Sally J. Smith - Fairy Houses: How to Create Whimsical Homes for Fairy Folk

How to Create Whimsical Homes for Fairy Folk

Sally J. Smith

This book is dedicated to the living earth and the visible and invisible beings with whom we share this extraordinary place we all call home.

In memoriam, this book is also dedicated to my dear feline companion Oliver, whose endless patience and love are intermingled in mysterious ways with many of the creations you will find in these pages.

Oliver was no ordinary cat. For the past 14 years he accompanied me on many of my building and gathering forays into the forest and in all sorts of weather. He was especially fond of the crisp, cold days of winter. His playfulness helped keep me lighthearted and his animal instincts helped keep me open to the subtle changes in the forest around us. He brought joy and delight to each and every step out our front door. He was often by my side as I made many of the images in this book, inspecting the faerie houses and adding his comments when he felt they were needed.

So it was a great shock when, just as this book was finished, his life also came to a close. Olivers journey done, he slipped away peacefully in my arms, in the garden on a beautiful late summer day.

Blessed be one and all.

T his book is definitely a different kind of faerie book. It will take you from the world of dreams and imagination right down to the earth by way of practical matterslearning how to actually construct and build detailed faerie house creations of your very own. Its filled with nuts and bolts, practical information, and step-by-step guides that teach you how to build your own enchanting creations.

Ive written this book with the skillful crafter in mind. If youve never made anything with your hands before, you may find the tutorials in these pages a bit challenging, so start with the beginner projects. If you have some experience with putting things together, this book will open new doors of creativity for you.

Our main focus will be houses built in the craft studio (not outdoors), though I will cover some of the basics of outdoor constructions. This book presents basic faerie house construction as a series of steps or phases. First, youll make the small elements, such as windows and doors. Then youll construct the main body of the house. Finally, youll put it all together and place it in the landscape. It may sound simple, but there are loads of tricks and detailed techniques that I share in this book to make the projects easier for you. Ive developed these over the past decade with practice, trial, and error, so you dont have to make the same mistakes.

A word to parents of crafty kids: This book may be suitable for talented older kids, as well as young adults who want to learn more about this subject. I find that young people learn a great deal about structure, form, design, and ingenuity by taking up the craft of faerie house building. Perhaps they are budding architects or engineers in the making, or stage designers or movie-makers trying to develop their dreams and visions. If so, this book may be helpful to them because we cover various construction methods in miniature that they may be able to apply to their own creative projects. These houses are works of art, howevernot toysand should be treated as such.

Ive written this book as I would speak if we were sitting together in my studio and I was guiding you through your very own project. I hope that learning some of these simple skills and methods will enable and embolden you to take your creativity as far as you want. It is satisfying to make these little structures, and everyone always benefits from more magic and creativity in their lives!

DESIGNING WITH NATURE

W hether you bring your tools and build onsite or take a few photos and go home to conjure and create the perfect dwelling for the space youve discovered, its always best to take your creative cues from the natural world around you. As you look to nature for inspiration and building supplies, you may also find that unexpected things happen, like discovering a perfect faerie nook. Perhaps this is the faerie folk letting you know they approve!

Inspired by the tiger lilies that grace my garden every year, I built this tiny house to be enjoyed by the faeries when the flowers are in full bloom.

The Cedar Basket House. This ephemeral structure encloses the charming space nestled between the trunks of a few white cedars. It is made entirely from materials found nearby. The mushrooms were not present when the house was built, but when I returned the next day to take the photos, they had all magically appeared. Sometimes delightful things happen when we play respectfully with nature.

Autumn Leaf Gazebo. This observation gazebo perched over the small waterfall provides for ideal viewing of red and golden autumn leaves drifting downstream. The bridge made from pinned-together autumn leaves ensures that only the light-footed will be able to visit.

The Golden Door. Sometimes a tiny space can be transformed with a simple addition. I made this doorway in the studio using eco-friendly glues and techniques so that it could be left in the tree roots for others to enjoy.

Emerald Moss House. Some locations just beckon to us with possibilities. This site along a remote trail was such a location. The stone house took a week to make with all locally sourced materials, but all the moss was already there. Sharp-eyed hikers enjoyed finding the house for several years until nature claimed it back.

STUDIO-BUILT HOUSES INSTALLED OUTDOORS

When youre learning to build faerie houses, crafting in the studio is easiest. If you have a particular destination in mind for your faerie dwelling, take some measurements before you build. That way youll know the house will fit in your chosen location.

Fernwood Cottage. I created this rustic cottage in the studio for this particular locationtucked under a clump of maidenhair ferns (my favorite). There were moments when dappled sunlight filtering through the leaf canopy high above the woodland garden caught the edges of the cottage and brought the whole scene to life.