Spring is coming!
I can tell it’s finally happening because Boston’s 7-foot snowbanks have melted down to 4 feet. Go us.
It’s been a Winter to end all Winters and I am ready for sun and warmth and light jackets and seeing something other than exhaust-stained ice mountains when I look out the window. Like maybe some flowers, that would be nice.
Until that happens, I am bringing spring inside and finally sharing my tutorial for DIY mounted air plants.
You may remember this project—and my promise to blog it—from my living room makeover six months ago. I am a final contestant for the coveted Slowest Blogger Award.
Let’s just pretend the delay was part of a clever strategy to time this post with Daylight Savings. Because what better way to celebrate the longer days than mixing up a summery cocktail and making a planty craft? Other than a vacation in Mallorca, but I can’t give any of us that, so crafts it is.
DIY Mounted Air Plants
Skill Level: The easiest.
Time: 20-30 minutes for each.
What You Need:
16 gauge brass wire
wire clippers or strong scissors
pliers (You can use your hands to twist the wire, but pliers are helpful if you got ’em).
small brass nails
hammer
picture hangers
super glue (Optional for if you want to be lazy when attaching the hangers).
air plants (Try The Air Plant Shop, they were very reasonable and the little plants I ordered from them are still thriving!)
wood slices (I purchased these beauties from CypressClocksThings on Etsy).
***A note on air plant care: So easy! Just soak in water once a week, give it a little shake, let dry on the counter for a bit, and put it back! My air plants have been thriving for a whole year now with this watering method. If you want more info, the Air Plant Shop has a great care section here.
***Another note: A kind reader just informed me that copper is toxic to air plants! I did not know this when I designed this project. Brass wire is made of zinc and copper; however, my air plants have been thriving and even growing in their wire-wrapped mounts for over 6 months now. So it’s possible there is not enough copper in the wire to affect them, or that they don’t absorb it from minimal contact. All I can say is, it’s been working for me! But to be safe you could always use steel wire instead, or brass-colored aluminum wire (found at craft stores).
What You Do:
Step One — Attach a picture hanger to one side of the wood slice using super glue or hammer and nails.
Step Two — Snip off a piece of wire roughly 20″ long and bend a circle into the middle. You’re going to make a little “cage” for the air plant to sit in.
Step Three — Twist the wire around another time or two until it can support the air plant. Position the plant on the wood slice so you know where to attach it.
Step Four — Gently tap a nail into each side of the slice.
Step Five — Twist the wire around the nail, then tap the nail all the way in.
Step Six — Trim the ends off the wire and hang your new mounted air plant.
Make a couple of mounted air plant friends and now you have a dramatic, living wall installation. Take that, winter.
Here’s hoping spring really does come soon. I need more green in my world to rejuvenate after all the snow and sickness.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do when the warm weather really arrives? Assuming you’re not one of those lucky jerks living in sunny Southern California. Not that I’m jealous…
