Fairy Garden

Intro: Fairy Garden

I saw a kit for a fairy garden in a big box story and was blown away. They were offering a cheap plastic terracotta colored pot base with cheap fairy type accessories for $25.00. Determined not to be hoodwinked by buying such an item while parting with my $25.00 I decided to make my own.

STEP 1: Gather Your Materials

This is what you need:

1. Three to four terracotta pots

2. One terracotta pot base

3. Epoxy adhesive

4. Soil with bits of gravel

5. Wood scraps (for stairs)

6. Jig saw (for cutting wood scraps)

7. Trinkets (for decorating)

8. Succulent Plants

STEP 2: Begin Assembling the Garden

I took a large broken piece of terracotta and placed it upside down (on the lip of the pot) and placed it in the terracotta pot base. Next I took a hammer and tapped out a chunk of the side of a smaller terracotta pot and placed it in the base. I placed it next to the larger broken piece so that I could simulate a stair case for for garden. After I was pleased with the placement I secured the pieces with the epoxy adhesive.

STEP 3: Fill With Soil

I know at this point it doesn't look like much...but start adding the soil with the gravel. (I had a helper with this project!)

STEP 4: Build Stairway

Measure space so that you can get a some what accurate measurement for your stairs. (safety Note: Please be careful if you are using a jigsaw on scrap pieces of wood. The saw can kick back on these tiny scraps and reek havoc on your fingers.) After cutting out your pieces of wood, push them into the soil. They should wedge nicely in between the terracotta pots and stay in place. Put a layer of the soil mix (optional) over the stairs. I added a little terracotta pot to the project and filled the pot with soil.

STEP 5: Add the Plants

I added a larger succulent plant to the small terracotta pot on top and added several smaller succulents in random spots. After adding the plants I watered them well and hoped the cat wouldn't pull them out of the pots.

STEP 6: Embellish!

During the planting stage I had to use modelling mesh to hold the soil from eroding. After placing the mesh I needed to make a small fence to "hide" the mesh from being too visible. I added brads as stepping stones and a tiny door for the top terracotta pot.

STEP 7: Your Fairy Garden

I added embellishments to the garden. I may add a few more. I made this entire project for $12.00 and plan on giving it as a gift!

Comments

[craft within reach]

I love this fairy garden! The layering of the terra-cotta pots look adorable and it's a great way to add height to your garden!

[phimhead]

And nutshells! <3

[phimhead]

Really great! I will add a tower of stones! :)

[Azayles]

This is absolutely gorgeous! I'm totally making this, I have all sorts of pots and other crap in the garden :D

[fleet1ng]

That looks awesome and fun to do! If I think about putting more glow to the pots (at least to the bottom pot) what do you suggest to use? Varnish maybe?

[rosey gillespie]

I think this is wonderful. Thank you for the idea. It really is like a view of a mini story book world.

I know that it isn't such a good idea to paint the pots with enamel but I have seen this done in some countries and it adds a different air to it - sort of disney world feeling if you know what I mean. Just imagine your project ( your creation) with the bottom rim painted in bright red and maybe even insert a small statue of Santa Clause on the steps. I think it would make a real nice wintertime gift.

Thank you ever so much for sharing.

[ElectroFrank]

Fairies can fly . . . so why would they need stairs ?

Just a few "landing lights" for night flights !-)

Now that LEDs are incredibly cheap, how about a couple of the slow colour changey ones for ætherial illumination ? (Did I spell that right ?)

[abechard1]

you could even make a really awesome herb fairy garden!

[waterbaby]

So charming! Love how you used the already broken pot and then turned it into a little flight of steps, how you enhanced the mesh with a fence, and all the simple but effective details (e.g., door, flower clock). Whoever gets this will surely be delighted to have received it!

[onemoroni1]

Wow! This is so much effect for so little. I will have to collect old broken pots and try this.

[clark_homer]

Great proyect¡, i love your helper

[vegascat]

I've seen these before and like you, I always thought they were overpriced and usually cheap or crappy looking and wanted to make my own. Yours turned out wonderfully! I want to make mine with an Asian feel to it and have started gathering things to make my own for my desk at work.

[billbillt]

Great job!!.. I see supervisor kitty was there!....

[Monty^]

Beautiful and creative. Best of all, so simple that even I can make one!

[eyandell]

Such an awesome job!!

Thank you for sharing! ;)

[dpg350]

Came out great!

[tech savvy]

Very nice ,

I have seen these in the store for crazy price and they don't compare ,

you have a great idea and yours looks way betters :-)

[Eric Rocher]

This turned out very nice. I've seen those kits and thought that making one's own would look much better. Cute kitty!

[TamarasSoliloquy]

Thank you! It turned out to be a fun project and I saved some money. Thank you for the kitty comment. Her name is Riley!

[Muhaiminah Faiz]

Sooo cute!