Here's an overview of my recent Jo-Ann haul. I didn't have much intention to purchase anything, but my grand daughter discovered there were fairy items in the clearance section and had to partake.
This small building looks to be a small grocery store. It was originally $20 but marked down to $4.97.
In the background is a large bag of decorative rocks (which were not on sale, priced at $7.99, but reduced to $4.76 with a coupon) for upcoming updates to Fairy Shores. This seaside rock and coral cluster, also for Fairy Shores, was $2.47. The good sized set of a stone table and seats was $15 originally, priced down to $3.97.
This cute greenhouse was originally $29.99, a price I would not have splurged for, but at the clearance price of $7.47, it was a bargain!
This tiny tin bucket was $1.47 after being marked down from $5.99.
This is such a cute decoration, but at $8.99, a little pricey. I was able to snatch it up at the clearance price of $2.47.
I wouldn't pay $6.99 for these tiny things, but I would, and did, pay $1.47 (and regret not purchasing more at that deeply discounted price).
I have been keeping an eye out for fairy babies, especially when they're on sale. This piece was normally $9.99, but all regular priced fairy items were 40% off so I was able to have him join the family for only $5.99.
These adoreably tiny garden tools were originally priced at $8.99 but clearance to $2.47. I can imagine such cute scenes of my tiny fairies digging up my food garden.
Finally, I felt this unique and colorful piece would look great in the update of Fairy Shores. He was also in the clearance section. Originally $12.99, a price I'd pass on quickly, was reduced to $3.47 - much more reasonable.
Here are the items I purchased recently at Hobby Lobby. See, I didn't go overboard. I told you I have self control!
Have you ever tried to find a little girl gnome? It's almost as hard as finding male fairies, but voila, here she is! Also, I have no idea where to put this chair but I knew I needed it.
This miniature park bench looks overgrown with ivy, perfect for an overgrown looking container garden.
Can you guess where these beautiful mermaids will go in my garden? I'm sure you've correctly guessed Fairy Shores. You'll see them again late Spring.
A week after this shopping trip (yay, payday!) I went back to Hobby Lobby and purchased the pink trailer that I plan to use in the upcoming Valentine's Day themed garden. Keep an eye out! Do you have any plans for a Valentine's Day themed garden? Send me some pictures and a description and I can post it here on my blog.
Hobby Lobby is widely known for their low prices but did you know they offer a good selection of Fairy Garden items? I have found that, for the most part, Hobby Lobby has lower prices and better quality than similar stores (like Jo-Ann and Michael's). That sounds great, but there is a downside; the availability of fairy garden supplies drastically reduces outside the months of January through April.
These adorable, pink trailers were too cute to pass up and might be hard to find considering I grabbed up the last one at my local Hobby Lobby.
A birdhouse can be a cute use for a fairy dwelling, especially when they're 40% off.
You might be surprised to see that my business spotlight this month is Hobby Lobby, considering I tend to feature local nurseries, but I did make a purchase and felt it needed some explaining. Yes, I like to support local and small business but I also like to save money.
A wide selection of houses, buildings and miniature decor.
Adorable miniature decor including fencing, doors, gnomes and more!
There are quite a few kits available for purchase to make themed fairy gardens.
These wire baskets have deep discounts and are great for container gardens, especially with overflowing flora.
These lanterns were 50% off, and while most might see them as home decor, I see them as unique fairy scenes. The fact that these allow viewing from most angles gives you unique opportunities to get creative!
This cobblestone, two-story home was calling out to me with the oversized mushrooms and welcome mat.
This uniquely shaped home could very well belong to an outgoing gnome, set between two bridges.
I managed to stop myself from buying everything my heart desired and will show you in my next post all the lovely things I brought home.
