Nov 4, 2009

Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor

The Fairy Queen by artist Sophie Anderson

Full title: "Take the Fair Face of Woman, and Gently Suspending,
With Butterflies, Flowers, and Jewels Attending, Thus Your Fairy
is Made of Most Beautiful Things"

Ann Arbor, Michigan is a fun place to spend an afternoon. It’s a town filled with chic restaurants and interesting shops with a generous sprinkling of colorful Bohemian flavor. Recently I was enjoying lunch at a tea room when I spotted my first fairy door! I’d never seen anything like it before and it sparked my imagination. I learned there are several fairy doors placed both outside and inside many of the shops and buildings in the town. However, you must keep a sharp eye to find them. These handmade fairy doors come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but these miniatures are often placed low to the ground. These quirky little gems are just the perfect height for viewing by children and the young at heart.

A local artist Jonathan B. Wright started this trend after he discovered a mysterious fairy door while doing renovations on his 100 year old home. After the story of his fascinating find became public, fairy doors started appearing around town. This whimsical idea has continued to spread and more are popping up all the time! Often on the door’s threshold people leave small offerings of candy, trinkets and bits of change. There is an interesting short film clip you can view HERE narrated by the artist who gives further background about his discovery.


close up view


Ann Arbor Library

How appropriate this is located in the Fairy tales and Folklore section.


Look closely you will see it says...

“Please do not touch. These books are out of circulation. Besides there may be someone living in them.”



Crazy Wisdom bookstore and tea room


Crazy Wisdom fairy door



Sprinkle a little fairy dust!

When you feel a little breeze, or notice a tickle, or need to sneeze or find your things are rearranged or something seems a little strange. Look very closely and you might see sparkly dust, or a buzzing bee: Behold! a fairy with gossamer wings has come to show you wondrous things!
SWEETWATERS CAFE



Nicola's Books



Peaceable Kingdom



Posted to: Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
&
Melissa @ The Inspired Room for A Beautiful Life.
. 5:10 AM

35 Comments. *Click to leave a comment*:

  1. Oh this is so cute! Now I want one!
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  2. How wonderful! I lived in Ann Arbor for almost three years, and never heard this story or saw any fairy doors. I sure wish I'd known then so I could've gone searching them out myself.

    I think I'm gonna have to do this to the front of my house!
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  3. Cathy, those are so cute! I have never seen a fairy door, but I have never looked for one either. I need to keep a sharp lookout, I think. Thanks for the smile this early morn. Hugs, Cindy S.
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  4. Oh those little fairy doors are precious, there is just something magical about tiny little miniatures. . .It sort of gets your imagination primed and working! Really fun post. . .
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  5. Charmingly enchanting.
    Love the painting and it's beautiful saturation of color.

    It amazes me how much adults like to play with the imagination of children and those of us who don't want to grow up. Disney like.
    Lee
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  6. I've never heard of this before, Cathy, but I love it! How cute those little doors are and I love the one at the library with that little sign about the books.
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  7. What a terrific theme for Outdoor Wednesday. I loved all your photos. Have a great day.
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  8. Oh how very fun! I've seen the fairy gardens before, but this is new to me. I think that all of my upcoming antiquing jaunts to quaint old towns will now include looking for these little openings! Thanks for sharing, Cathy.
    :-) Sue
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  9. That is so precious! How neat is that. Those little doors are darling!!! I would love to visit there and see them! Maybe I would see a fairy!
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  10. How cute are these fairy doors! I clicked on the link and saw the video. I think these fairy doors would make a great mosaic.
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  11. I love it! I've never seen any like these. I have a little one in my garden out front.
    Mama Bear
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  12. Hi Cathy,
    Just fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing this delightful concept. I think I want one! Now, where to put it? .... hmmmmmm

    Hope your week goes well.

    Bill
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  13. How neat Cathy, you always come up with such interesting posts!
    I've always loved fairy tales, but I had never heard of fairy doors before.
    I will definately be on the lookout for them now, and maybe a spot to put one of my own as well!

    I think we could all use a little enchanted fairy magic in our lives!

