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Tiny Fairy Doors

Tiny Fairy Doors
I make these tiny doors from Polymer clay.  Each has its own recessed wire hanger and they can be hung from straight sewing pins rather than nails.  When I give doors away, they are accompanied by the legend that I wrote:

Many fairies are moving from their traditional homes in meadows and woodlands into the city where they seek lives of contentment and ease as house fairies.  Dividing their time between their new home, the homes of their friends, and the central fairy market of the nearest town, these tiny creatures weave an enchantment of protection and luck as they go. 

Hang one of these tiny doors in your home and fairies will find it.  They will use their magic to unlock the doors they discover and create homes behind them.  Then, coming and going as they please, they will bestow some of their magic upon your home.  This will protect your home from the antics of pixies and other magical creatures who delight in antagonizing humans: carrying off belongings, tormenting pets, and encouraging distress and fretfulness.

Beware, however, that groups of fairy friends may throw large parties at night while you sleep.  If you wake to the scent of flowers on the air or see the sparkle of starlight where no stars dwell, you'll know that fairies have been sharing merriment in your home
.
 

Brick Door
The first door is my favorite.  It's a brick door made of individually cut bricks.  These bricks were formed and baked before setting them in place around the arched door which was also made before the final assembly.  White polymer clay was pressed between bricks to make mortar and black "iron" hardware was added.  I used liquid polymer clay to join baked and unbaked pieces before re-firing the doors in this many of the other doors.

Bag End
This door is a replica of the movie version of Bilbo Baggins' door.  It also sports Gandalf's carving which was not in the movie door.  The design of this door was somewhat complicated, requiring many element and baking sessions. 

Branch Covered Door
The knotwork on this door was added using my Inlay Rubber Stamp Designs in Polymer Clay Instructable.  The tree branches originally had a lot of detailed bark but the application of liquid polymer clay over them filled in these marks during baking and took away from their intricate detail.  So, lesson learned.  Liquid polymer clay can be used to create a smooth surface and, if you don't want a smooth surface, don't try to be clever by using it to give more detail.

Round Door with Gold Handle
This door is a fairly simple round door.  The outer frame and doorstep are made from some polymer clay that I had added a marbled design to.  The window is actually a thick layer of liquid polymer clay floated on more of the door frame clay.   The moving ring handle was made in two steps.  First, I made the small ring which involved making a disk and pushing a toothpick through to expand the hole.  This was baked.  Then it was carefully covered in foil before adding it to the rest of the handle in the final baking.  Afterward, I removed the foil and the handle swung freely.

Fantasy Wood Grain Door
The final door itself was made by layering uneven layers of brown and beige clay, rollling it out, folding it, and repeating.  Then the door was sliced off to show the layers.  The stone frame and doorstep were made by baking a small block of clay that was slightly darker than the clay I was going to use for the bulk of the stone work.  This was then grated into fine pieces which were mixed with the stonework clay to give it a more rugged look without the need to further distress the clay.  The handle was made to move freely, as with the round brown door.

14 comments
Feb 20, 2012. 2:00 PMirishwarrior1958 says:
HI! Just wanted to let you know that I am attempting to make one of the Fairy doors on your 'structable. I am curious, however, how thick your door and bricks are. I have rolled them out with a rolling pin and they are pretty flat. Do you leave them at least 1/16" thick? Or do you make yours flat as well? Also, in the very first Brick Door door that you have on there...the wood panel...how did you get the wood grain to come through? That is an amazing piece of work. I would like to stay in contact with you to learn more. You are amazing! If you have any more tips, please share! I would like to make these and give them as gifts! Thank you so much! David
Dec 30, 2011. 6:45 AMAgentfern says:
Where do you get your liquid polymer clay? I've been looking for it for a while, but i haven't been able to find any.
Dec 31, 2011. 11:53 AMAgentfern says:
Thanks! I looked at Michael's a while ago, but they didn't have any. I'll buy mine on Amazon.
Dec 5, 2011. 6:06 AMSurlyMermaid says:
So awesome! Miss Sunshine, I love yours as well!!!
Oct 10, 2011. 7:51 AMdqdenyse says:
Delightful!!!!! I must make them for all the fairies running around my garden, before the snow flies.
May 5, 2011. 8:45 PMl8nite says:
these are almost to cute for words! I just may have to search for my polymer clay box..
May 5, 2011. 5:34 PMMiss_Sunshine says:
I loved your fairy doors so much, I just had to make my own. Thought I'd share what came of it. ^.^
Mar 23, 2011. 12:29 PMporcupinemamma says:
I'm back looking at your beautiful whimsical fairy houses. The legand you wrote is delightful!
Mar 21, 2011. 5:11 PMDream Dragon says:
Nice to see you posting more of your beautiful fairy doors.

I wanted to point out that the carving would not be visible on the door in "The Lord of the Rings" because it was only visible for a short time at the beginning of "The Hobbit", Gandalf obliterated it by beating on the door with his staff.

I really must have a go at some of these for some friends and relations, thought not having "polymer clay" I might have to get creative in my own style.
Mar 22, 2011. 12:56 PMDream Dragon says:
Please don't misunderstand my intention, I certainly didn't mean to cause offense. I merely saw your comment ...

"This door is a replica of the movie version of Bilbo Baggins' door. It also sports Gandalf's carving which was not in the movie door."

... and offered the reason why it couldn't appear in the movie.

That said it's a beautiful rendition of the Baggins' door. Start's counting coins from the back of the sofa.

How are you progressing with the medieval encaustic tile type inlays?
Mar 8, 2011. 9:59 AMporcupinemamma says:
Love it!
I have a gnome door in my house. The family lives rent free. It's part of the "Be Kind to Gnomes" movement. I wonder if your fairy friends know my gnome friends? We should hook them up on facebook.

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Author:starshipminivan(She Creates Stuff)
I'm a Renaissance woman. I enjoy creating things with a fantasy, medieval, or geeky edge. I have a passion for all things Halloween. I like to build props, create costume elements, and decorate for ...
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