Newest Design in Papercrete.......

First we build them!

Then we fill them up!

Found a clam shell bowl that we thought suitable for a mold and was pleased with the results.

New Items in Papercrete.........

We have add several new shapes and colors to our inventory. Molds that were gathered in the past are now being put to use. Unusual shapes and colors are always in demand and it is our aim to serve our customers. This ten sided container is the result of using a wooden tub built like an old wooden barrel. The mold has to be soaked in water every few days to keep it from "fallin' to staves" when the wood dries out and shrinks allowing the metal bands that hold it together to become loose.

An enlarged version of our regular rectangle trough is becoming very popular with our customers. They have been purchased almost as fast as they dry and get displayed at the farmer's market. We make these troughs in natural grey, buff, and terra cotta in color. The mold was made from old pallet wood and a piece of wooden siding. Looks like I will need to make an additional mold or two of the same size to keep ahead of customer demand.

Mini Gardens and Succulents.................

Mini gardens, succulents, and papercrete containers are a natural match but it is a combination I seldom use. That may change as I did enjoy putting this combination together today.

Summertime Mini Gardens............

The gardens we make in the Summertime allow us to install plant material and let it get established and mature a little before we add other elements and accessories to the garden. Trees, shrubs, and ground covers recognize that they suddenly have added soil to grow in and respond by rapidly expanding to fit the area. The same happens in almost any sized garden. Allowing the plant material to establish a little makes the placement of other elements a lot easier. Try growing your plants for a month before adding extra material and see of your finished gardens don't look a lot better. You will find you will need a lot less accessories to make your gardens seem full also. Sometimes "Less is More" in the making of miniature gardens.............

Special People...........

In the course of my travels I run into people I consider special. Though unknown to them they inspire me to try new things, spark ideas, and make my travels an exciting adventure. I just returned from a whirlwind shopping trip to Portland, Oregon and beyond during which I received at least special to me an Acer Palmatum "Beni Kosode". The tree is tiny in every respect and perfect for the fairy gardens I put together. 

Driving an average of 700 miles a day through snow, sleet, rain, over hills, mountains, and vast expanses of flat may be brutal at times but returning with special plant material for my customers and something special for myself......priceless!

Today I gathered some of my favorite fairy garden accessories and put together a garden which will remain in my collection since it is filled with treasures from special people. Like an heirloom or picture album it can be enjoyed for the memories attached to it.

Warmer Weather.......

The weatherman keeps saying that warmer weather is on the way......Yeah it has to happen sooner or later but here it is May the second and the forecast is warning of a few snowflakes over the next couple of days. If I lived well North of Southwest Missouri I might brace for such a forecast but give me a break.......snow in May!!! 

Oh well..... I cannot wait until Summer arrives to begin my gardening so snow or no I put a couple together today! They will be placed in the coldframe until warmer weather returns.

 

And the fun begins.............

Spring is always a welcome arrival here at the farm! Plant material starts breaking dormancy, new growth begins, a resurrection of sorts. The Lonicera "Lemon Beauty" in the little garden is sporting some tiny buds of new growth and the Lindernia is beginning to bloom which causes the little fairy to kick up her heels at in fine Ozark's fashion to sing "Yeehaw it's Spring" 

The next month will be a frantic one between traveling, vending, speaking, and building gardens. While it seems somewhat overwhelming at the moment it is what we wait and wish for all Winter! I will surround myself with all the flea market finds, newly acquired accessories, and a grand assortment of plant material to pick and piece things together in combinations that I hope will appeal to my customers. I find that some customers just like to have a few gardens displayed to give them ideas on how to put their own gardens together.

Gardening in a small scale while not a new concept is enjoying a rebirth of sorts. Miniature gardens have been a fascination of mine for quite some time and supplying the plant material and accessories has become a good portion of our business.  As a vendor it is a pleasure to see a mother and daughter picking parts and pieces which will allow them to spend some special time together. Many times it is a grandmother who will gather items in anticipation of a special visit from grandchildren so they can garden together. Whether we recognize it or not we are inseparable from our connection to the soil. We all rely on soil for our existence but in this case it is an avenue to a time of recreation. A time of creation, a time of whimsy, a time of fantasy, a time of just plain fun, especially when shared by more than one generation!