Tuesday, March 22, 2016

DIY Miniature Fairy Garden Terrariums


This post is about my newest passion....making fairy garden terrariums.



It seems that when I see something I love, I have to make one and give it as a gift. It all started when my husband gave me a fairy garden kit for Christmas. It came out so cute.


It sits on the kitchen window sill so I can see it whenever I am at the sink.




When my daughter saw it she said "I want one!". So I decided to try and make one for her for her birthday. The first picture and the one below are of the terrarium I made for her birthday.


Can you see the green watering can and spade?

When I started to gather supplies to make terrariums, I bought any and every jar or container I thought might work.  Any clear glass bowl, with or without a cover, will work. Make sure the jar you choose has a large enough opening so you can fit your hand inside to place the pretty accents! A covered jar works best to create the ecosystem contained in the jar that terrariums are made for. Of course I got them all at thrift stores for $1 or less. I gathered so many that I could make four  different ones for four gifts.



The other supplies needed are potting soil, activated charcoal (purchased in the pet area of a garden store), small pebbles (Lowes garden department), large stones or glass beads (from my stash), Spanish moss (any craft store), fresh moss, and your decorations...ie. fairy house, mushrooms, little accents, and of course a fairy. All of the supplies come in containers large enough to make five terrariums plus extra for more. Most of the houses, a fairy and the accent pieces you will see came from Jo-Ann's. The mushrooms were found at Michael's. Of course you can find more online.



The first thing to do is to wash and dry your container. I used an open container for demonstration purposes.

Soak the Spanish Moss in water.

Fill the bottom of your jar with the small pebbles.




Add a layer of larger stones such as river rocks, or the craft glass beads that come in a variety of colors. I chose a mix of blues for this one.


Put a layer of the wet Spanish Moss on top...



Then sprinkle on some activated charcoal....


Put a layer of the potting soil over that. You can be creative and make hills and valleys if you'd like and have room in your container.

Spritz the dirt with water to make it moist. This is the view from the side of the glass bowl.





I then pulled small pieces of the fresh moss from the bag I ordered (see link above). It came in a ziplock bag in one patch of moss. It was enough to make four terrariums.

I tucked each piece of moss into the dirt to create the yard and left the middle open for a path to the house. I spritzed the moss with water and then added my accents.....a daisy stepping stone path with a ladybug, a wooden barrel filled with flowers and some mushrooms scattered around. Of course the thatched roof cottage is the focal point. No fairies in sight though (couldn't find one small enough!).






I wanted to thank my dear friend Kim for always being so supportive of the things I do so I made a miniature fairy terrarium for her, just because.  It is in an apple shaped jar with a lid that has a stem on it.





What I didn't know, that Kim shared with me when she got this garden, is that our mutual dear friend Lora loves everything fairy! I was sick for her birthday party so hadn't been able to give her a gift yet, so guess what I made for her? Her terrarium is extra special because I found a small enough fairy to perch at the end of the path. This garden made it's debut in my last post.


I used terrarium moss for this one as opposed to live moss.




I just followed the same layering process for all of these. The fun is making them in
different shaped jars, using different stones and accents to make them unique.
You can even use an antique porcelain dish....



This one sits on my mantel in the parlor. Because it is open to the air it has to be spritzed every now and then. None of the terrariums should be put in direct light.

I hope you try one for yourself or a gift. They really are fun and easy to make.

The next thing I want to try is a fairy garden in my old dented, rusty galvanized bucket for outdoors this summer.

Stay tuned!

Source
One last tidbit....

In my last post I mentioned that our dear friends Karl and Diane are moving out of
state. We had them over to spend a day with them before they went on their way.

They brought me a going away gift and it couldn't be more perfect or more ME!


It is a Fenton and it is AQUA!!

I love it. I think it was Karl's mother's and I was so honored to have it passed on to me. I will treasure it always.

So, will you get into the world of fairies and invite them into your home or garden?

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these fun blog parties:







45 comments :

  1. What a wonderful tutorial.
    I will admit- even though I love gardening, I have never made a terrarium.

    Please share this Thursday at our Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
    Just stop by my blog to enter.
    www.whitespraypaintblog.com

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  2. Love your sweet little terrariums and your fairy gardens. My granddaughters and I made a beautiful big terrarium a few years ago and she had it for a long time. Every year we do our big fairy garden in an old wheelbarrow which is fun, too. Love all yours-the gift ones were great...as was the beautiful Fenton piece YOU were gifted with. Lucky girl. xo Diana

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  3. Oh those are adorable. I may have to try making one.

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  4. Your little fairy garden terrariums are adorable! I want to make one of these. :)

    Your Fenton piece is beautiful. I have a piece that is similar blue and wonder if it might be Fenton also. Off to investigate. :)

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  5. Oh, I can see how making fairy gardens could become addictive, especially for a thrifter! Gives you another reason to go on the hunt! They're all adorable, AnnMarie, each in their own right. Fenton glass - West Virginia made!
    Rita

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  6. Your terrariums are adorable. Pinning to my Fairy Garden board!

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  7. The fairy gardens are very sweet, AnnMarie. You are really good at following through. Your Fenton glass is beautiful. I went to the factory in West Virginia once with a friend. It's closed now, isn't it?

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  8. Oh my goodness Ann Marie I love, love, love them! I could lose myself for hours imagining the miniature world you created as a little wee one walking around mushrooms and moss. Can't wait until you post your outdoor one you'll be creating.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  9. Good Morning!
    Absolutely precious and so sweet, I too enjoy the whimsy of Spring. Fenton glass-amazing:)
    Jemma

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  10. Your fairy gardens turned out so sweet, Ann Marie!! Enjoy your new passion :) Sunny blessings, Wen (coming over from Roses of Inspiration)

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  11. Thank you for sharing your sweet terrariums with Talk of the Town. These are so cute; my favorite is the one in the porcelain dish.

