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Knockoff West Elm Brass Base Terrarium

April 2, 2014 by Bre 23 Comments

Last weekend I got to go shopping by myself.

As a mother of small children, do you know how precious that time was?

I was actually able to browse around and go into stores with breakable merchandise.  It was so liberating and SO INSPIRING!!!

A direct result of that shopping trip was this project . . . my knockoff West Elm Brass Base Terrarium.

West Elm’s Brass Base Terrariums are beautiful.  They come in two sizes – small and large – and are priced at $29.50 (small) and $59 (large).  The interesting thing about the West Elm terrarium is that it looks like the bowl is almost tipped on its side, as opposed to being straight up (like mine).  West Elm also sells the succulents to go inside of the terrarium at $12.50 a pop.

I love the low-maintenance nature of succulents and I wanted one of these terrariums.  But I wasn’t about to lug one around the mall with me, nor was I about to pay $42 for a terrarium and one succulent.  So yeah, I decided to try making one myself.

West Elm’s terrarium definitely looks nicer.  But I think mine is okay, too.  And for just $7 all in (like, with the plants), I’ll take it.  And since my glass bowls aren’t tipped on their side, these can be used for taller plants as well.  Bonus!

Learn to make a DIY faux brass base terrarium. It's easy and makes for a chic and modern planter or terrarium.
 
The best part was that this really and truly was a snap to put together.

Faux Brass Base Terrarium Supplies

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

Here are the materials I used to make these faux brass base terrariums:

  • Small glass bowl vase
  • 4×6 piece of wood, cut to size
  • Sandpaper
  • American Accents spray paint in Aged Bronze (you can find this cheaper in a store!)
  • Acrylic paint in bronze
  • Elmer’s ProBond Advanced glue

How to Make a DIY Brass Base Terrarium

Here’s how I put this together:

STEP ONE

Determine the desired size of your wood base by placing your glass bowl on top and deciding how large you want the bottom square to be.  Measure and cut.  (Ignore all the junk in my garage.  We just finished a renovation and had to store a bunch of stuff in there.  It’s normally not this messy!)

Cut wood pieces from a 4x6 to create the bottom of the DIY brass base terrarium.

STEP TWO

Sand your wood block all over and then spray paint it.
 
Spray paint the wooden base of the DIY brass base terrarium.
 

STEP THREE

Once the paint has dried, coat it with a layer of bronze acrylic paint.  This will make the color look richer and your base piece look less like a piece of wood and more like a bronze block.  (The block on the left has acrylic paint on top whereas the block on the right does not.)
 
Topcoat the spray painted wood with bronze craft paint.
 
Check out this other blog post of mine to learn how to create an even more authentic faux brass finish with paint!

STEP FOUR

Once the paint has dried, apply the glue to the bottom of your glass bowl.  Affix to the wood and follow the package’s instructions for proper adhesion.  (NOTE:  the glue does not dry clear so be sure not to apply too much or it will squeeze out the bottom of the bowl and leave a visible glue ring around your bowl and base.)

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STEP FIVE

Once the glue is dry, add your plants and enjoy!

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To get a look closer to West Elm’s terrarium, I should have cut my base pieces smaller.  I’m just going to say that this was my creative spin on the project – ha!
 
– Bre

Filed Under: Crafts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. brepurposed.com says

    April 3, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Just stopping over from Live Laugh Rowe’s link party! Great knock-off! P.S. You’ve got a great name too 😉

    -fellow bre blogger

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 3, 2014 at 7:09 pm

      Hi Bre! Thank you so much! I am in love with your blog – you have such wonderful ideas. Thanks for your sweet note!

  2. Ronda Waters says

    April 3, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Love the look of this! And impressive electric saw skills! (Is that even what it’s called?!?) 🙂

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 3, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      Hi Ronda! HAHAHAHA, I’m glad you find that impressive. I definitely am impressed that I haven’t cut off my hand yet. My husband refuses to do anymore of my little projects, so he’s making me learn how to do all that stuff myself. And then I make him take my picture for proof. Ha! Thanks for your sweet comment!

  3. Wangu says

    April 4, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    Bre your terrariums turned out great! I love them.
    I love that feeling when you do something yourself and save a bunch of coins any you´re standing there so happy feeling like a ninja. It´s great

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 5, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Hi! OMG you crack me up. Yes, I LOVE feeling like a ninja. 🙂 Thanks for your sweet note!

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