Discovering the Magic of Fairy Dust & Rust

Fairy Dust & Rust: My Magical Fairy Journey

It all began on a weekend getaway at a quaint resort in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. There, I connected with nature, spent time sitting in rocking chairs, and embraced the slower pace of life. I learned about old-world lifestyles and discovered the secrets of finding truffles and the conditions they thrive in. 

Foraging hikes were led by the head huntress, Connie Green, known as the Belle of the Southern Wild. As an author and business owner, who sells exotic mushrooms to chefs worldwide, Connie guided us through the forest, teaching us to identify mushrooms, wild onions, and fiddleheads, which we could pluck straight from the earth. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her energy was magical. All of this food had been around us forever, unnoticed by so many. Soon, she had our eyes trained on the ground, searching and scanning for nature’s treasures. We were also introduced to Lagotto Romagnolos, an Italian breed of truffle-hunting dogs, and fell in love with them. Now, we have our own Lagotto, Leo.

After the first guided expedition, I began to see the forest in a much more appreciative way. I realized that every plant, tree, bug, and toad had a particular purpose and that this ecosystem was their home. It also provides some of the finest and freshest vegetables for our palates.

On the last day, after a beautiful rainstorm, my husband and I set off on one last hike. The forest was wet, and the air was heavy with moisture. My eyes were focused on the ground, because I was noticing it in a new way, scanning for mushrooms and now admiring and appreciating the intricate beauty of the forest floor. 

I saw soft pillows of bright green moss clinging to stones in deep shades of yellow and green. Miniature ferns grew out of every possible place in the ground and even on top of logs and rocks. Moss resembling curly strands of hair was scattered in clumps along the pathways. Little streams flowed between nooks of rocks and trees, with tiny leaves like boats floating down them. I saw the tiniest white flowers with the most delicate stems. There were scrunched bits of papery green and white lichens that must have fallen from the trees overhead. Twigs covered with these bits of moss seemed to have a greater purpose than I had ever thought.

The more I looked around at the forest floor, the more it revealed itself as a magical wonderland. But not just any wonderland—a miniature wonderland. A haven for its tiny inhabitants: ladybugs, caterpillars, and fairies. I could almost see Tinkerbell fluttering from fern to fern, leaving a trail of glimmering fairy dust. This enchanting world instantly captivated my heart and inspired me with an idea. 

As soon as I returned home, I began creating tabletop Fairy Gardens. I wanted to bring the enchantment of a magical miniature forest to other people to enjoy. I spent many days foraging through our woods, looking for moss-covered twigs, fallen lichens, and acorn caps. I started assembling tiny furniture out of twigs, making fairy houses out of bark, and decorating them with anything I could find in the woods. 

At first, I gifted my Fairy Gardens to friends for special occasions like birthdays, baby showers, and weddings. As word spread, I was asked to host Fairy Garden parties and took the leap to be a vendor at a few local craft shows.  Over time my idea expanded and I added thrifted garden accessories like naturally distressed terra cotta pots, vintage watering cans, and old chippy benches.

Vintage and antique boutiques were my new favorite places to shop, looking for unique pieces to be the containers for my Fairy Gardens. I instantly fell in love with vintage bird cages and wrought iron terrariums— (they made the best gardens.)  Soon, I began to learn about the wonders of chalk paint, refinishing old wooden pillar candle holders and jewelry boxes. And as you can guess, it quickly expanded into larger pieces of furniture like buffets and accent tables, which were favorites at the shows. 

One afternoon, while buying more chalk paint at my local antique shop, Midwest Memories, I asked, "Do you have any booth spaces available?" And the rest, as they say, is history! Fairy Dust & Rust was born!! 

I still enjoy making Fairy Gardens and teaching others about them. I recently had a Fairy Garden Workshop Aug 3, 2024, at Cedar Ridge Trails in Miamisburg, Ohio. 

Here are some photos of the workshop!