Make a Fairy House: Build It and They Will Come
How to Attract Flower Fairies to Your Garden
I wasn't home the day the fairies moved in. They stealthily set up camp under the canopy of a gardenia on my back patio.
In the early Spring I had carefully set out the home and constantly watched for signs of occupancy each day. After several months of no sightings, the thought of enticing a fairy family to my yard was finally set aside and the fairy home was forgotten.
Until one early Fall day. Signs of life and activity were spotted!
This short lens is going to explain how you too can attract flower fairies to your garden. If you build a fairy home, in their own time, they will come.
No Vacancies at this Garden Fairy Home
Today, the first day of Fall and they have arrived!
I have learned that fairies like to move when the weather changes and a new breeze blows in. These must be the Autumn or Fall Fairies. I look forward to watching them and reporting back on their antics.
For more information on Fairy Housing, just scroll further down the page.
What? Don't Tell Me You Don't Believe.
If you are a doubter, and I'm sure there may be a few of you out there, I can certainly understand. Most likely you have been near fairies and didn't even realize it.
The thing is....you have to believe to see. So, please read on and discover for yourself.
What's a Fairy Circle? - Here's a photo of one
photo courtesy Olivier Bruchez, flickr
The discovery that my backyard fairy home finally had new residents transported me back to that summer of my childhood when I first came across a Fairy Circle in my front yard. Long forgotten were all the fairy facts I had gathered that summer, but I still had vivid memories of that perfect fairy dust circle left behind on the lawn.
That summer my dad explained to me that the magical sign was called a Fairy Circle or Fairy Ring and that it was all that was left of the fairies' celebration the night before. From that day on, I was captivated by those fun loving creatures.
There's much to learn concerning these circles: how they're made, what's the purpose, and what happens to mere humans when we step inside. I'm hopeful that by observing these Fall Fairies, I'll be able to discover some of the answers,
What I've Learn about my Fairy Guests
My field observations thus far: I can see they like to run around in moss with their fairy boots off. I'll keep watching to see if this is normal behavior. Also noticed - looks as if their clothes dryer is on the blink, and they need to do a bit of weeding. More observations forthcoming.
Sorry this picture is a bit fuzzy. I snapped the shot quickly because I didn't want to frighten them any more than they already were. You can see I interrupted a tea break. Looks like proper tea to me, and just the way I like it, with milk.
Make You Own Fairy Condo - A Fairy Home Idea
This Fairy Home was easy to make. If you want to make one, here are the items you'll need:
Large Rocks - good sized, fairy home-worthy in shape
Polymer Clay - several blocks of different colors (everything was made with this clay)
White Craft Sand - for the walkway
Sheet Moss - for the grass
Glue Gun - use to adhere baked clay pieces to rock
That's really it. Oh, and a tiny ball screw cover and hinges for the door.
DIY Fairy Home - Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine
Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine
The one tool that helped me the most with this Fairy Home was the Sculpey Clay Conditioner. This was one of those gadgets I didn't know I needed until I tried it. The conditioner softens the clay so it's easily workable. It rolls out the clay in a perfectly flat piece, making the fairy abode front door a cinch to make! This clay conditioner concept is very similar to a pasta machine. It has adjustable settings and can even make the clay so thin it looks like cloth.
With a crank of this machine you can get paper thin clay! The tiny table runner, welcome mat and fairy blanket were made with ultra thin clay, lending the clay a fabric look.
Useful Fairy Facts and Tips
Disclaimer:
These tips are suggestions only and in no way claim to be of a professional nature.
- Fairy Housecleaning Never make the mistake of treating a fairy home similar to a bird house. Sure, they are similar in size, but that's it. Never think you are doing a fairy a favor by cleaning out the house to ready it for the next season. Fairies are extremely private creatures and would consider this act an insult.
- Fairy Mischief You already know that fairies enjoy spending much of their day working, but did you know that part of the fairy code includes having fun and laughing each day? Many fairies have taken that rule quite seriously, the Fall Fairies, in particular. Have you ever been plunked on the head by a free-falling nut, pine cone or seedpod? That, my friend was a Fall Fairy making sport of you. Pay attention next time that happens, maybe you'll catch them in action.
- Sneezing Another way the fairies entertain themselves is by interacting with humans. Once in a while they will inadvertently, (and sometimes not so accidentally) cause a human to sneeze when the human comes in contact with their fairy dust. The next time you have a sneezing fit for no particular reason, try to keep your eyes wide open while sneezing. This feat may be difficult, but it is rewarding! You just might catch the fairies in action. Good luck. (This does take practice)
- Fairy Names Fairies are famous for their love of fun and high jinks. Did you know that the terms high jinks, punk, and shenanigans all derived from common fairy names?
Helpful Items for Building a Fairy Home
Want to Know More? - Here are some good sites.
- Flower Fairies
The official Flower Fairy website, based on the books by Cicely Mary Barker. Loads of fairy information here. - Flower Fairies - About the Author
If you want to know more about Cicely Mary Barker, here's a good link. It's written by family members, and includes photos of her first published works - postcards from - Reflections on the Cottingley Fairies
The official website of Francis Griffiths, one of the nine year old girls responsible for the Cottingley Fairy photographs taken in 1917. - Onceihadalove
Check out Onceihadalove's youtube channel. Gorgeous photos of nature.
If You Build It, They Will Come - So what are you waiting for?
Now you know - it's not difficult to make a fairy house, just come up with a fairy home idea and create it! After you make yours, just sit back and wait. And wait. It takes time for the fairies to make up their minds about neighborhoods and living conditions. Choosing a home is big decision, and does not come easily for fairies. Don't hover around your newly made home (big fairy turn-off). Give them lots of room! Good luck bringing backyard fairies to your home. Would love to hear from you if you're successful!
Thanks so much for stopping by and making it all the way down to the very bottom of this site.