07/29/2026
Please say hello to our new artist. We a have the honor and the privilege of carrying some per handmade plant terrariums in Arbor boutique.
My name is Amanda Velez and I've been a Kentuckiana local for most of my life. Only 6 months ago, I began building terrariums as a meditative practice following a long series of illnesses and an eventual career change. This labor of love began simply as a desire to create more beauty in my own life.
Just like the tiny world inside a terrarium, this love grew quickly and wanted to be shared.
I handcraft my terrariums using upcycled and repurposed containers, with vintage gumball machines being my personal favorite. Each terrarium is lovingly crafted using low-maintenance local and exotic plants for ease of care and to maximize simple beauty.
Your terrarium is a complete ecosystem and should only require minimum care in optimal conditions:
• Use distilled water. Please. I know it's annoying but it really does make a difference. The chemicals and minerals in tap water accumulate in a closed terrarium system and add up over time to poison the system. Please, just a little distilled water
• Keep soil visibly damp, but not wet. A small amount of condensation is normal, especially following a temperature change (like fog on your car window)
• Most terrariums like bright, indirect sunlight or a small grow light. Try not to let your terrarium get too warm - your little plants will cook in there
• Yes, there are tiny, harmless bugs inside. They're called springtails and they help keep your terrarium alive! Springtails eat mold, decay, and all the stuff that can make your terrarium sick. They only live in soil and will stay in their home, so no worries
• Over time, your terrarium may require a little maintenance as the plants grow inside. Simply remove the lid and trim back unwanted stems and leaves. Most terrarium plants can be propagated. Yay, everybody loves bonus plants!
-Your terrarium can be sealed with aquarium safe silicone, if you so choose. There are risks and benefits to sealing your terrarium. Risks include no longer being able to adjust water or trim plants. The main benefit of sealing your terrarium is that you now have a truly enclosed and complete ecosystem that will self sustain. A closed terrarium can be opened again, but it takes some effort. To seal or not to seal, there is no right or wrong choice
• Please contact me if you have any questions about your new terrarium: [email protected]
*Commissions upon request
