May usually sees handkerchief fairies taking a well earned rest after the flurry of activity during the winter months.

This year however there has been a revival in the fortunes of these rare beautiful fairies.

Still as busy as ever with seasonal sniffles carrying on well into the middle of the month these useful and decorative companions are out and about well beyond the normal time for sightings.

We believe this extended period of activity is the result of the cold and wet weather we have been experiencing lately.

Although these vintage ladies are still on the official endangered list here at the Fairy Sanctuary, their numbers do seem to be on the up.

Trends in upcycling and renewed interest in all things vintage has seen an unprecedented demand from members of the public wanting to re home these delightful old ladies.

With this in mind we have produced a care guide for re homing a handkerchief fairy should you be lucky enough to be adopted by one.

General Appearance

1. White or ivory complexion.
2. Cotton dress hanging in triangular folds  that doubles up as parachute if wings fail.
3. Sometimes has fine crochet detail round hem.
4. Often hand embroidered by a Nana with initials or small flowers in a corner.

Personality Trends

1. Can be stiff and starchy at first.
2. Old fashioned and traditional in views and opinions.
3. Rather reserved not making appearances in public except for emergencies.
4. Quite robust despite delicate appearance.
5. These fairies have a hierarchy and top of the list is the Eucalyptus scented, ” I mean business”  fairy brought in to cure the serious cold.

Care advice

1. Likes to live in drawers with others.
2. Prefers drawers to be lined with pretty paper.
3. Drawn to smell of violets and lavender so provide sachets of these if possible.
4. Also happy in handbags and pockets and may try to migrate up sleeves.

Warnings

1. Often lost and has no re homing instinct.
2. NEVER tie in a knot! This outdated practice was used as a memory aid by forgetful elderly folk. We have had many handkerchief fairies brought in to us with severe stomach cramps following such incidents.
3. Modern light weigh tissue box fairies are smaller and less robust. Handle with care.
4. Can cause havoc in washing machines getting stuck in filters and shedding white tissue paper all over your dark load.

Please remember handkerchief fairies are not just for colds.

With the Queens Jubilee celebrations just around the corner don’t forget to bring out your handkerchief fairy and wave in a patriotic manner at tea parties. This is exactly the kind of event they were designed for and you will soon receive admiring glances and compliments from you friends.

Exciting news here at the fairy sanctuary as we open our doors to our very first holiday guests.

Holiday wing

As you may know the fairy sanctuary offers a safe haven to lost , confused & bewildered fairies in need of rest.

We work tirelessly to restore these rare and endangered species to their former sparkling selves. When they feel ready we work to help them find new forever homes. Here at the Sanctuary we never turn a fairy away.

Holiday home

Now for the first time we are opening our doors to fairies looking for a short break in our newly constructed holiday wing.

fairy penthouse

Fairies from all over the country have arrived with their backpacks and sun cream to book in for the much needed R & R.

home sweet home chalet

quiet retreat

Our holiday guests have full use of all our facilities and group activities including the popular

• mermaid spa pool
• crystal caves
• aromatherapy waterfalls
• rainbow adventure slides
• story telling evenings in the enchanted forest
• wing & wand workshops
• weekly visits from fairy hairdressers” Hedge & Backwards”
• our own elemental shoe shop “Spritely Go Lightly”
• star of “come dine with FAE”  master chef our very own “Pudding fairy” will be catering to your every need
• Shooting star spotting on the roof every Thursday night
• 100 things to do with shiny toffee wrappers workshop Mondays
• coach trips to the moors for picnics on Wednesdays

Rates are very reasonable and discounts are available for ex residents of the Fairy Sanctuary and rings of fairies willing to share chalets.

Our prices are as follows per fairy per week:

self catering – 6 chocolate drops

bed & breakfast – 8 chocolate drops

all inclusive – 10 chocolate drops

coach trips – 1 teaspoon honey

workshops- 1 acorn

water sprite spa pool

We expect to be  very busy in The Fairy Sanctuary over the Bank Holiday.

Bank Holidays usually bring in a lot of lost fairies on their way to the seaside. Strong winds  and  rain can make  flying conditions very difficult for fairies.

Most of these traveling fairies will stay here to rest and recover before carrying on their way.

If you should find a lost and confused fairy in your garden here are a few tips on how you can help.

