40 years of whimsical bush fairy creations

The Australian Bush Fairies was originally designed and created by my mother, Susanne Gronow, in the 1980’s when I was just a baby; she lovingly hand-painted cards and art prints and sold them in shops and at markets. Inspired by my father’s aviaries of native birds she carefully collected the colourful moulted feathers and created a whimsical fairytale:

“Every year the colourful native parrots moult their old feathers and replace them with new ones. The bush fairies collect these feathers and use them in many ways, such as making dresses for themselves”

When I had my daughter my mother dusted off the boxes of now vintage cards and gave them to me, and in doing so she gave me a legacy of motherhood for our little family, and a gift of the enchantment of childhood that I’d like to share with you.

Artist and crafter

I’m Amber, an artist and crafter living in the beautiful Clarence Valley NSW Australia, home of the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggir and Yaegl Nations. I create nature inspired artwork to bring joy to your life. This includes a whimsical collection of Australian Bush Fairy cards, art prints and fairy subscriptions (for young ones and those young at heart!), as well as original artworks, acrylic paintings and charcoal and pencil drawings.

I make art prints of my original artworks and offer various products with my designs as well as the digital artworks I create on my iPad.

Wild Precious began when I became a mother and my mother gave me her whimsical and wonderful collection of fairy cards and prints, since then I have added my own artworks and crafts to the collection making this a home to the Australian Bush Fairies as well as my own art.

My work is inspired by the wild and whimsical beauty of the natural world, as well as a childhood nostalgia that is so precious to preserve. I enjoy using ethical and sustainable materials wherever possible, and affiliate with other makers and brands that do the same. Wild Precious is about living a life that is in line with the fragility and beauty of our natural world, and also the joy this brings.

I studied art many years ago, completing a certificate in Fine Arts and then a Batchelor in Fine Arts at the National Art School in 2006. Art has always been a personal passion for me even though I chose a different path for my career, however it seems I have come full circle to pursue a life as an artist again! I am the artist and business owner of Wild Precious; I design, create, photograph, market and ship the items you see here.

Most days I lead a busy mum life to a preschooler, fitting my art in wherever and however I can, usually set up by a window in our small and humble apartment (dreaming of a beautiful garden studio for our future). Most days we go on walks together and collect our ‘treasures’ to bring home – a pretty leaf, twigs, seedpods, fallen frangipani flowers and long grass; it’s so special to be able to live these memories again with a little one to show the way.

If you have any questions please contact me through the contact form below. You can also get in touch through Instagram, Email or Etsy.