"Dingley Dwellings"
These are a range of mushroom / toadstool - inspired fairy houses. As darkness falls, theycan be illuminated* from within and cheer up a dark corner or nook in the garden, conservatory or house. Fairies are not supplied, but it is felt that the careful and attractive siting of the individual dwellings can soon encourage habitation. The shape and style of each one evolves as it is made, so no two are ever exactly the same. So far, planning consent has not been a problem.... We think they look very well in a dingley dell woodland setting, but we have seen some inspired and imaginative placings, on tree stumps, lovely firesides and quiet garden corners. If you are particularly chuffed with your placement, please send us a picture to (info@dingleydwellings.co.uk)and we will be delighted to add it to our gallery.
*Please see "Safety" before lighting up - thankyou.
Denise at work.
Technical stuff
Mushrooms range in size from 4" (10cms) to over 30" (75cms) in height. Each dwelling is made completely by hand from a "heavily grogged" stoneware clay. Part of the manufacturing process of this clay involves finely crushing up firebricks (or similar) and incorporating them into the mixture. This gives a rustic rough texture to the finished mushrooms and it is always gratifying to watch as people "just have-to touch" when we take them out to craft fairs - they are very tactile. The body and roof shape of each one is made first, it is then tiled with individual tiles, made from the same clay, first rolled into small balls, then flattened and overlaid (to shed the rain properly - and keep fairies dry) It is said that each tile carries the potters thumbprint! Then windows, doors and other features are added. (keyhole surgery) Once each piece is built, they are left to dry naturally to a state known as "leather hard" (This can be quite rapid in the summer - rather slower in the winter) Final stage is the firing - this can take up to two days from first closing the kiln door to finally re-opening again (always an unknown and can be a quite anxious time - especially with a large /complex dwelling) Any foreign particles in the clay, or sometimes,just the stresses built up in the making, can cause a piece to crack or even explode! The clay is taken up to 1260 degrees Centigrade and literally turns to stone. It becomes non-porus and frost resistant.
Work in progress.