Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker

Cicely Mary Barker was an English illustrator who is best known for her delightful series of illustrations depicting Flower Fairies. Her earliest professional work included greeting cards and magazine illustrations, but it was her first book, 'Flower Fairies of the Spring', published in 1923, that brought her her greatest popular acclaim!

Barker was born to Walter Barker, a partner in a seed supply company and an amateur artist, and his wife Mary Eleanor Barker on June 28,1895, in Surrey, England. Barker was an epileptic as a child and due to her delicate condition, her parents thought it best to have her educated at home by governesses.

She spent much time in bed at home amusing herself with painting books and a nursery library that included the works of Kate Greenaway (see example below)-- an artist who would later exert a strong influence on her art.

Her father enrolled her in a correspondence course in art. It provided her with the knowledge and the constructive criticism that she needed. When she was thirteen he also enrolled her in an evening class at the Croyden School of Art where she eventually earned a teaching position.

At age 15, her father took examples of her work to the well known publisher Raphael Tuck. They were quickly bought and published as a set of postcards. The next year, she won second prize in a poster competition run by the Croyden Art Society. She was soon elected to life membership in the Society, becoming their youngest member.

After her father's untimely death in 1912, her older sister, Dorothy, worked to support the family by teaching kindergarten. Barker also tried to help by selling poetry and illustrations to magazines such as My Magazine, Child's Own, Leading Strings and the Raphael Tuck annuals.

Fairies became a popular theme in art and literature in the early 20th century following the releases of 'The Coming of the Fairies' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie, and the fairy-themed work of Australian Ida Rentoul Outhwaite. Queen Mary made such themes even more popular by sending Outhwaite postcards to friends during the 1920s. In 1918, Barker herself produced a postcard series depicting elves and fairies. This is 'The Joyous Ride' which was a part of that series.

Barker's fairies were based on her knowledge of plants and flowers and her artistic studies of real children, each dressed to represent a different flower. Barker created a new costume for each of the fairies and when she no longer needed the costume she carefully took them apart in order to reuse the fabric to create new costumes.

As a child, Barker was exposed to the books of Kate Greenaway. She spent many hours in bed coloring or painting meticulously in her many Kate Greenaway painting books. Although her children do not seem as melancholy as Greenaway's, they wear similarly nostalgic clothing in idealized settings. Like Beatrix Potter, she studied flowers with a botanist's eye. Barker's style of painting and modeling of her subjects is similar to that of Potter's.

Yet, Barker gives credit to the Pre-Raphaelites for being her greatest influence--

"I am very much interested in the Pre-Raphaelites. I have been, all my life, and I've tried to see as much of their work as I possibly can. . . I am to some extent influenced by them-- not in any technical sense, but in the choice of subject-matter and the feeling and atmosphere they could achieve. I very much like, for example, the early paintings of Millais and, though he is later, the wonderful things of Burne-Jones."

Barker never compiled a book of winter flower fairies. It was not until 1985, 12 years after her death, that the "Flower Fairies of the Winter" book was compiled by using illustrations and poems taken from her other seven Flower Fairies books.

This series of ornaments are very finely sculpted and painted; they are so precious! Each fairy comes in a beautifully illustrated gift box andcomes with a fine gold cord for hanging on the Christmas tree and a detachable 6" metal floral pick for use in a plant or basket.
Buttercup Fairy Ornament-- Height 4"

The Buttercup Fairy
'Tis I whom children love the best; My wealth is all for them;
For them is set each glossy cup Upon each sturdy stem.
O little playmates whom I love! The sky is summer-blue,
And meadows full of buttercups Are spread abroad for you.

Primrose Flower Fairy

Cornflower Flower Fairy

Fuschia Flower Fairy

Rose Bay Willow Flower Fairy

Totter Grass Flower Fairy

Columbine Flower Fairy

Lilac Flower Fairy

White Bryony Flower Fairy

Sweet Pea Flower Fairy

Flower Fairies are kind, sweet, and helpful, although some of them can be a little mischievous at times!

The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies
The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies has been beautifully transformed with luxurious finishes including a cloth cover with foil stamping, pink edged pages, a place ribbon, and a gorgeous sturdy slipcase with foil stamping. This deluxe edition brings all eight of Barker's Flower Fairy books together in one place!

Flower Fairies of the Spring

Flower Fairies of the Autumn

Flower Fairies of the Winter

Flower Fairies of the Summer

The Strawberry Fairy
Fabric Panel
by Michael Miller Fabrics

These images on fabric of the Flower Fairies by CM Barker will delight any child or fairy lover!

