Have a look at my tiny tea house, made from a birdhouse gourd.

Here’s a bit of history: Several years ago, when my boys were still young, we planted birdhouse gourds. They were fun to grow, but they need a lot of space. When all was said and done, we ended up with two gourds.

The gourds took a year to dry out. I knew they were ready when I could shake them like an oversized rattle. The color changed too, from bright green to a spotted brown.
Mike drilled a bird-sized hole in one of the gourds and a few pinholes in the bottom for drainage. Year after year I dreamed of a nest of birds, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. One year I found the gourd filled with tiny pinecones, a discovery that made me laugh. Squirrels no doubt.
Today I turned the second gourd into a tiny tea house.

Like most of my miniature fairy gardens, the concept evolved. The gourd proved too small for the tea house, so I moved the furniture “outside” and created a patio instead.

I placed a battery-operated tea light in the stem of the gourd for some ambiance. It’s a perfect fit!
I fashioned a small curtain from a tattered silk scarf, then hung the curtain from a reed once used in a diffuser. Unlike full-sized drapes, it took me longer to thread the needle than to sew them.
Tealight wedged in gourd neck Fairy lights behind the silk curtain Reed infuser Tattered silk scarf Lavender silk curtain on a reed curtain rod
I put more fairy lights behind the silk, delighted with the soft, romantic effect.
The gourd sits in the corner of a shallow wooden tray. The tray arrived at Christmas time, filled with delicious cheese and crackers. I knew I could put it to good use, and today was the day.

I lined the tray with moss and tiny shells from a broken necklace. I made the patio using three wooden blocks that were originally intended for rubber stamps. I applied rub-on transfers to make a leafy patio, then wedged them together on the tray. They keep the gourd in place, and they’re just the right size for the rusted furniture.
Wood blocks before leaf transfer wood block with leaf transfer Vintage Artistry rub-on transfers Wood blocks with leaf transfers Leafy patio
The charming tea set and the beehive were a gift from my friend Kelly. We met through blogging many years ago, and we’ve become the best of friends. I got her hooked on fairy gardening as well.

I draped Wisteria across the opening and made a small sign using a Sharpie and a cyclamen flower.
Tea is served at 4:00 sharp.

The tea house gourd is enchanting! I love the furniture and all the details that you have included!
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Thank you so much, tottie. I really enjoyed putting this together.
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That is entirely amazing! You are so talented, and I enjoyed reading every word and seeing every picture!
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Susan, aren’t you a breath of fresh air! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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ingenious repurposing there 😀
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Thank you, Dawn. I had a lot of fun.
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If I were a fairy, I would definitely visit your tea house!
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We would have cake and tea before dancing with the wood sprites.
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Patience and creativity rewarded
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Thank you, Derrick.
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Well, you certainly know how to have fun Alys.
Ingenious use of various types of scrappy bits and pieces and such an enchanting little scene you’ve made that I can only hope fairies do exist so they can enjoy your little tea house.
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Thank you so much, Lynn. This is surprisingly fun and relaxing, with the added benefit of delighting the young daycare children next door.
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How lovely. Thank you for all your wonderful repupose ideas. Wish I was a fairy.
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Hello again, Amy. Let’s pretend we’re fairies and meet for tea. 🙂
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Omgoodness ! How adorable is this 😀 So happy you found a use for the tea set. But honestly, how clever is the patio, gourd and seashell walkway. You even have a delightful doily on the table. I wish I could shrink down and wander into the gourd. It’s probably really soft inside. I imagine it with lots of pillows and low tables….like Jeannie’s bottle 😀 It’s all perfectly dreamy too. xoK
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I’m now imagining the I Dream of Jeannie bottle as well. We loved that show as young girls. Your tiny tea set is simply perfect in the tea house. Thank you once again for supporting my hobby. 🙂 The lace doily came with the set by the way. It’s charming. The gourd is amazingly soft inside, which surprised me. Let’s pretend we’re fairies and have tea, or we can swap out your tea of a cup of coffee. We would have so much fun.
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I loved Jeannie, she was so sweet and in love with Major Nelson. I didn’t know the T-set came with a doily, I’m thinking that gal just included it maybe. How nice. Or I just have a bad memory, which is entirely possible and probably a reality, LOL ! I shall shrink my Nespresso (since I’m a magical fairy) and fly on over xoK
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I love the idea of a shrunken Nespresso. Can you imagine? Tee-hee. I long for a day when we can wander vintage shops once again. looking for tiny treasures.
Barbara Eden was a wonderful Jeannie.
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Yes to wandering vintage shops. This very moment, I just recalled a dream I had before waking this morning. Someone came to the counter with a little garden critter, it didn’t have a price tag and I was hoping the shopper would put it back when she heard the price, so I could scoop it up, LOL….get this, my mom worked there !!! eeep, LOL! Who knows what these things are to mean 😀 xK
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What whimsical fun! ❤
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It’s great fun, Eliza.
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It’s gorgeous! If I were a fairy I’d be over for tea tomorrow! 😉 A wonderful idea Alys, and I bet it was a fun project too. 😃
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Cathy, I had grear fun creating this little vignette. There is something so appealing about working in miniature, and I also find it rewarding figuring out what I have on hand that will work well. Let’s pretend we’re fairies and meet for that cuppa. xo
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Tea at 4:00 sharp…I just have time to change into my fairy costume!
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Delightful! I’m looking forward to seeing you there, Anne. xo
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You always make the best tiny fairy gardens. I’m still trying to get outside and do more work but there is sunshine out there!!! 🙂 Hugs.
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