Fairies’ playground

"It’s fun to live in a fantasy land, which is sometimes better than the real world," said Karen Prentiss, who has filled a section of her Wai­kele garden with fairies, wizards, unicorns and other mythical figures.

Miniature pebble pathways lead to pint-size pixie homes and other whimsical features, many of which have connections to the real world.

Two fairies seated on swings hanging from a tree serve as a memorial for Prentiss’ mother and her mother’s best friend. Other tableaux were inspired by her eight grandchildren. One granddaughter is a surfer, so there’s a miniature surf shack complete with a hippie van. Another requested mermaids, so there’s an area where one of the sea sirens sits among blue pebbles and a treasure chest.

Tucked in a corner of the garden is a miniature pet cemetery whose headstones bear the names of family pets that have died.

"There’s a story behind everything in the garden," said Prentiss, 74. "I love tapping into my imagination."

The retired real estate broker started assembling her outdoor fantasy land after receiving the gift of eight ceramic fairy figurines that represented her grandkids. There are also frogs for good luck and an oversize cat, one of her favorite pieces.

Solar lights and a color-changing globe add to the enchanting ambience.

Prentiss regularly adds items to the garden and checks on the well-being of its delicate denizens.

"I’m always gluing on a leg or a wing," she said. "The fairy garden is always under construction. It’s never going to be complete."

Prentiss enjoys crafting and introduced the activity to her grandchildren as soon as they could hold a crayon or a paintbrush. They helped paint some of the miniatures found in the garden.

"It’s been a fun project with the kids. Anyone can create a fairy garden in the backyard," she said.

But the magic doesn’t end there. Prentiss designed an Aladdin-themed bedroom in her home.

When she’s not gardening, she enjoys tai chi and exercise classes. Prentiss also is writing a book about her late mother’s dementia and her own journey as a caregiver.

"I spend lots of time weeding and pruning things, but sometimes I just come out here to cruise," she said.