My Fairy Cottage

I am building a fairy cottage. It’s probably not what you think. A miniature version maybe? Naw. An outdoor, tent-like structure? Nope. A fun place for my young daughter? No way! I’m going to let you in on my secret. I am building a cottage utterly and completely for myself. I am filling it with crystals, jewels and all manner of sparkly things.

It might seem odd, but this space is my closet; my small, 3X4 closet.

I’ll start from the beginning. I am an avid collector of fashion jewelry. I am a ravenous, you-can-not-stop-me collector. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just shiny. It might surprise you that I am allergic to all metals. I accept and embrace my allergy and have found a way to enjoy jewelry without wearing it. I love to display my collection in my room. Now I’m putting it to use in my cottage.

My loved ones joke that I’m really a raccoon. I boldly laugh at that, as I covertly adjust my human costume. Raccoons are adorable creatures of the night. They are protective of their identity, hence the mask. They have excellent taste in baubles; enjoy dumpster diving and have manual dexterity that wows even the most skilled surgeon.

I know what you are thinking. At least one of those qualities does not apply to me at all. My manual dexterity sucks.

I am facing my 40th birthday and continue to construct my cottage. I am filling this space with 3M hooks and glimmering treasures. Right now it feels as if the entire world is caught up in a tornado and it keeps spinning and spinning around me. There are so many aspects of my life that are out of my control, the only way I can handle this life storm is to create a shelter; this shelter that is built with my own hands and in my own time.

I don’t work on it every day. Some days I tear down what I did the day before. I started this project thinking that when the weather cools I might spend some time in the space to read or to write in my journal. As my work progresses, I have begun to realize it is not so much about the cottage as it is about my ability to create an extraordinarily beautiful, safe place for myself, a place that is mine alone.

I know a psychologist could have fun with this. He or she would agree that I am looking for that shelter in a storm. They may believe it is neither the healthiest nor the most productive way for me to find peace. But this is what I know: I know that it works for me. With every crystal I hand, every string of lights I drape, and each glittering pendant I place, I am getting closer to finding myself. I am getting closer to realizing that I am okay, I am safe and that I can handle whatever life tosses at me – one bauble and 3M hook at a time.