Free Modern Planter Tutorial

Supplies:
• hobby rocks
• matching containers
• scissors
• reeds, dried grass, bamboo placemat, thin plastic grass, etc.
• glue

I need to start with a warning, these modern planters knock over easily and the little rocks spill all over the place. Not fun. I'm looking for suggestions on clear drying glue that won't gack up the clear plastic. Any suggestions? Neomi won my give away for these, and she used a German product "UHU Twist and Glue" to keep the rocks in place. I'll link to her blog when she posts pictures.

This tutorial does not use glue, but please let me know if you have a glue you recommend and I'll try it and update this.

The hobby rocks cost $3.99 at my local hobby shop, search online for similar price, or check out your local hobby shop for terrain and landscape materials. These are Talus ground cover rocks by Woodland Scenics; they charge $4.99 online. They have a few color options. I bought the Grey, but I really like the Natural color which is more white. They come in four sizes: Fine, Medium, Coarse, Extra Course. I think the Fine would be more true to scale but I like the look of the Medium, as used here.

Your matching containers should be about 1 1/2" to 2" in height and around an 1" in diameter. These Clear Styrene Plastic Vials are from Tap Plastics. I used the .44 oz: 15/16" Dia x 1 9/16"H size that runs $0.25 each, but you have to buy a box of 10 online. I tried the smallest size too, which works in smaller spaces but I prefer the .44 oz. I've also used their small clear plastic boxes but those are over $1 each.


I bought a bundle of tall dried grass from the floral department at my local arts and crafts shop, about 3 feet long and 3 different colors. I took two pieces and put the thickest ends in one vase. I cut the first pieces to be the tallest. I like the height to be slightly over 3 times the height of the vase, around 5". Then move one of the cut pieces to the other vase. Next, I put the cut ends back in the first vase, cut them shorter than the first cut, then separate one to the other vase. I separate them to keep both vases visually balanced. They won't end up identical but they will look like a matching set.


Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. As the grass gets thinner towards the end, the cuts should get shorter making them look more authentic. Then start over with two new pieces of grass, putting the thick ends in one vase again and cut another tall piece, then cut shorter and shorter. I put 25 - 30 pieces in each depending on how full I want the plant to look.

Once full, I place on a tray or plate so I can clean up the spilled rocks easily. Drop the rocks in while you rotate the vase. If it looks lopsided pull some of the grass apart and slide rocks in between the blades to help spread them out. As you fill up the vase you will want to add glue to the top to keep everything in place.

I'm still nervous about which glue to use that won't ruin the clear plastic, but I'll update when I test out your suggestions. When you're done, it should look something like this. On the right is a sample using the bamboo reeds from a table placemat and a smaller vase I started with thinner grass. Have fun.