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Nature's ancient forest friends 🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦 (Moss and Mushroom from my friend's property in Northern Michigan. I transplanted a bunch of moss and collected other sticks and stones and lichen covered sticks back to my fairy garden, they were quite the magical additions!) Immerse yourself in the captivating world of moss and lichen, where natural ancient beauty meets modern practicality. These remarkable ancient plants (450mil yrs-moss & 250mil yrs- lichen) have long enchanted us with their delicate structures and ethereal presence. In this blog post, we will discover the enchanting qualities of mosses and lichens, exploring their economic and garden benefits, and the whimsy it will add to your gardens and natural spaces! You will learn how to grow, transplant, and incorporate them into your own fairy garden, adding a touch of magic to your miniature worlds and landscapes. Origins of Moss Gardens: Zen Buddhist monks have long been cultivating ethereal and meditative gardens, just like when moss gardens started to become popular in Japan! Mosses: Timeless Elegance and Green Solutions Mosses, with their timeless and ancient roots (or lack thereof), offer more than just a fairytale-aesthetic, they provide tons of economic and garden benefits that make them a valuable addition to any landscape. Mosses thrive in moist and shaded areas, making them ideal for gardens that already possess these conditions. They can be found growing naturally on the dark side of trees, enhancing the charm of woodland settings. Here’s how mosses can benefit your garden: (Transplanted mosses from various areas of my property at my old house in Belleville, MI - Photography by Alex the FairyFindr) Soil Erosion Control : Mosses act as a natural soil stabilizer, preventing erosion on slopes and bare patches. Their dense, fibrous structure absorbs rainfall and holds the soil in place, reducing the risk of erosion and runoff. Moisture Retention : Mosses excel at moisture retention, helping to keep the soil consistently moist. This attribute is particularly beneficial in dry climates or areas with inconsistent rainfall, as mosses reduce water evaporation and maintain a more favorable moisture level for other plants in the garden. Air Purification : Mosses have the ability to absorb pollutants and filter the air, improving air quality. They capture dust particles and various pollutants, acting as a natural air purifier in your garden. Sometimes you see things on Pinterest with moss walls and carpets, however, it is not suitable for indoors, as it attracts various microscopic bugs and other pollutants. (Transplanted mosses in my current fairy garden, from my friend's property up north as well as my own backyard - Photography by Alex the FairyFindr ) Growing Moss: From Spores to Lush Outdoor Carpets If you're intrigued by moss and want to try your hand at growing your own, you can start from scratch using spores or moss samples from your neighborhood. Follow these steps to cultivate moss in your garden: Prepare the Growing Area : Choose a moist and shaded area where moss is likely to thrive. Clear the area of debris and ensure the soil is loose and well-drained. Collect Moss or Purchase Spores : Obtain moss samples from a nearby location or purchase moss spores from garden centers. Gently remove small patches of moss with a spatula or your hands, or sprinkle the spores directly onto the prepared soil. (Transplanted moss from my friend's property in northern Michigan - Photography by Alex the FairyFindr) Provide Optimal Growing Conditions : Mosses prefer acidic and compacted soil. You can create this environment by mixing equal parts of compost and sand with your existing soil. Lightly moisten the soil and press the moss or spores onto the surface, gently patting them down. You can also place a few stones on the moss to ensure it is touching the soil beneath and encourage it to attach to the new surface. Maintain Moisture and Patience : Mosses require consistent moisture to establish themselves. Mist the area regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Be patient, as mosses grow slowly. Within a few months, you will witness the transformation of bare ground into a lush carpet of green. (A few gems from my last thrift haul in the fairy garden sitting upon a gorgeous rolling hills carpet of transplanted moss in my front yard fairy garden - Photography by Alex the FairyFindr) Harvesting and Transplanting Mosses and Lichens: When incorporating mosses and lichens into your fairy garden, consider the following tips for harvesting and transplanting: Harvesting Mosses: Carefully collect small patches of moss using a sharp knife or spatula (or your hands if you're like me and like to feel the earth on your hands). Ensure that the moss is moist when harvesting, and avoid removing large amounts from a single area to maintain the moss population in its natural habitat. Transplanting Mosses : When transplanting moss, choose an area in your fairy garden that replicates its preferred growing conditions—moist, shaded, and compacted soil. Gently press the moss onto the prepared surface, making sure it adheres well. Mist the moss regularly until it establishes itself. (Florence the Fairy holds her magic mushroom up, offering it to you, as she is perched upon a hill of transplanted moss at Ye Olde Towne of Marvelous Magical Miniatures at our old house in Belleville, Michigan. All of the mosses were transplanted from other areas of the property as well as the park across the street from our old house - Photography by Alex the FairyFindr) Creating Moss Paint: You can create a moss paint or paste with buttermilk. Watch a how-to video on YouTube here . After you create the paste with the buttermilk, simply use a paintbrush to paint design or on surfaces of statues, rocks, trees, or items that you want moss to grow. Keep out of direct sunlight and keep it moist so the moss can establish itself and start to grow. Here are some step by step written instructions if that's more your cup of tea! Handling Lichens : Lichens are best left undisturbed in their natural habitats, as they have specific growth requirements and can be more challenging to transplant. Instead, if you get lucky, you will find pieces of natural debris with lichens growing on it that you can add to your garden, such as sticks, bark, and things of the like. You can also make fake lichen with various artistic mediums- be creative! (An acorn cap sits upon some moss on a beautiful spring evening a couple years ago - Photography by Alex the FairyFindr) Incorporating Mosses + Lichens Into Your Fairy Garden: To create a magical fairy garden with mosses and lichens, consider the following ideas: Mossy Pathways and Carpets : Design twisting pathways that wind through your miniature landscape, or luscious moss carpets for the fairies and gnomes to enjoy on their front porch. These features add a sense of whimsy and enchantment, inviting fairies to explore the little worlds you've created for them. (Moss naturally grows on the dark/shaded side of trees- I miss this tree more than I miss that house or property, it was the home of Ye Olde Towne of Marvelous Magical Miniatures and it will be forever in our hearts) Tree Trunk Accents : Adorn the dark, shaded side of tree trunks with patches of moss, or paint the moss on to the trees as described above with the buttermilk method. This creates a magical nook and enhances the natural aesthetics of your garden. Moss-Covered Items : Place moss-covered boulders (Like this one I found in the woods behind my old house pictured below), rocks, and pieces of bark or sticks strategically within your fairy garden to mimic magical resting spots for your fairy friends. These mossy havens add texture and visual interest, transporting your garden to a realm of wonder. I often find moss covered rocks and stones while walking my dog in the neighborhood or exploring the local forest and woods behind my house. Sometimes you'll even find them in your own garden if its moist and shaded enough... Never underestimate the power of nature! (A moss covered boulder that I found in the woods behind my old house in Belleville, MI. It's super heavy and absolutely gorgeous, It's so pretty that Darin the Dragon here won't leave his perch even decades after his death) ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Now that we have learned about the beautiful and ancient wonders of moss and lichen, STAY TUNED, because in the next blog we will meet another male artist and fairy garden creator who uses a ton of moss and lichen in his own gardens, fairy gardens, and other artistic creations! I came across The Magic Tree Box on Instagram and instantly fell in love with the aesthetic of his artwork, lots of moss, natural resources, and an overall enchanting vibe. ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 Please leave a comment or message below and let us know how YOU  got started in your magical or fairy related artwork or creative avenues! We can’t wait to hear your stories!! If you want to be a part of the blog and do your own magical interview of your dreams. Please feel free to find all our links on our LinkTree  or connect on our FairyFindr Website , OR email me at FairyFindr@gmail.com   May the Moss Fairies Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

This June for PRIDE MONTH , I wanted to highlight other folks on the LGBTQ+ spectrum who you can follow and support! I came across my friend Art / The Magic Tree Box on Instagram and became captivated by the whimsy and pride shown in his fairy gardens. We instantly clicked and bonded over our shared love of moss and lichen, fairy gardening as men, and how we overcome our insecurities in the hobby and enjoy it no matter what anyone thinks or says about it. So what if it's seen as " gay " or " girly " we enjoy it and it brings laughter and love and joy to our neighbors and local fairies alike. FairyFindrs , I invite you to come fly away with me as we learn more about this fascinating man and artist and how he use these natural elements to add magic to his very own creations! You can read more about the history of moss and lichen and modern uses on my blog here: Moss + Lichen . Can you tell us a little about yourself and your beginnings of interest in fairy tales and folklore? Tell us your Name, pronouns if you want, and how you got interested in miniatures and fairy gardens. Answer : My name is Art, I have a degree in Computer Engineering and currently work as a software tester. I am a big computer and technical geek. I love electronic gadgets and video games. I love all disciplines of science. I approach most things in a very logical, non-creative way. As a kid I loved fantasy movies and books like The Never Ending Story , Alice in Wonderland , Legend , The Goonies , Narnia , and The Dark Crystal . As an adult, movies like The Lord of the Rings have really inspired my fairy garden. In fact, my primary vision was to create a miniature Shire . I was not a very creative person growing up but I have always been obsessed with miniature scale versions of real-world environments. As a kid, I loved to arrange the pieces and farm animals in my tin-barn set over and over again. I could spend hours rearranging it and then more hours just looking at it, trying to decide how to make the scene more realistic. I also enjoyed building a scale ship model of the USS Constitution complete with sails, rigging, cannons and more. (Jurassic Park-esque Dinosaur Garden terrarium created by Art is a way that his love for miniature scenes and scale models has transformed into the Fairy Garden and Terrarium hobbies) My creative side really exploded and blossomed when I started my fairy garden. I had no intention of creating one but one day my husband saw a gnome door at the garden center. He didn’t know what it was or what it was for but thought is was really cute. So I bought it for him as a surprise. I didn’t really know what to do with it as we did not have any trees on our private property so I eventually put it on the big tree in front of our house. (Preserved mosses in The Magic Tree Box fairy garden in Art's front yard) I was a very uncomfortable about it because our neighborhood was a bit rough back then and it made me feel like I was making it too obvious that I was gay . I felt embarrassed, actually, so I figured I would see how my husband felt about it because he is usually very particular about his image and what other people think. I put it up when he was away for work so I could see his first reaction to it when he came home. To my surprise, he loved it and was not embarrassed at all about having it in front of our house in such a public place so I decided to leave it up. I soon decided that it felt incomplete and out of place so I made a small pathway to it using white pea-gravel (see picture above). Then I added a white fairy fence and he rest is history. I really became obsessed with it once I found these really cool hobbit houses on Etsy. Designing the landscape was very challenging and required a lot of thought and staging. I used rocks and boxes to simulate scale, height, and location of the houses in order to flesh out my design. (Real mosses in a terrarium by Art) I have found that working on my terrariums and fairy garden really help me to escape the stress and anxiety of my life. It is so mentally engaging that I have no room to