The possibilities are endless! They can be used as the center of a medallion quilt or combined with the companion fabrics for a fun and colorful fairy quilt that will be treasured for years! Or, simply frame or mount the fabric panels for a fun addition to the decor of any room! This fabric could also be used to make the bedding for a sweet, one of a kind, fairy nursery.

Michael Miller makes superb, quilt quality cotton fabrics.

Morning Apple Fairy
Fabric Panel
by Michael Miller

Pink Rose Fairy
Fabric Panel
by Michael Miller

Purple Fairies
Fabric Panel
by Michael Miller

Hawthorne Fairy
Fabric Panel
by Michael Miller

44'' Wide Michael Miller
Sweet Morning Flower Fairies

44'' Wide Michael Miller
Alphabet Flower Fairies

44'' Wide Michael Miller
Garden Apple Flower Fairies

Apple Blossom Flower Fairies Wallpaper Cutout Decals
Quick and easy way to decorate a bedroom! Wallies Apple Blossom Flower Fairy Wallpaper Cutouts are prepasted, vinyl coated cutouts that are easy to use to decorate! Just wet the back and put them up. They are easy to remove and won't harm walls. Each package is value packed with 25 individual cutouts in 3 styles: fairies 6-1/2 inches by 5-3/4 inches and blossoms 3-1/2 inches by 2-3/4 inches.

Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies in Ribbon Embroidery & Stumpwork
Now, Di van Niekerk shows needlecrafters how to re-create five of Mary Barker's beloved Flower Fairies in beautiful and dramatic three-dimensional embroidery.
The five fairies are-- the Periwinkle Fairy, Black Medick Fairies, the White Clover Fairy, the Stork's Bill Fairy, and the Red Clover Fairy. This book includes easy-to-follow, close-up photography, and step-by-step instructions that show how to create the winsome fairies and their hair and clothes using long and short satin stitches and using a variety of threads and ribbons to create the beautiful background details such as flowers, leaves, and interesting insects.


Paperback: 152 pages

YouTube video
of Flower Fairies

Beautiful and up-close view of Di's embroidery on the little flower fairies.

"Children, the knowledge that I am passing to you is precious and must be carefully guarded!"


How to Find Flower Fairies
. . . After centuries of being hidden from human sight, the Flower Fairies allowed Cicely Mary Barker a glimpse into their enchanted fairy world in Fairyopolis . . .

Now you can continue the adventure with this spectacular new novelty book where every page unlocks the secrets behind the magical places the fairies call home. The five spreads include intricate three-dimensional pop-up images of flowers and trees that magically open up to reveal the secret homes of the fairies. Lift-the-flaps, booklets, maps and other ephemera provide interactive fun on every page leading up to a stunning surprise on the final spread!
* Reading level: Ages 4-8

Lily, a brand new Flower Fairy, just arrives in Fairyopolis when she discovers a message that guides her to a magical secret place! Explore the exciting novelties with her on each spread as she makes her way through the treetops, over a glimmering stream, and through a field of poppies. The incredible pop-up on the final spread features a walled garden where she finds butterflies, waterfalls, and lots of other fairies who have been waiting for her!
Product Details:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 24 pages

* Part of the Flower Fairies Collection
* Has separate drawer
* Great for storing little treasures
* Have slots to store rings
* Measures 6" x 4"

The Larch Flower Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker
Display the fun loving blond Larch Fairy with the fine gold cord, or use the wire pick provided to decorate flower arrangements, plants or gift baskets. The Larch Fairy is posed with a figurine base so that he can be displayed on a shelf, counter or desk.
# Licensed by the Estate of Cicely Mary Barker
Larch Fairy Ornament-- Height 4"

Brightly colored and representing different flowers, these butterfly-winged beauties will enchant fairy fans of all ages, but are the perfect toy for little hands. Each fairy includes a descriptive hangtag in 5 languages. All Safari Ltd. products are phthalate and lead free and safety tested to safeguard children's health.

This Flower Fairies Friends Alarm Clock is magical! Kids love this pink alarm clock with its retro styling! This is the perfect way to add fairy style when decorating a little fairy's bedroom. The twin bell alarm is fascinating with the bumble bee which rocks back and forth as the seconds tick. Morning wake up just got a lot easier and a lot more fun!

Flower Fairy Pop Up Tent by Schylling
Little girls love secret places to play and this pop up tent will make any day special.
This durable structure pops up and down in seconds and is great for indoor or outdoor use. Made of waterproof polyester and includes a "go anywhere" bag. Comes with a flower which attaches to the top. Perfect for little fairies and toddlers!