    Have a wonderful day!!
    Sherri:)

    P.S. I love the Fairy Queen picture too!!
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  14. I've always wanted to go there! My parents used to live there (before me). Great pics. xoxo

    SC
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  15. That is something new to me. I have never heard of fairy doors. Very interesting.
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  16. I guess this is the perfect time to build a fairy door as my kitchen is being remodeled. I will definitely look for a book and see if I can recreate the door. Magical!
    Thank you.
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek
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  17. Cathy....That's a new one on me....I have never heard of "Fairy Doors". They are cute, though! If I ever see one I will now know what they are.~Patti
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  18. What an interesting post- as usual.
    Your blog looks wonderful-

    Enjoyed visiting,
    Laura
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  19. Hi dear! This is my favorite post! I have always made little houses out of books!!! This is amazing that others do it too!!! Thanks for showing this and for always being a delight! Blessings.
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  20. I needed to escape into a fantasy
    modd this afternoon and here were
    the "Fairy Doors" to "take me
    away" for awhile. What a fascinating post. Really loved
    the story and examples that you
    shared with all of us. Thank you.
    Hugs, Myke
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  21. What a charming post. I love the idea of fairy doors. It must foster endless imaginings from those who take the time to notice. By the way, thank you so much for the encouragement you gave me through your comment on my blog. It is much appreciated! I always enjoying reading your posts.
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  22. Thank you for stopping by Cathy, I loved your comment. I am so glad we met.
    Lee
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  23. Lee,
    My sentiments exactly! I always have such a great time visiting your blog.
    Cathy
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  24. Thanks for sharing this fascinating feature of Ann Arbor!
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  25. What a fun post! I love the idea of the fairy doors. And I got such a kick out of those books being "out of circulation"! :)
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  26. Oh so cute- fun little post-
    Put a smile on my face. =)
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  27. those fairy doors are too cute! I would love to have some of them around our house. I love the ones in the books!
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  28. Wow...I have never heard of fairy doors and I have also spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor. I think I need a little Florida fairy door!:-)
    Your blog is beautiful...so happy I stumbled upon it!
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  29. This is just wonderful!! The fairy doors are new to me and I appreciate this post more than you can know. I will be on the lookout for Fairy doors from now on.
    Susan
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  30. My world has been widened by reading this. How sweet. It occurred to me to do something like that with a pet door. Thanks for the idea.
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  31. So very cute! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the kind comments on my slipcovered ottoman and drop cloth pillows. I haven't posted the drop cloth drapes just yet. A few finishing touches to complete first.
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  32. So adorable~ My mother would die to have one of these... I am going to worward her a link to your site!
    I never really noticed these before, but I am sure to keep watch for one now!
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  33. I'm a native Michigander(now, in FL). I've been to Ann Arbor many times and have never spotted one of these adorable doors. Thanks for sharing.
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  34. my estranged sister has some lady in blogland make her a fairy door. i have never seen it in person but it does not reveal a 100 year old real detail....i would add another door for the butterflies because if a fairy gets trapped in a situation, it is always the butterfly that flies in and saves them. a butterfly is very special to me,,,,amy loved butterflies and pink gerber daisies. in our town on the day of amy's going home there was not a butterfly or any gerber daisies to be found. friens brought every kind of stuffed butterfly and she was resting with the butterflies. i put a pretty navy colored vintage paris purse in her hands, put her lip gloss and lipstick....$2.00 in change like i always did to call home....she had a blackberry but we kept it so i can call her and hear her voice. picture of her moi, daddy, and brother, and her friends put letters.....she even has a huge butterfly on her vault....i cried because i thought that was wonderful. enough of that
    hugs....hugs
    simply debbie
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  35. Oh, this is such a lovely idea! I've seen very similar on a Finnish blogger's site (sorry, cannot remember where!) and they had named it the House Mouse's door, it was a small door at their stairs in an old house. I think it was a very sweet way of teaching their young daughter not to be afraid of mice, should she see one some day in that old house. :)
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Thank you for visiting I appreciate your comments!
Cathy

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