I was making a terrarium late this afternoon and suddenly realized that I have an addiction to dioramas and terrariums. Some I've made myself and others I've picked up at auctions, flea markets, tag sales or thrift shops. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of them.
Since I don't collect china, I turned the above built-in china cabinet in my dining room into a huge diorama of various items including bird nests and turkey feathers from my yard, fossils from my father's farm, odds and ends picked up while hiking, etc.
The above old stone piece from India had some type of statue inside that had been smashed to pieces and I found it at a tag sale. The dried peony tree blooms were from a deceased friend's tree and also the religious medallion had belonged to him. The antique wood statue of Christ was found for a couple of dollars at a Valparaiso, Chile flea market.
These pictures were made in my side yard circa 1900. The lady on the right in the center photograph lived her entire 91 years in my house. She is serving high tea to two neighbors. The shards of tea cups and plates were found on the property and appear to match the ones in the photographs. The small doll cup was also found here.
This glass cabinet holds the same lady's coat worn as a very young lady with a picture of her beside it. The family Bible and estate papers are included as well as a Victorian brooch that my dogs dug up in their pen.
This cabinet includes photographs of former residents of my house over the years and items owned by them. The President Garfield bust is included because there was a connection with one family member.
The drawing of the house in front use to stand right down the road. The tin type pictures are family members that lived there. Other photographs are in the glass box behind which also holds 1800s letters regarding their tobacco crops and correspondence with a family member during the Civil War.
I presently have my second rescued greyhound and assist with one of their rescue groups. The wonderful photograph of a greyhound with a bow around its neck was bought on ebay as well as the greyhound bone carving. The statue is made of bull horn and was found at a flea market.
This little guy was found at a flea market for $2.
The ship diorama was found in pieces with broken glass. I think I did a pretty good job restoring it.
A little bit of everything here including a seahorse bought for a dollar at a tag sale.
This antique glass case holds someone's treasures from a beach trip.
A glass case in the downstairs bathroom holds extra toilet paper as well as old medicine bottles and hands
On top is an old glass apothecary jar missing its top but filled with dried lemon verbena from my garden.
At it's feet is a Victorian straight pin collection
This five foot bird diorama came out of an old school house
A glass globe that when turned upside down fit perfectly into this marble base. I filled it with bay leaves about twenty years ago.
This old birdcage holds a plant and nest
A string of Christmas beads was put inside of this glass globe and filled with water two years ago.
A Carolina wren nest above my front door is visible through the interior glass qualifying it as a living diorama. A couple of birds having been using it all winter as shelter.
I also make dioramas/displays for history and library groups such as the one above
This is my rescue cat named Kenny with two terrariums that I made over a year ago.
The one with the fern is still thriving while the one with succulents died
Two Victorian fishbowls with the one on the right used as a terrarium holding this asparagus fern for about five years
I have been working on a couple of the cabinets for twenty-five years now. I know I am very fortunate to have all the house's past given to me by former residents and family members.
I was quite upset the first time I ran across antique bird taxidermy. It was all the rage during the Victorian period. I have since decided that by saving and displaying them that I am providing honor and respect. I am against the senseless killing of any animal.
I hope you have enjoyed this. I have others but they are too personal or recent family members so not able to display here.