M&M Nursery 380 N Tustin St. Orange, CA 92867 (714) 538-8042 www.fairygardenexpert.net Store Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 AM - 5:30 PM Sunday 9 AM - 4:30 PM
This nursery is unlike any other business I have featured on my blog in the last year. You will notice that M&M Nursery is open 7 days a week and is in Orange (which is quite a drive but hasn't hindered my desire to visit multiple times in the last 3 years). What you may not notice is that unlike thrift and consignment shops where I have to keep my eyes peeled for items that might blend nicely into a fairy garden scene, this nursery specializes in fairy gardens. Yes! When I visit M&M Nursery I am bombarded by inspiration and battle the urge to fill my car with every item they sell! If you plan to visit this business I will give you a word of advice: set a budget in your mind BEFORE you walk in their doors (you and your checkbook will thank me later).
Pictured above are some miniature plants including the pomegranate tree (second to the left) that actually has fruit on it, and a creative gazebo (close up pictured below).
They do not discriminate against non-fairy gardeners as there is a section that resembles the familiar nursery, but the majority of this business caters to fairy lovers like myself. Fairies, housing, furniture, yard decor, gravel and even miniature plants (like the miniature pomegranate tree in the photo above); absolutely everything a person needs to begin a miniature fairy garden. When I shop here, I am looking for items that I can't seem to find anywhere else and at the top of that list are the miniature plants. There are over 50 different fairy gardens on display to help inspire anyone interested in the art, from novice to experienced.
About 3 years ago, still new to fairy gardening, I picked up a guide book on the subject which quickly became my favorite; Fairy Gardening – Creating Your Own Magical Miniature Garden. In the reference section was a list of many specialized stores and nurseries, spread throughout the country, and the closest business was M&M Nursery. And that, my Fairy Folks, is how I came to find and fall in love with this place. To my surprise, I learned that the co-author is actually an employee at the nursery! And, as usual, if you ever have a question about fairy gardening or gardening in general, all of the employees are very helpful. As it is hard to stay away from this lovely business, I will be returning at the end of August to purchase a new addition to my fairy garden. What will it be? Be sure to subscribe to my blog and come back to find out.
Lumi Cake Supply 221 S. Riverside Ave. Rialto, CA 92376 (across from Dairy Queen) Patty: (909) 255-5295 Gloria: (626) 391-8939 www.facebook.com/lumicakesupply Store Hours: CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY Tuesday through Friday 9 AM - 7 PM Saturday 9 AM - 4 PM
Ariel looks right at home next to the 'seaweed.'
You might be wondering why on earth Grandma Sandy, who runs a blog on the topic of fairy gardens, would feature a cake supply store. I understand your concerns and no, I'm not going senile. In previous posts I have spoken on the subject of repurposing and will continue to do so in the future - the items I found in this store are a perfect example. Let me pose a question; how many times have you purchased a decorated cake or cake toppers to decorate your own cake for an event in the past few years? Do you recall what you did with the decorations? Did you perhaps throw them away? I would like to offer an alternative option; add them to your fairy garden! A pirate-themed cake can gain your garden a few palm trees, treasure chests and seashells. A princess-themed cake could earn your fairies a cozy dress-up nook with tiny brushes and high heels. Being a cake supply store, they also have chocolate molds, multiple sized pans, cookie cutters, fondant, cake fillings, mini tart and cheesecake molds and a ton more with weekly specials that change often. They also offer classes for those looking to expand their knowledge and experience with cake decorating.
Ariel and Flounder ride a wave; an unexpected addition to this beach scene.
Garden Greeters 305 S. Flower Ave. Brea, CA (714) 255-1601 gardengreetersllc.com Store Hours: CLOSED SUNDAY Monday through Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Oh look, I found some fairies! Just a small selection of what they have available.
Garden Greeters is a small shop full of amazing treasures and garden decorations including wind chimes, mills and spinners, statues and figurines, lights, pots, gnomes, fairies, bird baths, houses and feeders, garden stakes, bottle trees and coconut birds. Try and say that five times fast - and there's probably items that I haven't listed! I'm excited for their upcoming anniversary sale slated for the last weekend of September.
