This is the Fairytale Witch's Cave that I started a few years ago, still in progress.

The Witch who lives here is, of course, a good witch, also known as a Fairy Godmother - on her good days, anyway. She's the old woman the hero always runs into at the beginning of a journey, the one who gives out apparently useless items that later save the day (if one is wise): the comb that becomes a forest to foil pursuers, the model ship that becomes real in time of need, the cloth that provides feasts when spread, and so on. She keeps a basketful of such items up in her storage loft, along with magic swords, winged sandals and other magical items.

As soon as I get the wiring for the fireplace and her lantern done, I'll be finishing up the exterior with dried moss, lichen and flowers (then comes the hard part - the Fairy Godmother doll and all the tiny fairies I plan to have flitting about!). I made the cave itself out of a chicken wire "frame" stapled to a board and then papermached. Some of that stone-textured spray paint and some good ole fashioned dirt helped achieve the rocky look.

The rocking chair and the worktable were two of my first childhood pieces of miniature furniture.

The fairy godmother sleeps comfortably on her ledge behind the fireplace, snug in her "bearskins" (rabbit fur) and carpets, with a couple velvet pillows that a grateful hero brought her. She has a cat who spends most of its time curled up on the bed.

Although she is a good witch, she keeps a hat and broom around for special occasions. And housework.

Among her magical tools, this witch boasts a magic wand (laying on the worktable) fitted with a real amethyst crystal at one end, red feathers, and a "bear claw" at the other end of the wand (actually a baby tooth from my dog, Lucy - I knew I saved them for some reason). I also made her many scrolls and the owl visitor sitting on his perch at one end of the table (he comes around a lot, so he has his own perch). 

The small wood bench holding the water bucket belonged to my grandmother when she was young.

The herbs hanging from the ceiling to dry are real plants from my own backyard. I made the treasure chest with its curved lid (hidden behind the fireplace) from balsa wood. It has real brass hinges, and will have a brass lockplate once I add it on there. The "brass" trim at the edges, however, is just painted tape. (There is supposed to be a mishievous little imp lifting the lid to see the treasure, but my first attempt didn't turn out very well.)

The smoke rising from the incense burner in the center of the floor is a tiny wisp of cotton. The burner itself is made of jewelry fittings and a tiny seashell.