Thinking about creating a miniature succulent “garden” in a container or pot you craft with your own artistic style?
Over the years, I’ve taught programs and hosted gatherings for a variety of organizations where participants have had the opportunity to blend both succulents and crafting. Those who participate, and even a recent “come get your supplies to enjoy making at home,” have all enjoyed the melding of the two mediums of gardening and crafting to come up with their unique project. A JOYFEST event once had people all making their own succulent creation and then taking it home with them.
If you’re intrigued by the idea, this is a fun one to let your creativity and imagination run with! Here are some ideas, tips and essentials to think about having on hand to create your own small and artsy succulent creation!:
Supplies:
Keep in mind, if doing this with a group, with students, or if you’ll have people come pick up supplies to take and make at home, it will be helpful to have some made some samples for people to see examples of what it could look like. You may also want to have some simple instruction sheets written up or tacked up if that would be helpful for your participants in your own unique setting and circumstances. If you’re doing this in a public place that needs to be cleaned up well before you leave, think about spreading a tablecloth or putting butcher block paper over the tables…either one making it easier for clean up!
Plant world supplies:
-Cuttings of succulents!!
-Glass containers (Dollar Tree or elsewhere…think like the small tabletop kind that people sometimes float a candle in at an event. They could also be larger, depending on what size you’re aiming for.)
-Potting soil, preferably cactus potting soil
-Pebbles/colored rocks/or gravel
-Colored sand for layering
-Small shovels or scoopers for the dirt
-Something to water plants with
Art Supplies: If you’re doing this with participants who wish to decorate their glass containers or pots, the following additional art supplies are just a small sampling of ideas you can use to decorate your succulent creation container.:
-Permanent markers (like sharpies if you have); and any markers for writing on acrylic or glass
-Child safe or regular scissors
-Washi tapes in variety of colors or patterns – to add a border with
-any colorful duct type if you have
-Ribbon rolls/yarn/twine, burlap
-Tacky glue
-craft felt and/or fabric scraps
-contact paper or clear laminate paper
-Glitter glue
-tissue paper – this could be in a variety of colors to use to decoupage on the glass
-Stickers
-brown sack lunch bags for people to take their project home
-outdoor mod podge (if pots are going to be decorated and then kept outdoors) for sealant on pots
-regular mod podge
-foam brushes for mod podge
Directions:
When working with small succulent pots, you’ll want to either have a pot with drain holes, or put some of the gravel and colored sand at the bottom first (for pots or containers with no drainage.)
If you’re inclined to use colored sand on the bottom, you can try to layer the colors or make a neat pattern with them. Then you’ll put in the gravel, followed by river rocks, or other polished stones. If you only want the gravel, then layer enough of it so that it will be your drainage area before adding in the cactus potting soil.
Honestly, I once used a whole bunch of leftover glass beads from some craft project. They looked cool in the glass pot and they served the same purpose. Plus, they shimmer when the sun hits right on that pot and they contrast nicely with the black potting soil above them! Likewise, glass “shells” can also act as filler for the bottom of the containers. Then layer in the dirt. Gently plant the succulent cuttings right into the dirt, making sure they’re gently secured with dirt around the part that’s sticking into the soil.
Lastly, if you’re doing this with others, your local library possibly has a great list of books and other e-resources and/or physical books and resources about creating and crafting with succulents and art! If you’re still reading this and you decide to make something along these lines, tag @joyfestivalindustries on Instagram with a picture of your creation(s)! We’d love to see them. Happy artsy succulent creation making. Hope it brings you joy. 😊 Reach out to us with your ideas at [email protected]