I have been feeling the need for some new inspiration for Chickadee Swing products; I just haven’t been in the mental space to work on the same things lately. I was excited yesterday for a little kick start that Dan says is my debut as a true folk artist.
Next month I will be joining a local arts exhibit via Chickadee Swing with the theme being Wee Things for Wee Folk; this time the wee folk being fairies. I still have a few pieces of my own fairy tea set from childhood and while my mama didn’t particularly encourage such fancies, I used to dream of catching a glimpse of a flower fairy. Chickadee Swing isn’t exactly about creating for fairies, but it is about creating dreams for children and so I think it will be fun to include a section for wee products. What do you think?
This is where the giveaway comes in; I have a few ideas but I need a few more. I would like to hear some of your suggestions. I will be working in using these mediums; wool, felt, fabric, wood, wax so give me your ideas. Just think small. It can be something for children to play with or more decorative. Whimsical or Practical (the fact that it is for fairies will instantly turn it whimsical anyways;). You can also include links for ideas that you have seen as I know that there are a lot of people out there who support the wee folk. The art exhibit is very open to interpretation.
Generally, I choose a random winner but this time, I am going to select by the ideas that I choose to use. This means that there is no specific number of winners. Once I have made my pieces for the art exhibit, I will send each winner a little surprise in the mail. If you are thinking that I have officially gone loopy, please just humor me and comment away as I can’t wait to hear the ideas! I will close the giveaway on Monday evening.
It isn’t a requirement for the giveaway, but I would so appreciate it if you shared both this giveaway and my store Chickadee Swing on whatever social media you use (facebook, twitter, blogs etc.). You can like on Facebook and I would also be honored if you included Chickadee Swing’s button (below) on your blog.
To grab the button below: right click the text and select all.
Have you watched the fairies when the rain is done
Spreading out their little wings to dry them in the sun ?
I have, I have! Isn’t it fun?
Have you heard the fairies all among the limes
Singing little fairy tunes to little fairy rhymes ?
I have, I have, lots and lots of times!
Have you seen the fairies dancing in the air,
And dashing off behind the stars to tidy up their hair ?
I have, I have; I’ve been there!
~Rose Amy Fyleman
A book that gives visual inspiration is “The Lightlings” by R.C. Sproul and all the new Tinkerbell books. Honestly the new Tinkerbell movies would give you LOADS of information. I like little wooden homes that are kind of like hobbit houses (circle windows, circle homes.) Inside my daughter loves to play with these sort of items we just find in various places (we love magic and fairies):Tiny cakes and magical looking foods
Stings of chinese garden lanterns (cloth or such) colourful to hang around the home
Toadstools to sit on around a bohemian decorated table
Stars hanging from the ceiling
sparkles everywhere
watering cans made of pumpkins
little homes made out of rose petals
Tea cups in the shape of flowers
Water drops as beds
Tiny creatures that are the fairies way of moving heavy items.
Blueberry cushions
Green roofs made of pretty grasses or roofs that look like a Dr. Suess hat
Tiny coloured bottles
Butterflies to ride on
sea shell combs
packages wrapped in bark, leafs ect
Boats made of leaf like shapes
stained glass.
Shiny elements and light are very important
Also- things from our world like tea cups can be seen as huge resources for the fairy world
magical woods
acorns for soup bowls
colours are extremely important as well as the elements of the earth. (Sun moon, stars, sparkles) we are very whimsical in our family and focus very much on fairytales:) Can you tell? I probably have more ideas to send you later…
My daughter says to tell you the most magical book is called “The world of fairies at the Dawn of Pixie Hollow.”
Oh you are brilliant! Thank you for all your lovely ideas and thank your daughter too!
This was just so fun! Love it. Made me want to create. Juils and I are watching Tinkerbell right now thanks to you! I put your shop on my blog:) Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!Don’t forget lady bug helpers and bumblebee friends:)
buttons for wheels or door handles.
You hit one of my obsessions… magical fairylands. That is all I practically played as a tiny child- I always wanted to be in a different world…prettier and more relaxed, full of colour and nature and whimsy:)
I cannot help you on the fairy thing…flower blossoms for hiding under? lolFarm animals are my thing, do fairies tend to Highland cows? 🙂 they would be cute.
What I can do is offer some Cotswold fleece when we shear if you interested…I’m told it is fantastic for felting.
I am quite sure that they must tend highland cows:).I would love some fleece! Thanks so much for offering it.
I will let you know when we shear.
My daughter has been in love with fairies since my parents sent her a Tinkerbell movie and some of the little character dolls last Christmas. Their wings broke off fairly quickly though. She’s made different paper or felt wings for various dolls but they never lasted very long either. So my idea is to make wings that could turn any little doll into a fairy. Wings could be out of felt or sparkly fabric (whatever you like) with elastic to put them on the doll – kind of like a mini version of dress-up wings that little girls wear. And don’t forget a mini wand!
Oh that is a very fun idea. And quick and easy too. Thanks so much!
K took all of the great ideas! I will give it to you from a little boys perspective… Add some boy fairies… Boy fairies who like to ride around on little mice or moths… And go on treasure hunts and fight off the other animals…Little animals friends of the fairies…
Little mice friends
Insect friends
Bird friends (swans always seemed magical to me)
reptile friends (snakes salamanders… Ect.)
Little swords and shelters
Magical wands
Trees
My boys are big on knights and dragons… They especially love the dragon world and all the creatures that come along with it.
This is a cool looking dragon….
http://felting.craftgossip.com/2009/10/29/needle-felted-green-dragon/
Also underwater themes involving mermaids and treasure and beautiful ocean creatures….
That’s all I have for now…
Oh and not sure if you saw the message but you are welcome to some llama fiber this late spring when we sheer… I’ll send you some if you are interested in working with it.
P.s. I am no way implying that all of boys toys must have some sort of fighting theame… Not that my boys always fight, but they usually are defending honor or fighting bad guys and holding up what is right. They also seek adventure… As well as nurture… But most often seek adventure!
Thanks for the great idea’s Kristin. And yes I have been meaning to respond to that last message about the fiber. I would love to try it…I have no idea exactly how I would work with it but I know that I can find out and it would be really fun. Thanks so much for offering it!:)
Fairies are so fun!
What about
– fairy crowns for kids
– fairy finger puppets or mini fairies
– fairy beds made out of matchboxes or Altoid tins (idea from this blog, with mouse in a tin – http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2012/02/handmade-toddler-gift-mouse-in-tin.html)
– a set of mushrooms/toadstools to create your own “fairy ring” to entice fairies to play or dance 🙂
I think the giveaway is over, but I wanted to add a movie for inspiration — it’s great for boys & girls- but could really inspire some fun accessories— Ferngully. I think it’s from 1991– great story and super fairies- boys that ride on bugs m stuff!