Terrarium with Plants and Grandma's Jewels

This colorful, elegant presentation sets grandma’s favorite old piece of jewelry in a favorable light. A little old-fashioned, a little ornate, this special design includes soft, time-worn river rock, a faded silk rose, the magical sparkle of crystal inside the crusty façade of a geode, and a tough succulent plant in the middle, standing proud.

Excerpted from "Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds" by Amy Bryant Aiello and Kate Bryant, published by Timber Press. Photographs by Kate Baldwin.

Materials and Tools:

1 bullet container (23.5 inches tall)
6 cups Monterey beach pebbles
2 large handfuls feather moss (Ptilium species)
3 quartz points
1 string of buttons plant (Crassula perforata)(6-inch plant)
1 handful green river rocks
1 silk flower
1 small feather
1 old-fashioned faux-diamond brooch
1 mexican geode
2 handfuls chartreuse reindeer moss
1 sprig cream reindeer moss

Source: ,Amazon.com: Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature ...

Step 1

Clean terrarium glass inside and out.

Step 2

Pour 6 cups of Monterey beach pebbles into the bottom of the container.

Step 3

Add handfuls of feather moss around edges of container, and layer quartz points against glass.

Step 4

Set the potted string of buttons plant on pebbles and place green river rocks around base. Drop in silk flower, feather, and brooch and set Mexican geode with crystalline interior facing “front.”

Step 5

Add puffs of chartreuse and cream reindeer moss to conceal pot.

Step 6

Care:

The "string of buttons" plant thrives in bright, indirect light or a half day of sun; just pull terrarium away from window on hot summer days, as terrarium glass intensifies heat. In winter, keep plant on the dry side, watering every 2 to 3 weeks. In summer, water plant every 1 to 2 weeks or whenever soil dries out to the touch. To water, pour 1/2 cup of water slowly on base of plant so water reaches roots. Apply a weak solution of quarter-strength fertilizer every other watering during spring and summer.

Step 7

Zoom Image

Tip:

This is a great terrarium in which to use that lovely piece of broken or costume jewelry that you love but will never wear. It can be as subtle or as gaudy as you like.