Acorn Fairy on Toadstool

Acorn Fairy on Toadstool Ornament

s I read upon fairy lore, I became fascinated with fairy rings. Fairy rings are part of many countries’ fairy anecdotes. However, different countries have different versions of fairy ring folk tales. Some legends appear to be darker than others. Nevertheless, they have always sparked my imagination. As I immersed myself in my research, I remembered stories from my younger years which I had long forgotten. So, I decided to create the Acorn Fairy on Toadstool ornament.

Acorn Fairy on Toadstool Ornament Design Process

The True Story of the Acorn Fairy on Toadstool Ornament

While living in Bogotá, Colombia, during my teen years, I experienced a slightly different climate than my native Venezuela’s. In contrast, a chill was constantly in the air and hail was a common occurrence. This unfamiliar climate often prompted us to go hiking through the woods. I geared up for our hikes with excitement and anticipation of what there was to be found in these foreign woods.

One day, a friend of the family came to take us hiking in some special woods loaded with blackberry bushes. Afterwards, he was going to teach us how to make his special blackberry jam. Unfortunately, I had piles and piles of homework that were spilling off my desk. So I felt I had to stay home if I wanted to partake in the blackberry jam making jamboree. Damn homework! As I chipped at my homework, one assignment at a time, I watched the fog settling on grandma’s flowers. As I watched the mist enveloped my world that magical Saturday afternoon. Without even realizing it, the pile of homework was there no more. I wished I had gone foraging for blackberries!

The Surprise

Finally, I heard the rattling of keys at the front door so I ran down the stairs! As I opened the door, my sister and our friend entered the house filling it with excitement. With a smile on her face, she extended her arm. To my dismay, she had a large toadstool (Amanita muscaria var. flavivolvata) on the palm of her hand. I could not believe what I had missed. They vividly described what they had seen, heard and smelled in the woods that day. The toadstool and the woods were the center of the conversation.

Later, that misty afternoon, the scent of blackberries filled grandma’s kitchen. And we filled mason jars with the most delicious jam I had ever tasted. I imagined the fairies dancing inside the toadstool ring where this toadstool had come from. And I went to bed that night believing even more in fairies and their fantasy world.

Years Later

Many moons later, as I was reading about fairies, I vividly recalled that day. That is when I decided to create this fairy ornament, to immortalize that magical misty afternoon since it was then I got proof that fairy rings exist, just as the legends say.

Specifications

Year Designed

2016

Size

Actual sizes vary, approximately 3.0” x 3.0” x 3.75”

Materials

Acorns, wood pegs and knobs, ribbons, yarn, felt, puzzle pieces, glass beads, and glass shards from Middle Bass Island, Lake Erie, Ohio.

Note: Given the handmade nature of the ornament, all ornaments are different. The pictures depict just one sample of the ornament.