Miniature greenhouse with moss roof and interior decorations

Using the provided Creative Space file and a 3mm piece of balsa or basswood, we'll start by laser-cutting our main structure. If you are worried or noticing burn spots, you can lower the power setting a bit, or lightly dampen the wood if you feel comfortable doing so. 

This is a bit delicate of work, as the window pane cross section are quite thin and spindly. Carefully punch out all the pieces and use an Exacto knife to assist any pieces that are stuck. Keep your scraps for now, we'll use some in a later step!

I will refer to it a lot as a brace, as this it what it's function primarily is- to create bottom stability for the final freestanding project and keeping the walls snug to the flooring square. You will use the four squat beams with notches in them to do this, gluing them into a square, fitting the notches into each other.

Whether you are spray painting or painting the outer bits with a brush, now is the best time to do that so it has time to dry. Paint one side, allow to dry to the touch and then paint the other side. Set them aside for now to dry completely.

Using the 3 small rectangular frames, the long rectangle, and the square main base, assemble the garden bed. If you would like the floor to go under the planter, you can switch this step with step 4. The doors are separate pieces from the frame, so they can be positioned in a fixed position (like mine) or put on small hinges. If putting them on hinges, make sure you install them opening inward, as the outside brace will impede its ability to open outwardly. This was designed like this to prevent accidents with the doors on the completed project, as they are quite delicate. Note about the picture, I only used the base square as a brace to hold the door in that position as it dried, I did not glue the door down to the floor yet, as there are some finishing steps to do before that.

Using some of the scraps from the window panes, create a tiled floor, cutting pieces to fit as necessary.

I used a dark brown and a red paint and roughly pushed them together, only letting them mix slightly. I painted my garden bed a grey color, then used a q-tip to wipe it off to give it a more weathered look. I then went in with my paint markers to add details to the bricks, including grout lines.

Optional: Before this is also the step if you wanted to put the thin PVC “glass” on the inside of each wall and door, to process and attach those pieces from the project (canvas #2)

On one of the walls without the door, use some of the scrap laser-cuttings to create floating shelves. I used the insides of the small rectangular frames that were used to build the planter as mine. Glue and let dry completely and then paint as desired.

I used some polystyrene from an product packaging that was just going to be tossed, and ripped pieces off of it for a popcorn-y texture. I then poured some craft glue at the bottom of the planter and started to arrange the pieces until i got the feel of uneven dirt I wanted. I then waited for it to dry, and painted it with a dark brown paint.

I used some hobby terrain plants for a quick pop of color, but don't be afraid to try your hand at some polymer clay veggies! I then attached an extra dangle earring hardware to a bead to make a cute little water can, and then glued a few random beads to the shelves to look like pots/vases. 

We start by placing the outermost brace/frame around the square base floor. I then start with door side first, as it can prop itself up, glue around the bottom of both sides of the door/wall. I then work in the opposite side's wall (this is the one I chose to have the shelves), so it is wedged snugly into place, with glue around the bottom edges that touch the base and brace. Then, The next two walls go in the same way, until all four walls are glued into place.

I cut a polystyrene ball in half for this step, but you could use a flat piece, scraps from the project, or omit the roof all together- up to you! I glued reindeer craft moss to my hemi-sphere and then glued it to the inside peak of each wall. I then worked moss into any gaps and viola!

Thanks for being with me on this journey, I hope it was a fun little puzzle project for you! Please comment if you have questions and I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible!