Those Who Can't Make...Buy! Even Frugal Fairy Gardeners

I am pretty crafty. Not quite like the girl in the Beastie Boys song, but I can make a lot of different things. Often, when I fall in love with something I see online I can figure out how to make a reasonably similar version fused with my own unique style. However, there are some things I just can’t make. But really want.

One of the craft mediums I refuse to try is polymer clay. For a couple of silly reasons and one sad fact.

One, I am a perfectionist and it would be maddening to be unable to make perfect Oreo cookies or three tier extravagantly decorated cakes. Have you seen what people create out of polymer clay? Simply amazing. Just take a second and search miniature food on Etsy. See what I mean? AMAZING. And adorable.

Two,  this seems like a very expensive craft.

Three, my oven doesn’t work. So terrible right? Even if I invested and began spending inordinate amounts of time playing with clay, I just couldn’t do it at home. And quite honestly, I’d probably be baking a cobbler or garlic bread instead.

So when I come across adorable Fairy Garden delights I can’t make or live without, I definitely buy!

I am a little picky about what I buy or else I might drop some serious cash and worry about rent the following month. Recently I invested in a couple of impractical, adorable food stuffs for my fairies.

Another Etsy search query I recommend if you’re perusing for miniature food is miniature food jewelry. Tweens seem to love sporting mini food accents. Most of these accents are the perfect size for your Fairy Garden and crafted from polymer clay so they will weather the elements perfectly. I found a couple of food jewelry baubles I loved and contacted the seller to see if they could make me a custom item without the jewelry hardware. All of the sellers were able to fulfill my desires and even offered to knock the price down since I didn’t need a chain or earring posts!

Felicia from Oh Lucky Charm creates the most delicious and genuine looking desserts. Her gooey cupcakes and rainbow colored birthday cakes will make you drool! I spotted a grilled cheese necklace charm with toasty looking bread and melted cheese oozing from the middle that I just had to have. 

Photo courtesy of the Oh Lucky Charm Etsy shop.

I also decided I could not live without this plate of s’mores.

Photo courtesy of the Oh Lucky Charm Etsy shop.

I have a little fire pit with a bowl of marshmallows and toasting sticks propped beside a pair of chairs. This plate of s’mores was the perfect finishing touch for the area.

Ashley’s Etsy shop IncredInedible features mouth-watering savory delights like tacos, corn dogs, olives and waffles. She also has the most realistic looking miniature pumpkin pie necklace. I don’t even like pumpkin pie and I found myself needing to buy it. Just look at that crumbly crust.

Photo courtesy of the IncredInedible Etsy shop.

So, if you come across a few cute items you can’t make on your own, pick a few favorites and indulge yourself. You will not regret it!

*One bonus fairy food frugal idea, kids are also very into rubber Japanese erasers that you can take apart and put back together. Some of them are the perfect scale for a Fairy Garden. For less than a dollar you can score a cute, outdoor-safe cake or pie.

Fairy Garden Swings - Four DIY Tutorials

Fairies love to play, especially on swings! They also love variety.

Here are four DIY ideas for Fairy Garden Swings…What do they all have in common? They are delightfully adorable and easy to create!

1. The Tire Swing

This is the easiest! I scored a fat miniature mud tire at the bottom of a toy bin at one of the local thrift stores. (And I got it for free since the cashier was confused on why I wanted a broken toy part.) Just tie some ribbon, jute or string around the tire and hang it from a branch.

2. Leather Flower Swing

Inspired by my favorite Indoor Swing from Urban Outfitters, this swing is simple and adorable. I used a leather flower from a thrift store bracelet find. You can use flowers from sandals, jewelry or hair accessories. Use a needle to thread a string or ribbon through the middle of the flower. Add bead accents and hang from decorative wire or a tree branch in a corner of your Fairy Garden.

3. Wire & Beads Flower Swing

A beaded wire flower sprig can be used for so many different and adorable Fairy Garden items. Try making a swing by attaching two long strands to the ends of a wooden block. I painted this block fairy pink and sprinkled glitter over the top while the second coat of paint was drying. I added glitter glue accents to each of the bead flowers for extra fairy delight.

*Don’t have a beaded floral display hanging around your house? You can easily make your own with beads and thin wire. It is hard to go wrong when fashioning wire and beads. Do not worry about uniformity or balance, creations will look even better when asymmetrical.

 4. Flower Garland Swing

Craft stores have big discounts on their fake flowers at the end of each season to make room for the next crop of faux florals. I used Cherry Blossom-like branches, two wooden beads and a painted, glitter accented popsicle stick to create this whimsical Fairy Garden Swing.