I have been shopping here since 2011 and I absolutely love this shop and the fact that it is a consignment shop makes it more unique. If I had more money to spend, I would shop here more often. Once again, the staff here is wonderful, helpful, knowledgeable; I seem to find stores with the nicest staff! On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest, I give Garden Greeters - you guessed it - a 10! PLEASE COME VISIT MY FAIRY PAGE www.facebook.com/GrandmasEFG grandmasefg@gmail.com
Handmade bird houses, sold on consignment. I love them.
A small selection of animal garden decor.
Forgive the bit of blur but I really wanted to show the different styles of gnomes to choose from.
This is just a small corner displaying a fraction of the wind chimes and garden stakes.
Collective Journey 1755 Orange Tree Lane Redlands, CA 92374 (909) 793-2200 www.collectivejourney.com Store Hours: CLOSED MONDAY Tuesday through Friday 11 AM - 6 PM Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM
One of many inspiring visual displays within the store.
I have been shopping here since 1998. This place inspires me to be more creative. Check out their website for a calendar of classes and events. I was impressed at the organization of the classes and please to find that if you purchase supplies there, they invite you to work on your craft in the store in designated areas that have access to items like paper cutters. Classes include: Among Friends - "Bring your cropping supplies and join the scrapbooking crowd."
"Enchantment Grows Here" reads this charming garden sign.
Card Club - "Making handmade cards." The Club to Die For - "Each month we feature favorite new releases and make samples to inspire us! Make a project in class together."
Miniature bird houses made during a craft class held in store.
Senior Card Club - "You will love this class where you make three cards and enjoy the company of others who share your passion." Collective Journey is also full of amazing treasures for home accessories, garden art, art supplies, die cutting, scrapbooking, handmade cards and, of course, fairy gardens. With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, the shop and the staff earned a rating of 10!
Phone: (909) 797-9210 Fax: (909) 790-3421 Store Hours: Monday through Saturday 7 AM - 5 PM Sunday 9 AM - 4:30 PM OPEN ALL YEAR Great selection and friendly staff
This is my favorite Nursery but it takes 40 minutes to get there so I only visit every 2 or 3 months. With that being said, I end up buying about 30% of my nursery needs here (the remaining majority is purchased at big name businesses). The staff is very friendly and knowledgable. On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the best, I give it a 10. This is the only location I have visited but there are two other locations.
OTHER LOCATIONS: 1508 Taber Street Corona CA, 92881 Phone: (951) 736-6000 Fax: (951) 736-6655 Store Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 AM - 5 PM Sunday 9 AM - 4:30 PM OPEN ALL YEAR ALSO
13130 S. Milloken / Hamner Ave. Ontario CA, 91761 Phone: (909) 923-7277 Fax: (909) 923-7796 Spring/Summer Hours:
Monday through Saturday 7 AM - 5 PM Sunday 9 AM - 4:30 PM
Spring/Summer hours are from the 1st Sunday of March through 3rd Sunday of November. Winter Hours are: Monday through Saturday 7 AM - 5 PM CLOSED SUNDAYS
What you can expect to find at Sunshine Growers Nursery:
Fruits and Nuts; Semi Dwarf and Standard ALL Varieties of Trees, Shrubs, Flowers (Annuals and Perennials) Grapes, Berries and Vegetables Pots (an endless selection of pots) Sleeping Stones Nanny Baskets They have a great selection of anything for a fairy garden, including - you guessed it - fairies! In November there will be a new delivery of fairy supplies.
Bulk materials you can expect to find at Sunshine Growers Nursery: Top Soil Compost Half and Half: Half topsoil and Half compost 70/30 mix of Topsoil/Compost Planting Mix Nursery Blend Topper/Seed Cover Cedar Mulch White Rocks SodPLEASE COME VISIT MY FAIRY PAGE AND MY BLOG www.facebook.com/GrandmasEFG grandmasefg@gmail.com