think about anything and the time feels like it flies by very fast even though it is far from the truth. I can spend countless hours on them and never feel bad about it or think I wasted too much time. I find it to be incredibly rewarding. My biggest challenge and proudest accomplishment is my working stream. I love to tell anyone who will listen about all the challenges I had and how the vision for it changed and evolved after many many hours of sweat and tears. Seeing the joy it brings to people of all ages and backgrounds has been so wonderful. It makes me feel like I am able to awaken the imagination and child-like excitement in people of all ages; even the most masculine adult straight men. (Image Left: Art prepping the base for one of his moss projects) How do you source the moss and lichen you use in your creations? Do you find it elsewhere and transplant, grow it yourself from spores or existing mosses and lichens, or buy it? Answer : I research online suppliers of live moss and lichen to be sure they are reputable and practice responsible sustainable harvesting. I sometimes harvest my own moss that I find in the gap of sidewalks or along fence lines or nestled in weed patches (gallery below from harvesting expeditions). I only harvest about 10-25% of the moss at any one location to ensure sustainability. I do not harvest moss from private property, parks, public areas or any other space that is ‘loved’ by someone. I only harvest lichen from broken dead branches of wood that I find around the city. Sometimes I can harvest some lichen from firewood that I buy. (Slideshow Above: Moss and lichen cultivation scavenger hunts) What unique characteristics and qualities do moss and lichen bring to your art and fairy gardens? Answer : Moss looks great in a very small scale space such as a fairy garden or terrarium because of it’s low height and tiny stems. This enhances the magical element of a tiny world that your mind can escape into. (Video Above shows micro terrariums by Art using real moss that he harvested) Are there any particular artists or art movements that have influenced your approach to using moss and lichen and other natural resources in your creations? Answer : Pictures and videos from the following Instagram accounts: ohsummossum , toyohidetanigawa , moss_connectgram , mossarium_kl , inmoss__ Can you describe the process of incorporating moss and lichen into your art pieces and fairy gardens? Answer : When I collect wild moss, I soak it under water for a bit and then wash it very well under running water. This helps to remove unwanted insects, dirt, and other undesirable things like snails so that I do not introduce them into my terrariums. (Cleaning and preparing harvested mosses for reuse for transplanting into Art's terrariums and fairy garden creations) What challenges or limitations have you encountered when working with moss and lichen? Answer : I have a very hard time establishing moss and lichen in a new environment; regardless of whether I bought it or harvested it myself. The light, soil moisture, and humidity levels need to be very close to the environment the moss came from. It is very difficult to know what that was. With terrariums, it is difficult to compare the conditions of a terrarium to natural environmental conditions in order to be sure they are similar. (Pictured above are three instances of mosses that were transplanted and didn't survive, they are dead but still bring life and whimsy to the fairy gardens, and a different range of colors too!) Have you noticed any specific reactions or emotions from viewers when they see moss and lichen incorporated into your artwork and gardens? Answer : Moss and lichen in my terrariums really catch people’s attention because they are not very common in terrariums. Something about them adds more realness; making the environment more like a natural environment. (Various terrariums by Art ranging in size from Micro Terrariums to Giant Terrariums) How do you take care of moss and lichen to ensure their longevity in your art and fairy gardens? Do you mainly work with living mosses or dried mosses or both? Answer : Once moss or lichen is established in my terrariums, it is very low maintenance; requiring no pruning; no removal of dead leaves; and doesn’t have invasive roots. I have worked with both live mosses and preserved mosses. If I cannot get live moss to do well and last, I will sometimes use preserved moss sparingly to add some contrasting texture and height to the primary plants. The preserved moss does better if it is not in continuously wet soil. For many years, while I was trying to find ground covers that did well in my magic tree box, I would buy preserved sheet moss or fern in bulk. I would cut it to fit a space and pin it down with garden staples. It looked really good but only lasted a couple of months before getting brown and eventually starting to rot due to the routine watering and sunlight. ( Before and After - used artificial moss that comes in a roll. Pinned it down using garden staples. Cut holes in it for the plants) Are there specific types or species of moss and lichen that you prefer to work with? If so, why? (Provide any relevant pics if so) Answer : Fern moss is my favorite choice in terrariums because it looks like a miniature bed of ferns you might come across on a forest floor. It also gives the environment a more tropical feel. I like all types though as each type has a unique visual appeal, texture and color. In my fairy garden, I use a ground cover called Irish Moss . It is not actually a type of moss but it is much easier to establish and maintain and looks a lot like moss. How do you strike a balance between allowing the natural growth and development of moss and lichen, and shaping them according to your artistic vision? Answer : I always let the moss get well-established before shaping it to my vision. This helps ensure it’s survivability and lets me see what areas of the space the moss thrives best in. It also helps me adapt my vision to reflect the natural growth patterns of that particular type of moss. (Art was a guest speaker at a pre-school. He did a demonstration followed by helping to inspire the kids while they built their own fairy houses) What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are interested in incorporating moss and lichen into their own work? Answer : Start off small until you find just the right moss for your environment. Don’t spend a lot of money buying a lot of different types until you learn how to successfully establish it in your environment. Do you have any future plans or ideas for incorporating moss and lichen into your artwork and fairy gardens? Answer : Not at the moment. Someday I want to make a wall art piece using preserved moss. (Pictured Above are various creations made by Art / The Magic Tree Box throughout time) Wow!!! What a beautiful and exhilarating interview! I truly learned a lot more about my friend Art and how he practices mindfullness and sustainability when harvesting moss from his natural surroundings for his beautiful moss projects. Feel free to reach out to him on his Instagram @the_magic_tree_box he is more than happy to talk and encourage others in this hobby! FairyFindrs , Young and Old, Male, Female, or otherwise, this hobby is for YOU! We are inclusive and ready to accept those from all backgrounds and embrace the magical miniature worlds together! ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 Please leave a comment or message below and let us know how YOU  got started in your magical or fairy related artwork or creative avenues! We can’t wait to hear your stories!! If you want to be a part of the blog and do your own magical interview of your dreams. Please feel free to find all our links on our LinkTree  or connect on our FairyFindr Website , OR email me at FairyFindr@gmail.com   May The Fae Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr  // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

One of a Kind Fantasy Dolls by Zer0sD0lls This June for 🌈 Pride Month, I wanted to show my lovely FairyFindr Fam some talented LGBTQ+ folks to watch (++ buy from instead of corporations). Today’s Pride Month Artist Spotlight post is highlighting my online friend from the Instagram doll community, Zer0sD0lls / Ryan . He makes really interesting and unique customized fantasy dolls and each one is captivating in its own way. He's seriously one of the sweetest and most down to earth online friends I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know. He's always made doll customization seem so approachable for everyone, which I really appreciate about him. I have actually been following him since pretty close to the start of my own doll customization journey, ( @MarvelousMagicalMiniatures ) which has been a little over 2 years now, and to watch his art and One Of A Kind OOAK dolls grow and transform over the years has been truly special, as another doll and miniature lover. So join along, FairyFindrs , on another enchanting journey as we explore the life and art of Zer0sD0lls and dive into his inspiration and love of fairy tales, folklore, and magic! (Image: Ryan Aka Zer0sD0lls with the Chucky Monster High doll!) Hello Ryan, thank you for joining us today! Please start off with your name, pronouns, how you identify on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, where you’re from, and a bit about yourself as an artist. Also include any contact info, social links, and websites you want to include here. Answer: Hi! My Name is Ryan and my pronouns are He/Him and I identify as gay! I am currently living in New York! I like to consider my art style kinda like Pixar movie animations- cartoonish eyes and facial feature with realistic elements! I’m @Zer0sD0lls ( the o’s are zeros ) on Instagram , TikTok , and I will be back on YouTube hopefully later on this year! Werewolf Dolls (Werewolf Dolls by Zer0sD0lls ) Can you tell us a bit about your fantasy dolls and how you got started in the world of doll customization? Did you start off with human dolls or was it always fantasy dolls from the start? Answer: It all pretty much starts with the brand Monster High , which is the dolls I use to create my customs! I was inspired by Monster High's take on creating fantasy dolls. For example their werewolf girl, Clawdeen Wolf from Monster High , has wolf ears and wolf teeth but human features! I sometimes follow the rules of Monster High's character creations but other times branch off to my own ideas! I wanna say 2014 is when I gave my first crack at customizing a doll! I was inspired by MyFroggyStuff 's MyLittlePony Monster High customs! Of course, the dolls I made were really bad lol! (See image below LOL) Since the beginning I always imagined them being in the same universe as Monster High, so fantasy from the start! It wasn’t until I started getting better, a lot later down the line, where I started making humans! ( Gerard Greytail the Werewolf by Zer0sD0lls ) What inspired you to combine your love of mythical and fantasy creatures with doll customization? Answer: I’m sorry to sound like a broken record but Monster High! It’s fun making fantasy characters especially when customizing! You get to do more wild and wacky things and still have it make sense! ( Zoey Greytail the Werewolf by Zer0sDolls ) When did your interest in fantasy and folklore begin, and how has it influenced your art creations throughout your lifetime? Answer: Hmm, that’s a pretty difficult one-- I think honestly since day 1! I’ve always been more drawn to fantasy because of how unique and different it is. It has influenced a lot of my doll creations! ( Sidney the Werewolf by Zer0sD0lls ) What would you say to someone who thinks dolls / fairy tales aren’t for boys or men? How do you teach others to challenge gender norms and expectations through sharing your love of your hobby with strangers? Have you ever had an experience where another man or boy challenged your hobby but you ended up changing their mind in the end? Answer: I think I would say that’s simply incorrect. Regardless of your gender, you should be able to enjoy whatever it may be, as long as it doesn’t hurt others! I, thankfully, have not had any men criticize my hobby to where I would have to have a conversation like that with them. I did have insecurities when I was younger about my interests because of gender norms, but over the years I’ve gotten very comfortable and happy with my interests and strive to make others feel the same way! ( Omid the Werewolf by Zer0D0lls ) Can you recall a specific moment or experience that sparked your passion for mythical and fantasy characters? Answer: Since a young age, I was always fascinated with mythical and fantasy characters because they are always way more interesting then humans! Lol! ( Enzo the Werewolf by Zer0sD0lls ) What draws you to the world of dolls and miniatures as a means of expressing your creativity? Answer: There’s no rules and endless opportunities! You can use the same base doll multiple times but you can always make them look vastly different from each other. One thing I really love to do with my customs is show my love for tattoos and piercings - another art form in very fond of! ( Blair Greytail the Werewolf by Zer0sD0lls ) Have you always been interested in customizing dolls, or is it something you discovered later on as an adult? What motivated or inspired you to start customizing dolls? Answer: Before I started getting Monster High dolls, I never