When I should have been outside the past few months... weeding (!) I've been inside instead - making terrariums. This is a hobby my daughter introduced me to and it has fast become my (latest :) obsession.
Anyone who's followed this blog knows how much I adore all things teeny-tiny. I also love gardening. Terrariums are the perfect melding of these two interests - and they serve to indulge my creative side. As well, they are a beautiful addition to any home. I keep this mermaid on my dining room table.
I've made 4 terrariums so far (which I will showcase over the next few posts), with more planned - I really think I need one in every room of my home, hehe! I've been holding off posting them for a few weeks now because I wanted to make sure they were going to survive before showing them to you.
All sides of your terrarium should be visually pleasing - I've continued this seaside theme all around with pretty shells and rocks. There are three plants and two patches of moss growing in this one.
The first recorded terrarium was 'discovered' quite by accident in 1829. From that point forward, their popularity has ebbed and flowed - they were very big in the 60's & 70's, but again fell by the wayside for a few decades, only making a huge comeback in the past number of years.
If you are interested, the internet has many very good websites devoted to this pastime. As well, there are several books you can buy. Over the next three postings, I will delve further into how a terrarium is constructed, where you can source out the materials needed and a few mistakes to avoid.
Mało, że piękna ozdoba, ale i roślinom tam jest dobrze. Mają wilgoć. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteFew, that beautiful decoration, but there are plants well. They have moisture. Yours.
Thanks Giga :)
DeleteHow very pretty. Do you find them difficult to maintain?
ReplyDeleteSo far they haven't been much of a problem at all. The goal is (once you've established the right balance) not to have to water or do any maintenance (clean-up, pruning) but once a month or even longer in some cases.
DeleteYour new hobby/obsession is a great pastime and it grows more lovely over time.
ReplyDeleteI will be interested to hear more on how to get started and where to buy the supplies.
Very beautiful indeed!
Thanks Lorene, you can very easily find everything you'll need to make your own :)
DeleteWow, gorgeous, Jane! That is a wonderful hobby. I adore terrariums, but haven't found the time to commit to making one. I have a list of obsessions that I'm going through and it's on there. I actually seek obsessions...LOL... Your terrarium obsession took time away from weeding; for me it's been photography. Oh well, at least we're having fun.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your other creations. Looking great, so far!
Haha - you and I are so alike in many ways Martha - I'm beginning to wonder if we were separated at birth..?! I agree - at least we're having fun :)
DeleteI'm with Martha! I can't wait. I know the photography will be beautiful and, for me, it will be something new. I thought terrariums were places where people kept creepy crawlies. This is much more appealing! (You aren't going to show us your pet snake in one of your terrariums are you, Jane?????)
ReplyDeleteHi Francie, My terrariums are not going to have any living creature in them, but that being said, I'd love to have one with a lizard in it. I'm seriously considering setting up an aquarium though - we always had one growing up and I loved it.
DeleteMy mum did this is the 70s, I can remember them so clearly. She was especially mad at me after I opened up the lid to one in which she kept teeny frogs;p
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to seeing all of yours and learning how to make one myself!
Little frogs would be adorable!! I don't see introducing them - that would be getting more complicated than I'd like this hobby to be. I'd love a terrarium with a lizard though :)
DeleteJane, this is so beautiful! I mean, really. I wish I could grow, well anything, because I'd love to have one. Is it difficult to maintain? Can a plant serial killer like me keep it alive? So far, I have been able to keep my bamboos alive, but that's it. I've even killed cactus before.
ReplyDeleteLol, I think that once you get the right balance established etc. this would be the perfect medium for you - they only need to be watered, pruned etc. every month or so. Don't feel bad about killing a cactus - they are actually easy to kill if they are overwatered (& it doesn't take much) and don't get enough light.
DeleteThis one is quite enchanting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Patty - I love mermaids :)
DeleteI made a terrarium way back in the 70's and recently made a new one. It's got a Buddha in it. Oooh and how I love it. Yours is simply wonderful. They are so much fun and add a soothing calm to any room. Good job...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I remember your Buddha one - & was quite inspired by it at the time. I agree - they do add a soothing calm to the room.
DeleteJane, thank you! That website is unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome. Did you sign up for daily messages?
DeleteLovely and magical!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra :D
DeleteGreat job on the terrarium. I am thinking that anything that takes me away from weeding is a good thing! (Hah!) Sadly we don't have a single plant in the house because we manage to kill absolutely everything.
ReplyDeleteLol - Yes, weeding is on the bottom of my list of fun things to do too! A terrarium is pretty easy to maintain... just a thought :)
DeleteI love terrariums, haven't made one for myself yet but I'm sure I will get round to it at some point... although I am rather bad with plants.
ReplyDeleteI predict that if you do, you'll really love it :) I found them very easy to make.
DeleteOMgoodness, that is so pretty and interesting. I may try to make one of those for the library. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDorothy
I could see a terrarium being a wonderful addition to any library!
DeleteYay Jane..Wowness..how totally gorgeous!! Beautiful..blissful..magical..very inspiring..I love that little mermaid...enchanting. Thanks for sharing..I hope you share more..I have always been drawn to these creations..but have never yet tried..thanks for such inspiring creativity!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and very meditative..what a wonderful focal piece to reflect on!
Victoria
I absolutely love terrariums, and you not only did such an amazing job on yours, Jane, but did the research on the history of it!
ReplyDeleteThe mermaid is so precious with the pretty green plants around. The little rocks and shells are so perfect...the entire project is so enchanting~
You could actually make a business out of these creative things!
Oh, my goodness! I love this one. :) It's gorgeous and I love the little mermaid in there. Hmmmmm . . . I think making terrariums would definitely be fun . . . and much more enticing than weeding. :)
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