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  12. Hello AnnMarie,
    I really love your pretty mini fairy garden and tutorial! I co-host a blog party on Monday called Cooking and Crafting with J&J at Julie's Lifestyle. I would love you have you join us and share this next week. Thanks. Enjoy the rest of the week and have a Happy Easter.
    Julie

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  13. Probably heard this one before, you should sell fairy gardens. You're doing such a fantastic job. I'd suggest seeing if your local florist would sell them on consignment but it would make better business sense for you to put a little sign at the end of your lawn - "fairy gardens for sale".

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  14. Those are darling AnnMarie! I really like the garden in the porcelain dish! So very cute!
    Such a nice remembrance gift from your friends too!
    Wishing you a blessed Easter!
    Gina

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  15. These are so adorable! You've created something really special ;)

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  16. These are so charming, AnnMarie! What lovely gifts you have made for some very lucky people! I'm sure they were delighted :) Sad about your friends moving away, but what a precious gift they gave you.
    Hope you have a very Happy Easter! xo Karen

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  17. How sweet these are, AnnMarie! Looks like you've found yourself a great new hobby! I can't wait to see the one you make in the galvanized bucket. LOVE the vase that your friends gave you. Hope it brings you great joy each time you look at it!

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  18. What fun little fairy gardens, I can see my eldest daughter making these. I may even try one myself, yes!
    That vase is lovely and such a nice colour :)

    Diana

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  19. I love them all AnnMarie! They're all so sweet and charming. Love that Fenton vase too. It's absolutely stunning!

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  20. Nice tutorial on the fairy gardens. I do think I will have to try this...on a little larger scale, outside with my 4-5" gnomes. They have been lounging around for a few years and need a project to take care of. Thanks, for the idea, Sandi

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  21. I am so happy to see you at the party this morning! This DIY miniature fairy garden terrarium is perfect inspiration and for gift giving too!
    Thank you again for joining us at #TOHOT!
    Jemma

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  22. These are the sweetest thing ever! I want to make one, now. We bought a couple little fairies last year and put them in a part of our garden where we grow miniature plants (little, tiny area). I think these little terrariums would be an awesome idea to make so we can enjoy the fairies indoors, too!

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  23. These are all so adorable! They look like such fun to make!
    Jenna

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  24. This is so adorable! What a fun hobby! I'm so glad you shared all the how-to's with us. I honestly didn't know all the steps. This looks like so much fun!

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  25. Dear Ann Marie:
    Your Fairy Garden ideas are darling. Children (with supervision) could do these too and would love this project. Thanks for sharing and linking!

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  26. What a precious idea! Yes, I'll take the Fenton! What a treasure!

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  27. Oh your tiny terrariums are truly terrific!
    Thank you for linking up this wonderful post on Thoughts of Home on Thursday. May you have a glorious Easter!

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  28. AnnMarie, your Fairy Gardens are Darling! My little granddaughters will love these, and I think I've just found my project for the long weekend. Thankyou! Please come and share at my Five Star Frou-Frou linkup at A Tray of Bliss? We'd love to host you! Mimi xxx

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  29. This post is one of special features on my blog today. Congratulations and Happy Easter!

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  30. This is so cute!! We did a fairy home and this would be a great addition too!

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  31. I love your fairy gardens, you did a great job. A few years ago I had started to make a homemade outdoor fairly garden using sticks. Unfortunately, I didn't get very far as there were some big changes ahead of me. I hope to try it again one day. I love the one in the galvanized bucket. Have a wonderful Easter!

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  32. I see so many sweet little fairy gardens, but I have never thought of making one. i might need to change that.

    Thanks for sharing at SYC.

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  33. Absolutely darling, my friend! I have always wanted to make a little fairy garden and seeing yours has inspired me even more :)

    May you and yours have a beautiful and blessed Easter! Love and hugs!

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  34. There is definitely something simply irresistible about miniature gardens, isn't there? I started collecting miniatures last year, but I've yet to do anything with them. This project is so inspirational Ann Marie!

    It's always a bit sad to see friends go, but that's a. beautiful view you were gifted, and I hope it makes you smile and you remember your friends with fondness when you look at it.


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  35. Love all your fairy terrariums!! Awesome DIY on how to make them! Thanks for sharing! Happy Monday! Hug, Jody

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  36. You certainly have mastered the art of making Fairy Gardens...beautiful!!!

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  37. Adorable little gardens. The fairies in your part of the world must be happy to call them home.
    Amalia
    xo

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  38. What a sweet gift! I am loving the one you made too, you certainly make it look so simple and easy. I may have to try my hand at this.

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  39. Hello AnnMarie,
    I just love this and your tutorial! Thanks again for coming and sharing this with us at Cooking & Crafting with J & J!

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  40. Your fairy gardens are adorable, AnnMarie! I love them myself but have yet to make one. I also love your aqua Fenton vase. Aqua is one of my absolute favourite colours. Thank you for sharing and have a lovely day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  41. So absolutely cute and adorable! You have me so excited already about putting my summer fairy garden together! Thanks for sharing found you at Dishing It and Digging It!

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  42. Awwwwwwwww...so cute! :)

    I would love for you to share this on my FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  43. Your mini fairy gardens are adorable! I do have one outside in my galvanized tin, but I'd love to make a tiny one like you did. I think my grands would love doing this project, too. Such fun!

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  44. I loved looking at your fairy gardens! You sure have the knack of making them...they are so cute. The aqua Fenton was such a nice keepsake gift from your friends too.

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