Upcycled Air Plant Terrarium

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Upcycled Airplant Terrarium from Sew Creative .jpgToday I’m sharing with you one of my favorite upcycle projects that I’ve ever made. Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is having a #BIGCraftChallenge and this was my entry today. I thought that I would share with you the back story of how I made it. 

A couple of months ago The Hubs sent me a text. The message said “On my way home,” and had this picture attached. 

Bubble Heading out

“What is on my husband’s head?” I thought. 

Half an hour later he came home carrying a giant bubble up the stairs with him. “Look what I found in the recycling at work!” He said grinning. 

My husband is a bit of a pack rat. He likes to find things, imagine all of the cool things he could make with it… and then said item sits in the garage… and sits… and sits. 

“What are your plans with it?” I asked nonchalantly.

“Wouldn’t it make a cool astronaut helmet for one of the kids for Halloween?” I could see the wheels in his head turning… What he didn’t know was that the wheels were also turning in my head.  

For the next few weeks this giant plastic bubble floated around our house. The kids frequently put it on their head and said in monotone voices “I am a robot. I am a robot!” 

Finally after it crashed to the floor one too many times I took the giant bubble and stuck it on top of the fridge… and then I started researching. You see, in my head the giant bubble wasn’t an astronaut helmet. It was a terrarium. It was filled with beautiful air plants that I misted every few days, it hung from the ceiling in our living area and it was a conversation starter whenever guests came to visit. 

After 15 minutes on google I discovered that there was a tropical plant nursery 10 minutes away from us that sold air plants online, they were also open to the public on select days and times! Bingo! I was going to make myself an air plant terrarium.

The next day I bundled the Hubs, the kids and the giant plastic bubble into the car. “Why are you bringing the bubble with us grocery shopping?” They asked.

“We’re going air plant shopping!” I exclaimed. 

And so we bought air plants from a fabulous, family run, tropical nursery. And when we got home I made this. 

Upcycled Airplant Terrarium from Sew Creative 1

This truly is an upcycled project.

What I used:

  • Giant bubble found in the recycling at the Hubs’ work
  • Glass marbles and sea glass from the centerpieces at the Hubs and my wedding (7 1/2 years ago!)
  • Shells from our babymoon to Maui when I was pregnant with Bean (6 years ago)
  • Macrame plant holder from The Goodwill that I bought a year and a half ago
  • Air plants

Upcycled Airplant Terrarium from Sew Creative Inside of Terrarium

I love how it turned out! The Hubs joked that when I said that I wanted to make an air plant terrarium that this was exactly how he pictured it… but that he had little faith that we would be able to accomplish it.

Upcycled Airplant Terrarium from Sew Creative 2

I decided to share this project today because I’m taking part in the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores #BIGCraftChallenge. Today we were supposed to post a picture on instagram of something upcycled

You can take part in the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores #BigCraftChallenge too! Each day take a photograph that fits that day’s theme and post it to Instagram using the hashtag #BIGCraftChallenge. Not only is it a great excuse to get your craft on, there are also crafty prizes to be won! Here are the themes for each day. 

Jo-Ann's Big Craft Challenge 2014

I’d love for you to follow Sew Creative on instagram and see all of the fun projects that I’m working on!

Tell me… have you made any fun upcycled projects? What were they? I’d love for you to share links!

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8 Comments

  1. Very cool project! I would never have thought to do something like that! I haven’t done anything lately but a long time ago we made frames out of old windows. And I love decopauge!

  2. I love this, Crystal! Can you believe that I’ve never heard of air plants before? Must do some research on these little beauties!

    1. Hi Tara!

      There is a great air plant place right here in the lower mainland. Here is the link: http://www.hawaiianbotanicals.com/Gift.html

      They are pretty fun! He was saying that you can put a little bit of glue on them and glue them to things so they hang upside down. So much potential for them!

      Best Wishes,

      Crystal

  3. I love this project and that it was your husband that inspired it. I’m just curious what the big bubble was!!!! I’ve been dying for some air plants… and wish my hubby would show up with a big bubble, haha!!!!

    1. Thank you! I have no idea what the bubble was before it was our terrarium. I often wonder that myself. I think it may have been used as some kind of display or decor item in a store.

      I hope your hubby shows up with a big bubble soon!

      Best Wishes,

      Crystal

  4. That is so cute, I absolutely love it! I may have to try making this once we’re finished with moving. I think it would be really nice somewhere in the new house. 🙂

    1. Hi Felicia,

      I love air plants. They are so easy to care for and you can do such neat things with them. If you end up making a terrarium when you move to your new house I’d love to see a picture.

      Best Wishes,

      Crystal