A great piece of jewelry should be able to make a statement while still being cost efficient. Fortunately, if the statement you wish to promote is about saving the environment there are now many wallet-friendly options in the new trend of wearable plant jewelry.
Wearable plant jewelry is where “gardening meets jewelry.” The pieces usually consist of a small living plant carefully enclosed in a plastic or metal jewelry setting. Some of the enclosures include plastic bell jars, small pottery molds, and uniquely shaped plastic pots. These living, botanical pieces come in many forms including necklaces, rings, brooches, earrings, and bracelets.
How to make garden jewelry?
Creators of garden jewelry use various materials as the foundation for the plants. Hafsteinn Juliusson of Iceland uses sterling silver for his pieces. Colleen Jordan, a designer from Atlanta, Georgia, creates unique shaped planters made from nylon. Melinda Cunningham of South Carolina, creates hand molded, miniature pottery pieces for her growing jewelry. And a company called GemSprouts uses recycled plastic soda bottles to hold the plants.
The types of plants used in these pieces vary as well. Mosses, like Irish moss, make great pendants and statement rings. Miniature tillandsia gives a spikey flair to jewelry. Some of the most popular plants used in these jewelry pieces are succulents. They can come in mini sizes, they retain water and some need little soil. For instance, tiny cacti, golden sedum, dwarf aloe and miniature jade plants are also great features for growing jewelry.
Interested in getting a piece of growing jewelry of your own? There are many sources to choose from. GemSprouts provides the recycled necklace enclosures, the tiny plant, and the chain. Wearable Planter designs colorful, geometric planter necklaces, pins, brooches, and even purse ornaments (not all designs include plants). And Nature’s Adornments Pottery Studio includes many unique hand-crafted pieces (but does not include the plants).