In this part of the tutorial we actually make the terrarium by adding all the materials inside.

Ok, now let's start making the actual terrarium. I cut a ring from a cardboard tube to act as a stand for the bulb and I put a layer of pebbles in the bulb. This is important. It will drain the water in there and act as a reservoir.

Then add a thin layer of sphagnum moss. This acts as an insulating blanket. It keeps the soil from sinking down into the pebbles and creating mud.

This step is optional. I added a thin layer of horticultural charcoal. But it comes in chunks so we had to break it down into a powder. This charcoal acts as a filter. It purifies the terrarium water and prohibits mold growth.

Hoffman 17502 Charcoal Soil Conditioner, 24-Ounce

This is the charcoal that I use here.

Now you can add some soil and even it out/tamp it down with a coat hanger tool.

Here is a neat trick for placing the charcoal and the soil. You can roll a tube of paper and put the soil in that. Then you can place it anywhere in the terrarium. Good way to spot place stuff.

Now it is time to start putting in the plants. And it can be very difficult to figure out the arrangement inside the bulb. So, its a great idea to make your arrangement outside the bulb first so you can get it looking the way you want.

Here is our arrangement. Now we just have to break this up into small pieces and re-establish it inside the bulb.

Next break that arrangement up into small pieces and using tweezers place them into the bulb. You can makeshift all kinds of helpful tools out of coat hanger or wire.

We added a cork. And suspended from the cork on a length of fishing string is a little figure. There you go! The Light Bulb Terrarium is done!

We used a piece of copper wire to act as a hanger.

The Enormous Fantasy Terrarium

Step into a magnificent Fantasy Terrarium World. This is a massive six foot terrarium and you have just got to check it out! The Big Fantasy Terrarium

Making a more artistic terrrarium

Terrariums used to be all about creating a small eco-system. This has changed in the past couple of years. Terrariums are now works of living art unto themselves. I have some tips for making a terrarium that is more artistic: Making an artistic terrarium

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