full of miniature structures surrounded by all sorts of things that attract the typical garden wildlife. But—again—your fairy might cut against the grain and embrace their inner alien or beach bum! (I’ve seen both…it gets interesting!) In the interest of keeping things simple, though, we’ll just discuss the typical garden or woodland fairy habitat. Fairy gardens are typically part of a larger garden (although they don’t have to be), so think of this space as a garden within a garden…a special little patch of real estate set aside just for your magical fairy resident. And put some thought into it! Put yourself in your fairy’s shoes…Visualize yourself about 3 inches tall and look around. (Maybe put that camera phone down to ground level and take some photos, just to get a more realistic perspective.) Are there trees and tree stumps with hollows to live or hide in? Are there mushrooms for your fairy to sleep on or shelter under during a rainstorm? Is there a patch of flowers with vibrant colors and attractive fragrance that attracts birds and bees? Maybe there is even a hollow woodland log with clumps of ferns clinging to its reclining form on a forest floor. Whatever your choice of habitat, make it something fun, whimsical, and enchanted! Make it a place that will make your fairy feel welcome and want to stay. A comfy fairy home If your fairy does decide to stay in the habitat you’ve so carefully chosen, she’ll need a place to do all the “domestic” stuff, the stuff of daily living. So what type of home will your fairy want? When it comes to fairy homes, this will depend on your chosen habitat, and—of course—your fairy’s preferences! A fairy’s house could be provided by nature, taking the form of a tree hollow, toadstool, or miniature cave made of rocks. Or maybe she’s an environmentalist who embraces the idea of repurposing old pots, wheelbarrows, or planters. Or maybe you are one of those crafty fairy guardians who builds her a birdhouse or fairy house. Whatever type of home you and your fairy choose, it should be attractive and comfy and provide shelter from wicked weather. Shelter & hiding places for fairies Your fairy will not spend ALL day inside her home! She will be out and about, exploring her gardens and surrounding areas, looking for food, and visiting friends. And sometimes—while she is out having too much fun—she gets caught in a rainstorm! Remember those tree stumps, toadstools, and flowers I mentioned before? This is where they come in handy! It is essential to your fairy’s happiness to provide places of shelter, even if it’s a thick bush or large leafy flower under which your fairy can hide from unwanted visitors or shelter from that occasional summer rainstorm. Fairy friends & companions Speaking of friends…We all need friends, and your fairy is no different! The perfect habitat will naturally attract butterflies, frogs, hummingbirds, and ladybugs all of whom will be curious about your resident magical being and easily befriend her. Maybe the neighborhood squirrels and rabbits pop in for a quick visit while on the way to find their morning meal. You could even invite companions from the fairy world, like gnomes and elves. (Don’t worry that they are resin statues…they come alive when you are not looking anyway!) Maybe your cat or dog makes a daily trek outside to pay a visit. (Make sure they are friendly to your fairy, or you may incur her wrath!) And don’t forget that YOU are her friend as well! Visit her now and again to check up on her and catch up! Miniature garden areas for fairies Having a resident fairy comes with responsibilities, and one of those responsibilities is creating a beautiful garden in which your fairy can quietly meander on a cool misty dawn or entertain friends on a sunny summer afternoon. Nestling your fairy’s magical home into existing flower gardens is one of the easiest—and most natural—ways to surround your fairy with her very own garden patch. Or…maybe this is where you have fun doing miniature landscaping! Creating miniature gardens is an art form that goes back decades, but lately, the fairy garden has become all the rage! How can you resist creating all those miniature walkways, garden patios, and landscaping?! If you decide to go this route, you’ll need miniature plants--succulents, miniature roses, or any relatively small plant that won’t get out of control and become overgrown. Maybe some plants are in pots, and maybe some grow from the soil…Just think low maintenance. (That doesn’t mean NO maintenance! You’ll have to visit your fairy friend often to do upkeep.) Whatever you choose to do for your fairy, creating a magical homestead for your fairy will entice her to stay…And that means good luck for you! Flowers in the fairy garden While we’re on the subject of gardens and flowers, let’s talk a little about the type of flowers and plants that will have your fairy swooning… So what types of plants and flowers attract fairies? Fairies are known to have a fondness for aromatic herbs, like thyme and rosemary. Planting herbs in and around your fairy garden attracts bees and other insects which are beneficial to the health of your garden…and the happiness of your fairy. And did I forget to mention the amazing scent that fills the air?! Beautiful flowers—like petunias, tulips, foxglove, pansies, and even wildflowers—can also add to the symphony of fragrances in your fairy’s garden. Flowers that have large petals also provide much needed shade on a sunny day, or even attractive places to hide in or sleep. Fruit trees and bushes make a good food source for your fairy, and having them close to home means she won’t have to risk traveling too far away to find her morning breakfast. Shiny objects and fairies In case you didn’t already know, fairies like shiny things! It is said that fairies are attracted to glittering shiny items, like fairy lights and sparkly gems. They are attracted to the light like moths to a flame, so it is important to use this to your advantage as you try to lure a fairy into your garden and entice them to stay. As you create your fairy garden, think about incorporating things like crystals, gem stones, glass beads, sparkly flocked decor, fairy lights, and even water. Your fairy will be mesmerized! Water sources in the fairy garden Water is the source of all life…and fairies love it! The presence of water provides several benefits. Fairies like it for its shimmering properties, but they also bathe in pools of water and drink from nearby water sources. In ancient myths water had magical properties and represented a portal to another world. Remember, fairies are ethereal magical creatures that belong to another realm of reality, and the presence of water gives them easy access to that world. Ponds, streams, bird baths, or any pool of water—even miniature fountains—make excellent water sources for your fairy garden and any visitors that might arrive. What do you do if you can’t provide a source of actual water? Go “faux”! Even just the illusion of water is beneficial and will make your fairy happy. It can be as simple as blue stones arranged like a pond. Or you can get more decorative with decor filled with resin resembling a waterfall. It’s up to you! As long as the effort is there, your fairy will be grateful. Soothing sounds in the fairy garden We often forget about sound when we are creating gardens, but sound can have a powerful effect on us, for better or for worse. A pleasant sound—like the soft gurgling from a water feature—sets the tone for a calm quiet place to sit and meditate or daydream. All creatures—magical or otherwise—will benefit from such a place! The sound of wind chimes in the garden can also have a spellbinding effect on anyone who happens to be within earshot. The musical tones that keep time with the breeze take us to another level of sublime consciousness. The same sounds that are soothing to us are also loved by fairies, so this is a great opportunity to create relaxing tones that will make your fairy’s homestead more magical, but will also entice YOU to linger a few moments in your miniature garden and revel in your handiwork. Using your imagination And finally…The number one essential element for creating a fairy garden is your own imagination! Use your imagination to come up with a garden that has a story to tell. Create a theme that tells the story of your garden fairy. Don’t be afraid to tap into that inner child and dream! Sit a while and think about little worlds and all the magic folk. Experiment with different setups, plants, decor. There is no right or wrong way to do it…just as long as you do it! Creating a fairy garden is an opportunity to get your hands dirty and play with ideas for miniature landscaping. Even if you don’t believe in fairies, this is a way to be creative and expressive. The process of working in a garden is a fun way to relieve stress and escape—even if for just a few moments—from the craziness of our everyday lives. So go forth and dream…and create a whimsical magical world for your own resident fairy! So those were my top ten essential elements for creating a fairy garden. Now that you are inspired to go create your own magical fairy garden, what kind of garden do you think you will make? Or do you already have a resident fairy happily living in your garden? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments! Just an FYI…You can create beautiful decorative indoor fairy gardens as well. It is so much fun putting together indoor fairy gardens with faux florals and miniature decor! Decor can be easily changed out for the seasons or holidays to give you a fresh new vignette or tablescape whenever you like. If you have a moment, go check out my handcrafted fairy houses created specifically for indoor fairy gardens. Related blogs you may want to read: A brief history of the origins of fairy gardens My spring 2022 indoor fairy gardens Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens My outdoor fairy garden My fairy house project Sources: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/spaces/attracting-fairies-in-the-garden.htm https://theforestfairy.com/flowers-that-attract-and-welcome-the-fairies-into-your-garden/ https://obsessionwithbutterflies.com/2019/08/miniature-fairy-gardening/ https://fifthseasongardening.com/the-magical-world-of-fairy-gardens https://www.almanac.com/gardening-miniature http://www.buckscountrygardens.com/the-enchanted-garden-miniature-fairy-gardens/ https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2080 This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.
