DIY Clay Fairy/Gnome Garden Furniture

The clay furniture that my mom and I made at the fairy garden workshop finally came back from being fired in the kiln!   

Village Potters came to the fairy garden weekend event (at The Growing Place)and held a workshop for making this little clay furniture.  The instructor showed us the techniques for making each piece, provided the tools, and then took our furniture to the studio to fire the clay for us.  If you are interested in making this furniture with Village Potters, they host parties for people.  Just let them know you would like to make fairy garden furniture when you call.  They also offer classes. If you don't live in this area, check the internet to see if there are similar pottery studios, in your area,  that will host a party or let you come in to make whatever you want.

Clay from a craft store will work for this too.  Just make sure to keep it indoors, if it is not waterproof.  The kind that is fired in a kiln is waterproof.  Twigs, tooth picks, and other woods are also a great media for making tiny furniture. 

Here are our pieces before being fired:  

And after being fired:

My mom and I then painted the furniture after it had been fired.  We used regular acrylic craft paint and then sealed everything with a clear coat spray paint.  

My painted pieces (wishing well, flower table, leaf+stump chairs, and some mushrooms): 

My mom's painted furniture (leaf + Stone benches, flower table, stump, and a mushroom):

Here are some examples that our instructor had for us to at the workshop:

 leaf bed, twig bench

Log chairs around a leaf table

I made a new gnome garden for my furniture.  I up-cycled an old dresser drawer to plant in.  I drilled the bottom with holes for drainage, and lined it with a garbage bag to avoid tremendous rotting of the wood.  I then added potting soil designed for preventing over watering and added some small plants. 

                          
                                                      

The wooden gazebo is a bird house that I bought at Hobby Lobby.  I spray painted it to seal if from the weather.  

 I used a blue bowl to create a little pond in the corner. 

My furniture looks adorable in the garden! 

I hope this blog inspires some ideas for others.  It is fun creating these little gardens.  Thank you to Village Potters for your help as well!