Awww, those are cute, bet they sell :)

Great Job! They are Perfect! I bet you have hour of enjoyment making them too!(Keeps ya outta trouble!lol!)

Hi Carrie!
I absolutely adore moss too. In fact I go on 'moss hunts' around here just to pick up more for the shade garden, lol! How did you go about making that spiral one? Did you carve a spiral shape out of the foam?
I have added moss to a grapevine wreath and birdhouses, but haven't done much else. I might have to try doing something similar to your topiaries in the future.

Great job and thanks for showing us!
Ps. the Bellis plants I started from the seed you sent are blooming now!! ;-) thanks again
CMK

Carrie - in a word - Fabulous! If you'd be willing to share more about the processes, I'd love to read about them. Intrigued with drying them in the dark to retain color. Would occasional light be a problem? I'm thinking of my garage. And how do you determine when they are completely dried?

Another thing I'd love to know is how you rid the back of the moss of dirt and when you do that - I mean, just after collection or when dry.

Can they go outside? In the open or on covered porch?

Enchanted, Rosie

Carrie,
I love your pretties. I'll bet they sell like hotcakes.
kay

Beautiful, anyone would be so lucky to have one of your topiaries in their home decor.

Annette

I would buy them if you sold in Toronto. they look fantastic.

Wow - they're magical and whimsical and elegant and just beautiful!! You really did an amazing job.

Those are so great! Those should sell. Have you tried taking any to an area boutique that sells ornaments and other things? I bet they would love those!

Thank you everyone.

CMK, I made the spiral topiary from twisted newspaper wrapped with floral tape (all hot glue, no hooks on this one). P.S. I am so glad that your seeds germinated.=0D

Rosie, total dark isn't necessary in drying. In fact the first moss topiary I made was last August as a decoration for my daughters birthday tea party. I made it with fresh moss and roses. The moss dry nicely after the party just sitting in the house. I perked up the colour by spraying it with green food colouring and water. The moss will bleach out even after it is dried when exposed direct sunlight for an extent time. However the food colour technique will fix it up. I think your garage would be ideal for drying as long as the humidity is low.

As for cleaning, I do this as soon as it is collect. I brush and shake any needles, leaves, bark or dirt off with my hands first. Then if extra cleaning is needed I put the moss in water. Of course it take a lot longer to dry so I try to ovoid it. I try to encourage my moss to grow over rocks as much as possible. the shape is perfect and it eliminates dirt.

These ones should not go outside. But I am going to try to make ones with a more water prof compound than drywall and spray them with a permanent die to help with bleaching. I will let you know how I make out. I hope this helps.

GGG- I have thought about it asking gift shops if they might be interested in caring my topiaries. Actually I have been writing emails most of the morning. I also tried wedding rental suppliers and coordinators.

I have been a stay at home mom for the last twelve years (my enter adult life) so putting myself out there for the first time is a little nerve racking. But I have woken up everyday for the passed twelve years and done something I loved so if I am going to work outside the home I don't want tomorrow to be any different. I am hoping my passion for flowers and natures art will be appreciated.

Carrie

Those are beautiful creations and I would definitely buy one at a show. You did a wonderful job on each of them. I have made some with purchased moss and know that it is not easy to get such a professional look.

Don't worry about putting yourself out there because those are just stunning. Can you use Etsy in Canada? I really think you could go into business with those.

Etsy is a fine idea. You can use it everywhere!

carrie, try your local flower shops too, use facebook to promote your products, get a table at a community farmer's market, church sales, anywhere you can promote your products. It fits in well in antique shows too.

Very sweet. I can't see quite how big they are but people who like doing dolls' houses would probably be interested, too.

They look quite lovely.