• If the fairy is wet and bedraggled dry her out by placing her either on a sunny bank or if this is not possible bring her indoors.
• Do not use a hair dryer on her as this is far too nosy and will cause her distress.
• Instead wrap her in a small tissue, or cotton wool, or other soft material and place her somewhere warm and quiet.
• Check her colour most fairies range from pale pink to dark brown. Some species have a lavender tone to their skin but if a fairy looks grey, blue , green or yellow this is not a good sign.
• A change in colour can be due to many things. Too much marmite for example turns them yellow. However in this case a change in colour probably means the fairy is exhausted and needs rest.
• Once dried and rested the fairy should turn back to a more acceptable colour.
• Be sure to offer highly nutritional easily absorbed liquids and food such as warmed honey water on a teaspoon.Peppermint creams and barley sugars are good travel foods.
• If possible print off a map and help your fairy plan her route ( she will probably have no idea what you are talking about but will be comforted by your interest in her welfare).
• If she wishes to stay a while make a bed as described in the “Introducing HippyChic” post.
• On no account give nasty medicine or alcohol.
• When it is time to leave, do pop your address in her back pack so she can send a postcard.

Remember we are all individuals and some fairies will take longer to recover than others. Be patient and kind and all will be well in the end. You never know she may even decide to stay and adopt you!

We are selling these pretty little fairy first aid kits this year take a look at this pink wool felt bag in our Folksy shop. Pink Fairy First Aid Kit

We have been busy making the fairy Sanctuary garden pretty by planting some of the fairies favourite plants in our fairy bed. We thought you would like to see what else is growing here at the Sanctuary and tell you a little bit about fairies and flowers folk law.

Here is the fairy bed we have planted specially to attract fairies.

Snapdragons are fairy favourite as they use them for hats and boots.

The Fairy Bed

Ivy , stock, winter pansy

Ivy is a favourite fairy plant in the garden as it provides so much cover and food for wildlife. It has always been popular with Druids who revered the ivy and used it in their rites.

In the language of flowers ivy means constancy.

Buttercups and daisies

Buttercups, cowslips, sweet rocket

Rannunculus was a boy who lived in the enchanted forests a long time ago. Always dressed in golden yellow from head to foot, he would skip around the forest singing from dawn till dusk.

The forest nymphs turned him into a golden yellow flower and sent him to the meadows thus restoring peace and tranquility to the woodlands.

It is named butter cup because of it’s friendship with the cows who graze in the meadows producing butter and cream. Othe rnames for buttercups are Butter and cheese or bachelors buttons.

As buttercups have a bitter taste and are poisonous they are left alone by the cows and not eaten. They are poisonous to people too so you mustn’t eat them.

What most people do with buttercups is to hold them under someones chin to see if the yellow colour of the flower is reflected there, thus proving if a person loves butter or not. I am sure everyone has tried this at some time.

In the language of flowers buttercup means childishness.

Daisy chains represent the sun, the earth and the never ending circle of life so they should always be joined up into garlands.

Some people used to believe that wearing a daisy chain protected you from being stolen away by fairies.

The game of plucking petals from daisies as you sing he loves me he loves me not is a Victorian game. Girls would pluck the daisies to test if their suitors were true or not.

In the language of flowers the name daisy means innocence and modesty.

The banks of the Fairy Sanctuary are covered with fairy moss. As well as providing cosy soft nests for fairies it is much loved and widely used by birds for nests.

Moss symbolizes maternal love. How fitting for Mother Earth to offer this gift to the birds and  fairies to sleep in.

Here are a few more photos taken around the Fairy sanctuary garden.

Flora

bird table

We provide plenty of places for the birds to feed. Fairies can often appear as birds.

We also attract fairies by leaving offerings of food for them. Bird food, cake, bread and honey are popular choices but we are not sure yet if they like marmite or not. Maybe you know ?

fairy house

Fairies love the rain. Here are a few reasons why:

It makes things grow.

You have more chance of seeing a rainbow.

It glistens and looks sparkly.

You can wash your face in raindrops and it makes you look younger and keeps your skin soft.

You can also wash your face in dew which makes you look more beautiful.

Rain makes lovely jingly sounds like music.

If you look in a puddle you might see a frog or a water beetle.

Raindrops are like mirrors, you might glimpse a fairy face reflected there.

All good reasons to love the rain.

There are lots of fairy games to play in the rain.

Sliding down rainbows is the most popular. It produces extra fairy dust and charges wands at the same time.

Raindrop spinning – where a fairy flies past a raindrop at high speed making it spin round.

Blowing raindrops –  where a ring of fairies will all blow together to make the rain go sideways. Always popular when humans are about as the fairies laugh at the wet human faces on the receiving end of this trick.

Splashing – an old fashioned game where a ring of fairies all jump into a puddle together as a human is walking past. They usually time it so that it looks like a car or lorry caused the splash but don’t be fooled.

If you are lucky enough to have fairies playing in the rain near you see if you can spot the signs.

If you listen you can hear fairies laughing or hear the sound of fairy bells as they rush past.

Puddles on the hall floor means fairies have probably squeezed in through the letter box to dry out.