So, fairy gardens…Where did this charming gardening trend come from? I asked myself this very question as I worked on my annual spring gardening and faux floral projects. For the past few years, I’ve been experimenting with fairy houses and fairy gardens—both for indoor and outdoor use—but until now, it never occurred to me to consider the origins and the meaning behind the miniature garden trend. So I did a little digging (no pun intended), and here’s what I learned… Late 19th century garden trends The seeds for the fairy garden idea—at least here in the US—seem to have started sometime in the late 1800s as an offshoot of the Japanese garden tradition of bonsai and miniature trees. The Victorians were fascinated with Japanese art, gardens, and culture and began using Japanese-influenced miniature trees in their garden landscapes. These were not yet what we would consider fairy gardens, but the notion of plants in miniature seems to have fascinated people from that time forward. A new garden idea in the mid-20th century Fast forward to the mid-1900s, and a British nursery owner named Anne Ashberry and the fairy garden as we know it today start to take shape. Anne Ashberry’s idea was to create small gardens that could be easily looked after by people who lived in small spaces or by individuals with physical impairments. If you’ve never heard of Ms. Ashberry, read her inspirational story here. She became well known for her miniature gardens and window boxes with tiny landscaped worlds full of carefully researched flowers and soils. I don’t think they were considered fairy gardens just yet. These carefully manicured small-scale versions of our world—filled with miniature houses and formal gardens—were simply magical and sought after by the British royal family. Folkloric influences The current-day fairy theme has cultural ties to Germanic and Celtic (Irish) folklore. The underlying mythical belief is that fairies live in our gardens, and these fairies can either be mischievous or bring good luck, depending on how well they are respected and treated. According to popular belief, if you want to appeal to the fairies in your garden and get into their good graces, you must create an enticing world filled with flowers, comfortable places to live and shelter, and sparkly things. If you do this, fairies will move in, and your garden will thrive. There is also a tradition of placing fairy doors and tiny houses in the woods near trees. This attracts good fairies to the area and creates a sense of magic and wonders for the lucky person who happens to be passing by. Miniature vs fairy We should take a moment to understand the difference between “miniature” and “fairy” gardens. The terms “miniature garden” and “fairy garden” tend to be used interchangeably, and I guess there’s a logic to that, but I believe there is a distinct difference. Fairy gardens—to my way of thinking—are specifically about creating spaces for fairies and have their roots in folklore. Miniature gardens CAN be fairy gardens, but often they are just like model train landscaping—a mirror reflection of our world in miniature, which—in truth—can be just as enchanting! Fairy gardens today Today, miniature gardens (and fairy gardens) are often used to give children a place to stretch their imagination, but adults seem to be equally enthralled with them. (Take a look on Facebook if you don’t believe me!) It’s a fun hobby that some people take to incredible levels, creating miniature worlds full of minute details that capture your attention and make you smile. Creating an outdoor fairy garden is a fun way to “play” in the garden. It’s also a way to have a compact garden in small areas. (Remember Anne Ashberry?). You could even use faux plants for all-year use and less maintenance. I have been experimenting with indoor fairy gardens and faux florals to bring the outdoors inside. (I know...According to folklore, you are not supposed to invite fairies inside, but rules are meant to be broken, right?!) The most important thing when dealing with fairy gardens is creativity and imagination. Everything else is just confetti! I am developing some ideas for new handcrafted wooden fairy houses for indoor fairy gardens. For more on this exciting new project, check out my new page on Di’s Studio Design website… https://disstudiodesigns.com/fairy-houses.html Related blogs you may want to read: My spring 2022 indoor fairy gardens Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens My outdoor fairy garden My fairy house project This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog. I’m officially obsessed with handcrafted fairy houses and indoor fairy gardens! They are now staples for my seasonal decor! I take advantage of every opportunity to switch out the miniature decor and faux florals to reflect the seasons and—sometimes—holidays. So far, I have two styles, but I have a few ideas for some new designs (finally), which I plan to work on in the next month or so, so stay tuned! Last spring, my indoor fairy gardens were decked out in ivy and enchanting miniature pink roses. I love how the roses swaddle the English Cottage and nestle against the stone walls. My decor last year was a bit more colorful and luscious with more fabrics. This year, my decor is more streamlined but no less elegant. But I am still fighting the urge to bring out those roses again! Post-Christmas, my winter fairy gardens had a more toned-down, subdued look. I started experimenting with a lighter color palette and a less "busy" indoor garden design. I’m not a big fan of clutter, so this new seasonal decor was refreshing and calming after seeing nothing but the holiday decor for several months. This spring, I wanted to continue with a simple color palette and fairy garden design, mirroring the decor scheme from the rest of my spaces. I didn’t want these fairy houses and gardens to be something I plunked down on a table, but I wanted them to be thoughtfully integrated into the overall living room space. The faux white florals and greenery are also used in my living and dining rooms. This allows for more continuity in my decor and makes my interior feel harmonious! The English Cottage (lined with small stones and topped with a “thatched” roof made with twine) sits inside a terra cotta plate sprayed with cream stone textured