In essence, a terrarium is a scaled down version of what you might see outside in the wild blue yonder...from a smidgen of moss, a few rocks and assorted plants, to a dash of sand and several artfully arranged succulents, you are basically creating a miniaturized landscape inside of a portable container. Terrarium styles are definitely reflective of the creator and can be as true-to-life or as loopy as you want -- just take a look at Seattle-based artist Vaughn Bell's left of center approach to self contained biospheres and you'll see what I mean. Whether you choose to create a substantial arrangement or something that can fit in the palm of a hand, there is no denying that a homespun terrarium makes a phenomenally original DIY gift that is practically kill-proof since all of the moisture that your happy little ecosystem requires is trapped within the container.
Those who appreciate the fine art of repurposing know that glass food canning jars are a nice choice for this type of hands-on project, but conventional lightbulbs are also a fantastic alternative, not just because they have a nice shape but more importantly because they would have otherwise languished in a landfill. If you have a closetful of old bulbs that you've been wondering what to do with, dust them off and follow these instructions on how to safely hollow them out. Then get your DIY vibe on so you can create multiple terrarium Christmas tree ornaments to spruce up your decor or just give as gifts -- they can be designed to hang or sit on a pedestal if you prefer. Either way, they are an outdoor lover's dream that can translate into year-round eco-bliss.
The step-by-step terrarium ornament tutorial that follows is modifed from the original found on Design Sponge. I suggest using hollowed out recycled lightbulbs rather than clear glass spheres that are typically available at a craft store, and while you can use dry botanical elements such as twigs, feathers, pebbles, etc. -- which are great if you'd like to adorn your holiday tree year after year -- if you are more partial to living elements, I would incorporate materials that are used in the attached video. You can also emulate the design of Storm The Castle's desert themed lightbulb terrarium (pictured above) by lining the hollowed out inside with small stones, a thin layer of regular plant soil, white sand and small drought tolerant cacti (*create a simple stand for your finished product by repurposing a small candle holder*).
Terrarium Ornaments For Christmas, Household Decor & Gifts 1. Tear off a small piece of moss and moisten slightly (this helps to keep the moss from crumbling a lot of dust inside). 2. With the eraser end of your pencil, gently push moss into the opening. Repeat this a few times until you have a forest floor on the bottom of your ornament. 3. Add any extras and poke with your pencil to style things as necessary. 4. Bend a q-tip and clean any debris stuck to the inside walls of the ornament. 5. Attach a piece of twine with a bow and hang.
Photos courtesy of: Apartment Therapy, Design Sponge, Storm Of The Castle
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