Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2019 ended on a good note and that 2020 brings you much joy and laughter. I thought I’d kick the new year off with a tutorial on how to make these teeny, tiny fairy leaf bowls.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding that a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Aren’t they adorable? Our garden fairies love them and they’re super easy to make too. The fairy leaf bowls can be used as planters or to store those tiny garden tools.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyLeafBowl #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCrafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Either way, they make the perfect little addition to a fairy scape.

Okay, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

For the fairy leaf bowls, you’ll need various pliable, soft leaves. I normally use leaves from our mulberry tree, rose bushes and wisteria. Oak, ivy, and maple are also good choices, especially if they’ve donned their autumn colors.

A collection of leaves used to make the bowls #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Basically, any leaf that bends easily without breaking will work.  The leaves can be wet or dry as long as they “used to be” pliable.

You will also need:

  • A mixing container
  • A plastic fork or spoon
  • Craft or wood glue that dries clear
  • Water
  • Burlap string or small elastic bands
  • Scissors
  • Small flat-bottomed lids, pens, tubes or other containers to use as a mold

Flat bottomed objects with straight sides are best for a mold #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Objects with straight upright edges work best to make the bowls. If you do use something that has a tapered edge make sure it tapers downward. It’s easier to de-mold the leaf bowls once they dry.

How to make the fairy leaf bowls

To make the fairy leaf bowls I used a mixture of “dried” leaves and leaves that were freshly plucked. If you look at the piccy below, the dried leaves create those beautifully, crinkly, textured bowls on the right, while the fresh green ones tend to be smoother and you can see the veins.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyLeafBowl #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCrafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Since it’s Summer here in South Africa I had to “force dry” the leaves by placing them between two baking sheets and putting them in the oven on low for about 20 minutes.

To dry the leaves place them bewteen two layers of wax paper #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

You can wait for them to dry naturally but I’m way too impatient for something like that 😉 Once you have all your leaves, mix a little craft glue with enough water to cover them. A flat bottomed aluminum container works really well.

Mix glue and water together #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Submerge the leaves in the watery glue mix. If your leaves are still wet it only takes a few minutes to give them a decent soak.

A deer knows when a leaf falls silently. She hears it breathing differently. Click to Tweet

Soak the leaves in the glue mixture #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

The dried leaves need to stay in the mixture for about 20 minutes until they’re soft and pliable again.

Place the mold on top of your leaf and carefully wrap the edges up around the mold, making sure that the bottom is covered. Wrap a piece of string around the leaf and tie a knot. It helps if you have another pair of hands.  A small rubber band works too.

Wrap the leaves around the object and tie string around to secure #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Dunk the leaf bowls in the mixture again and place them on a flat surface to dry completely.

Place the fairy bowls on a flat surface to dry #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Weigh the leaf bowls down with something heavy. I used a broken terracotta tile. You want your bowls to have a nice flat bottom when they’re done.

Place something heavy on top of the leaves while they're drying #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Once they’re dry (I left them overnight), gently slide the fairy leaf bowls off the molds.

All the different objects we used to make the fairy bowls #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Trim the string and your fairy leaf bowls are done.

How to use the fairy leaf bowls

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding that a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

The fairy leaf bowls make the most adorable addition to any fairy garden or doll’s house. Add them to your fairy potting bench ……

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding that a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house.  #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

or place them on a little table.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding that a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house.  #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCtafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

And you can even use them as mini planters. We put one of my favorite succulents in this one.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding that a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

The Crassula lycopodioides also called the Watch Chain or Princess Pine, will grow anywhere and her off-shoots are delicate and small enough for these fairy leaf bowls.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyLeafBowl #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCrafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

And it’s a great craft to do with the kids too. They can help you find the right leaves and dunk them in the glue and water mix. Molding and unmolding the leaf bowls should be done by someone who has a steady hand though since they’re very delicate.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyLeafBowl #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCrafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

If you want your fairy leaf bowls to last a long time, you can coat them with a layer of resin to protect them.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyLeafBowl #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCrafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

If you like the idea of making fairy leaf bowls, don’t forget to pin it for later.

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding that a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house.  #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCRafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

Caring is sharing 😉

These whimsical fairy leaf bowls are so easy to make. They’re perfect for adding a fun décor element to a fairy garden or dolls house. #FairyLeafBowl #FairyBowls #FairyDIYCrafts #ACraftyMix #FairyGardens #FairyCrafts #WhimsicalFairyCrafts #SimpleFairyCrafts

And if you’re looking for a few more fairy crafts to make, you’ll find a whole bunch on our blog, including:

We’ve also included some affiliate links below, so you don’t have to worry about finding some of the stuff we used to make the teeny tiny planters. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a very small commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more unique DIY and fairy craft ideas for you 😉

Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue, 16-Ounces #1414
Tenn Well 1000 Feet Natural Jute Twine, 2PCS 3Ply Art and Craft Twine for Gifts, DIY Crafts, Festive Decoration, Gardening and Bundling
Sale Tenn Well 66Ft Natural Jute Twine, 5MM Burlap Leaf Ribbon with Artificial Vine Green Leaves for Wedding Home Garden Jungle Safari Party Decorations

Or if you prefer to buy rather than DIY

The Paragon Fairy Garden Planter House, Resin Fairy Forest Mulit Layer Decroative Flower Pot for Succulents, Cactus or Small Flower
Small Fairy Wooden Bucket/Pail (Fairy Garden Accessory) 1:12 Scale
Sale NCYP Fairy Garden Stump Resin Planter for Succulent Cactus -11.4x9.4x10.5 Inches Multilayer Decorative Flower Pot - Indoor Gardening Miniature Tree Shape Sculpture (No Plants)

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.

Made with love by a Crafty Mix