Terrariums by Botany Factory
Browsing through the San Francisco shop General Store recently, I noticed some highly covetable, bulbous glass globes filled with tiny succulents: terrariums by the local designer Katie Goldman Macdonald, of Botany Factory. Macdonald works with Evan Kolker, an Oakland-based glass artist, to create organically shaped glass forms, which she fills with mini-gardens that are nearly self-sufficient, requiring only sunlight and occasional spritzing. My kind of gardening!
I wrote to Macdonald, curious to hear a bit more about her inspirations, her design approach, and how she came to the terrarium trade. Here's what she had to say:
"I began my early days accompanying my botanist father on wildflower classification walks through the woods in Half Moon Bay. Ever after, I've wanted to work with plants. A clothing designer by day, working with something more natural, organic and alive is really fulfilling. I started making terrariums when I moved to the city a few years ago after college. The one tragedy about living in an apartment is not having a yard. Tending tiny indoor gardens is a great way to remedy that."
The view inside an Armadillo.
Because each glass form is hand-blown, no two terrariums are alike. Here are two Manatees.
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I was just remembering the ones we used to make as kids in the 70's, ...and figured it was about time for them to come back. Unfortunatly, the overall "look" and design hasn't improved much since than. I can't imagin working it back into my decor. Time to host a design competition? Just sayin'
Succulent terrariums are nearly self sufficient ecosystems. Because succulent species are water-retaining plants that have adapted to arid climates, they need very little watering. They are easy to care for if you follow a few simple rules!
I first saw these at Terrain and fell in love. Nice way to bring some green into a space.
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