Sharing helps others too!

There is something stunning about glass houses.  Remember the glass lake house in the movie, “The Lake House?”

I couldn’t live in one.  I get messy DIY’ng!

Making a small one for a table…

I can do!

Using it for a terrarium…

I would need Mike’s green thumb.

Frame Terrariums

Here’s the list of supplies and tools:

• Six 5 by 7 frames {I purchased mine at our thrift store for under $5}
• Tube of clear silicone
• Wood glue
• Drill with small drill bit {1/16″}to pre~drill holes for nails}
• Small nails {I used some 1 1/4 inch and some 1-inch nails}
• Hammer
• Pliers
• Paint and paint brush
• Two small hinges or “L” brackets
• Glass cleaner

The Steps

Step 1:  Remove glass and set aside.  Remove all staples and hangers from the frames.

Step 2:  Even though the frames are all 5 by 7 the outside sizes may differ slightly.  Match frames by size as much as possible.  I set the two largest frames aside for the roof.

Also, decide if you want a tall frame terrarium or shorter and wider.  Mine is shorter.

Step 3:  Pre~drill holes along the sides of two frames.  Make sure to not drill through the area the glass fits.  Since I wanted a shorter terrarium, so I drilled along the 5-inch side of the frame.

Step 4:  Add wood glue and clamps to make a square.  IMPORTANT, adjust the frames so the groove where the glass sits will be accessible.  The first one I ever make, I had to cut the glass along one edge to wedge it in place.

Not fun!

Tap in nails.  Let dry.

Step 5:  Paint the frames inside and out.  I can’t wait until chalky type paints come in spray cans!!!!

Spraying would be easier.

Remember to paint the two frames set aside for the roof.  Let dry.

Step 6:  Clean the glass.  Apply a small bead of clear silicone along the edge where the glass sits.  Replace glass.  Let each side dry as you continue adding the glass.

Step 7:  Add a small hinge or “L” bracket between the 7-inch sides.  I like using the hinge even though the roof will be nailed in place.  If you wanted the terrarium to open, triangle pieces need to be cut to hold the frames.  Note:  I’m designing another larger frame terrarium with more details and spindles.  I’ll show the triangle step then.

Step 8:  Add the glass to the roof frames using the clear silicone.  Let dry.

Step 9:  Pre~drill a small hole to nail the roof onto your glass house.  Tap in a nail to hold.  Tip.  Check along the edge for the direction to pre~drill to make sure to avoid glass.

So far, I’ve never had luck when my drill goes through the glass! 🙁

Step 10:  Notice in the previous photo you can see the hinges.  I could simply paint over them and be fine, but I added a small piece of quarter round trim.  I just used wood glue to hold it in place.  Then painted it…

forgetting to paint it on the inside!  I didn’t notice the wood trim from the inside until I added this photo to the post.

Oh well, I’ll get it painted later.

You notice the title of this post is Frame Terrariums.  Plural.  This little one I made for my previous website, Homa Style.  I used those metal hinged frames.  Clear Silicone is the glue.

When I was young we had family photos in metal hinged frames on top of the TV.  I would get them down and make little houses with them.  Stacking them one way then another.

I’m still playing with frames!

This project took just over an hour hands on time {not including drying time} and $7 including a new tube of clear silicone.  Think you would make one?

Click here for if you need more thrift store frame projects!!!

Click here to see more photos of the Lake House from the movie on Hooked on Houses.

Warning the website is addicting! 🙂

Linked up at Something to talk about