fairy items (1 of 3)
Yesterday's assignment:. I had to make a pair of fairy wings for Delia. (who is not wearing them in this photo, by the way, they seem to be made of poison in her opinion.) Sadie has a pair that were a lovely gift and Delia needed a pair too, right? So Sadie said because sharing that type of thing is hard. I don't think I would share my fairy wings. Actually, I know I would not. Swap occasionally? Sure. But share one pair? No way. I also don't feel as gross about acquiring two of the same toy when I can make it. And it's not like anyone needs to twist my arm to make toys for the girls. The skirt I made from the woodland elf costume 2 Halloweens ago and is a favorite. But again, we only have one.
Okay, these wings had to be made from items I had around the house and I had to do it with the girls around so it was a very fun challenge and am so happy with how they turned out. I think that making a few pairs all at the same time (3-4?) would be the best way to go-for gifts, etc.
Two wire coat hangers are locked together here and then taped (no duct tape in the house!) to secure. Then I stretched the nylons over the hangers, one wing in each leg-the extra I wrapped around the tape in the middle and then taped again. (I actually had nylons from the last wedding I was in-amazing.)
Then out came the spray paint, glue gun, fabric pens, felt, and ribbon. I got a wicked blister on my finger from the glue gun and the wings are kind of heavy, but overall it worked out just fine. I threaded thin elastic through the middle for sliding the arms into and used pipe cleaners to edge the wings (more photos here) and there is a good homemade version with directions here that I found after I was done (duh!) I forgot glitter!!
Those wings look fantastic! I must make a pair for my little niece. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Lauren | July 06, 2006 at 02:50 PM
Very cute. Thanks for the little tutorial, I need to make some of these for my girls.
Posted by: Anna | July 06, 2006 at 02:57 PM
great idea !
Posted by: Céline | July 06, 2006 at 02:58 PM
oh just the idea i needed to see! for my charge's 2 yr old bday i got her a pretty leotard + tutu.. the girl needs some wings now! :)
Posted by: joleen | July 06, 2006 at 03:16 PM
i'd better keep my little princess away from the monitor - she would want some, too - now! they turned out great!
also like the new banner!
Posted by: kirstencan | July 06, 2006 at 03:33 PM
To repeat from the Flickr link, I love that our fairy model is gathering gravel to eat...she's flying without even trying with those beautiful wings. Delia will learn to trust them.
Posted by: Grammie | July 06, 2006 at 05:07 PM
Another fantastic present idea! I'll file that one away for Christmas :D
Posted by: jess | July 06, 2006 at 05:42 PM
beautiful!
Posted by: leeanne | July 06, 2006 at 05:49 PM
ingenious! i love them. although mine might have to be covered with white socks or something....i am doubtful that there's a pair of white nylons in this house...
Posted by: molly | July 06, 2006 at 06:57 PM
Darling! Would it be wrong of me to make an adult-sized pair for myself? Because I really want a pair for myself.
Posted by: Cricket | July 06, 2006 at 07:11 PM
Those wings are fabulous! Now, if only I had little girl to make them for! For some reason, I don't think Henry would be too keen on the idea! Beautiful!
Posted by: Morgan | July 06, 2006 at 08:14 PM
Ohh I am so excited you posted this. Thank you Clarice
Posted by: Clarice | July 07, 2006 at 07:07 AM
Adorable! How exciting that your girls were able to help.
Posted by: lera | July 07, 2006 at 07:22 AM
My mom made me some fairy wings out of wire hangers and netting when I was a kid, and I LOVED them!! Such fun!
Posted by: Courtney | July 07, 2006 at 08:08 AM
Amy - they're fantastic! What a fun summer project. I'm sure Delia will realize what she's missing out on soon!
Posted by: Heather Bailey | July 07, 2006 at 09:13 AM
You rock!
My son made a pair a few years ago (he was 14 or 15 I think), although they were a little on the darker side...and they flapped. Kind of like an evil fairy. lol It was for a halloween party. Yours are so pretty. Hey, you can always add glitter later, right? :)
Posted by: lisa | July 07, 2006 at 11:41 AM
Those are brilliant!
Posted by: Becky | July 07, 2006 at 01:34 PM
What I like is making these when it's not October! So often people only make dress-up items as part of a costume. This is a nice reminder that every day is a dress-up day.
Posted by: Eden | July 07, 2006 at 03:18 PM
Such adorable, whimisical pictures! I love the idea… I mean, I have no kids, let alone little girls, but you're never too old for fairy wings, right?
I love you blog, your work very inspiring. Thanks!
Posted by: Sarah | July 07, 2006 at 09:08 PM
They look great!
Posted by: David | July 08, 2006 at 08:46 AM
my daughter saw me reading this blog and immidealy screamed that she wants to have such fairy wings, too :-)
Posted by: ramona | July 10, 2006 at 03:58 AM
did I say how much I adore that!
Posted by: Kimc | July 14, 2006 at 07:28 PM
I love the fairy wings!
Posted by: Charmaine | July 21, 2006 at 06:34 AM
Beautiful wings on a sweet girl! Thank you so much for posting the how-to link. I used it to make a pair for a friend's 5th birthday party. The pantyhose collapsed the shape that I made - they didn't turn out as round as yours. Not bad, just different.
Posted by: Tami | July 21, 2006 at 03:53 PM
another great idea.
Posted by: koffiekitten | July 23, 2006 at 09:46 AM