« Bright & Cheerful Zen Garden Tutorial »
Friday, March 15, 2013 
I have some issues that I deal with all of the time. The best thing for me is basically keeping busy (which is why you see 5-6 craft projects a week coming out of me), but some things come to a head. One of the non-pharmaceutical ways I have of bringing things back down where they need to be on any random day is doodling. I'll sit and doodle on my desk, a receipt, my sketchbook or whatever is handy and I've always found it soothing. Plus it is something I can easily concentrate on no matter what is happening around me.
This whole project came about when I saw a movie that someone else was watching from the 80s where a guy was raking his little zen garden and it looked so peaceful. Then I saw colored sand at the hobby store. Lightbulb!
For this project you will need:
- glass dish
- little succulent or cactus
- panty hose or tights
- cactus & succulent potting soil
(optional)
- colored sand (I used 3 pounds)
They sell these awesome little squat vases at Wal-Mart in the decor part of the crafts area. I purchased the smaller of the two sizes they carried and it cost me $4.
I went to Lowe's to find a baby succulent but the ones they carried were all pretty big and cost $5. I found this strawberry pot on clearance for $10. I took one fella' out of the pot and turned the blank spot against a wall. This was a good option but I can't count on you finding a clearance item.
So, I asked around and was told that your best shot of finding little cactuses or succulents are at bonafide plant nurseries or online through websites like Etsy (which I am taking word on and haven't actually looked into myself).
Carefully remove your plant. In this situation, getting the soil out with the guy wasn't an option. If your plant is in a little pot, remove it and break up the shape of the pot to free the roots a bit.
Take the toe of a pair of hose and snip it off so that it is a few inches long.
Place the dirt end of your plant into the hose, or if you don't have the soil, put your cactus or potting soil into the hose and then isnert the plant. Use a small stretch thing to tie the bag of soil onto the base of the plant (I used a cut hair tie). FYI as your plant grows you'll need to accomodate it's roots and increased girth.
Place your plant wherever you like and then pour your sand in around it. Fill until you fully cover your dirt bag and it is not visible.
Shake it like an Etch-a-Sketch to get a nice, smooth surface.
Grab just about anything around, like a pen or an unwound paper clip and doodle in the sand.I can't even begin to tell you how nice and calming this is. When I finished mine up I drew in the sand for almost an hour and totally lost track of the time. It's just so much fun!
While you're reading this, I'm in my car with two little boys driving a 6 hour drive home to see my parents and having my ear talked off about visiting the ocean. I hope that you have big plans for your weekend, too! :)
Home Decor, Office Supplies, Tutorial 
Reader Comments (9)
I feel calmer now just after reading this tutorial! And the purple is so stinkin' cool.
Love it when our creating is therapeutic...both in the process and in the product. :-)
That means my work here is done, Lauren :)
Awesome. I was just in the pet store yesterday where I saw great sand colors for reptile habitats. I didn't note the price or whether it was some sort of special mix, but the colors were great. Really beautiful idea! Thank you.
In the event that the sand is really high, check Hobby Lobby if you have one nearby. They carry tons of colors for $2.50 for 1.5 pounds, I believe! Good luck...
This is a cool tutorial, will definitely try out!
That's awesome! My brother's always coveting those mini zen gardens you can buy. I think I'll make him one of these instead :)
Yay, ladies! I am so glad that you've found the DIY as much fun as I have. It's so, so easy and I'm glad to have shared it with you :)
This is a great idea and I love the plant! I was thinking of other things you could add to it in addition to the plant or instead of the plant. Interesting rocks, seashells, a cute zen looking mini-statue. I thought of checking the aquarium section of the store for the little statues. Add your personal touch to a bamboo skewer for a more permanent tool to draw in the sand. Thanks for sharing such a great project idea with us. I love the purple also. :)
Those are some great ideas, Trudy Lynn! I especially like the idea of looking in the aquarium department! The possibilities seem to be endless... Thanks so much for sharing :)