really thought about customizing my dolls! When I was about 10 and got into Monster High dolls is when I discovered doll customization videos, mainly MyFroggyStuff ! It wasn’t something I was very passionate in until 2016/2017. I made a friend named RoyalChubness on Instagram, and they really pushed me to pursue doll customizing after giving up on it! They are one of my biggest doll customization inspirations! Demon Dolls (Demon Dolls by Zer0sD0lls ) Are there any specific mythical or fantasy creature(s) that have captured your imagination more than others? If so, which one(s) and why? Answer: I really enjoy making werewolves and demons ! I feel like the ears and teeth on werewolf dolls are so much fun to make! For demons, I really enjoy coming up with a backstory for them! I imagine in my doll universe, when they have pink eyes, it’s a sign that they are a demon. For the gruesome looking demon, Lillith, I imagine she’s a very powerful one that has consumed a lot of human souls! ( Lilith The Demon by Zer0sD0lls ) How do you approach the process of transforming a regular doll into a unique fantasy character? Can you walk us through your creative process? Be as vague or descriptive as you feel like being. Answer: It’s kinda weird how the process begins for me! Normally I have an idea prior, if I’m making a fantasy character, but other times they just fall into the fantasy category. I normally start off with the face and hair design to block off the colors and then when the actually customization process begins I decide on fantasy character features, like wolf ears or demon horns! I try to plan out my designs prior but sometimes I let my creativity flow and come up with things on the spot! For wolf ears sometimes I’ll use ears from Monster High dolls that have them or I’ll sculpt them using Apoxie Sculpt. ( Lacey the Demon by Zer0sD0lls ) Do you play with your dolls or just display them? Answer: I don’t play with them anymore. I used to, with my sister, a long time ago! Currently, I display them and also photograph them quite a lot! On rare occasions, I also do stop motion! ( Damon Hearts The Love Demon By Zer0sD0lls ) What challenges do you face when creating custom dolls inspired by fantasy characters, and how do you overcome them? Have you ever messed up a doll so bad you didn’t think it was salvageable? If so, what happened? Answer: Color matching doll bodies has been one of my biggest struggles in doll customization! Some characters require it especially fantasy ones. I like to when I can use different types of doll bodies to add more diversity to my cast of dolls! The one werewolf doll I created, Gerard, got to the point of needing to be redone. I used an Ever After High head and an off-brand doll body! The body was a couple shades lighter then the head and I tried color matching -- it was a disaster to say the least. I genuinely thought he was done for and that there was no way I could fix him. I ended up stepping back from the project for awhile and returned. I had to sand the body down and start from scratch! It all worked out in the end because, now, I absolutely love him! (Gerard's Big Makeover Diaster!) Do you have a favorite doll creation that holds a special place in your heart? If so, could you share the story behind it? Answer: My favorite changes by the week! There is one doll that holds a special place in my heart because of how difficult it was for me to make them. Their name is Mason Archer Finley ! I really wanted to attempt making a human doll using Monster High’s sea monster, Gil Webber . When I started making the concept of the character, I decided I want to make them non-binary. Specifically a masculine non-binary presenting person. I have a friend who is non-binary & masc presenting, and I wanted them to feel seen since there’s not a lot of masculine presenting characters out there. I let my friend name them as well! I’m also just super proud of how they came out, because like I said above, color matching is a very difficult task and I pulled it off pretty well with them! Super duper proud of this custom! (Monster to Human Transformation: Mason Archer Finley by Zer0sD0lls ) How do you select the materials and colors for each custom doll to accurately represent the essence of the fantasy creature it portrays? Do you make custom clothes or upcycle old doll clothes? Answer: It depends on what the character is! For example werewolves, I try to use already existing wolf ears from other dolls. I’ll either paint them or put fur on them. Some instances, though, I do have to sculpt brand new ones! For demons I also sculpt the horns, if they have, with apoxie sculpt! As far as colors I normally have a general idea in my brain as to what colors I wanna use for the character. I then go into a app called Portrait Maker and essentially create the character in the app just to see all the colors and what not together before I proceed with the actual custom doll. Sometimes things change in the process of making the doll! As far as upcycling, I do try to reuse a lot of old items-- mainly old jewelry I love to use to give my custom dolls bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc! ( Max the Demon By Zer0sD0lls ) Are there any specific tools, products, or techniques that you find particularly useful in the customization process? Tell us about them. Answer: Thin paint brushes are an essential to get thin lines with paint. Another very useful item is a kneaded eraser . It helps to shape chalk pastel when you accidentally add too much (used for face-ups and body blushing on doll customs)! ( Grayson the Demon by Zer0sD0lls ) How do you ensure that each custom doll conveys the desired personality and spirit of the mythical or fantasy creature it represents? What is your favorite way to convey personality in your dolls? Answer: I like to use a lot of unnatural colors in the designs! A majority of my customs all have unnatural hair or eye colors. As far as personality, I think it’s mainly all in the brows! If I wanna make a sassy character I try to draw the eyebrows going upwards at the tail and give them a slightly slanted eye! For sweet characters, I bring down the brows closer to the eyes. Ghost Dolls (Ghost dolls by Zer0sD0lls ) What kind of emotions or reactions do you hope to evoke in people when they see your custom dolls? Answer: Although my characters are sometimes mythical fantasy creatures, I still try to bring diversity to them by making them from all different backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, etc. I hope when people see my dolls, that they can see a bit of themselves in them and resonate with them! I hope that they make people happy! ( Yasmine the Ghost by Zer0sD0lls ) Are there any specific doll customization projects or collaborations that you dream of undertaking in the future? Answer: I would love to be a part of a collab revolving around alternative fashion! Dyed hair, piercings, tattoos, baggy pants with straps, big boots! It’s personally one of my favorite aesthetics and I’d love to see a lot of artists takes on the style! I would also love to be in a collab for horror characters! ( Jahan the Ghost by Zer0sD0lls ) What advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting their own journey in custom doll creation, particularly in the realm of fantasy characters? Answer: In all honesty it’s a tricky hobby to get into at first but never give up! Remember , you can always wipe the doll clean and start new! Be patient, and give yourself credit when it’s due! It took me 3 years to finally like the dolls I was making! I couldn’t even imagine being where I am, currently, with my dolls. For making fantasy characters, just have fun with it! Use whacky colors, go crazy! The more you let yourself be creative, the more fun you will have and the doll will be amazing! ( Daisy the Ghost by Zer0sDolls ) How do you stay motivated and inspired to keep creating new and unique custom dolls in the midst of challenges or creative blocks? Answer: That’s definitely a tricky tricky thing! I feel like I get bursts every so often to create a bunch of dolls then feel pooped out for a bit after. Watching other dolls customizers create inspires me a lot when I get into those burnout funks! Another big thing is music! I can’t tell you how many times a specific song will inspire me to create a doll! For example, the song "Ghost" by Krewella was the main inspiration behind my dolls Yasmine and Jahan ! Their names are also inspired by the 2 artists behind that song! Random Mythical Creatures (Miscellaneous Mythical Characters by Zer0sD0lls ) (Image Top: Throck the Gay Blue Orc Warrior by Zer0sDolls ) (Image Bottom: Lapin the Winter Bunny Girl by Zer0sDolls ) Have you ever had any interesting encounters or interactions with fellow doll enthusiasts or collectors who share your passion for fantasy characters? Answer: Yes! multiple! I’ve been in 2 doll collabs to create mythical characters. One being a Gay Blue Orc Warrior and the other being a Winter Bunny girl (pictured)! Have you ever received any heartwarming or memorable feedback from someone who connected deeply with one of your custom dolls? If so, could you share that experience? Answer: Yes, a couple times, actually! One of them being my friend who I mentioned before about my Non-Binary character, Mason. One that comes to mind is my werewolf character Enzo. There’s not a lot of male dolls out there, let alone with vitiligo. A podcast reached out to me about him because they were so blown away by seeing a male doll with vitiligo and that moment right there made me feel so happy and proud that they were so happy to see him! ( Enzo the Werewolf once again because we love him! Customized by Zer0sD0lls ) What role do you see your custom doll creations playing in the larger world of fantasy and mythology enthusiasts? Answer: I hope my dolls show that there’s room for everyone to be represented in the fantasy mythology world, regardless their race, sexuality or gender! No one should ever be excluded from something for being different! (#MerMay Mermaid Custom Doll made in May 2023 by Zer0sD0lls ) Are there any upcoming art projects, fantasy dolls, or collections that you're currently working on or planning for the near future? Answer: Yes, actually! I have a new werewolf character planned! She will be very punk-heavy! Her main color scheme is neon green and will have neon green braids and green graphic eyeliner to match! I can’t wait to get her finished! ( Arion the Vampire by Zer0sD0lls here's a before and after of a makeover too) What are your thoughts on the potential educational or cultural value of custom dolls inspired by mythical and fantasy creatures? Answer: I think that’s awesome! It’s always great to learn new things and experience new cultures via mythical/fantasy dolls and other things! ( Zarina the Alien by Zer0sD0lls ) Lastly, do you have any advice for folks who want to get into doll customizing but are scared or intimidated by the skill level of most others in the hobby? Answer: I know it can be scary and intimidating, but it’s always worth a try! It may take awhile to get to a point where you like your customs but it will happen! I highly suggest watching a lot of doll customizers on YouTube to help you figure out what your style is and what materials you want to use! Some people use a bunch of materials and others just use acrylic paint. It’s all about preference! But always always remember, water down your paint, and don’t be too hard on yourself! Thank you so much for having me be a part of the FairyFindr Fam! ❤️ ~Zer0sD0lls ( Lance the Faun - a deer/human hybrid) by Zer0sD0lls ) ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 Please leave a comment or message below and let us know how YOU  got started in your magical or fairy related artwork or creative avenues! We can’t wait to hear your stories!! If you want to be a part of the blog and do your own magical interview of your dreams. Please feel free to find all our links on our LinkTree  or connect on our FairyFindr Website , OR email me at FairyFindr@gmail.com   May The Mythical Creatures Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr  // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

