Terrarium Imaginarium

Fifty-something keys, tangles of hemp and embroidery thread, an odd thrift-store find, and a hanging cord kit later, I bring to you a DIY key chandelier. Tres anthropologie, non?

With this new lighting fixture, I think it's safe to say that my living room is complete (for now).

Yes, those are terrariums on the coffee table if you were wondering. Such a fun project! All you need are some bowls (thrifted these for .50 cents - $2), some small pebbles or rocks, filtered carbon (found at Petco in the aquarium section), cactus mix, and some clippings from your neighbor's yard.

Pour a 1-2 inch layer of pebbles (or rocks) into the bottom of the bowl. Now, sprinkle some carbon on top. The carbon helps in filtrating the air inside of the terrarium so that it won't stink. Next comes the cactus mix. You want to use enough cactus mix so that your clippings can take root, but not so much that your plants are sticking out of the bowl when you arrange them.

When it comes to arranging your succulents, there aren't any real rules. I personally have a tendency of placing my tallest plant in the middle, but this is entirely up to you. However, make sure that your plants are at least an inch apart from one another. They need room to grow!

Now comes the fun part - decorating your terrarium. I used leftover pebbles and figures (dinosaurs and mushrooms, mostly) made out of polymer clay (a fun project in itself).

Terrariums need lots of light, so keep your mini ecosystems near a sunny window. They don't need a lot of water. I'd say every 2-3 weeks or so.

Garden Party

Although it can be very rewarding, being a crazy plant lady has its drawbacks. You will find yourself wanting to plant things all of the time. This can be an issue because pots can be expensive. Solution: save your used cans! With a little love, they can be transformed into functional, decorative garden planters. Observe:

This has been a project I have wanted to attempt for quite some time now. A friend of mine who works at a creperie was nice enough to save some empty cans for me. Here is the end result:

All you need for this project are large, oversized cans, a hammer, a screwdriver, and spray-paint. First, wash the cans out and remove their labels. Then, puncture about a dozen drainage holes on the bottom of the cans with the hammer and screwdriver. Now simply spray-paint! (You can also cover the cans in paper or fabric then apply a coat of shelack on top of it to prevent water damage). When the cans are dry, fill with soil (or cactus-mix) and get planting!

This is a fun, easy project that only took me about an hour to do. The cans add so much color and life to our backyard. They'd also make great, personalized, hassle-free gifts!