Rose Flower Fairy Costume Toddler 3t-4t

Delicate red petals gracefully create the skirt while the warm green stem and leaves become the bodice which is accented with pink piping. The dress finishes with dainty green sequin shoulder straps. This sweet costume also includes a magnificent rose headband and long stemmed rose wand with attached streamers. This costume dress fits 3 - 4T. Your little girl will be the beautiful centerpiece of any event as she becomes the sweetest flower fairy in the garden!

Tulip Flower Fairy Baby Costume
Just sprouted for your little flower, a pretty and pink whimsical Tulip Fairy costume. This baby costume includes bright pink iridescent dress with shimmery layers, green leaf collar, matching high top green booties, pink fairy wings and a petal headpiece with a green stem. Baby fairy dress is made of 100% Polyester. This baby costume will fit an infant up to 24 months.

Fairy Flower Child Costume
This is the cutest Fairy Flower Costume in the most beautiful color! It includes the dress with detachable over-skirt and detachable wings. All accented with iridescent fabric and lots of enchanting trim. This Fairy Precious Flower Child costume is available in child size Medium (7-10).

This little fairy dress-up costume includes wings, headband, wand, & a darling tutu in decorative plastic carrying bag

Cicely Mary Barker's beautiful and beloved Flower Fairies have enchanted both children and adults since their introduction more than 85 years ago!

Fairies have been found in all countries and can be recognized by most children, but only by a very few adults.

Flower Fairies Friends Plates & Napkins (Dessert Size)

• Plates AND napkins
  
• Napkins have Flower Fairies illustrations - 20 count
  
• Plates have Flower Fairies illustrations - 12 count
  
• Napkins measure 5 inches x 5 inches
  
• Plates measure 7 inches

Have a Flower Fairy themed PARTY!

Include all the pixies and elfs!
The plates and napkins are above, but there are cups, and hats, and lots more.

Look at all the other great
PARTY ITEMS available!

The songs on the 24 tracts of this CD are based on the poems of Cicely Mary Barker. Both children love the gentle melodies of the music along with the lovely voices of the children and adults who sing the songs. Perfect for fairy lovers!

Flower Fairies Paper Dolls
Young girls will love this book! It contains four different fairy dolls-- two boys and two girls-- and eight different outfits for them to wear. Both the dolls and clothes are printed on sturdy card stock so they will last and they are fully perforated so they're easy to remove. An envelope is conveniently attached to the inside back cover for storing the pieces.

Raphael Tuck Antique Paper Dolls
This book, from publisher Raphael Tuck, has delightful reproductions of antique paper dolls. 7 figures, 26 costumes, including outfits for such fairy tale favorites as Prince Charming, Little Bo Peep, Cinderella, and others. Raphael Tuck was the well-known publisher who published many of Cicely Mary Barker's early works.
* Paperback: 32 pages

Raphael Tuck published many of Cicely Mary Barker's work. See more books with the fun antique paper dolls, postcards, and fantasy fairies that were so popular at the time!

Flower Fairies are a special gift that all ages enjoy collecting.

This beautiful book for girls is full of everything one could think at ask about the Flower Fairies and their life. It has stories, poems, recipes, craft idea and fairy facts. It also comes with tips on how to spot Flower Fairies in the garden! This stunning gift book brings the mystical world of the Flower Fairies to life!

The Lavender Flower Fairy Wall Tile
Ceramic fairy art is not only beautiful, but each piece has a functional use as well. You can hang your art on the wall, use it in your kitchen, or any other decorative use you can think of. Each piece of art is made on a ceramic tile plaque that is 8"x10" in size with a non-slip cork board backing. The ceramic art pieces come with two different options for hanging display: an organza ribbon for hanging and two triangular hangers for a ready mount.

Heinrich Villeroy and Boch The Candytuft Fairy plate
These china plates make a sweet addition to any room's decor! They were made in limited editions and are collector's plates.

Heinrich Villeroy and Boch
Cicely Mary Barker
Heliotrope Flower Fairy
Plate

Heinrich Villeroy and Boch
Cicely Mary Barker
Cornflower Flower Fairy
Plate

Heinrich Villeroy and Boch
Cicely Mary Barker
Lavender Flower Fairy
Plate

Heinrich Villeroy and Boch
Cicely Mary Barker
Sweet Pea Flower Fairy
Plate

Heinrich Villeroy and Boch
Cicely Mary Barker
Fushia Flower Fairy
Plate

Heinrich Villeroy and Boch
Cicely Mary Barker
Apple Blossom Flower Fairy
Plate

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