The OOAK Doll Wizard, Oz. Welcome back FairyFindr Fam , As you know, in this family we celebrate all identities, genders, sexualities, and minorities and June is Pride Month , so I have be featuring several artists and businesses that are Queer/Trans owned! Today we will be meeting my friend Oz, @Jupiter_City_Limits on Instagram. He’s the only other trans man I know of in the doll and miniatures community, and his friendship is precious and sacred to me! His art is incredible and inspires me in ways I never thought possible. In this blog post we will learn about Oz, his art and inspirations, and showcase some of his fantasy art and dolls! Come along, FairyFindrs , and you’ll learn about how imagination and fantasy inspires folks of all kinds, including our friend Oz. Hello friend, thank you for joining the FairyFindr Fam ! Please start off with your chosen and/or Art name, pronouns, how you identify on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, country or state where you’re from-( or about to live if you want), and a bit about yourself as an artist. Also include any contact info, social links, and websites you want to include here (if any other than your instagram that I’ve already tagged you in). Answer : Thanks for the invitation to be on your blog! My name is Oz, my pronouns are he/they and I'm a 39 year old nonbinary trans man. On Instagram I'm jupiter_city_limits and on YouTube, I'm the Strange Toy box . I live in the USA and will soon be moving to Brooklyn, New York. I'm a self taught doll and toy artist and I've been making custom dolls of various types for 18 years. What drew you to the world of fantasy and folklore as a source of inspiration for your artwork and doll creations? Answer : It started when I was three years old and we rented the movie Labyrinth from the local video store. I was instantly obsessed! All the beautiful and frightening creatures set my imagination on fire in the best possible way. There was a behind the scenes doc after the movie where they showed all the artists and puppeteers creating those creatures and bringing them to life. I thought, If they knew how to do it, maybe someday I could learn to create visual magic like that as well. How do you incorporate elements of fantasy, magic, and folklore into your dolls and other artwork? Answer : I enjoy creating creatures that feel extremely human, but possess some type of in-human or supernatural features. Sometimes those features are subtle and sometimes they're just right out there in your face. I also try to give all my art a cartoony vibe, even when I create something that's ultra realistic. (This is Jinx . He's an elf I made from a vinyl reborn doll kit that I painted, rooted the hair/dreadlocks and installed the eyes. He's around 40" tall and I used realism techniques to paint him) As a trans man, how does your identity influence your perspective on being a man in the fantasy world? Have you faced any unique challenges or experiences as a trans man in the fantasy art community? How have you navigated them? Answer : To answer this I'll bring it back to Labyrinth. While the human girl Sarah was the main character, the goblin king, played by David Bowie was the centerpiece of that entire fantastical universe. So for me, men and masculinity in general were always an integral part of the presentation of a fantasy world. I started going to Renaissance Faires at the age of 14 and saw an equal number of both women and men in fantasy costumes selling beautiful handmade dragon puppets, which were incidentally sculpted by a man who worked for Jim Henson (creator of The Muppets and Fraggle Rock ). In regards to challenges I've faced in communities, well, I'm not in many of those. I'm a bit of a recluse and a solitary person, even online, so I can't really speak on that at the moment. (An experimental mixed-media puppet. His head is needle felted acrylic fiber from yarn and his limbs are flexible clay over wire) How do you approach representing gender diversity in your dolls and artwork? Answer : Even when I was little, I always wanted male dolls. It was easy to find a Barbie or one of many other female dolls. There weren't many options back in the 90's but when I returned to doll collecting and began my customizing journey in 2005, there was more than just Ken dolls on the market. Now in 2023, I am able to customize dolls of any gender, shape, or size. ( Zod , an Ant-Human hybrid, is one of the top five Assassins in Jupiter City, 3 years running.) Can you share some examples of how you've incorporated your personal experiences or journey as a trans man into your artwork or doll creations? Answer : I've only made one transmasc doll at this point. I put a lot of love and effort into sculpting his top surgery scars and I'm proud of how they turned out. That's really the only time so far I've made a very clearly trans doll. Many of my cis presenting male dolls still possess elements of queerness that reflect my journey through masculinity. ( Vaille (they/he), an interdimensional Transmasc Non-Binary character with custom top surgery scars sculpted with epoxy) What kind of messages or emotions do you aim to convey through your fantasy dolls and artwork? Answer : Joy and happiness. Seeing people smile when they see my work is my greatest goal in life. Even if the piece conveys an emotion like sadness, people still smile because they didn't realize dolls could be art, and that delights them. I love that. (My newest custom doll creation, a creepy clown boy, Guts the Clown - a character by @grunkleguts on Twitter) How do you choose the materials, colors, and details for your dolls to bring them to life in a fantastical way? Answer : It all depends on the doll and what kind of story I'm trying to convey. I always start with a good base doll. And I'll research that for hours. It has to be the perfect body type for the character. Frequently I buy heads separately so I get exactly what I need. When painting, I like to use as many colors as possible, both to give the illusion of depth and because it just makes everything feel more chaotic and alive. I try to add shimmer powder anywhere I can. I'm also a huge fan of sculpting horns onto things. (Fantasy reborn baby dolls are a specialty of mine. I root the hair with three hairs at a time using a sharp needle.) Have you found any particular folklore or mythological stories that resonate strongly with you, and if so, how have they influenced your creations? Answer : I've always loved North American cryptids . I found learning United States history to be so boring as a kid, but the only thing that made it bearable was being able to write reports or give presentations on whatever cryptid was from the region. The Sasquatch was always my favorite. In the 80's and 90's there was an abundance of documentaries dissecting shaky camcorder footage and bigfoot hunting shows. I was obsessed. (The pink bellied Sasquatch is native to the Northern regions. Here we see a male of the species, as exemplified with his stunning rainbow furs) Are there any specific techniques or processes you use when creating your custom dolls and artwork that you'd like to share? Answer : I use a lot of epoxy for sculpting any additions like horns. I tend to use more pan pastel than paint, and if I do use paint I add highlight and shadow with pastels. I set color with Mr. Super Clear or sometimes I'll use air dry reborn doll vinyl sealer. (If I can tie dye a doll body, I will. And of course paint the rest of the doll to match) How do you balance the line between traditional fantasy themes and creating inclusive representations in your art? Answer : That's something I've, at times, had to put conscious effort into. I've spent the better part of 3 decades existing in mostly hetero-normative spaces and I hadn't realized that my doll art/collection was reflecting that. It's only since I've gotten back into ⅙ scale (like Barbie and Ken) dolls that there's obvious diversity. (Mosquito, the ball jointed fairy) Can you talk about any memorable or meaningful reactions you've received from people who have interacted with your dolls or seen your artwork? Answer : I tend to get more reaction to pictures of my doll than the actual dolls themselves, since I can't take them everywhere with me. This gets some great reactions. I recently took some pictures of an extremely realistic clown doll (pictured below) I had made in a sideshow dollhouse room. I showed them to a friend of mine who works at an actual sideshow and she thought it was one of the performers wearing a new wig and makeup! (A transformed child's dollhouse room can become anything. Even a late night smokey sideshow) Do you have any upcoming projects or ideas that you're excited to explore within the realm of fantasy art and doll making? Answer : I have been working on a custom Blythe Doll/ Furby hybrid. Blythe is a very unique doll with a large following all over the world and I've made more custom Blythes than any other type of doll I've ever worked with. I think I truly found my artistic voice through her. She's like a blank canvas. I wanted to make a new doll for Blythecon this year and decided to get real weird with it. I epoxied a scaled down 3d printed furby beak onto a Blythe face and I'm going to cover it in fur and add big ears. I'm also going to put the head onto an LOL OMG Fierce doll body. The tall voluptuous body with super long legs is really going to elevate the whole thing to a level of camp that I hope will amuse the hell out of everybody. (Jax the troll enjoys a stroll along the shoreline) Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring artists, particularly those who may be part of underrepresented communities, looking to express themselves through fantasy art and miniature creations? Answer : Don't judge your art. Of course you're going to have your opinions, feelings, thoughts, revisions, edits etc about your work, but don't sit in judgment of it. (Headless reanimated corpses often find pumpkins to be ideal replacement craniums) Well damn, FairyFindr Fam , I dunno about you, but I'm absolutely BLOWN AWAY by Oz and the characters of Jupiter City. His art and story telling is top-notch and I'm so glad I found him among the sea of craziness on the internet. His art inspires me just as much as his friendship does! Go drop by on Instagram or YouTube and say Hi! Tell him Alex the FairyFindr sent you and he'll grant you a wish, he is the Wizard, Oz, after all! May the Fairies + Fantasy Friends Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

Welcome back, FairyFindrs today you’ll be joining us as we explore the creative world of themed fairy gardens ! These delightfully thought out and decorated creations offer an opportunity to unleash your imagination and design skills on a miniature world that reflects your own unique and personal style. In this post, we will dive into the vast world of opportunities when it comes to themed fairy gardens and explore how you can craft your very own one-of-a-kind masterpiece RIGHT NOW! (Spring / Easter Themed -A themed section of my front yard Fairy Garden - The Town of Marvelous Magical Miniatures) Unleashing Creativity: Themed fairy gardens provide a canvas for you to let your creativity run wild. From theme-inspired miniature houses to whimsical fantasy landscapes, the possibilities are endless! To start, you must choose a theme that resonates with you and sparks your imagination. Whether it's a Pirate and Mermaid themed, beach, a mystical fairy tale garden with your favorite characters in mini figure or toy form enacting scenes from the movies or your imagination, or even a DINOSAUR garden with little toy dinosaurs doing different things in their garden, let your creativity flow, and follow wherever it leads as you envision your miniature landscapes and storylines! (Mermaid / Beach Themed: A mermaid themed section of my front yard Fairy Garden at my old house- Ye Olde Towne of Marvelous Magical Miniatures) Personal Expression: One of the most captivating aspects of themed fairy gardens is the ability to infuse them with your personal style and interests. You can incorporate things that reflect your passions and hobbies or your fave movies or toys or superheroes. Are you a lover of books? Create a fantasy character themed fairy garden with miniatures of your favorite fantasy characters and make or buy little miniature accessories that go along with that theme. Embrace your cultural heritage by designing a garden that pays homage to your family and cultural roots. By keeping these things in mind when brainstorming and planning your themed fairy gardens, the finished piece becomes a reflection of who you are, making it truly unique and special in more ways than one. (A few of our dinosaur friends in the Town of Marvelous Magical Miniatures Fairy Garden, First one is my current fairy garden, second one is Trice the T-Rex in our old fairy garden!) Endless Themes and Inspirations: Themed fairy gardens offer a vast array of themes to explore. Whether you're drawn to magical creatures like unicorns and dragons or you prefer a serene and minimalistic Zen garden, there is a theme out there for everyone! Draw inspiration from nature, seasons, folklore, movies, or even your favorite books. With each theme, you unlock a new world of possibilities and embark on a journey of imagination. (A few of my meditating figurines, I have several skeletons doing different yoga poses too, I always have a meditation and yoga themed section of my fairy garden.) DIY Magic: Creating your own themed fairy garden is a delightful Do-It-Yourself project. It doesn't require a large space or an extravagant budget (many of my fairy garden finds are from the thrift store, dollar store, or vintage shops). Start by selecting a suitable container or a dedicated outdoor spot. Gather miniature accessories like tiny fairy figurines, toys, Action figures, miniature furniture, rocks, plants, and other unique elements that go along with your theme. Let the creativity flow through you as your hands work their magic, designing and arranging your miniature worlds! (Pirate themed decor in the Aquarium section at Meijer - this decor is already made to be waterproof and perfect for outdoor fairy gardens!) Attention to Detail: What sets themed fairy gardens apart is the attention to detail. Paying attention to the small nuances and intricacies that being your gardens to life. Add tiny pathways, miniature fences, and whimsical signs. Include natural materials like moss, rocks, stones, and sticks to create an authentic and organic feel. Fairies love to create beautiful things out of trash or discarded materials or natural materials. So go on a mini scavenger hunt before you start, you’ll be surprise what you can find in your own neighborhoods and backyards! Every detail contributes to the enchantment and uniqueness of your themed fairy gardens. 🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨ Fairy Garden Themes Amusement Park Garden Christmas Village / Winter Wonderland Camping Garden Concert / Music Themed Dinosaur / Dragon Garden Easter / Spring Theme Gnome Garden Fall Y’all / Autumn Themed Garden Beach / Mermaid / Pirate Themed Garden Seashell Shacks Monster Garden Mythical Creature / Cryptids Garden (Bigfoot, Mothman, Werewolves, etc) Mushroom Garden Unicorn Garden Armored Knights / Medieval Castle / Fighting the Dragon Garden Racecar / Racetrack for Micro RC cars Star Wars Garden Spooky Season Skeleton Halloween Mini Cemetary Garden Zombie Garden Ghost and Ghouls Garden Witchy Mini Garden Traintrack Garden Zoo / Jungle Themed Garden 🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨ Themed fairy gardens are a gateway to a world where imagination knows no boundaries. They allow you to express your creativity with personal touches and immerse yourself in a magical realm of your very own. With countless themes and inspirations to choose from, you can create a one-of-a-kind fairy garden to be truly proud of. So, go on now, FairyFindrs , gather your supplies and let your imagination run wild, step into the enchanting world of themed fairy gardens— your miniature masterpiece awaits! May the fairies bless you, 🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️✨🧚‍♂️ Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures (Repost from my Tumblr June 1, 2023)

🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴 Welcome back FairyFindrs , today is a repost from my Tumblr about me and my wife's trip to Canterbury Village for the Dino + Dragon Stroll! ! (A photoshopped image of Skyrah breaking out of one of the giant dino egg photo ops at the Dino + Dragon Stroll!) May 27th was me and my wife Skyrah ’s 7 year wedding anniversary and we are both HUGGGGGGGE dinosaur fans so we gladly signed up to go on the Dino+Dragon Stroll at Canterbury Village and it was the most magical experience, honestly! There was such good and positive vibes, it wasn’t overcrowded, and the animatronics were great :) it was fun to get somewhat of a sense of what some of the dinosaurs might have looked like! My fave ones were the giant bird-dinosaurs with feathers and wings or the furry ones like this guy below, the Troodontidae ! (A furry dinosaur called the Troodontidae !) Isn’t it crazy to think that alligators, crocodiles , and many birds like chickens are being scientifically proven to have descended from dinosaurs, or at least extremely close relatives to the dinosaurs. Really puts things into perspective. The was my first time going to see any animatronic dinosaurs, and even as an adult, it was truly magical and captivating in every single way! They were HUGE, they moved, and even made sounds! I felt connected to them in a way I’ve never felt before and it was amazing to feel like if I closed my eyes I could imagine being back in time and hanging out with the dinosaurs like it was normal everyday life! 😂😂 (Alex the FairyFindr holding the hand and looking up at one of the dinosaur animatronics) The village wasn’t too crowded, they sold tickets for certain time slots so the crowds weren’t overwhelming, and it was honestly really nice. My wife and I don’t have kids, and we were a little nervous before coming out that we might be the only adults there, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. There was people of all ages and cultures and backgrounds, it was truly beautiful to see everyone coming together to enjoy and marvel about something more ancient and giant than us and our human lives. (Two T-rex dinos in an argument, along with a dino egg photo op in the foreground) I’ve been obsessed with dragons and dinosaurs ever since I was a little kid! I played with my little Dino and dragon toys probably more than any other toys I had! That pure sense of wonder and imagination of what it would be like to be a dinosaur or dragon captives my imagination still to this day! (Alex the FairyFindr poses with the "rock on" hand symbols in front of a two-headed Dragon in the Dragon Stroll part of the Dino + Dragon Stroll) Halfway through the stroll, we stumbled upon an amazing little shop inside of Canterbury Village called Down The Rabbit Hole , and I just have to say, it instantly gave me a whole VIBE! I saw the word “fairies” in the window and just knew I had to go in! As soon as I walked in, I was instantly moved by how beautiful and ethereal the essence of the shop was. There was something magical, beautiful, or unique at every twist and turn! My fave were the black fairies, there’s a huge lack of diversity in the fairytale community, more so throughout history, but black folks are beginning to reclaim fairy tales for themselves by retelling them with black characters, themes, and stories, and I’m HERE👏FOR👏IT! # BLACKFAIRIESMATTER The shop owner, Amanda, was extremely kind, thoughtful, and helpful while my wife and I browsed around. We ended up connecting over our shared love of fairies, fairy gardens, and fairy tales, and I’ll be interviewing her soon for a deep dive on the Down The Rabbit Hole gift shop! ( A blue and grey dragon in the Dragon Stroll portion of the event) At the end of the Dino & Dragon Stroll there were tons of really cool vendors and artists that sold various goods including dinosaur and dragon themed goods- lots of 3D Printed dragon art sculptures which were amazing! I even got myself this adorable 3D printed dragon wand that looks like Spyro the Dragon! (Alex the FairyFindr with his Spyro the Dragon wand from one of the vendors at the Dino+Dragon Stroll) I can’t wait to come back next year, and maybe even be a vendor with my weird dinosaur dolls, custom painted minis, customized toy castles, and dinosaur fairy gardens! Who knows- the future is MAGICAL! ✨✨✨✨ 🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴🦖🦕🌿🌴 May The Dinos & Dragons Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

As a thank you for featuring Gnomes That Need A Home on my blog, my friend Karl sent me 4 poured concrete gnomes that he made and painted himself! Two of them are for me to keep, (the bondage gnome and the accidental trans flag colored gnome that he meant to be "spring colors" but I love that they are the trans flag colors) and two of them are for me to leave behind for some other lucky gnome lover to find-- I think I might stick one of them in a tree in my neighborhood! (4 handmade gnomes from Karl-- Gnomes That Need A Home -- posing in the Town of Marvelous Magical Miniatures!!) (More photos of them posing together in the fairy garden) (The gent that is going to stay in the Town of Marvelous Magical Miniatures) (Hanging out with a few other members of the Town of Marvelous Magical Miniatures!) ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 Please leave a comment or message below and let us know how YOU  got started in your magical or fairy related artwork or creative avenues! We can’t wait to hear your stories!! If you want to be a part of the blog and do your own magical interview of your dreams. Please feel free to find all our links on our LinkTree  or connect on our FairyFindr Website , OR email me at FairyFindr@gmail.com   May the fae bless you, Alex the FairyFindr  // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

I made an accidental bonsai tree when I left this moss and bark and stuff in the cat litter box all winter since last fall and this stick grew into a mini bonsai tree 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿 (A miniature tree that grew inside the bucket all winter, from Fall 2022-Spring 2023 it was left to its own devices and it grew spontaneously out of the moss and leaves and dirt that was in there) (What the plant growth inside the bucket looked like when I opened it up!) (Close ups of the mini tree newly transplanted into the fairy garden) (Another view of inside the bucket after the natural matter sat for a whole winter inside the bucket) May The Tree Fairies Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

Throwback to 3 years ago at Crosswinds Marsh Nature Preserve enjoying the 🦋 Butterfly Garden 🦋 with my mom who loves nature and butterflies as much as I do, thanks to her mother. Grandma used to take us to butterfly gardens and conservatories all the time before she passed away several years ago. 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 May the Butterflies Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

LGBTQ+ Artist Spotlight Welcome back FairyFindrs ! Today’s PRIDE MONTH feature will be the last one, seeing as today is the last day of June. In this blog post we will meet and learn about my friends over at Windy Woods Designs ! I met them 2 or 3 years ago at the first ever annual Hazel Park Pride, and their company always stuck with me. Their artwork is unique and colorful and whimsical in every way. Their whole shop centers around cryptids, mythological creatures and beings, and Magic. You can follow along with their magical journey on Instagram and other sites- visit their LinkTree here to see ! (Tyler + Freyja being stalked by the one and only Michigan Dogman!) Hello, thank you two for joining us on our FairyFindr blog today, please start by introducing yourselves(names & pronouns if you want) and please tell us a bit about yourselves and how you started Windy Woods Designs? Also leave any places(if any) you’d like people to connect other than your Instagram and LinkTree already linked above. Answer : We're Tyler (he/they) and Freyja (they/them) , partners in love and art! We met about 10 years ago in the convention scene while running our own booths. Tyler based out of Michigan and Freyja based out of Connecticut. Eventually, Freyja moved to Michigan. We reconnected and the rest is history. As a queer + trans owned small business, what unique challenges have you faced in the business world? Answer : In current times, our biggest issue is trying to keep informed about all of the wild anti-trans/anti-LGBTQIA+ laws that keep cropping up. We travel for a living, so trying to stay safe in red states is always a bit nerve wracking. Our rights can change several times on the way to a show. ( Mothman Sticker - designed by Freyja) How has your identity influenced the overall vision, values, and direction of Windy Woods Designs ? Answer: Our art can be funny and hedonistic…but at its core it is a strong expression of catharsis. Our art that centers around our queerness tends to be focused on venting our frustrations as trans artists. (This Nessie Ness-Tea design was sketched out during a late night art jam over messenger when we lived in separate households in 2018. Freyja was having a bit of an art block so we worked off the prompt " tiny cryptids”.) What inspired you to create a business centered around folklore and magic themes? Answer : One could argue that camping, queerness, and cryptids/magic/folklore creatures are very strongly connected. We think cryptids and the unknown really speak to that feeling of being the " other " or different. But instead of being scared or shamed… we just fully embrace it proudly. It's like a reclamation. How do elements of witchcraft, magic, and folklore inspire your art, business, and decisions when it comes to Windy Woods Designs ? Answer : We are always looking to nature; human, animal, or otherwise for inspiration. We love that feeling of whimsy, mischief, and curiosity that magic adds to everything. ( " The Hatman is my all time favorite cryptid. Mothman is a close second. I've loved them both since I was a kid." - Freyja ) Why do you think these themes resonate with your customers and the LGBTQ+ community? Answer : The idea of being the "other" can be very unifying when you stop being scared or ashamed and just wear it out proudly. We feel the connection between queer culture and bizarre or mysterious is more of a celebration of being unique . We're here for that celebration. ("Sometimes you need to draw something motivational. Sometimes you need to draw something that's creepy. We draw what we are feeling for the most part. " - Tyler - Pillows for sale at Ferndale Pride) In what ways has your queer and trans identity influenced your creative process? Answer : Being queer (and especially trans), you have to really spend time with that person in the mirror. When you start working on understanding yourself, you start building a strong sense of empathy for others. Your quest for found family and community will expose you and open your heart to so many different ways of existing in this world. I feel having a strong sense of empathy and understanding really makes for more relatable art. Have you faced any adversity, pushback, or lost opportunities specifically because of the magic or paranormal aspects of your art? Answer : We've been very lucky and the occult or magic themed work doesn't really get pushback. However, the censorship of our queer focused art on social media has been very frustrating. ( Not Deer - a mythological 3-eyed deer creature with a unicorn horn Designed by Windy Woods Designs ) How do you navigate the balance between expressing your authentic selves and appealing to a broader audience, if at all? Answer : We don't really censor ourselves too much. If we have any questions about any particular work, we have trusted artist friends in the community we reach out to. Can you share a specific moment