Use Clay, Paint, And Glue To Transform A Pickle Jar Into The Cutest Fairy House

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We all love a spotlight-stealing centerpiece plant or decorative feature in our yard — the one that instantly commands attention. But some of the most memorable aspects of a garden are the small details that are a delight to display and a joy for others to discover. An easy way to add whimsy to your yard is with these fairy garden ideas that are downright magical, including a project that adds natural and miniature decor to a pickle jar, turning it into a mushroom fairy home.

The practice of displaying fairy houses has several origins, one of them being Celtic mythology, which introduced fairies as inhabitants of nature. Irish folklore also portrayed fairies as distant relatives who hid underground and shrunk in size over time. Fairytales tend to depict them as magical creatures capable of kindness and mischief, and offering them homes and gardens puts humans in the creatures' good graces. Another origin is the Chicago World's Fair in the 1890s, where bonsai dish gardening made its debut. Regardless of which version is most accurate, today, fairy gardens and homes add a touch of storybook charm.

For this DIY, we're using tree bark, preserved moss, a clay door (painted and sculpted to look like wood), and miniature flowers to transform a pickle jar into a fairy house. But the beauty of projects like this one is that you can take creative liberties with decorating the jar, and still end up with charming results.

While the base of this project is a pickle jar, any upcycled glass jar can be turned into this unique decor. You can paint the interior of the jar, but this isn't necessary if you'll be fully covering it with decorative elements. Choose an acrylic paint, like Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint or FolkArt Acrylic Paint, which comes in many colors, dries quickly, and is affordable. However, since glass is smooth, apply a primer first for best results. 

To make a mushroom cap for the fairy house, flatten polymer clay into a circle to drape over the lid of the jar, trimming the excess clay around the jar's edge. Lightly polish the clay with a cloth to smooth it out before painting. Once the paint is dry, bake the lid in the oven to cure the clay according to the manufacturer's directions. 

When adding details to the jar, use an adhesive like E6000 Plus Multipurpose Clear Glue, which is suitable for many materials, including glass. Traditional elements of a fairy house include preserved moss, pebbles, and twinkle lights, but adding your own touches will make the house unique and personal. Hunt for miniature figurines, craft supplies, and fabric scraps at thrift stores, or forage twigs that can be tied together to make windows, doors, and ladders. You can also DIY this fairy project using supplies from Dollar Tree. Despite the outdoorsy nature of this project, keep it under a covered area to prolong its lifespan — and to keep resident fairies happy.