paint. The house looks like it’s nestled into the large moss-covered boulders on either side. A rustic path of tiny stones leads away from the house, flowing under a resin arbor flanked on both sides with small white flowers. The lawn consists of patches of moss with a tiny embedded fairy circle made up of river rocks. Greenery and white flowers surround the house, with sporadic appearances of variegated English ivy. The Fairy Cottage roof received a much-needed refresh of green Spanish moss, as the old stuff had turned a withered brown. Some variegated English ivy also creeps its way down the side of the roof. The garden itself is bursting with faux white flowers and ivy. A miniature gazebo I picked up from somewhere forgotten is nestled right on the edge of the flower garden at the end of a pebble-lined path. I can see my little fairy sitting in that gazebo, enjoying the sight and smell of that garden, can’t you? And, of course, I can’t forget the fairy lights! Two strands of fairy lights tangle their way around each house and garden, allowing occasional glimpses of the floral decor in the evenings when the lights are low…and even lighting up the interior of the fairy houses themselves, so my dear fairies don’t have to live in the dark! I am brainstorming ideas for two new designs and binge-watching travel videos on YouTube for inspiration. So far, I’ve considered a half-timber style hut, a cream stone covered house to resemble the buildings in the medieval villages in southern France or even a whimsical storybook A-frame cottage. I’ll also make more elaborate fairy gardens for indoor decorative use, experimenting with different types of bases large enough for use in a tablescape. The next several months should be interesting, and I will have new fairy houses and gardens to show you soon! Related blogs you may want to read: My fairy house project My outdoor fairy garden Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest. I don’t know why, but miniature worlds fascinate me. I think it was preordained that I would one day design a fairy house. I mean, why wouldn’t I?! And so it was a couple of years ago I came up with a hair brained scheme to design two distinctly different fairy houses, with the main goal to use them in indoor fairy gardens or as part of a vignette. The design concept for one of these miniature houses was inspired by images of old English and Irish cottages, with their rough hewn walls and thatched roofs. The second fairy cottage (pictured below) developed out of childhood memories of enchanting illustrations in fairy tales. The vision behind these designs was to create miniature houses for use with faux florals and seasonal decor that can be refreshed as needed and illuminated with either LED candles or fairy light strands, creating a magical little focal point on a table. Since Spring has certainly sprung, it is now time for my home—and my fairy gardens—to transform into something more suitable for the season! This year I wanted to give my indoor fairy gardens an updated look, and that means new florals and freshly painted bases. To be honest, it has been really tough wrapping the brain around anything comprehensive lately, but breaking this project down into three individual stages (so that each part gets the attention it deserves) made the process easier, and actually forced me to focus on the details. And I’m so glad I took the time to do it that way! I’m so happy with this year’s Spring fairy gardens, I thought I’d share my process and how I arrived at the final look. So if you love fairy houses and fairy gardens (which I can assume you do, since you are reading this!), keep on reading to see how I worked through each step, overcame obstacles, and made my design decisions. Step 1…Spray painting terra cotta bases The bases for my indoor fairy gardens are these two terra cotta plant bases I bought two years ago at Home Depot. I’m ashamed to say I am only just getting around to painting them this year, but don’t judge—I’ve been busy…for two years…Okay there’s no excuse. Anyway, this year I finally painted the bases! For ventilation purposes both plates were taken outside, propped up with wood pieces and laid on cardboard. Each plate was spray painted (two coats each side) with a cream colored stone texture paint. Unfortunately for me, I rushed the process. I was experiencing a dental issue and had an emergency dentist appointment in an hour and for some reason I thought I could get much of the painting done before the appointment. It ended up being a huge mistake! I had runs and pools…It was horrible! So when the bases were dry I experimented with sanding them, originally thinking I would just paint over the whole mess, but then a crazy thing happened…I loved the results from the sanding! I was using 100 grit sandpaper which left a beautifully aged chalky finish that I immediately fell in love with! At this point I decided against using any type of sealant, as the bases were going to be used in a dry application and I didn’t want to lose that chalky finish. Talk about a happy accident! Just look at the depth of color and texture, as if this was old stoneware that had been exposed to the elements! Step 2…Adding in the faux florals and decor Once the debacle with the bases was settled, I moved on to setting up the houses and decor. Inspiration for the decor for the English Cottage came after watching some videos on Youtube. I found myself clicking through videos of English gardens, admiring the “tamed” wildness of the gardens. The roses in particular caught my attention, because they just seemed to scream “English garden”. So off