Fairy Cupcake Toppers

Recently, my sister-in-law requested some fairy & mushroom cupcake toppers for my twin nieces’ 5th birthday party as she was having a “woodland fairy” theme. Mushrooms I could handle, but fairies...wellll, I had never attempted making any human-like sculptures…just mushrooms & owls up to this point. I think she had far more faith in my abilities than I did, but it sounded like a fun challenge and I happily, if not hesitantly, agreed to give fairy-making a shot.

My first fairy attempt was a total flop. Hub said it looked like a bumblebee. My next two fairies turned out just a wee bit better. The green fairy has a cute button nose and a big waist, while the blue fairy has a big nose and small waist. This was unintentional, but like people we all have our better features, right? (At least that’s how I consoled myself with regard to their inconsistencies.)

The fairy bodies and heads were made using my standard sculpture-making method of packing peanuts and wire, then covering it paper mache style (as previously seen here). Then I had to get a little more creative using different materials and embellishments to create wings, tutus, hair, and flowery caps. Below are a few notes on the methods and materials used.

I think possibly I know what you’re thinking now…but they don’t have any arms!?! Sure I realized this, but I had to know when to draw the line. I thought about adding some tiny chenille pipe cleaner arms and elaborating more on their faces, but I thought it best to keep them simpler, minimalist. Sometimes things can get too done up, too many different materials and things going on where it can start to look a bit crazy and mishmash. Know what I mean? Or maybe these do look a bit crazy! Either way, these little fairy gals kind of grew on me as I was making them and I’m so glad they were sent off to top my sweet nieces’ cupcakes at their party this past weekend. What an honor! I only wish I could have been there to celebrate with them!

Happy (belated) Birthday, girls! ~xo~ Auntie L