Thursday, December 8, 2011

Dollmakers on Thursday: The Christmas Fairy

Us British, we're a secular lot. After all the drama with Henry VIII and the beheading, burnings, civil war and Guy Fawlkes, we've decided to just tone the whole thing down. We rarely talk about religion because it's not polite and, on the whole, we're pretty benevolent towards whatever it is eases your spirit.

So, what does that have to do with dolls, I hear you asking? (well, I don't obviously, I'm behind a keyboard in Arkansas and you are...wherever you are... And your mic's turned off)

When the Christmas Tree made it to England and became popular, it was crowned with an angel. The Empire of Victoria wasn't comfortable with that kind of thing and so the angel was quickly replaced with a fairy.


The fairy remains at the top of the Christmas Tree to this day. She's had many incarnations, sometimes she looks more angelic and sometimes she's a ballerina with wings, but she's always up there. 
That most famous of fairy artists, Cecily Mary Barker
depicted one in her Flower Fairy series,
her painting portraying a fairy doll 
that was just the prettiest ever.


And if you really want one, 
R John Wright, a highly respected and influential doll maker
has been busy on just that.

R John Wright's dolls are made of warm and tactile wool felt, 
with sweet faces and beautifully sewn accessories.


She's lovely but she may be too big for your Christmas Tree 
(or my pocket money).
How about something smaller?

When I was a kid and went to Woolworths 
they had the best Christmas Tree fairies. 
Like this

How I wanted one of these!

This fairy I found at the very lucky 
She made quite a haul of vintage Christmas goodies 
and this cute little thing was among them.

The other commonly available shape was this posing winged Ballerina fairy.

Nope. Didn't get one of these either.

 I was unable to persuade any grown up that had the money 
that I REALLY REALLY wanted one. 
I think that's a big part of why I make dolls now...

Now, with the Internet (I love it!)
there's all kinds of  fairies 
for all kinds of Christmases.



These are made by 
Wendy on Mulberry Musings. She's a girl after my own heart, with her 
whimsical Christmas Marie Antoinettes.
You can find them here, 
along with all sorts of delicious Rococo images, on her Etsy.

Or how about this sweet and pensive fairy, 
by Meenamorey of Deviant Art?


If you want to make your own, there's a tutorial here.


All very British so far.

 How about an American fairy, styled for Christmas?
This Candy Cane sweetie is by AmandaKathryn, on Deviant Art.


 I featured another of her dolls here on Steampunk Fairies.

I always have fairies on my tree.
 In fact,, the Christmas baubles come off on Twelth Night 
and the fairies remain on display all year.
A Christmas tree is a magical creation, full of sparkle and glitter,  
holding hopes and promises of delight.

Of course it should have fairies!







7 comments:

  1. Oh these are purely magical! Wouldn't it be amazing to have a complete "fairie" tree? I hope you're enjoying the holiday season!!! And thanks SO much for entering my giveaway~(((hugs))) from me,
    Cindy
    P.S. Oh by the way, that download to read ebooks on your computer is totally cool!

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  2. And I love your Santa on your header!!!

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  3. Wow....I guess I did not realize that you British types had fairies on top your Christmas trees....too fun! And such a delightful collection you rounded up for our distinct viewing pleasure....But - ahhhh - I bet your fairy tree is a true sight to behold....bet all sorts of magic and mayhem takes place within its branches.....Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  4. Thank you Cindy and Miss Crow! I didn't know other countries didn't have fairies, until I went abroad. Our Christmas tree lights are called 'fairy lights', too.

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  5. Your blog is fabulous! Thanks for sharing info and pictures of these various tree fairies! :)

    Love your blog banner too!

    Cordially,

    -pamela
    FreeVintageDigiStamps.com

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  6. I loved this article, and all it contains. There really is a totally different cultural ideal towards Christmas trees in the UK. Go figure! This wow-ed me.
    CrankyCrow and I are united in the desire to see pics of your tree! With fairy!
    May we? Please?
    :)
    Rose

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  7. if I can get a photograph that won't shame my pretty awful photography skills, yes, I'll post one here. It's the same tree that (still, even now) has Mother Crow and the Absinthe fairy.

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Thank you all for the wonderful and supportive things you say! I'm thrilled to read them and I reply to each one.