when Windy Woods Designs made a positive impact on someone from the LGBTQ+ community? Share any stories or moments where someone deeply connected to your artwork and shared the experience with you. Answer : Our booths are always a safe space for fellow queer folks. We love that we can bring catharsis to folks who visit our booth and really connect to our work. We love having genuine exchanges with customers where they feel safe and open enough to vent about stressful situations or shitty bosses. (Several pins set up in the Windy Woods Designs booth at Ferndale Pride 2023) What role do you believe small queer-owned businesses play in empowering the LGBTQ+ community? Answer : In a time where big corporations feel that it's okay to profit off of the community while simultaneously donating to political organizations that fight against us….it's VERY important to support your local queer owned businesses . We give back to the community, we boost the community, we protect, and work for the community. How have you seen the representation of queer and trans individuals evolve in the art and business industry over the years? Answer : So many of our peers are some form of queer. I think, as queer people, we tend to get pushed out of the corporate world if we don't fully fit the mold society expects of us. So many of us turn to the arts. It's society's loss, honestly. We'll forge our own paths, just like we always have. ("This design was born from frustration and a need for catharsis amongst the siblings" - Freyja - This sticker is currently SOLD OUT, but you can buy a Cis Nonsense T-shirt Here ) What advice would you give to other queer and trans individuals looking to start their own businesses? Answer : Find your local queer community and work within it. Support and give love to those communities and you'll find they'll support you back. Also, only create authenticity. Make art you enjoy making. You'll find your audience in time. Be patient with yourself. Are there any particular fairy tales or folklore that hold a special place in your heart and inspire your creations? Answer : We love cryptids and folklore. We think the best of humanity comes from its storytelling. Mothman and Hatman , are obviously, our favorites. (Freyja's loved the Hatman since they were a kid. This meme was too funny not to recreate with our version of the Hatman -- Buy this Hatman design on a t-shirt her e!!) How do you ensure your products are accessible and welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds? Answer : We make an effort to fully research any folklore we pull inspiration from and we also frequently dive into our own cultural backgrounds to find inspiration. With our full portrait and pin-up works, we love drawing a variety of different bodies, identities, and skin colors. Have you witnessed any misconceptions or stereotypes about queer and trans small business owners that you'd like to address? Answer : This might shock some folks, but transmen are allowed to sew . People are always surprised that Tyler is the main sewist. Misogyny is wild. In what ways do you celebrate Pride Month and engage with the LGBTQ+ community as part of Windy Woods Designs ? Answer : We try to go to as many Pride events as we possibly can. We also frequently share and promote other Pride events to help boost the community and pull us all together. We are stronger together. (" Campfire Creatures " is our cryptid line. The ones you see here are A Grey and the Not Deer ) Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're particularly excited about? Answer : We have two Kickstarters coming up! One in mid-July themed around Halloween. It'll feature a whole mess of spooky pins! And in mid September we'll be launching our Aurora Shores Plush Kickstarter. This will feature Ikarus a Raven Witch, Cosmo a Constellation Weaving Spider, and Barnibus a Shadow Cat Cryptid in training. (We will update links for these Kickstarters as they become available!) What steps do you take to support and uplift other queer and trans artists in the industry? Answer : We love our fellow queer artists fiercely. If they're at an event with us, we will promote them alongside us. If they have a big project coming, we will always share, donate, and promote! We love supporting our fellows! (Freyja's been obsessed with the Mothman since childhood. They've been wanting to get this plush made since 2007 and now he's a reality! He actually squeaks just like a real moth can, and that is included in Mothman's lore!) What future goals do you have for Windy Woods Designs , both as a business and as a platform for queer, trans, and magical representation? Answer : We eventually want to own a space that would allow other queer artists a safe, fair, and whimsical place to display and sell their work. Maybe refurbish an old motel and make each room shop? Maybe make one of the rooms a workshop area to teach folks different art skills? It's a bit of a pipe dream, but it would be incredible. Lastly, what message or advice do you have for individuals who find inspiration in your story and art? Answer: Make art. even if it's bad. Just keep drawing. put your emotions in it. pain, joy, hunger, laughter, frustration…. don't be afraid to embrace your emotions and put them in your art. (A Mushroom Fairy- Purple Mushkin Mushroom Enamel Pin ) Fellow FairyFindrs , I’m so glad you could join us today for our last , but not least , PRIDE MONTH Artist Spotlight ! Go say "hey" and follow my friends Tyler and Freyja at Windy Woods Designs , and tell them Alex the FairyFindr sent ya! May Mothman and Hatman Bless You, Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

Thank you for your return, FairyFindrs ! Today we will discover the enchanting work of a wonderful Mother-Son fairy garden duo from Austin, Texas! I came across their profile on Instagram while looking for cool fairy garden folks to follow, and boy did they DELIVER! This blog post is an interview with the creative duo, Danielle and Cole! We will learn more about how they got started making fairy gardens in their neighborhood and got tons of other local folks involved! You can follow along with their journey on Instagram at @travelingfairiesatx and on TikTok by the same name! (QR codes at the end of the blog post!) Please begin by introducing yourselves, age(s) if you want, and a little bit of background on you two, when you became interested in fairies and folklore, and what was it that inspired you two to finally create your own fairy gardens in your front yard? Feel free to both leave your own separate answers if you want for all or any of the questions! (A few questions just for Cole at the end!) Answer (Cole) : My name is Cole and I am 10 years old. I got into fairy gardening because of my mom. When she wanted to make a fairy garden in the front yard and I wanted to help. The little world we created looked really cool when we were done and I wanted to do more. Answer (Danielle) : Hello fellow fairy garden lovers. Danielle is my name and fairy garden creating is my game. Well, not really. I have a full-time work from home job in Cyber Security that allows me to use my spare time raising Cole and for my passion of fairy gardens. A few years ago, I went to a local water garden center and they had a fairy garden display in the center of their large space and I fell in love. The mix of the plants integrated in with this magical scene with such detail had me hooked. I knew I had to start a fairy garden in my yard. What inspired you to turn it into a neighborhood community project? Answer (Danielle) : Our neighbors ended up loving the seasonal fairy gardens I created and would come take pictures next to the gardens with their kids. Some kids would beg their parents to go on walks just so they can see the garden. From there it expanded into 2 areas in my front yard. One area changes with the seasons (Spring, Summer, Halloween, Christmas, special focus like Alice in Wonderland, and more). The other is the Smurf garden that Cole created and I helped build out a bit more. After a few months, I found my neighbors would “donate” to the garden with little notes including houses, fences, doors, etc. but they never left their names. It was quite sweet of them. Can you tell us more about the traveling fairies in pots and how that idea developed? Answer (Danielle) : Sure. A few neighbors mentioned they would love to have a garden of their own. Some didn’t want the outdoor maintenance so I came up with the idea of fairy gardens in a pot I could sell/give them for gifts. They ended up spreading the word and that is how we started getting commissions. The name just made sense since the fairies “travel” where ever they go. (Custom fairy garden with pond using faux plants. $45 sold) What materials do you typically use to create your fairy gardens? Answer (Danielle): Pots of all kinds (plastic, ceramic, metal, glass, pottery, teacups, tin cases), Dirt, various small and medium sized rocks, small shells, polymer clay, sand (black, white, and tan) moss, resin bridges, crystal beads for the fairy wands, wood chips, twigs, ladybugs, various animal creatures, and of course fairies . Museum wax to hold down and keep in place some of the smaller pieces and Gorilla Glue and Krazy Glue when putting together woodland items. No fairy garden is the same. Are there any specific challenges you face when making the fairy gardens? Answer: (Cole): Getting to the supplies I want before my mom uses them! Answer (Danielle): Now that we plan to sell at our local markets, I am finding transporting them challenging and will have to come up with ways to keep the gardens in place not only to sell but to make it easier for those who buy them. I want to be sure they love the garden when it gets “home”. (Danielle and Cole at the Georgetown Texas Poppy Festival 2023.) How do you decide on the themes for each fairy garden? Answer (Cole) : I just finished my first, all my design and creation fairy garden in a terrarium. (pictured below) I saw the wood base with the glass top and it just came to me. I wanted a small house on a hill with water and a bridge. It had to look “woody”. Then as I began to create, the rest just came to me. It was really fun and it will be hard to sell. I love it so much. Answer (Danielle) : The pot really dictates what I can do with the garden. I usually see a design anytime I look at the pot. At least the start of one then it grows as I work with it, Sometimes it goes the woodsy route, other times beachy. I just have fun with it. My problem is buying too many cute things to add to the garden ;) (Pictured: Lighted fairy garden terrarium 100% designed and created by Cole. - FOR SALE $100) Do you have a favorite fairy garden that you've created so far? Answer (Cole) : The terrarium one I did by myself. Answer (Danielle) : The Alice in Wonderland garden I did in my yard. It was my first time using polymer clay and it was so much fun learning a new skill. Took me months to make and/or find the pieces I needed. I was so proud of it at the end. (Above 2 Pictures: Alice in Wonderland fairy garden in home landscaping . This gets changed out each season with a new theme.) How do you involve the community in your own project? What’s your fave part of that? Answer (Danielle) : When I catch someone out front, I ask them what they think, what they would like to see next. I am planning a fairy garden workshop in the fall and I will invite the neighborhood. Have you received any memorable feedback or reactions from the community about your fairy gardens? Answer (Cole) : People always ask me how long it takes and where we got the materials. Answer (Danielle) : I had one person who was part of our neighborhood Facebook group who moved but they drove back to the neighborhood just to see the new fairy garden after I posted it. That comment really made me feel good. She said to never stop doing it because it brings her back to her childhood and it was magical. I cried a little and gave her a hug. Do you offer any workshops or tutorials for people who want to create their own fairy gardens? Answer (Danielle) : Not yet but I plan to have one in the fall with fairy garden making or fairy accessory making. I haven’t decided yet. (Woodland harp and music sheet stand. FOR SALE- $25 ) What do you enjoy most about working on this project as a mother and son team? Answer (Cole) : That I get to do it with my mom! Answer (Danielle) : Cheesy but my answer is the same. It’s a time where we feed off of each others ideas. Cole really has some great ones that I wouldn’t have thought of. I hope I also pass on basic design frameworks so he can design on his own as well. My time with him is precious. How has this project brought you closer together? Answer (Cole) : We are close already but this is a time where it is just me and mom. I love it! Answer (Danielle) : He is just too sweet. Cole for sure is a “momma’s boy” but in a good way. We really enjoy each others company and have fun no matter what we are doing. This is another outlet for us to do fun things together. Have you encountered any unexpected challenges along the way? How did you overcome them? Answer (Danielle) : Finding out how to start and run a business has been challenging. The next challenge will be setting up local markets in the fall. My friend Heather @unearthedatx has been a great resource and wonderful friend. Answering all my questions and even showcasing our creations @austingiftcompany until August. I can’t thank her enough! (Woodland fairy miniature bookcase with aura crystal and Dalmatian Jasper mushroom. - FOR SALE $35 ) What impact do you hope your fairy gardens have on the community? Answer (Danielle) : My main goal is to bring a little joy, whimsy, and a touch of magic into a world that needs a LOT more of that. I love bringing a smile to someones face. If our fairy gardens do that, we will continue making them. Are there any plans to expand or take the project in new directions in the future? Answer (Danielle) : My hope is to create one of a kind fairy kits that I can ship worldwide. Not very scalable if they are one of a kind, but they will be special. I hope to create accessories as well and sell online. Have you collaborated with any local artists or other creative gardeners and locals in your community? If so, tell us about it! Answer (Danielle) : My creative friend Heather @unearthedatx is showcasing the gardens, as I stated above. I have contacted a few artisans on Etsy and local garden centers but nothing yet. I will keep trying. Usually get 10,000 no’s before you get 1 yes. Though 1 Etsy artisan is interested, so we shall see. (Fairy garden in a tin. - FOR SALE $18) How do you balance your creative work with other responsibilities like work and school? Answer (Cole) : I create after school but mostly on the weekends. Answer (Danielle) : Weekends and after work is the only times I have to do this. I find that squeezing it in is not a problem since I look forward to it. Hopefully, that won’t change. Have you faced any negative reactions or criticism regarding your fairy gardens? How do you handle them? Answer (Danielle) : One person asked me why they would want one. I thought that was an interesting question but really drove home my elevator pitch. Fairy gardens aren’t for everyone, but if you like the look of plants (real or faux) and want a little more whimsy, joy, and magic in your life, you will want to have a fairy garden of your own. She commissioned me right then and there for 2 gardens. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a similar community project? Answer (Danielle) : Just do what you love and people will notice and be attracted to your love for the project. Those that aren’t, are not your people anyway. (Custom fairy garden with lighted gazebo and real succulents. - FOR SALE $65 ) How do you come up with new ideas to keep your fairy gardens fresh and exciting? Answer (Danielle) : I get a lot of inspiration from the internet, Pinterest , pop culture, other fairy garden creators. There are some really talented people out there. Have you noticed any positive changes in your neighborhood or community since starting this project? Answer (Danielle) : More people go for walks to see the gardens. Others in the neighborhood have done larger scale gardens in their front yard. Do you have any favorite stories about the impact your fairy gardens have had on people's lives? Answer (Danielle) : Not yet, but can’t wait to hear one! They have impacted Cole and I already so there’s that. Do you incorporate feedback and suggestions from the community into your work or is it solely and artistic endeavor for you two? Answer (Danielle) : A few have asked for job-related specific fairy gardens. And kids seem to want their favorite cartoon show or dinosaurs . I am down for all of it! ( Moss planter fairy garden $40 SOLD) What's the most rewarding part of sharing your fairy gardens with others? Answer (Danielle) : Seeing the smile on their face and watching their reactions when they see a specific item in their garden that looked so real and they didn’t ask to be included. Like the Sonic garden, I found gold rings and added them along a path for Tails to run to in the path. Have you faced any logistical or practical challenges while creating your gardens? Answer (Danielle) : Just the cost of items. Trying to find wholesalers that won’t break the bank. I want to keep them affordable. Going to start hand making more with polymer and air dry clay. As well as using more of nature (acorns, more twigs, rocks, etc.). How do you promote your fairy gardens to attract more people from the community? Do you leave Instagram links for folks to follow out in your gardens or just tell people when you encounter them? Answer (Danielle) : I have an about us with my instagram QR code set up in a frame at the Austin Gift Company . I also plan to purchase a sign from someone on Etsy for the markets. I also tell everyone I run into-- I got 5 followers this week from the local vintage shops. (A miniature fairy garden in a mug by TravelingFairiesATX) Are there any future events or special projects related to your fairy gardens that we should know about? Answer (Danielle) : Will share a booth with @uneartheredatx on the first Saturday of September at the Wimberely Market Days . More market days local to Austin, Texas in the fall as well. Can you share any tips or techniques for creating visually appealing and magical fairy gardens? Answer (Danielle) : Scale is key. Laying out largest plants in the back and trailing down to the shortest in front looks best. Adding in the details is what makes a fairy garden look real. The more it looks like you would live there if you were miniature, the better. Is there anything else you'd like to share about your journey or experiences with The Traveling Fairies of Austin TX project? Answer (Danielle) : Meeting like minded people has been the most rewarding and unexpected experience so far. I hope to meet more local artisans. If you are in Austin and see me at a booth, please stop by and say “Hi” to Cole and I. We love discussing creative endeavors. Let’s support and follow each other . Are there any positive moments or encouraging words you've received that have helped you navigate through any doubts or anxieties? Answer (Cole) : I had no doubts since my mom is so positive, it made me positive as well. I have learned a lot so far too. Answer (Danielle) : I have found when I talk about the gardens and what Cole and I are doing with friends, family, strangers, most are interested and ask more about it. Most never heard or have seen fairy gardens and they think they are cool, or cute. Nothing negative so far more curiosity. (Commissioned Sonic fairy garden - $40 SOLD) The next few questions are for Cole only! Do you have any role models or inspirations who encourage you to embrace your creativity and passions? Answer (Cole) : My mom for sure! I also play bass guitar so my music teacher inspires me as well. I love following YouTubers that are creative as well. No specific Youtubers I can think of currently. Has your experience with fairy gardens taught you anything valuable about being true to yourself and pursuing what you love? Answer (Cole) : I just do what I love to do and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. It’s fun and people like them so why not. How do you combat stereotypes and misconceptions about what boys should or shouldn't be interested in? Answer (Cole) : To be honest, I don’t care if it is considered a boy thing or a girl thing. I don’t get it. My family let’s me do what I want, no matter the stereotypes. (Cole and Danielle in Magical Kawaii 2023) Have you found support and understanding from your peers or friends regarding your fairy gardens? How have they reacted? Answer (Cole) : All my friends, boys and girls, love them. My friend Micah even commissioned me and my mom to create a half woodland with sloth and half desert with crab fairy garden. It was really fun. Everyone I have told about it loves what we create and have been really supportive. Cole, How did you initially react when/if you faced criticism or negativity from others about your hobby being "too girly"? Answer (Cole) : I haven’t faced that. And if I did, I don’t care. If you don’t like it, don’t look at it or talk about it. I won’t mention it and move on. Have you ever encountered any instances of bullying related to your hobby? If so, how did you handle them? Answer (Cole) : Nope. And again, it wound’t bother me. If a friend did that to me then they were not a friend to begin with. How have you managed to stay confident and passionate about your fairy gardens despite the hobby being seen as more of a girly thing by some people? Answer (Cole) : Not an issue with me because I just like doing it. Why would I stop? My mom is passionate about it so that helps too. I don’t have any reason to not want to do it. Is there anything you would like to say to other guys who may be hesitant to pursue their creative interests, like fairy gardens, due to societal expectations of boys and men? Answer (Cole) : If they are scared to do it, nothing really that bad would happen for you pursing your dream. If there was, I say follow your dreams and what makes you happy. Don't’ give up if it is something you really want. Don’t let anyone get in your way by talking you down or making you feel bad. (Social Media QR codes for @TravelingFairiesATX) What an exhilarating interview-- I'm so happy to have Danielle and Cole over at TravelingFairiesATX join the FairyFindr Fam ! Even the more difficult questions that I asked Cole, he answered them with so much grace and wisdom, what an Old Soul you are, Cole! Well , FairyFindrs , what do you think-- why don't you go make some of your own Traveling Fairies or fairy gardens....the fairies await! May the fae bless you! Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures

Hello FairyFindr Fam ! Today’s blog is an interview with an exceptional young man, Rowan, who got into fairy gardens with his grandma and continues caring for them as a way to connect with her even when she’s not around (he moved to another state). We met on Reddit after he saw one of my blog posts about being a man who loved fairy gardening 🧑‍🌾 . After connecting and seeing several of the fairy gardens that they co-created, I was extremely eager to invite him to be a part of our blog here at FairyFindr. ( Fairy garden in a rectangular container made by Rowan and his grandmother in the year of 2018) Please introduce yourself, pronouns (if you want), And leave any social links people can find you at here if you want people to be able to connect with you! Answer : Rowan-- you can connect with him here: ReasonablyReliable on Reddit. When did your love for fairy gardens, miniatures, and fairytales begin? Please tell me your earliest defining memory involving fairy gardens or miniatures, and why did it captivate your imagination so well? Answer : My love started quite a few years ago, back when fairy gardens seemed to be the new popular hobby. My grandma had picked it up as a hobby to keep her busy during the summer while not teaching and I watched her make a couple before she invited me to help her with the planting of some plants she wanted added into a new pot. What started as helping in the garden for an afternoon turned into offering suggestions for where the little house would fit and before I knew it, I was helping her plan a whole scene for the pot involving two fairies having a picnic in their front yard. I remember having a nice sense of accomplishment and creative fulfillment as well as joy at having shared an experience with my grandma. Could you share with us how you first got introduced to fairy gardens and what sparked your interest in them? Answer : I was technically first introduced to fairy gardens by seeing a few pictures float around the internet before my grandma ever picked it up. The idea definitely sparked my interest, as I'm a big fan of miniatures and planning town layouts for various DND groups with the dungeon master of my friend group after he painstakingly painted them. The same love extends to games like The Sims and Minecraft where I get a lot of creative freedom to build whatever I like. I sadly never took the leap to making them myself because at the time I was first introduced because I thought the idea of making anything with fairies was just to 'girly'. I was and still am a big fan of fantasy but for some reason, that was a line I couldn't cross on my own. How did your grandmother play a role in your journey with fairy gardens? Could you tell us about some of the earliest memories you have of fairy gardening with her? Answer : Like I said before, my grandma was the person that helped me actually get into making fairy gardens. While the fairy part came later in life, I have earlier memories of helping her garden by watering her plants for her in the summertime. I didn't find it strange when she asked for help and was probably surprised when I stayed and gave suggestions for the layout. It started as me just attempting to connect with her through her newest hobby at the time and by the end, I was hooked, though I wouldn't start making fairy gardens on my own time for quite some time after my first one. (Fairy garden in a large welded metal flower pot made by Rowan and his grandmother in 2019) What was it about fairy gardens that made them such a special and bonding activity for you and your grandmother? Answer : I think this time was different because unlike some of my grandma's hobbies, this one lined up closer to my own interests. I never really got into hobbies like Sudoku or crosswords because I could never sit still long enough to engage with them, but being able to work with my hands to create something with her and I was able to apply skills I acquired from working with dnd miniatures. How did your grandmother's involvement in fairy gardens influence your own passion for them? Did she teach