Succulent arrangements clas

Cute succulent arrangements in cups

This past Sunday (March 30, 2014!), Whole Foods invited Fair Ivy owner Lucy (that’s me) to teach eager crafters about a fun way to personalize your dinner place settings.  The DIY Dinner event was connected with Whole Foods’ new online publication called Dark Rye.

I decided to combine three of my favorite things to create this DIY class:

  1. Crafting
  2. Upcycling (definition: The process of converting old or discarded materials into something useful and often beautiful.)
  3. Succulents!

So I headed to the art store, the thrift store, and my own garden to gather the materials.  Check out the photos from the successful event!

Succulent planters

Twigs for succulent name tags

Succulent collection - how to plant succulents

Washi Tape collection

Dark Rye Whole Foods Presentation by Fair Ivy - Succulent Arrangements

The main materials were:

  • Pots and cups that were upcycled with spray paint
  • Succulents snipped from my own garden as well as from generous friends (you can just put a clipping into the dirt and 90% of the time it will just grow its own roots!)
  • Paper scraps and twigs to create the name cards

Below are a few simple samples I brought to give participants an idea of how these succulent arrangements could be used as DIY dinner table settings—plus, as party favors that guests can take home at the end of the night!

Thrift store dishes upcycled into cute succulent planters!

Dark Rye Whole Foods Presentation by Fair Ivy - Succulent Arrangements

Dark Rye Whole Foods Presentation by Fair Ivy - Succulent Arrangements

Dark Rye Whole Foods Presentation by Fair Ivy - Succulent Arrangements

Whole Foods presentation - Lucy from Fair Ivy

Above: Me in action, teaching the steps.  Below: Whole Foods was generous and provided us with delicious snacks and drinks that were perfect for the warm yet breezy afternoon outdoor event!

Whole Foods snacks

Whole Foods Dark Rye Recipes

Whole foods presentation from Fair Ivy

Succulents in cups

Make a succulent mini planter

Make a succulent mini planter

There were so many wonderful cute succulent arrangements created by all the participants!  Check out some of my favorites below:

Thrift store dishes upcycled into cute succulent planters!

Thrift store dishes upcycled into cute succulent planters!

Thrift store dishes upcycled into cute succulent planters!

DIY succulent planter

DIY succulent planter

Succulents in dishes

Thrift store dishes upcycled into cute succulent planters!

Cute Succulent Arrangements

Succulent how to

It was a ton of fun—a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  A big thanks to Whole Foods for inviting me to teach, and to all the wonderful participants who were so enthusiastic and creative!

Handmade hammered silver necklace

February brought us some wonderful surprise gifts—and the jewelry item was a definite joy to receive (and now to wear)!  Jill from Grey Goose Gifts—one of our favorite repeat artists—was the mastermind handmaker between February’s handmade hammered silver necklace.

Let’s delve into the exciting package-opening photos!

Mystery package from a Fair Ivy artist

Mystery package from a Fair Ivy artist

Mystery package from a Fair Ivy artist

Can’t wait to find out what is inside!

Mystery gift!

 Cute handmade gift packaging!

This adorable little box was a classic Grey Goose Gifts packaging style, and we love the simplicity and cleanliness.

Cute handmade gift packaging!

Cute handmade gift packaging!

Cute handmade gift packaging!

Handmade hammered silver necklace

The hammered necklace is revealed!

Handmade hammered silver necklace

Handmade silver hammered necklace

Handmade silver hammered necklace

Artist's Card

The artist’s card reads:

“Each piece in the Grey Goose Gifts line is designed and handcrafted by artisan jeweler Jill Goulait.  Her simple, delicate designs feature bold geometric shapes rendered in sterling silver and 14 karat gold fill.  Jill’s versatile pieces are perfect for wearing along, or for mixing and layering.”

Handmade hammered silver necklace

Kilee from One Little Mama even adored this necklace when she received it as a Fair Ivy surprise gift last month!  Check out shots of her modeling it (photos courtesy of One Little Mamma, of course!)

black-aztec-cardigan-white-denim

aztec-cardigan-white-denim-green-tee

aztec-cardigan-white-denim1

black-aztec-cardigan-wavy-short-ombre-hair

We can’t wait to see what other fantastic handmade surprise jewelry items Grey Goose Gifts has coming up in her store in the future!

Handmade Ceramic Bowl

February surprises here at Fair Ivy brought two wonderful handmade gifts—one of which was a gorgeous mini ceramic bowl from White Peach Pottery

This has to be one of the most adorable packages we had the pleasure of receiving….and sending out to all of our surprise subscribers!

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic dish gift wrapping

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic Bowl

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic dish gift wrapping

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic dish gift wrapping

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic Bowl gift wrapping

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic Bowl gift wrapping

Arriving in the most adorable little polka-dot packaging, White Peach Pottery‘s gorgeous handmade ceramic bowl came in a variety of colors (an added surprise!).  The little “brighten-up-your-desk” kit even came with an air plant snuggled right inside.

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic Bowl

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic Bowl

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic dish gift wrapping

Artist's Card

As with all of our handmade monthly surprise gifts for women, this package included an Artist’s Card, with details about the artist, their background and inspiration.  In case it’s hard to read, the text says:

White Peach Pottery
Over at White Peach, artist Marianne Tolosa’s desire for the company is to create pottery that counters the widely available, mass-produced housewares on the market today.  She encourages everyone to invite the handmade into their daily life, as she believes it brings joy to the soul and communicates warmth to those who gather around you.

The tillandsia planter is hand-crafted just for you, by her, at her studio in Virginia. To care for your Tillandsia, simply place it in an area with bright, filtered light.  Then soak it in water for 30 minutes every 2 weeks, and it should be with you for a long time!

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic Bowl

White Peach Pottery - Handmade Ceramic Bowl 

Love this item and want one for yourself?  Head on over to White Peach Pottery.

Did you know? 
We JUST opened up a new subscription option called The Mystery, which is only $16/month and allows you to receive this type of variety item every month!
Check it out by clicking here!