I went to Michaels and bought some pink and wine colored miniature rose bunches. And I just love them! See how they create such a pleasing and visually stimulating contrast against the normally drab grey colors of the cottage? Love it! Love it! Love it! The hues in the roses also perfectly compliment my existing living room decor, which is important as this indoor fairy garden occupies a place of high visibility in that space. The rest of the decor was deliberately kept minimal and simplistic, with small stones lining the base surrounding a stone slab path (made with stacking stones) and some additional supporting florals. Just a simple fairy cottage surrounded by rose bushes! The vision for the Fairy Cottage was clear to me from the get-go. I wanted it to be adorned with moss and ivy, with a minimal amount of florals, if any. The colors in my vignette were already very strong and made a clear design statement, so all I needed from this Fairy Cottage garden was some simple greenery just to make it feel more whimsical. A couple of moss covered rocks, a piece of “forest wood”, and a trellis, and my design was done! Like with the English Cottage, I used small rocks to line the base and stacking stones for the pathway. And, just like that, my second fairy garden was done! (Actually, I tell a lie. it wasn’t “just like that”…I agonized over every mundane detail because I was having a “day”!) Step 3…Lighting up my indoor fairy gardens I always love to finish my indoor fairy gardens with fairy light strands, and this time was no different. A fairy strand was strung over and around each house and surrounding garden to light up as much of the house, florals, and greenery as possible. (I may go back later and apply a second strand to light things up even more.) To light up the house itself I stuffed a balled up fairy light strand into the opening in the back of each house. Both indoor fairy gardens and houses look so whimsical in the evenings and they add so much character to my living room! And that’s it! The whole Spring decorating project took me a few days, but that was mainly down to bad timing and an emergency with a broken tooth (and, of course, I was in no mood afterwards)! I’m glad I forced myself to finish, though, because I love sitting on my sofa and looking over at each fairy garden in turn and daydreaming about the fairy that lives there! (Really I’m just admiring my own handiwork, but we won’t tell anyone.) If you’d like to see more about the original concept for my houses, the design process, and previous seasonal incarnations of my fairy gardens, hop on over to here. If you would like to subscribe to my email list, I will be compiling a new newsletter in the coming months to help you keep track of new items for sale on my web site, new blog articles I will be posting, and any social media stuff I decide to throw in there for good measure! Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below. And if you like this article, give it a share to your friends and family. It would mean the world to me and help me build my following! This article contains external links for demonstration purposes only, and are not endorsements for specific products or brands. Related blog posts you may want to read: My outdoor fairy garden My fairy house project Isn’t there something strangely satisfying about creating miniature little worlds? Who doesn’t love tapping into that world of childhood wonder, imagining a world of mystery beyond our reach? If you’ve been following my blog, you will remember the indoor fairy gardens I created last year. (If you missed it, you can read about it here.) That fun—albeit challenging—project resulted in two beautiful displays that now grace my living and dining rooms. This year (with the onset of warm weather), I thought I’d experiment with an OUTDOOR fairy garden to see if I could spruce up the look of my garden, which I’ll admit was beginning to look neglected. In a previous blog, I showed off my raised flower bed in my backyard, where I grow mint, sage, and chives. I had also attempted to grow rosemary and carrots in the back corner of the flower bed, but neither attempt succeeded, which left me with an awkward space that was crying out for some love. So I thought I’d play around and have fun creating an outdoor fairy garden in that spot because…well, why not?! Before beginning, I had to take stock of my supplies to see what I had on hand and what purchases would need to be made for this project. I knew I wanted to reuse my resin mushrooms, a resin bridge, and a resin fairy swing in this outdoor garden—all of which I had previously purchased for the indoor fairy garden versions. (I can’t remember if they were bought from Factory Direct Crafts or Michaels, but both sites have a good selection of resin fairy garden items.) I also knew I wanted a water feature, and found perfect blue/blue-green flat glass gems in my craft drawer. I didn’t want to spend too much money on this project, so I used the Fairy Cottage (which I built for one of my indoor gardens) as a stand-in for a resin cottage (to be purchased later) that will be more suitable for outdoor weather. All I needed for this project was plant life to add depth and interest to the empty garden spot. My local Lowes had some interesting plants, and I found the following specimens: Sunny Border Blue Speedwell Veronica spicata “Sunny Border Blue” White Pampa grass Coleus Succulent Jade Plant Ogre Ears Succulent Rainbow Bush Manny Each was chosen for its intriguing characteristics and contrast in shape, color, texture, and size. The grass was the tall “willowy” feature that would