The Sno-Isle libraries system not only offers an extensive collection of classics and new releases alike, but their educational events program flourishes with local talent. One such event welcomed local musician and artist Kristi O’Donnell to the Freeland Library. Kristi has a history of listening to her clairvoyance to navigate her life’s path. It eventually led her to Whidbey Island to take the position of Meerkerk’s Garden Director from 1993 to 2011.

She often says: “I always joked that the day I was born, my mom mowed the lawn and I came out with green thumbs,” to illustrate her destiny for the greener path. Fusing her horticulture knowledge with her artistic nature, Kristi’s art forms range from faeries and tiny homes to one-of-a-kind greetings cards and various musical groups she is part of. Last Wednesday, mom and I took one of classes Sno-Isle Libraries offered: A faerie house workshop led by the infamous Kristi-O. It brought my creative spirit out, especially since we were using organic materials.

Equipped with glue guns, moss, and various dried bits of nature, our little group of faerie contractors began to build all sorts of home styles. Everyone starts with a wooden base, aka the foundation. Kristi also came equipped with sturdy bark planks we used for walls. Once the foundations and walls were made – the creativity flowed. Tubs of materials ranged from pine leaves, ferns, wood shavings, beach glass, shells, pebbles, corn husks, etc. We had everything between two-story lofts to intimate tiki bars for faeries and all their forest friends to relax in.

Okay, so the last few had a few non-organic materials… I may have dipped into my craft box and the recycling. But hey, fusing the two does look pretty groovy! Enlightening my mind with a new medium always refreshes me in a unique way. I have much more patience with myself that no building is one in the same… they can all hold stories of their own. What kind of faerie may live there? Who are her friends… and so on. Giving my imagination a little endorphin boost with this unconventional practice is exactly what I needed.

Thank you to the magical woman Kristi O’Donnell and the Freeland Library system for hosting such a unique class ~ if you haven’t tried it, I urge you to sign up for their next one!