“Still Life” Moss Terrariums
Moss is underappreciated. Not only is it beautiful and plentiful, but low maintenance as well. If you have a brown thumb like I do, a moss terrarium may be a good alternative to houseplants that need a lot of care. Interested? Just check the farmers’ market.
Ashley Colen Herr calls her farmer’s market store “Still Life” because her creations are all living arrangements. Her terrariums are a way to bring the outside in, a miniature mossy world. She likes to envision herself shrinking to the size of a fairy and walking inside.
Herr started making moss arrangements and tiny gardens as a little girl, setting up garden parties for chipmunks with acorns for dishes and moss rugs. When her best friend Brook was married two months ago, Herr created the centerpieces: arrangements of tiny flowers and moss reminiscent of a fairy’s garden. After that, she began selling her magical miniatures at the farmer’s market.
The mosses Herr uses are native to the Eastern Shore. In fact, they come directly from her backyard. She likes to showcase the various types of moss in vessels she finds at antique shops, beaches, and her friends’ grandmothers’ houses. Herr says the shapes of the vessels inspire the arrangements. Most recently, she started making miniature hanging gardens out of Christmas balls, but says she is full of ideas for new ways to combine moss and glass. She welcomes custom orders and enjoys the challenge of mixing the perfect plant specimens with the customer’s own glassware.
Herr says the terrariums are “a perfect little biosphere” and “feed on neglect.” They’re self-sustaining, with minimal water requirements. In fact, they may take progressively less maintenance the longer you have them!
At present, the terrariums are only available at the farmers’ market, but Herr may include them in the décor category of LysbethZane, the home goods company she owns with her sister Paige, which features Indian house wares like pillows and Kantha quilts in vibrant colors.
For more information, visit Still Life at the Chestertown Farmer’s Market, email [email protected], or check out www.LysbethZane.com. Shop local!
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