A Fairy-ly Beautiful Christmas

For reasons unknown even to myself, I am enthralled with the idea of creating tiny things out of woodland materials and making furniture and houses for the fairies. Let me hasten to add that although I’ve been making fairy homes and gardens for many years now, I have yet to actually see one of the “wee folk.”

But, while my own house still begs for decoration and there are still many presents left to make, buy and wrap, I ignore all the things that need to be done and scurry off to my art studio to spend hours making sure the fairy house is perfect for Christmas.

Although the fairies obviously always prefer to be outside, I move them indoors during the holidays so that my bigger friends and guests can enjoy their beautiful home as well. Think Architectural Digest on a scale of 1″ to 12″.

This year, as a special surprise for the wee ones, I made them a piano. The main frame is covered with bark and moss and was fairly straightforward. But the keyboard! what a challenge. I tried and discarded many things for the keys – stalks of grass, pebbles, bark, lichen…..none of it quite worked. The key (so to speak) was two spaghetti noodles, cut to length, and 27 grains of black rice. Using tweezers and a magnifying glass, I was able to satisfactorily reproduce a piano keyboard. I made a banjo too (out of a halved hickory nut) and I keep listening for them to make magical music but so far, it’s been a silent night.

Upstairs is the dining room, with a table set with lichen plates and acorn cups. The entree this year is purple beauty berries. Yum!

On the next floor up is the bedroom where one of the fairies has kicked off his peanut shell boots and stacked them neatly beside the bed. A half-read book is on the bedside table.

Up on the roof, Santa’s sleigh and 5 tiny reindeer wait for Christmas Eve. Of course Rudolph leads the way.

Overlooking the whole house, as they should, are the angels. These heavenly hosts stand guard, making sure that all within are safe and know that they are loved.

Whether they’re made of feathers and pinecones or something more heavenly, we can all use an angel watching over us. I hope that your own angels keep you safe and well loved throughout the holiday season and beyond.