you any specific techniques or share any wisdom that you still follow today.? Answer : She didn't teach me any specific secret techniques but she was the one who reminded me it is okay to like things regardless of my gender as long as I like it after I voiced some misgivings about liking 'girly' things and wanted to build my own personal garden at home. I don't have some profound quote from her; just that she took time to show the unconditional love and support. I sometimes joke with her that the only reason she convinced me to continue fairy gardening was so that she would have an excuse to see me and she is always quick to remind me of that conversation and that I can't hide that I'm having fun. In what ways did your grandmother's presence and guidance impact your fairy garden creations? Did she have a signature style or approach that you've carried forward? Answer: Her presence impacted my creations because she is the one who first taught me how to make them. No matter how many Pinterest boards and YouTube videos I reference for inspiration, I always set up the gardens in the same order as it is what works for me. Her approach is usually to plan out a rough idea of what the garden will look like before planting the plants. She then put the houses down followed by any moss or rocks/gravel as a way of defining the different areas in the pots and planters. It helps each scene stand out more and offers more interest than leaving it as just dirt and moss. The fairies and accessories come last, and it is my favorite part because you get to see your village finally be populated and full of life. ( Fairy garden in a rectangular container made by Rowan and his grandmother in the year of 2017) Could you describe the legacy your grandmother left behind in relation to fairy gardens? How has her influence shaped the way you continue to create and maintain them? Answer: Her main influence is how I approach making the gardens. She did teach me how to collect moss from her own backyard to add to the gardens, which is a lesson I use from time to time when I want to add moss to a garden. She has also been savvy at picking plants that would look good together but are different enough to stand out on their own. In the past, I have consulted her on ideas for what plants she thinks would go well together, and like always, she was right. I'm always inspired to make another or change an existing one anytime I see a new one she made. I do admit, the maintenance is my least favorite part as while I love having a scene to show off, I'm not the one with a green thumb like my grandma. Nothing a few fake succulents can't do to allow me keep working without worry and it is a lot easier to change scenes as I don't need to worry about stressing out the plants if I forget to water them, water them too much, or move them around. What emotions arise when you think about the moments spent fairy gardening with your grandmother? How do those memories continue to inspire you today? Answer: At this point, fairy gardens are a source of nostalgia anytime I think about them because the thought of them is so closely linked in my brain. She is the only person I know, off the internet, that makes them and adding to the fact that she is the person that got me into the hobby, they will always remind me of her and our time making them together. Those memories usually inspire me to reach out to her in some way, whether to call or simply text her a meme. We don't live in the same state, so it is hard to really spend time with her. The days of being sent to her house during the summers or over and between college and work, I try to cherish what time we have together. Some how, we always end up working on a fairy garden together when I come to visit because it is one of the hobbies we share and at this point, it is sort of like a tradition. Has the process of carrying on the fairy gardening tradition helped you cope with the distance between you two? Answer : The tradition does help me cope with the distance as I will always consider her house and presence home in some regard. I grew up in that house and she, along with my grandpa, helped my mom raise me. Their house is my childhood home. I just don't get to see her as much as I like as my mom married and her husband (my step-dad) moved us a few states away to be closer to his family. This happened when I was around 10, and every summer after the move I would be sent back to my grandparents to spend time with them. ( Fairy garden in a rectangular container made by Rowan[and his grandmother} in the year of 2017 ) Do you feel a sense of connection or closeness with your grandmother when you're working on your fairy gardens now? If yes, how would you describe that feeling? Answer : Always! In my mind, fairy gardens are synonymous with her. The main feeling is nostalgia but there is also a simple joy that leads into excitement when I finish a garden as I can't wait to show her just the end product and usually send progress photos asking for her opinions and advice if I feel I need ideas. This hobby is something we share with each other and I hope I get the chance to share it with my kids, if I ever raise any in the future. Have you introduced any new elements or techniques in your fairy gardens that your grandmother has appreciated or enjoyed? Answer: Yes! The idea that the gardens don't just need to be in pots. Admittedly, I stole the idea from Pinterest, but it is fun seeing what ideas she started getting after realizing any container could be a fairy garden. Old wheel barrel, A fake wishing well, and even a tiered cake platter has been turned into various fairy gardens. Do you have a favorite fairy garden that you've created in honor of your grandmother? If so, what makes it particularly special or meaningful? Answer: I haven't made any in her honor, though I do plan to make one when she dies. I imagine it will be cathartic and help with the grieving. Fingers crossed she has a couple of decades left in her! How has your involvement with fairy gardens and your grandmother's influence impacted other aspects of your life? Has it sparked any new interests or hobbies? Answer: Her getting me into fairy gardens was the push I needed to start exploring other 'girly' activities I had been interested in but ashamed of interacting with on the prospect that 'boys don't do ____' and 'boys don't play with ____'. I was always more masculine leaning when I was a child and was afraid liking 'girly' things would make the other kids bully me. She helped me get over those hang ups and nowadays I allow myself to indulge in whatever I like, regardless of the gender assigned to it. Have you shared your fairy gardening journey and your connection with your grandmother with others? If so, how have they responded, and has it brought you closer to others in any way? Answer : I tried introducing fairy garden making with my little sibling, but she hasn't seemed to have taken to it as I have. That is okay, since we bond in other ways but other than showing off the finished products, or rambling on about newest ideas to my friends, I never really shared the hobby with anyone. I have always thought of it as something special between me and my grandma but I hope I can find someone in the future who I can share the joy of creation with through the medium of fairy gardens. ( Fairy garden in a rectangular container made by Rowan[and his grandmother} in the year of 2017 ) What advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting their own fairy garden but may not know where to start or want to make one alone? Answer : Start by looking at inspiration to get a feel for what you might like. There are plenty of fantastic examples online to reference. Also, remember you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on fairy garden supplies and plants. I have had a lot of luck simply going to Goodwill, and other consignment stores, and finding cute things to add to a fairy garden. All you need is a bit of imagination. Kids toys come in handy for filling out the space, and if you need ideas on how to repurpose human objects into something a fairy may use, I recommend watching the Tinkerbell movies made by Disney. They are very creative and just plain fun to watch. You can also get a set of fairy garden pieces from Dollar General this time of year for 5 dollars containing a few pieces. They also sell individual pieces if you want more. Hobby/Craft stores like Micheal’s carries fairy garden things as well as garden centers but those tend to be a bit expensive and not at all necessary. Have you considered expanding your fairy garden creations beyond your personal collection? Would you ever consider sharing them with a wider audience or teaching others how to create their own? Answer : I once had a friend tell me I should sell some of the fairy gardens I make but other than that, I never really considered making fairy garden other than for personal use and as the occasional gift. I've tried teaching my younger sibling how to make them, but she wasn't interested and my friends are usually only interested in the final creation. How has the process of fairy gardening and honoring your grandmother's memory changed or evolved over time? Have you discovered new aspects or depths to the experience? Answer : I have definitely gained a healthy appreciation for gardeners as through fairy gardening, I have learned how fragile some plants are. I commend anyone who can keep them alive. It's just another reason I admire my grandma because unlike me, she has patience and consideration required in normal gardening. Over time, I learned how to use fake plants in my gardens and it has made a world of a difference in the longevity of my gardens. ( Fairy garden in a rectangular container made by Rowan and his grandmother in the year of 2018) What do you hope to achieve or convey through your fairy garden creations moving forward? Is there a particular message or feeling you aim to share with those who encounter your gardens? Answer : I never really thought of it, but fairy gardens are just another form of art, aren't they? Until now, I've just made them with no message in mind but if I had to say there was one, it would be to "Pay attention to the little things. You never know what wonderful moments you miss by not focusing on what is right in front of you and really taking a chance to appreciate it, both how it is now and what led you to the present as it is now ." Are there any specific elements or themes you incorporate into your fairy gardens that hold a special significance or remind you of your grandmother? Answer : Fantasy! I always try to incorporate a fantasy creature of some kind in every garden I make, usually a unicorn and/or a dragon. My grandma is who helped foster my love in fantasy when I was younger by helping me fall in love with fiction. As a teacher, she knew just how to get me to love reading as a child and I attribute my love of fantasy to her. What do you think you grandmother would say about your fairy gardens and the way you've continued her legacy? Answer : With her being alive, I know for fact she appreciates that I carry on her love of fairy gardens. I wonder if she would still be making them if she was the only one making them. As it stands today, we both continue to share our work with each other. (A garden Rowan made over the course of a month using a terrarium got on clearance from Target. The bottom is filled with a layer of clay balls to act as a drainage layer followed by a layer of topsoil. Unknown plants including moss are planted in and then the final touches of cork bark and leaves are added to add and outdoorsy feel where the fairy garden pieces are finally added with a mushroom theme. When asking grandma her opinion, she stated: "I love it". Finished in June of 2023) Do you have any gardens that have remained untouched since she and you worked on it? Answer : No fairy garden remains truly untouched forever. The ones with live plants need to be maintained through watering and pruning to keep the gardens looking nice and the ones with fake plants need to be dusted from time to time. It is always nice to work on them as it always brings back the memory of working on them together. Please feel free to share anything else you like about miniatures or fairy gardens and any future ideas, plans, or goals for future mini gardens!! Answer : I already have a plan to make another fairy garden, this time in a glass terrarium I got from Target . It was a bit of an impulse buy when I got it so I'm still planning on what I actually want to put in there, but there is room for a small house and accessories as well as plants. I don't want to overdo it. ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 ✨✨🧚‍♂️🧚‍♂️🍀🍀 WOW! What an exhilarating interview- I’m truly touched! Thank you, Rowan , for joining the FairyFindr fam today- we truly enjoyed learning about your enchanting entry into the folklore and fairy gardening! How special is it that our friend Rowan here got into the hobby with his grandmother- so wholesome! Please leave a comment or message below and let us know how YOU got started in fairy gardening! We can’t wait to hear your stories!! If you want to be a part of the blog and do your own fairytale interview of your dreams. Please feel free to find all our links on our LinkTree or connect on our FairyFindr Website , OR email me at FairyFindr@gmail.com May the fairies bless you, Alex the FairyFindr // Marvelous Magical Miniatures