I love my succulents. So much so that I am running out of places to put them. One of the best things about them is how easily they propogate, in general one leaf will make a new plant. I also love earrings, so when I saw the 'tiny' challenge come up I decided it was time to try to make my own instructable for living succulent hanging earrings. It's my first time, so be gentle with me!

Supplies

You'll need: Brown polymer clay (2x 10p/nickel sized ball) | 2 succulent leaves, just beginning to sprout | Ordinary string (2x 18cm lengths) | Soil (about 25g) | Earring findings: 2x jump rings, 2x ear wires

If you don't have any sprouting succulent babies, here's how to get some...
To sprout leaves pull them off the stem without 'snapping' or exposing the wet insides. Then lay them on some moistened soil and wait a week or two. If you don't have any succulents have a look at the supermarket succulents, often there are leaves that have shed, which will be put in the bin unless you 'rescue' them.

And your tools: Small pair of pliers | Pencil | Thick pen | An oven | A safety pin

Step 1: Making the Pots

You can buy tiny terracotta pots but that's just not as fun. You could make your own from air dry clay but polymer clay is less likely to crack when it dries.

1. Prepare by wrapping a 1cm diameter pen with some tin foil. The pen makes a mould to work the clay around, while the foil ensures the pen doesn't get stuck!

2. Work your two 10 pence sized balls in the warmth of your hands until they are malleable. Shape the clay around the pen end. Once you can get your finger inside work the 'pot' until it has a wider rim than base.

3. Use a pencil to poke a hole in the base of each pot for drainage.

4. Bake for about 15 minutes at 275 degrees F (135 C) in the oven

Ta da! 2 mini terracotta pots!

Step 2: Knot Your Hanging Pot Holder

1. Take a piece of your string and unravel until you have 8 individual threads.

2. Using a simple granny knot them at one end and pair the threads into 4 lots of 2.

3. Pin the knot to a cushion so you can get some tension as you knot each pair 1cm down from the main knot. NB: A good way to get the knots equally far down is to use stick a pin in your cushion 1cm down from the main knot and knot the pair around each.

4. Now separate the pairs below the 4 knots and pair up each with the string from its neighbouring knot. Now know these together another 1cm down.

5. Reunite the original pairs of threads another 1cm down and make a final 4 knots.

Focus on the photos rather than the description. It's easier seen and done than described!

6. Pop your finger inside the pot holder to open out the 'net'.

Step 3: Hang Your Pot Earrings

1. Pop your pot inside the net you have woven for it. Line up the base knot with the drainage hole.

2. Tie a top knot around 4-5cm above the rim of the pot.

3. Trim the excess threads off the bottom and top knots.

4. Using your pliers open the jump ring and thread one end of the metal through the top knot. Before pinching the knot closed with your pliers, thread the ear wire loop onto the jump ring.

Nearly there - getting to the exciting bit now!

Step 4: Plant Your Baby Succulent!

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

1. Hang your newly made plant hanger earrings over the side of a bowl or mug. Use the tiniest utensil you can find (I used a salt spoon) to fill the pot withsome soil. Dab some water on top.

2. Remove the parent leaf from your succulent very carefully. Wiggle the root into the soil.

3. Keep your earrings somewhere you'll remember to spritz them with water. The succulent should continue to grow while the roots have room to explore.

4. Before wearing give the plants a little water to prevent dry soil falling out if you have to run for a bus.