Hi,

Christmas is coming soon, I got a nasty cold, so I´m not really keen on last-minute-shopping in overcrowded malls. *sniff*
My girlfriends only wish for christmas was some unusual jewelry, found some cool stuff online and ordered it, but I´m not sure if it will get here in time. So at least I have to have some substitute for christmas eve, as gift certificates are somewhat lame...

So here my idea for a Living Plant Necklace suitable as a last minute gift or placeholder.
Materials and tools are usually available in any "maker-household", maybe except living miniature aquatic plants.
But you can put literally anything into the containment. Whatever fits in and matches the preferences of the recipient.

Step 1: Materials and Tools:

Materials:

small glass containment and lid (optional a smaller lid which fits)
piece of bicycle inner tube, a little smaller than the diameter of the containment
small (aquatic) plant cut-off and some soil (or whatever else you would like to place in the containment)
necklace
rivets (optional)

Tools:

scissors (not shown)
cutter knife (not shown)
hole punching pliers
riveting pliers (optional)

Step 2: Preparing the Suspension

Check if it fits tightly to the chosen containment.

Then inside-out the tube, the inner side is free of seams and looks better, once you removed the talcum powder. Using a solution of warm water and dishwashing detergent works fine.

Step 3: Preparing the Suspension Pt. 2

Cut the tube to the desired lenght and punch holes in it.
Optionally add a rivet to the holes.
(Sorry, I missed to take a picture of that step.)

Step 4: Fill the Containment With Whatever You Like

For my living plant variant I put in some soil, the plant off-cut and water.

But you can put anything you want into it (as long as it fits), probably something of importance for yourself or the receiver if it´s supposed to be a gift. There are no limits to the imagination.

Maybe you want to cut a little off the plug or lid, to give the containments more space.

Step 5: Close the Containment and Add the Suspension

If filled with water try to use a needle or skewer inserted sideways to the plug / lid to achieve pressure balance, so excess air or water can get out and is not compressed. Otherwise the plug might pop out when under strain which I consider as undesirable.

Add the rubber suspension, squeeze / fumble it over the lid and "bottleneck". Make sure it fits really tightly, it has to securely hold the containment, even if the owner is dancing around like an idiot ;)

If in doubt, choose a smaller innertube or a bigger containment.

Step 6: Add the Necklace (or Keyring or Whatever) And... Done

Your done, have fun! :)

If you happen to stumble upon this in a contest and you like it, please take 2 sec. to vote for it!
It would be a nice motivation to share lots of other ideas with you.
Look for it in the mason jar contest or the homemade gifts contest. Thanks a lot!