In the Tiny Box

Oh! where do fairies hide their heads,
When snow lies on the hills,
When frost has spoiled their mossy beds,
And crystallized their rills?
~Thomas Haynes Bayly

Our very favourite creation over our recent holiday period would most certainly be this adorable, yet tiny little box I whipped up one Friday evening.  I was inspired by Juliane.  She tells me this is called a Schachtelkasper - Schachtel meaning 'box' and Kasper is a glove puppet character.  After seeing her tiny box (which certainly made me happy ;))  I was certain this little treat, with a couple of my own adaptations would delight my two little treasures.

Can you see who is hiding inside?...

A tiny wee fairy who seems to often leave her little schachtel and find places to tinker and rest around our house.  

Just the other day she was found leaning against and hence just about to nibble some of our delightful dainty deliveries from Fröken Skicklig's Bakery.

Despite the fact that she enjoys wandering about and nibbling at Juliane's creations, I am very proud of her as she is my very own creation and design, inspired by nothing other than my own imagination and the few beads, wires, fabrics and tools I had on hand.

A small pearl bead head, tiny seed bead arms and matching belt on a gathered tulle skirt so tiny it could hardly be called a piece of fabric.  She wears a floral hat and sports tiny floral wings.  We think she is an indoor fairy so these wings must be there to teach her of the habitat of most of her friends living in our garden.

Oh yes, our hiding fairy delights. However the novelty of the box is what brings so much joy.  You see how can a little box be opened by a button which need not be undone?  Ah, perhaps you can see and you know and can devise one of your own.  Perhaps it will intrigue you and puzzle you.  Give it a try and let your little ones enjoy.   

It develops fine motor skills, a sense of object permanence, the joy and fun of peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek games, an appreciation for things handmade and an inroad into the wonderful world of imaginary play and fantasy.

Tiny simple dainty objects often give the greatest pleasure.

I have no doubt all young ladies would agree ;)