The artist with her favorite Wild Fairy Princess, Anika

Wild Fairies Folk are handcrafted by Lenka. She lives in the foothills of northern California. Growing up in the woods inspired a lasting sense of wonder and creative play.

The Wild Fairy Folk were first created for Lenka's two year old daughter, Anika, in the spring of 2005. Anika loves to play with the fairies (supervised, of course, as small parts can become a choking hazard if she's allowed to chew the heads off).

Lenka then gave a Wild Fairy Folk to her sister-in-law as a birthday gift. The fairy became an immediate treasure as Lenka's friend tried to decide the best place for her fairy- the car, indoors? Lenka's aunt suggested selling them in a local Waldorf toy story.

Lenka teaches second grade at The Nevada City School of the Arts, a small charter school. As California charter schools struggle for funding, the school held a craft sale fundraiser. Lenka donated a few of the Wild Fairy Folk. She was delighted when they sold within hours. Families found Lenka to request more dolls. Students wanted a fairy of their own. Lenka realized that the dolls inspired smiles and joy wherever they passed.

Lenka is now contending with symptoms rooted in a lifelong neurological disorder called Charcot Marie Tooth. Visit her website for more information about the disease at www.lenkaland.com.

The world can use more magic. So Lenka continues to invite the special fairies over from LenkaLand. The time she spends creating them is all worthwhile when she sees how they inspire children of all ages. Play is a wonderful thing!

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