fill the corner of my flower bed and hang over the fairy house. The coleus provided a nice splash of magenta amongst all the greenery. (I needed to be careful to nestle the coleus behind my sage, though, because that garden area can get a lot of sun, and this plant doesn’t like full sun.) The ogre's ears were just a no-brainer…I mean, it’s “ogre” ears! I chose this succulent, the rainbow bush manny, and the Pampa grass because they are relatively drought-resistant. Finally, the Sunny Border Blue just added a nice splash of purple into the mix. Before planting, I carefully studied the spot to “see” where the house should sit. I wanted the house to sit back a bit and be nestled into the plant life so that it would look like it had been there a long time, and once that decision was made, the rest was easy. The grass was planted in the corner to fill that space and provide an overhang in front of the house. The rest of the plants were arranged opposite the grass to create a pathway or clearing between the two plant groupings, leading the eye back to where the house stood. I threw some mulch down (which I took from another part of my yard) and then started “sculpting” the clearing to make room for a stream. Glass gems were arranged in a line in the gully to create the stream effect, and the resin bridge was straddled over it. The resin mushrooms, ivy vines, and pinecones were placed under the grass canopy next to the house. There was a small spot still left to fill, so my spoiled little fairy got a resin swing to sit on under the shade of the grass canopy. This whole outdoor project took an hour, but it sure was fun! I just sat there for a few moments, trying to imagine my fairy friend sitting by the stream, enjoying the sound of gurgling water and watching her bug friends playing in amongst the plants. Unfortunately, my fairy's wooden cottage is not weatherproof, so I will have to find a suitable resin house as a replacement or make something myself out of flower pots…but that’s a project for another day! I would love to hear about your fairy garden projects, so please feel free to share in the comments below…If you have images to share, visit my Facebook page and share in the comments. Happy gardening! This article contains external links for demonstration purposes only, and are not endorsements for specific products or brands.
Related blog posts you may want to read: My fairy house project Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens “Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace.” Eugene O’Neill Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with fairy tales and mystical worlds. I would spend my time in quiet reveries, letting my imagination go wild, thinking about secret little worlds that exist under our noses, and we don’t even notice! Little people, fairies, even animals, living in hidden nooks and crannies, under leaves, in tree stumps, under rocks, and in worlds in miniature where magic is the norm, and the inhabitants are surrounded in ethereal bliss—this to me was heaven! As an adult, I have developed an intense interest in anything medieval, Gothic, and Celtic. I guess I am what you would call an Anglophile…obsessed with everything English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish. I adore photos of quaint little villages in the Cotswolds and absorb every tidbit of information I can about ancient people and the history of the British aisles. And I still love miniature worlds. Miniature houses still trigger that childhood sense of wonder where you imagine tiny people or beings going about their daily business. Last year, I started noticing a trend in fairy gardens and thought…Why don’t I have a fairy garden in my life? I decided to design two miniature houses made of basswood for use in indoor fairy gardens using faux florals. The basic concept was to be able to change out the florals with each passing season. One of the houses I designed was an English cottage. The inspiration for the design concept was traditional English cottages. I spent some time absorbing photos of English cottages and gardens. Then, a design concept formed in my head. I came up with a miniature house faced with gray stones with little round windows and topped with thatched roofing. Attaching the stones to the walls and creating the thatched roofing was quite a labor of love! But I love the result! The second miniature house I designed was a Fairy cottage. This design concept was inspired—in equal measure—by the shape of birdhouses and images of medieval cottages from fairy tale illustrations in childhood books. I painted the exterior white (mimicking the look of lime-washed medieval buildings) and topped it with a steeply sloped red roof covered in Spanish moss. Small stones were glued into place around windows and doors and in small patches as if some had fallen off over the years. The bases for my indoor fairy gardens were two 12” diameter terra-cotta trays—one for each little house. I filled them with miniature faux florals, sand, stones, and fairy furniture. The house interiors (which are hollow) were stuffed with fairy lights. Even the fairies need lights at night! And it looks charming lit up in the evening. This was an exciting project, but I had a steep learning curve. I have learned a thing or two about constructing these miniature houses, and I’m thinking about creating more at some point…Who knows, maybe I’ll end up with a village for my fairy folk!
Related blog posts you may want to read: My outdoor fairy garden Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens |
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