Monday, June 01, 2009

Journey Back in Terrarium Time

Why go out into that June heat to admire a garden when you could look at one under glass from the comfort of your own home. I’m talking about terrariums people and in case you have not noticed they are all the rage. Apparently terrariums never actually go out of style because I have combed through my stash of vintage craft, decorating and gardening books to find primo examples from as far back as the 50’s. Our journey back in terrarium time kicks off a week long celebration of our favorite mini eco-systems in a jar. Tomorrow look for a fun how-to with fry baskets (OK not a terrarium, but equally cute), Wednesday we have a terrarium web roundup, Thursday is I Love to Create with a faux terrarium shadow box picture frame and we wrap things up Friday with shopping for terrarium goodies.

Dang that is a whole lot of terrarium goodness!

Better Homes & Gardens House Plants New How-To for the Indoor Gardner 1959



Pack-O-Fun The Only Scrap-Craft Magazine May 1978


A Treasury of Things to Make by the editors of Sphere Magazine 1977



Better Homes and Gardens Gifts to Make Yourself 1972



Pack-O-Fun The Only Scrap-Craft Magazine January 1974


LeeWards Illustrated Library of Arts and Crafts



Sand Painting for Terrariums and Aquariums by Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod 1975






Looking for vintage Terrarium Books to score for yourself? Check out these options on Etsy.

Vintage House Plant Water Garden and Terraiums Books
House Plants For The Purple Thumb Book
Vintage 1973 The Terrarium Book Illustrated

Have any fun vintage craft or gardening books in your stash with terrarium how-tos?
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11 comments:

  1. Unknown12:35 PM

    thanks for posting this! I gave the Hubster one a few years ago and he LOVED it... if it's alright with you, I would like to post a link to this on my blog: http://VintageMafia.blogspot.com

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  2. Jennifer Perkins12:55 PM

    Hey Pattie please feel free to post a link on your blog. Maybe this weeks blog posts on terrariums will inspire you to make your hubby another one. Hell maybe I'll make my husband one.

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  3. Turtle8:39 PM

    loved this!! I was inspired a few months back to make a terrarium, so did! although i forgot to add the charcoal and keep forgetting to pick it up!

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  4. Wildwood Flower9:53 PM

    your blog is always inspirational! Loves it!

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  5. polishedtwo.etsy.com12:07 AM

    So cool to see all the vintage photos. As usual, your research inspires me to take on another timeless craft!

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  6. Anonymous3:11 AM

    I need to make one, or buy one : )

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  7. Jennifer Perkins9:42 AM

    FOr those of you wanting to make one tune in Wednesday I'll have links to my 10 favorite terrarium tutorials on the web.

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  8. brokeintrovert8:41 AM

    My mother owned the one that is in the Lee Wards Illustrated ad. I found one on ebay, but it is a bit pricey. I don't know what happened to hers, except my sister cracked the lid when we were children. I loved that thing. Thanks for bringing back happy childhood memories. I really want to make a tabletop one now!

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  9. The Fern and Mossery12:09 PM

    This is such a fantastic vintage post! Would you mind if I posted a link to it on my blog! I have a blog all about terrariums and I think my followers would love this!

    http://www.thefernandmossery.com/

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  10. Jennifer Perkins5:05 PM

    Hey Mary I beleive those are called a Terradome Terrarium? I love them too, my friend Karly just got one and I am muy jealous of it's glory. My sister also has one that looks more like the bottle casa from I Dream of Genie which is rad.

    Fern and Mossery please do link to this post, or any post. We are in the middle of terrarium week around here! So glad you stopped by you have some awesome terrariums on your blog.

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  11. Anonymous8:48 PM

    Hi all
    The Terradome Terrarium designed
    by Ric Lopez is available at
    MODERNPAST 415 333-9007
    San Francisco...if you google the
    Terradome Terrarium you will see lots
    of press.

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