Moss Terrariums: A How To + a giveaway

First of all, thanks to all the advice and encouraging comments on my last post.  I am getting really excited and want to be ready ASAP!  We are going out of town this weekend and we have guests the next, so you better believe that every spare moment I am going to be working on getting stuff ready for the booth.  I want to be in by the beginning of June.  I got a larger piece last night that is waiting for paint.

Well, back to the matter at hand... terrariums.  I bought these really cool vintage canning jars at the Bloomin Garden Show and I was inspired to change things up in the living room... I was thinking a little beachy, a little green... so I decided to get some moss and try some moss terrariums. I have made a terrarium before with plants and it was a success.  So much of a success that I was afraid the plant was going to lift the lid and strangle me in my sleep... it was that big!  With that in mind, I decided to do these... they are pretty simple.

First, you will need a clean container with a lid... I like glass, but you can use plastic.

Then you will need (right to left) potting soil, activated charcoal (keeps your terrarium fresh) and small pebbles... if you use small pebbles you will not need cover moss (the cover moss keeps the soil from washing into the stones.)  I used pea gravel which is small, so I didn't use a cover moss.

Of course you will need moss... I bought mine here and she sent me some assorted varieties.

And, the important stuff... fun little decorations!

First, add a layer of pebbles

Then, a layer of activated charcoal

Then, your potting soil.  Arrange your moss on top of the potting soil.  Moss doesn't have roots so you don't have to dig it down... just press it gently on the soil.

Then, arrange your terrarium with your little shells, figures, what ever you like....

I have a thing for vintage clock faces and baby hughes has a *small* obsession with owls.  We found a tiny one in Bell Buckle, so I had to add him.

Then, mist  (don't water or soak) your terrarium and put the lid on the container.  You will need to mist it every 4 weeks.  The condensation that accumulates will "rain" back down on the moss to keep it moist. Place your terrarium in an area that gets plenty of indirect sunlight, artificial light is okay too.

So , after I made my terrariums, I went to work collecting stuff from around the house that went with the beachy terrarium vibe I was looking for.  And, here is what I came up with...

I added my giant crown crock with a fern on the hearth.

I left my mirror up and added some starfish and some coral and seashells

I won Faded Plains giveaway and I got a couple of these numbers.  I tied them around a jar full of sand from St. Martin where we went on our honeymoon.  I bought the coral from a shop on Tybee Island.  

I used some "faux" terrariums that I made last year... they have dried branches and dried moss in some little vintage baby bottles.

You can see the condensation forming and my clock faces.

I had so much fun making them... I am thinking about making some for my booth and maybe for my etsy shop too.

And, I decided to make one for one of you!  

This small vintage jar has all the essentials and I added some clock faces and a piece of coral.  Then, I tied it all up with some vintage ribbon and an enamel broach.

So, here is what you have to do to win... just leave me a comment.  That's all... you don't have to be a blogger, just be sure to leave your email if you aren't.  If you want extra credit points, tweet it or post about it and let me know and I will give you an extra entry.

 I will draw the winner next Tuesday evening.  

Good luck! 

Wish ME luck keeping little fingers away!

oh, and speaking of giveaways...scoot on over to see Anne at Fiona and Twig!