This craft is available as the third and final take-n-make kit for adults participating in the Adult Summer Reading Challenge. (Ages 21- on up). Registration is required and that opens on Wednesday, July 21st. Once they are gone, they are gone! Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdI1gWE6ibn29To2MV-Q6CLJiDgtmuWSzOHWVz442dIhiyCfA/viewform?usp=sf_link or stop in at the library to register. For anyone else wanting to learn how to create a Tea Garden Topiary using their own materials, the instructions are as follows:
Items needed: (*asterisk denotes what is not included in the kit)
Floral foam
Moss ( We used dried preserved reindeer moss)
A tea cup and saucer and/or a mini clay pot
Foam balls (Sized in proportion to the teacup and clay pot)
*A stick/twig
*Glue gun + Sticks (If you need access to a glue gun, contact the library to check one out!
*Sharp cutting tool
*Newspaper or a garbage bag to keep your surface clean
Instructions
First you will lay something down on your workspace for easy cleanup. The moss and floral foam get really messy! Then take the floral foam and cut it to size to fit inside the teacup. Once that is secure, find a twig and stick that into the floral foam. For the teacup, you will then add the largest foam ball onto the end of the stick. Secure both ends of the stick with hot glue.
The same process will be used for the mini clay pot. (Note: some of the mini clay pots have an extra tiny foam ball fit inside of them. You may use that foam ball instead of the floral foam as the base if you wish. It doesn’t matter which you use, see which works best with fitting your stick in. If you do not have one, use the floral foam again. Then add the other foam ball to the other end of the stick. Secure with hot glue on both ends.
Next we will add the moss. It helps to lay the moss out and lightly tear it apart since it comes in larger clumps. Add hot glue to the foam ball in small sections, patting down moss on the glued areas. You can also cup the entire moss covered ball with your hand to pat it down evenly.
Then you will cover the foam base with moss. Check over the entire project, looking for bald spots and remove any visible glue strings. Your Tea Garden Topiary is ready to display!
