Measuring around 7 inches tall with sweet little petal costumes and wings that fitted onto their backs the Flower Fairies toys were inspired by the illustrations of Cicely Mary Barker.
The first Flower Fairies toys first appeared on our shelves in 1983 and were manufactured by Hornby. When they were first released as collectible toys there were just six of them. However, by 1985 when the Flower Pixies were made there were many more fairies and accessories available. The most popular Flower Fairies toys included the Fairyland Home set, Secret Garden, Snail Carriage, Fairyland Coach, Pegasus Horse and Ballet Fairy.
Flower Fairies toy figures (as opposed to the highly collectible ceramic figures) were made in vinyl and included threaded hair. Cited as the ‘Original Flower Fairies’ the figures were available in large, illustrated boxes with plastic windows. The male Flower Fairies figures were known as ‘Pixies’ and each figure came with its own original costume. It was possible to collect a whole range of different costumes and wands and although the clothes were all very similar in design they varied in colour and smaller details.
When the popularity of Flower Fairies started to decrease Hornby tried out a range of six different 'star costumes', these were smaller versions of Rainbow-Brite/Moondreamers style clothing) to modernise the dolls.
In the USA, Flower Fairies were taken over by Tonka due to poor sales. Hornby’s Flower Fairies had such a poor turnover that they ceased production altogether. Although the original six Flower Fairies were brought back to the shelves by Tonka and used the actual moulds from the original dolls Tonka rebranded the line as ‘Star Fairies’. A new range of six different Star Fairies were also released, these included Nightsong, Spice, Whisper, True Love, Jazz, Sparkle. They also added a seventh fairy, Princess Sparkle and Castle Wishstar, a Unicorn, a coach and three flocked animal friends to the line of merchandise.
Star Fairies came in a variety of different skin and hair colours meaning that they were more generally diverse than Flower Fairies (that were generally all blue-eyed blondes or brown-eyed brunettes).
Sadly, Flower Fairies (or ‘Star Fairies’ as they were then known) ceased production altogether in the late 1980s. Towards the end of their shelf life Tonka tried a few more variations on the range. However, with a small production run these are now the hardest figures to find today. The most recent Star Fairies lines included; Magic Mist Fairies (their dresses had patterns which appeared only when sprayed with water), Magic Fairies (these glowed in the dark and came complete with crowns and deluxe wands), a Treehouse, and more Deluxe Fairies (including Marigold, Rosebay Willowherb and Celandine) and new Pixies (Strawberry Pixie, Bluebell, Double Daisy and Hollie).
Flower Fairies trivia
With renewed interest in the newly branded ‘Star Fairies’ a Star Fairies animated film was released in 1985. The film featured the voice of Drew Barrymore.
The original illustrator of Flower Fairies, Cicely Mary Barker was unable to attend school due to her acute epilepsy. As she was often home-bound she spent most of her time drawing and painting.
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Lesley said:
After reading about Cicely Mary Barker, it makes the Flower Fairies all the more special
Thursday November 27, 2008, 04:07 PM
rosey said:
if i ever win lotto, I will buy all the hornby flower fairy dolls and sets i can possibly find. loved them as a kid; will love them forever.
Sunday December 6, 2009, 06:48 AM
Leni said:
Am looking for the flower fairy garden that was a large shell shaped that opened up into a fairy garden! ? Any ideas?
Monday March 1, 2010, 12:58 PM
Lynne said:
I have a flower fairy garden, it has lots of flowers, butterflies etc which makes it very pretty. It has a swing and cobweb hammocks for the fairy dolls to use. There are also lacy curtains around it. Is this a valuable collectable item?
Monday April 5, 2010, 02:31 PM
chrissie said:
Many of the flower fairy items are quite valuable. You could probably get between £30-100 for flower fairy garden depending on its condition
Wednesday August 11, 2010, 09:13 PM
Carly said:
Hi, can someone help me identify my flower fairy? I had two when I was was little, one was Almond Blossom but I have no idea what the other was and I can't find a picture of her online anywhere. She had brunette hair and wore a long gold and lilac dress. I don't remember her having wings, but she may have done.
Saturday September 4, 2010, 01:57 PM
GINNIE said:
HI I HAVE A FLOWER FAIRY SHE HAS BLONDE HAIR WITH A WHITE DRESS WITH LIME GREEN RIBBONS SHE HAS SPARKLE ON HER LEGS DOES ANYONE KNOW HER NAME GINNIE
Sunday October 31, 2010, 02:55 PM
Dawn said:
Hi i have a flower fairy red squirrel but cannot remember the name. any ideas?
Saturday December 4, 2010, 09:44 PM
chrissie said:
Hi the flower fairy with the gold and lilac dress sounds like it may be one of the star fairy outfits - moonlight ballgown. The white dress with green ribbons is probably the christmas tree fairy. I dont think the squirrel or any of the other woodland friends had a name.
Saturday December 4, 2010, 11:12 PM
Charlene said:
Hi all, OMG. Decorating my babies nursey in fairies and hubby doing flower fairies mural. Been searching online trying to source stuff and its nightmare! Library had to get me books from basement! Just been on ebay and cant believe price of dolls! I had the garden as child and loved it! Cant believe how hard it is to source, wait till I tell my mum she should of kept them! aaawww the memories, thanks all xx
Thursday January 27, 2011, 11:20 PM
becky said:
i had a shower that came with a fumitory fairy, cant find a pic anywhere, did anyone else have one?
Monday May 30, 2011, 09:38 PM
Sarah said:
I have just come across my collection of Original Flower Fairies from 1983. I have The Fairyland Home, The Secret Garden and 5 dolls. Does anyone know how much this would be worth or where I could sell it ? Many thanks.
Monday July 25, 2011, 10:45 AM
Cassis said:
Sarah, Try ebay they appear to be selling on there. I have just been bidding on these fairy items for my Grandaughter.
Wednesday August 3, 2011, 07:49 PM
Louise said:
I have collected nearly all the dolls I can find so far, I think I have about 60 different ones, including the one fairy (heliotrope) and one pixie (elm) I was allowed when I was little! I also found the treehouse, which I wanted desperately but I apparently had too many toys!
Its a difficult collection to complete, No-one seems to know exactly how many we're made and it seems records became a little sketchy towards the end! I am looking for an elderflower fairy and a snowdrop fairy if they were ever made for sale and not just pictured in the catalogue, I have not yet seen either for sale or in anyone's collection, anyone have info on these?
Saturday December 10, 2011, 12:42 PM
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