09 May 2011

A Terrarium How-To


This week's post is something new I learned.
I found it so TADA! that I had to share.

Again we go back to my favorite store, Anthropologie,
where they had two workshops for Earth Day 2011.
The first was "Crafting with Cork" and
the other, "Terrarium How To".

Jojo Agatep was our terrarium-guru.
He has a background in the medical & insurance
field, but he decided to follow his passion of
combining nature and art.
And with jaw-dropping results!
Here are samples of his work:




Gorgeous right?!
Jojo is the creative arm of The Slug and the Squirrel,
a dreamy studio stationed in Philadelphia.
You can get these one-of-a-kind creations
through their shop or on Etsy.

But you can also make one of your own!

Here's what you'll need:

A clean glass vessel {a good way to turn old jars, bottles &
vases from blah to TADA!}, a cover to fit the vessel
opening and some river stones or garden rocks.

You'll also need small plants {with the roots intact}
and moss.

You may add sand, pebbles and drift wood {sourced
from the park or the beach}.

On the right are some of Jojo's tools of the trade,
but no need to invest in these. Reuse old household
items like spoons and screwdrivers.

Step 1: Think of composition and scale.
To add height to your terrarium,
use twigs or drift wood.

Jojo recommends holding the container in
one hand as you build, rather than
having it sit on a surface.

Step 2: Add the rocks, pebbles or sand.
Move around or push into place
with a pencil.

Step 3: Add the plants, tucking the roots
in between the rocks and wood with
the aid of long tweezers or a pencil.

Use the "less is more" principle here.

Step 4: Add water using a spray bottle.
Take it easy on the spritzing -- you
just want to add enough moisture,
not a pool of water.

Let this sit uncovered overnight.

Step 5: Once you are pleased with how
your terrarium looks, put on the lid.

Jojo makes a permanent seal by
attaching the lid to the vessel with
silicone glue similar to this; hot glue
is another alternative.

The beauty of closed terrariums like this one
is that they are a self-sustained environment.
They hardly need any watering or maintenance.

The workshop was hands-on so we got to
make our own and bring it home.
Here's the terrarium I made.
TADA!


6 comments:

  1. Loved this Tada!
    I shall try my hands on this..

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  2. Thanks Aakash! This is a lot of fun! :)

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  3. Wow, I love your terrarium - I want to make one!

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  4. Thanks Sooz! Yes, please make one -- you'll love it! :)

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  5. I had a good time S+S and my terrarium is still in good condition after several months! Thanks for visiting my blog :)

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