Every one knows all rainbows are magical. Sometimes when it has rained you will see tiny little rainbow bridges outside. A sure sign the fairies are about.

Happy Rainbow magic

Pixel

xxx

It has been a busy time at the Fairy Sanctuary over Christmas with lots of fairies looking for new homes. The Sanctuary was full to overflowing. I have not had much time for blogging so apologies for the long silence.
Fortunately all our lovely fairies found homes in time for the big day and spent Christmas on top of trees and leaving fairy footprints in brandy butter.
Now we are looking forward to a new batch of arrivals for the Spring. Its always an exiting time when the first signs of Spring begin to stir in the Sanctuary garden. We even have a couple of crocus bulbs in flower on the kitchen window sill.
We have had plenty of garden visitors and of course we took part in the R.S.P.B. garden bird survey.
We are lucky enough to have a heron in the stretch of river at the bottom of the Sanctuary and we enjoy his daily visits. We also have a dipper who can be seen low flying at speed along the river like a tornado. He is such a comical looking bird like a large black and white robin.
Well I hope you are looking after the fairies in your garden by leaving a piece of chocolate or shiny pebble for them to find. They do love presents and will be grateful for your kindness.
I am off to my knitting circle now, I am knitting ear warmers to match my wand.
signing off for now
Love Pixel
xxx

Off to the book club

Thursday night at The Fairy Sanctuary is book club night. With thimbles full  of cocoa and ginger cake the fairies  snuggle up with beetles and bugs beneath the mossy banks of the garden, and under the moonlight they share their stories.

Here are a few of their favorite quotes and verses.

If  you have a favourite  poem or story to share please leave a comment and we will add it to our page!

The wall is silence, the grass is sleep,
Tall trees of peace their vigil keep,
And the Fairy of Dreams with moth-wings furled
Plays soft on her flute to the drowsy world.
~Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
The Realm of Fairy is a strange shadow land, lying just beyond the fields we know.  ~Author Unknown

Fairy fields

And as the seasons come and go, here’s something you might like to know.  There are fairies everywhere:  under bushes, in the air, playing games just like you play, singing through their busy day.  So listen, touch, and look around – in the air and on the ground.  And if you watch all nature’s things, you might just see a fairy’s wing.  ~Author Unknown

A rustle in the wind reminds us a fairy is near.  ~Author Unknown

Garden fairies come at dawn,
Bless the flowers then they’re gone.
~Author Unknown

If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side.  We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower.  ~Samuel Smiles

Oh! where do fairies hide their heads,
When snow lies on the hills,
When frost has spoiled their mossy beds,
And crystallized their rills?
~Thomas Haynes Bayly

The Sanctuary in the snow

Deep within the winter forest among the snowdrift wide
You can find a magic place where all the fairies hide….
~Author Unknown

Philantha witch on broomstick

Join our international campaign to raise awareness of the plight of witches.

We all have a life purpose and witches take this responsibility more seriously than most. The role of the witch is to smooth out life’s lumps and bumps and help people. Often misunderstood and feared by  humanity they  can lead lonely lives. With little or no thanks from the humans they  try to help,  they never ask for anything in return. We cannot emphasize enough that it should be considered lucky have a witch in your home. If that witch is well provided for then  your luck increases  three fold.  Our  mission is to educate people  and get as many lucky witches into  homes as possible.

Rachnilde witch

Tips for care of witches

• Witches have a natural tendency to  collect twigs for broomsticks. Make sure there  is an undisturbed pile  readily available. This may also attract hedgehogs who are favorite friends of witches.
• Keep your mirrors in a safe place. Witches are  attracted to mirrors and use them to  increase the power of spell.  Your  witch may want to start a collection.
• Witches are not to be trusted in the same room as toads or bats unattended. EVER!
• Don’t allow a witch to eat more than she can lift in one sitting. She may be prone to comfort eating.
• Witches love cooking but are nervous around fires so if your witch lives in the kitchen keep her well way from the cooker.
• It is your witches duty to take the first pint from every brewing and the first cake from every baking to prevent occult forces from using them against people. Remember  your witch takes her responsibilities seriously so always  allow her the opportunity to display her loyalty in this way.
• Spells are a means of creative  visualization. Positive spells are another word for blessings. Your witch will help you in manifesting your hearts desires. Always be clear with your intentions and thank your witch for her help.
• Negative spells are called hexes or curses. Take care with  your thoughts and words. If your witch picks up on negative vibes she may become distressed or confused. In an effort protect you she may try to perform ill advised magic with unpredictable consequences.
• The gathering of plants for spells is usually done at full moon which is the time the active ingredients are at their most potent. Take time to place your witch where she can watch the moon cycles and prepare for her harvest.
• If re homing a single witch do try to spend as much time with her as possible. The addition of a familiar such as a cat or teddy bear  will keep her company  during the times you have to leave her alone.

