May 2016 – Page 2 – Karla's Cottage

A beach fairy in Missouri and revisiting some seashell fairies of the past

By Karla Nathan / May 3, 2016

While in Missouri at the campground, I made a little fairy on the bank of the creek that ran behind our tents. It was a challenge to do since I had to use rocks, not shells like I have to work with on most beaches.

But look, I did find one little shell for her to hold!

And look at what cute feet I found to use!

She could be one of my favorites.

Oh, but how could I chose a favorite from my little fairy children?

This was Jacksonville where Guncle Randy helped me find the ideal shells to use.

This gal is from Maui, where there are gorgeous bits of heart shaped coral washed up on the beach.

This glittering, white fairy is on Siesta Key Beach where my sisses and I spread our dad's ashes.

Siesta Key has become the home of many of my fairy babies, including this mermaid.

This sand dollar skirted sprite is a Sarasota girl too.

It's funny how varied the personalities and looks are from one beach to another. This Coronado Beach fairy is also wearing a sand dollar skirt, but looks nothing like the girl from Siesta key.

I've made a stone fairy in Missouri before too. This one is from another visit to a music festival that my son was a part of.

When I was on St Pete beach with my sisses at Halloween time, I made a Sand Witch fairy, with a little broom, inspired by that hat shaped shell.

Ft Lauderdale in winter had me scrambling to find suitable shells, but I loved my little Atlantic sprite once I finally found the right ones.

Each one is created with items found right there on the beach I make them, with no alterations. There are times I wish I could snap a shell in half to make it fit, but I make myself follow the rules that I've set. to only use the pieces as is.

All of my babies are also filled with memories of the beautiful time I spent on their beaches. I leave them behind, as a thank you to express my love of the place I've visited. I like to picture a little girl coming across one after I've left it nestled on the beach.

I hope that the fairies bring someone else joy too.

Paint is magic

Before repainting the dining room table, I wanted to try out the crackle paint on something.

This is an itsy chest of drawers I'd found at an estate sale for ten bucks and it desperately needed a make over.

But I liked the two toned style of it as it was. Just not quite as it actually was… Seriously, there was a desperate need for a redo.

I decided to paint the cabinet and cover the drawers in paper.

Personally, I dislike modpodge. I live in Kansas, which is very humid and I knew that a piece of furniture with that on it would be a sticky mess in July.

Also, I didn't want the over 100 year old handwriting on the paper to smear. So I drizzled The Ultimate glue over the drawer fronts and pressed the pages into it, burnishing it well.

I don't pre-cut or measure. The paper gets glued down, then trimmed off with a sanding sponge.

Not only does it give the edge a clean cut, it helps adhere the paper to the wood.

Because the paper is so old, I couldn't use a top coat over it. I didn't want that ancient ink to run. This probably isn't a good idea for a piece that will get heavy use, so wherever I decide to put it, should be a low traffic spot. I might use it in the studio, or a guest room.

Funny, I didn't have any place in mind for it when I bought it. I simply wanted to save it. Years ago, I redid furniture for a living, and I miss that sometimes. When I see a small (NOT heavy!) piece for cheap, I can't help myself. I have to snag it and fix it up.

And I'm glad I got this little guy.

I think he fits in just right at my house, wherever I end up using him.