Being a die-hard Fairy enthusiast (who else is still obsessed with those Star Fairies from the 80s?), it's only right that I designate a tiny corner for their shenanigans while they keep an eye on my Garden. I managed to achieve this feat by utilizing all the random knick-knacks I've hoarded over the years, and I'm all set to expand it further with stuff I make using nature. Here's a step-by-step of what I did.
Supplies:
Bricks / Pavers / Stones
Soil
Weed barrier
Smooth stones / River rock
Old pots
Old fairy accessories
Acrylic Paint and Sealer
Shovel
Ferns / Succulents / Moss
Other memorabilia
*Chipmunk / Squirrel Traps...for the little scoundrels your masterpiece will attract
Steps
1. The Perfect Location
It is said that Fairies love spaces that don't get a lot of foot traffic or disruption, and that the space between two trees can be portals to the fairy realm. I wasn't taking any chances by walking between these two trees...so it seemed to be the perfect spot to build a Fairy Fortress.
Okay, okay... there was a jungle of things sprouting here that I just couldn't yank out thanks to those pesky tree roots, so I went all out and smothered them with soil. It was a toss-up between creating a majestic Water Fountain showcase or a whimsical Fairy Garden - and guess what? I was already stocked up on all the Fairy essentials!
2. Build & Fill
When our neighborhood hardware store told us there was no such thing as Fairy Fortress Stones, we decided to purchase pavers that blend in with the fancy edging of our flower beds. We ended up stacking them at a height fit for fairies (aka high enough to hide those stubborn tree stumps that were refusing to budge).
Then we filled it in:
Bottom Layer - 75% sticks, leaves and other yard debris from our spring clean-up
Middle Layer - a layer of fabric weed barrier to help hold the dirt in place
Top Layer - 25% a scoop of dirt from a local landscape provider
Pavers and dirt were the only things I purchased for this project, everything else was already waiting around the house just waiting for me to get my hands dirty. I guess you could say this project was "dirt cheap."
3. Reviving the Accessories
I dug up my ancient stash of fairy collectibles and thought, "these babies need a makeover!" To keep things down-to-earth (literally), I left a bit of grime on them and grabbed some crusty old paintbrushes that were begging for a messy adventure. Then, I jazzed them up with some vibrant colors using acrylic paint from my craft closet, and sealed the deal with a magic outdoor sealing spray.
4. Burying the Pots
I've been hoarding these ancient, faded pots for what feels like forever. One of them was even playing landlord to a tiny fairy house and a bunch of succulents, so I thought, "why not just give these pots a proper burial?" Turns out, it's not a funeral but a hydration party for my plant pals to keep them kicking! It really helps hold the water from draining too quickly.
Being the Fairy Ring Connoisseur that I am, I decided to jazz up the edges by incorporating a circle of sleek stones and some pieces of slate that I unearthed from our flower bed (thanks, previous homeowners, for the unexpected treasures!).
Then I hit the neighborhood street, to scrape up some of that good "road moss" growing in the cracks of the curb.
5. Ode to Memories
My Grandfather had mad wood-working talent and was a true visionary for creating a back-yard oasis. I inherited an old gristmill that he built, and thought the fairies would have a blast playing with this giant wheel. Perhaps we should call it a "Fairess Wheel."
We've also had this brick from Charleston for decades, and weren't sure what to do with it. So...into the fairy garden it goes to bring a little "southern charm."
And finally...behold the adorable fairy house nestled in the tiny orange clay pot below, a masterpiece crafted by none other than yours truly! Joined by my partner-in-craft, my sister, on an epic bonding experience like no other, filled with laughter, clay mishaps, and a touch of fairy magic! Not too shabby for my first-ever pottery experience.
Let's Chat
I'd love to hear from you - do you have a fairy garden or share a love of the tiny flighted fae? Be sure to subscribe to my blog for more craft projects and book reviews!
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