• Add to your coven as soon as you can .As mentioned previously 2 witches will argue so always introduce a 3rd.If you have to leave 2 witches alone always keep them in separate rooms.
• Foxgloves, also known as witches glove or fairy gloves have saved the lives of many people suffering from heart conditions. Remember that witches are here to serve us and are great healers. Meditate regularly on your special gifts and blessings. This will make your witch feel she is making a valuable contribution by assisting you in your life’s purpose.
• Take time to grow and study plants. Whilst a fairy will assist in caring for the plants, a witch will help you appreciate their natural properties.
• Your witch will always bring good luck with her  if she is well provided for  the luck will increase 3 fold.
  

  Ruby Witch

If you would like to offer one of these lovely witches a home take a look at our re homing site to see the witches currently looking for a forever home.

http://www.awaywithfairies.com

Magic Bramble patch

Here at the Sanctuary we are preparing to give thanks for our bountiful harvest by holding  a Mabon shared supper out on the hill under the full moon at tonight’s Autumn equinox.

We have been out gathering blackberries and making bread all day.

The Fairy bower has been decorated with marigolds, hawthorn berries and hops.

We have dried plenty of marrigolds this year so their smiling faces can carry the summer sun with us through the coming Winter months.

In the centre of the bower is a wicker abundance basket . All the fairies have placed gifts inside, wrapped in moss, of things that they would like to pass on as they no longer need them.Its a lucky dip as each fairy will later take a turn to receive a new gift from the basket.

The autumn fruits and vegetables are laid out ready for the feast.Apples, pears,blackberries, marrows, courgettes and squashes and of course many of our delicious root vegetables from the local allotments.

A special treat tonight is the raspberry honey mead brought back from a honey farm in Wales we visited last week.Usually fairies must avoid alcohol but tonight we will take a tiny thimble full to share.

We will give thanks to our garden and woodland friends as we celebrate  love and friendship in our harvest. Bees, hedgehogs, wood mice,butterflies, bats and beetles to name but a few. After all what could be more valuable than knowing you are loved and supported by your friends.

As we  light orange candles and  reflect on areas of our lives that we would like to balance, the Fire sprites will perform an amazing dance round the flames. Its always spectacular at this time of year when they are in their element and the sword balancing always creates a gasp of admiration from the audience.

Many materials have been collected over the year and now is the time to start our shared weaving project. Wisps of wool, silk, dried flowers, grasses and moss. Angels hair, sparkles, glitter and fairy dust will be woven together by us all to make a beautiful blanket. It will take us all winter to complete with each fairy weaving a small panel depicting a special event, gift or experience that has meant a lot to her.Once  the panels have been woven the patchwork will be sewn together with the threads of  friendship. Next spring we will lay it out on the hill as we gather together for our spring equinox celebration.

I can smell Autumn in the air tonight like toffee apples.

I can hear the trees rustle as fairies brush past in a hurry.Leaves twirl and somersault  to the ground where waiting pixies and elves collect them to make winter homes.

Acorns will be planted in pots tonight by moonlight, tendered and nurtured here at the Sanctuary by fairies until they are big enough to be transpalnted in their new woodland or garden homes.

Yes it will be a very special Mabon, I must go now and get the bread from the oven as the hedgerow fairies have just arrived and are looking hungry.

The sanctuary will be thinking of all our  friends and supporters tonight and giving thanks for your generosity and open hearts.

To everyone who has re homed one of our fairies, visits us in their imaginations or helps protect our habitats we thank you.

Mother Earth’s blessings  be yours as we share a harvest of love and friendship together.

Heed Ye Flowers

Bush and Tree

By The Lady

Blessed be

Pixel xx

We are holding an acorn tea morning by the hazel tree grove to raise funds for the Sanctuary as we near our busiest time of year.

Fairy cakes, winter wand warmers, and wing repair kits will be on sale.

Philipa Kettle the tea fairy will be demonstrating the correct way to pour tea and will be displaying  her tea leaf collection.

There will be a sponsored High Tea event where we hope to break the Guinness Book of records for the highest pouring of tea in to a standard teacup forma great height without spilling.

Please support our fund raising event as we are solely dependent on donations to keep the Sanctuary going.

Unfortunately many fairies will be homeless as humans sort through the Christmas decorations and  turn out old fairies in favour of newer shinier models.

Here at the Sanctuary we never turn a fairy away. We offer a safe haven until they feel ready to go out into the world again and are rehomed.

Thank you for your support now for tea and cakes he he

Pixel xx