A Guide for Fairy House Artists
Thank you for joining us in filling the Glen Echo ravine with fairy houses! This guide offers ideas and practical guidelines to help your creation thrive outdoors for two weeks. There's no single "right" way to build a fairy house. Have fun, use what inspires you, and let your imagination lead!
Key Dates & Logistics
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Base pick-up window | August 8 – 15 | 422 Glen Echo Circle (porch) |
| House drop-off window | September 21 – 25 | 422 Glen Echo Circle (porch) |
| Exhibit open to the public | October 1 – 15 | Glen Echo Park |
| Fairy house ravine walk | Thursday, October 1: 6 – 8 PM | Meet at Cliffside and N. 4th St |
| Rain date for ravine walk | Friday, October 2 | Meet at Cliffside and N. 4th St |
| House pick-up window | After October 15 | Details via email |
Getting Started
Base
Each artist will receive a small plywood base to build on. If you would rather use a base of your own, please make sure it's not too large and heavy. These houses will be transported into the ravine and set up by volunteers.
Structure
Don't want to build from scratch? Start with a found object as your "bones." This can be an old birdhouse, a small log, a wooden box, a basket, a lantern, an overturned flower pot, or recycled materials. Then just dress it up with natural materials to give it a fairy-house charm!
Labeling Your House
Please label the underside of the base (not visible to visitors) with your name and contact information (email & phone). This helps us reunite artists with their houses and give you credit on our website!
Design Ideas
No two fairy houses need to look alike. They can be as simple or as intricate as you would like!
Classic cottage
Bark walls, twig-bundle roof, pebble path, moss lawn
View example →Log dwelling
Built into or against a log or stump-like form
View example →Mushroom house
Whimsical cap-shaped roof made of layered leaves, seed pods, or shelf fungus-inspired shapes
View example →Woven / nest style
Grapevine, reed, or twig weaving, bird's-nest inspired
View example →Stone cottage
Small stacked or glued stones, moss roof
View example →Seasonal / harvest theme
Acorns, dried seed heads, pinecones
View example →Whimsical / fantastical
Anything goes: a boat, a lantern-lit tower, a spiral shell tower
View example →Shops / stores / libraries
Whatever a fairy might want to see in its village
View example →Magical / mysterious
Stars, crystals, marbles, gems
View example →Don't forget the accessories! Little details bring a fairy house to life. Think tiny ladders, fences, steps, a mailbox, a bench, or other fairy furniture. Let your imagination go wild!
Think of the ravine itself as part of your design. Consider how your house might tuck into a hillside, perch among roots, or peek out from leaf litter: a little bit of "surprise and delight" for walkers to discover!
Size & Materials
Please keep your house fairy-sized! These are meant to be small, discoverable details in the landscape, not major structures.
Size Guidelines
- •Size: Roughly the size of a shoebox or smaller (~1 cubic foot)
- •Weight: Light enough to carry and set easily by hand
- •Base: We'll provide a plywood off-cut, or feel free to use your own
- •Durability: Should sit outside for two weeks in fall weather
Good Material Choices
- ✓Bark, twigs, pinecones, acorns, seed pods, dried moss, stones, shells
- ✓Sturdy dried flowers, popsicle sticks
- ✓Fired clay (kiln-fired pieces hold up very well outdoors)
- ✓Natural twine, raffia, jute, or floral wire for binding
- ✓Weatherproof glue (exterior wood glue or outdoor construction adhesive)
- ✓Small amounts of durable craft elements (driftwood, painted rocks)
Please Avoid
- ✗Glass, sharp metal, or anything that could break into sharp pieces
- ✗Anything toxic to wildlife, pets, or curious children
- ✗Fresh flowers, food items, or anything that will rot, mold, or attract pests
- ✗Anything that could blow away easily (light items should be well secured)
- ✗Anything electronic (it will be exposed to the weather)
- ✗Excess plastic or materials that won't hold up outdoors
Weatherizing Tips
Most natural materials handle two weeks outdoors just fine as-is: bark, twigs, pinecones, shells and stones are naturally weather-hardy. A bit of fading or curling with rain and sun is part of the look!
A coat of clear outdoor sealant, spray polyurethane, or exterior varnish will help protect glued or delicate assemblies from rain and humidity.
Exterior-grade or waterproof wood glue will hold up much better than school glue or basic craft glue.
Anchoring lighter elements (moss, dried leaves, small twigs) with glue or twine will keep them in place through wind and rain.
If using paint, exterior/outdoor-rated paint will hold color better than indoor craft paint.
A Note on Weathering & Wear
These houses will live outdoors in a public park for two weeks, through weather, foot traffic, and the occasional curious dog, bird or squirrel. Friends of Glen Echo will do our best to look after the exhibit, but we can't guarantee your house will be returned in the same condition it was submitted.
We see this as part of the charm: nature and time leave their own mark. But please build with that in mind, and know we don't recommend including anything irreplaceable, valuable or unable to be lost / damaged.
Questions?
Reach out to Friends of Glen Echo anytime. We're so excited to see what you create!
friendsofglenecho@gmail.com