This past week I have been playing in my studio. My daughter found a miniatures kit at Marshalls she thought would work well with my artwork. There are so many cute miniatures kits on the market. From ones that snap together like a three-dimensional puzzle to complex kits where an individual piece of furniture must be assembled and glued from several pieces. I especially love the complex ones where I can add my own creative style; a springboard for my imagination. My daughter has a good eye. I had so much fun creating this piece!
I started with the following DIY Book Nook Craft Kit by Craftwell Collective.
Several years ago, I was generously gifted two copies of the 2nd printing (1960) of The MacMillan Wild Flower Book, text by Clarence J. Hylander and illustrations by Edith Farrington Johnston. I love incorporating the gorgeous botanical illustrations into my artwork.
For this piece, each of the walls features a different botanical plate. On one wall, you will spot Myosotis sylvatica, commonly known as the forget-me-not. They are just starting to bloom in Northern Michigan and are one of my spring favorites. There is also a tiny alphabet card from eeboo's flower and fairy deck, a remnant from my daughters' childhoods. I have a cache of special treasures, often vintage or antique, just waiting to be honored in a perfect place.
From this fairy's eye view, you'll also spy a mix of books I designed, as well as books I created from the kit. The floral and butterfly journals were created from the back of a Tim Holtz ephemera packaging. The carpet is a piece of German fabric from Acufactum that features snow drops, one of springs earliest flowers to bloom. The newspaper rack has been converted to holding snippets of an art pigment card. I have also tucked in bits of moss and artificial flowers here and there.
I used a blend of acrylic paints on the wood, as well as bits of birch bark and botanical papers. Several of the windows and doors were filled with clear resin to create the illusion of antique glass. I used resin tape for the first time and was pleased with the results. It is important to use resin in a well ventilated area.
The kit came with beads for lighting and I opted to use vintage acrylic flowers instead. I love how they added a bit of whimsy to both the inside and outside. I appreciated that this kit included an easily accessible switch and is powered by two AAA batteries.
The original directions for this kit included a loft for shipping boxes. I thought it would be fun to turn that area into a little reading nook for the fairies, complete with pillows made from tiny snippets of a vintage handkerchief and a piece of German fabric featuring a tiny nest and pussy willows. The stairs leading to the loft are covered in a botanical print. For aesthetics, I rely on what feels right to me and do not feel obligated to use every piece provided in a kit. I loved the envelopes with tiny font and was delighted to include them on the wild blueberry shelf. I listen to what speaks to my heart when deciding what to include.
I chose to finish the edges with a narrow velvet ribbon in greens and browns, as well as moss. I designed the roof to be removable and left the roof panels open so that you can have a clear view of the contents below. The velvet allows the roof to lie flat without sliding.
Views from the four sides of the bookstore.
I've hidden a few 'Easter eggs' as a tribute to Salley Mavor of Wee Folk Studio. Her book, Felt Wee Folk first inspired me to create my own style of fairy 20 years ago! This spring I ordered a playsilk with her artwork from Sara's Silks and received with it a delightful postcard of the design. I used snippets of this postcard in both pictures on the outside walls and also to cover the art cabinet on the inside of the bookstore. My favorite bookstores also sell art supplies! I love that if you look really close, you'll spot tiny fairies here and there.
Today, the bookstore arrived at Three Pines Studio, adding a bit of extra magic to Fairy Land. Three Pines Studio is now open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm.
Registration is also open for Kids Magical Fridays: Fairy, Pixie and Gnome Parties July 3-August 7. Join myself and the magical creatures at Three Pines Studio for imaginative fairy, pixie and gnome fun! Fashion, crafts, fairy and dragon dust are all included.
Enjoy a special story, explore a magical garden, make a craft, play and game and enjoy special treats. Limit 8 per party. Ages 3-9 (children ages 3-5 must be accompanied by an adult).
You may register online at this link or by calling Three Pines Studio during regular business hours.
Wishing you a magical spring and summer!
Much love,
Kim Cerrudo, Artist & Fairy Queen