Not everyone believes in fairies.
But one woman who certainly does is Netherton’s Julie Haigh – for fairies have made her wish come true.
Last year the talented mother-of-one decided to turn her hobby of making decorative figures into a business. She set up the Fabulous Fairy Factory at her home and has never looked back.
So far, she has made over 1,000, her order books are full and the fairies are in demand from as far afield as Japan and the USA.
She said: “I absolutely did not expect them so become so popular. It still surprises me that people want to buy the things that I have made.
“This is a wish come true for me. I love designing and making the fairies and really hoped that the business would be successful. Now it’s all about keeping up with demand.
However, Julie, 45, who trained in graphic design and used to run a florist’s shop in Kirkburton, cannot claim all the credit, She is ably assisted by her fairy godmothers – and godfather.
Mum June Hales does all the packing and administration while dad Michael – both from Kirkheaton – makes all the fairy stands. And mum-in-law Margaret Haigh, of Meltham, helps on the creative side and cuts out all the fairy wings.
Each exquisite handmade fairy is unique and requires many hours of painstaking work by hand.
Wherever possible Julie sources all the materials locally, using organza, or toile, for the wings and recycled wool spindles from mills for the stands. Her designs are constantly evolving and she also utilises papier mache, beads, wire and clay.
The fairies are popular as gifts for girls’ bedrooms, graduation ceremonies and weddings. Some, like the popular guardian angel, have plaques with messages.
Julie is exhibiting at the prestigious Country Living Fair in Harrogate in November and then hopes “to take Fabulous Fairies to the next level.”
To see more of her creations, visit www.fabulousfairyfactory.co.uk .
