Its always fun to look through a nursery overseas. I discovered a great one.
I saw these glass orchid vases in Kaiserslautern,Germany. I was fascinated with the rock crystal and determined to make some for myself.
Supply list:
glass containers of your choice (Marshalls, Michaels, Goodwill..etc...) I got one of mine for 4 bucks but they generally aren't over 15.00
bags of smooth river rock ( I chose a variegated and a black
package for 5 bucks each at Lowes)
marbles, glass rock or crystal ( I got my glass at the florist in
Germany)
a bag of tiny pebbles or large grain sand
moss ( different kinds and colors at Michaels)
interesting objects from nature; twigs,seed pods,dried fungus,cones ...even
shells...the flatter the better towards the top
a small plastic plant pot that fits inside the container but allows
1/2 inch of room all the way around
bubble wrap to fit in the space in the middle of the pot and help stretch the
use of the rock (and help control the weight).
creativity, patience and imagination!.........and you are ready to
assemble
I wont bore you with the step by step ..You get the idea and it may take you three times to get it right..keep in mind this plastic pot is just there to hold your orchid plant which you still keep in its clay pot..This way it is removable for living outside and/or watering.
After working this project a few times, I recommend using the coarse sand or pebbles in the bottom to begin.Then add you tall items against the side. Place you rocks at the edge of the glass. Stack 5 or 6 of the same color or kind. Then add some moss working on a diagonal in between. You will need the bubble wrap to shore up the rocks against the side. When you get high enough place the plastic pot in the glass container and keep working with the flatter thinner rocks. Use a kitchen knife to poke in the moss. Now you can add some of the coarse sand or tiny pebbles. They will filter down so use sparingly. Now you container is ready. I use an orchid that is blooming. I do not keep my orchids inside. So this is an easy way to display them temporarily. When I have no blooming orchids, I can add a candle,fruit, Christmas balls, Easter eggs.......even cut flowers.......whatever I have for each season or just a wad of moss!
This one I made for the Living room
I made this one for the bathroom
And when I put them all together, they make quite a display on the dining room table
Wow - these are ABSOLUTELY beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! It even looks good without the Orchid.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, What a great idea!! I would never have thought to put an orchid in a clear glass vase. Orchids go for a long time between flowering and this makes them way more interesting in the interim.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful idea and each looks lovely, woodsy and natural. You did a great job.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
So beautiful, you definitely have artistic flare! Now when the orchid is not in bloom you have the vase art to admire :)
ReplyDeleteWow, those are gorgeous! I am so lazy about repotting my orchids, but this makes it look like fun!
ReplyDeleteI love the planters, real Arty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and kind comments.
What a great idea. Every vase is a creation it self. And very welcome to the eyes when the flowers are not there.
ReplyDeleteHave a great evening.
Super idea! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYours are very very nice, you did a great job! And thanks for reminding me of this project. I had seen them in Germany, but the orchids there were actually sunken into very tall glass vases.
ReplyDeleteI really love this and I am so NOT creative...Michelle
ReplyDeleteSharon,what you have created is really beautiful. Thanks for sharing your creation process.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Ruby
Dear Sharon ~ I didn't see a way to email you so I'll say what I wanted to say here. ~ What an awful experience you had with flooding to your home. It makes me want to cry. We see so much devastation from flooding and if this rain had kept up, I was afraid our little cottage would be flooded too. Thankfully the rains have stopped for quite awhile now, and hopefully we've seen the end of it, but they do predict another couple of inches tonight. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement.
Hugs ~ FlowerLady
Great show and tell and beautiful containers. For some reason your blog is wider than my monitor and so it is cut off at the side. Just thought I would let you know.
ReplyDeleteThey make a beautiful display indeed. I keep telling myself I'm going to make one of these but thus far haven't gotten a roundtuit. I must rectify that soon! Love these!
ReplyDeleteI noticed in your url it says Lakeland. My aunt and uncle are in Fort Meade in your neck of the woods. I was just down there in March. Loved it!
Forgot to say I lived in Germany for 10 years and have visited K-Town~! Something else in common I think.
ReplyDeleteYour orchid vases are incredible. I'm beyond impressed. I love that you love crystals.
ReplyDeleteAs Erin said, very impressive and you just gave me a great idea and I will have to try something similar! Great job and great post. LT
ReplyDeletewhat an artist ! bravo !
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI was so surprised to find these fantastic, gorgeous, dream-like glass vases with some pebbles, crystal rocks(?) and some other romantic tiny items in them. They are art, indeed!! I wish I had one! I read your some of your former posts too. The flowers in them are really beautiful!!
What a great idea Sharon. I am no expert in orchids, by any means, and clearly know where go for advice.
ReplyDeleteYour creations are lovely and the details are very helpful, even for a novice.
Sorry to hear (from the comment above) that you had a flood. Those events can be difficult, to say the least. Perhaps that's why the FB connect didn't work out... ?
Hope all is well.
Steve
like the one you made for you livingroom
ReplyDeleteand bedroom...
greetings Nieske
Those are gorgeous! I need to give this a bit of thought..... Thanks for sharing your creativity
ReplyDeletec'est très joli cette façon de présenter les orchidées
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job, much better than your original inspiration. Although I don't grow orchids, I'm thinking this technique could be used with other indoor plants.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much.....yes you can put soaps or large candles or dries tall grass plumes.....they are versatile
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your project and final display. I too grow orchids, but never gave them such nice accommodations. You have inspired me to give them the upgrade package.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon
ReplyDeleteI've been "on sabatical" this summer and am just re-entrying the blog world. I've enjoyed your blog and LOVE your banner! I have an orchid in a dreary container in my office that I'm now excited to creatively repot. It'll become the center piece!
Thank you for your kind comments
Malinda
www.inthelightofthesun.com
I think you are less lazy then you claim to be. Great work!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive and very beautiful, Sharon. Appreciate the detailed instructions, too!
ReplyDeleteSharon, I've used bell jars and such to create a semi-terrarium effect for a few of my orchids. But my containers are nothing compared to yours. These! These! are art. I love your art and will learn from it.
ReplyDeleteOh, one more thing. Kaiserslautern. I rarely hear it mentioned, but I was a boy soldier stationed near there eons ago. Thanks for the memories.
Wow! I recently became obsessed with orchids, so I'll have to try this. What a great idea! Yours are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. All the best! :-)
ReplyDelete