For some creative entrepreneurs, the “creative” part of the job comes more naturally than the “entrepreneur” bit—but Marianne Gardner, the Michigan-based founder of terrarium-kit company Bird and Feather, doesn’t count herself among them. “I have this natural entrepreneurial spirit,” she says. “My first job back in high school was for a little independent fast-food shop. That was the beginning of my experience with small business, and I developed a real passion for it.”
After college, Marianne’s interest in entrepreneurship guided her to the Grand Rapids Public Library, where she worked connecting patrons to the Small Business Development Center, and in 2009, she temporarily relocated from her native Michigan to Los Angeles to work for an eco-friendly home decor company. It was there, immersed in the natural beauty of the West Coast, that the idea for her own business was born. “I was surrounded by all these beautiful southwest plants and stones that we didn’t have where I grew up, and I was totally captivated by them,” Marianne recalls. “It was around the time when terrariums were starting to crop up, and I had this specific vision of a terrarium with little air plants and other natural items. I had this intuitive, ‘if you build it they will come’ feeling. And I kind of got obsessed with the idea.”
Marianne set out to turn her vision into a reality, debuting her own line of terrariums at Unique LA in 2012. Later that year, she opened shop on Etsy, selling her first kit the same day she went live and officially joining the ranks of entrepreneurs around the world. “Everything I’ve done feeds into entrepreneurship,” says Marianne. “I think it was inescapable for me, but it took me a while to allow myself the idea that I could be creative and make a living from it.”
Read on to learn more about Marianne’s signature crystal and air plant kits, discover her favorite unexpected terrarium ingredient, and shop the collection.
Your entrepreneurial drive was there from the start, but what about the creative side of the equation? Did you grow up in a creative household?
As a child, I colored and drew and was very creative. I loved art classes, but my parents didn’t really encourage me in that direction—they encouraged me in a more academic direction. Being creative wasn’t presented to me as a viable option for the future, so I sort of went along and did the things I thought I was supposed to do, and got a job right out of college.
But even though I wasn’t raised that way, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m an artist. The way I grew up also meant that I didn’t have any preconceived notions about how my creative life should look, so I got to create it for myself. In some ways, it almost took the pressure off.
Why did you opt to sell DIY kits over readymade terrariums?
A big part of the decision was about ensuring that everything would arrive intact. Packaging was one of my initial struggles—it took me a little bit of time to figure out how to get plants there alive and the glass there intact, while shipping them with rocks and other heavy items. So it was more of a practicality thing. I really love making the terrariums myself though, so I still make them and sell them in person locally.
Aside from the secrets to shipping fragile materials, what else have you learned about running a business along the way?
I’ve learned a lot about how to solve problems, and about how to be adaptable and allow things to flow. For example, sometimes I’ll have a vision of how I want a stone to work in an arrangement, but it just doesn’t work that way. I could either spend an hour frustrating myself trying to get it right, or I could say, you know what—maybe this stone is meant for somewhere else, and set it aside to come back to later. Obviously, you need to focus and you need to get things done, but you don’t have to do them in the exact way you thought you would when you set out—there’s some ease and freedom in letting go.
You’re known for incorporating crystals in your arrangements, but what’s your favorite unexpected ingredient to add to a terrarium?
I like to work with different pieces of weathered wood, like driftwood; I also really like cholla cactus wood. When the cholla cactus dies, it leaves behind this beautiful wooden skeleton—they’re primarily found in Arizona.
Would you say that you have a typical customer?
I think everyone is charmed by the magic of terrariums! They’re these tiny worlds full of little curiosities. When I’m out selling in person, every walk of life comes by. When I first started out, I pictured a typical Anthropologie sort of shopper, but in practice it absolutely transcends that. And I have a lot of male shoppers, too.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
I am highly influenced by the nature that I’m working with. So while I like a minimalist aesthetic and modern, clean lines, the natural world introduces all these beautiful organic elements. No two plants are the same, and no two crystals are the same. I like to let the natural items influence my creative process. Their shape defines the end product, so it’s kind of like a collaboration between myself and the natural elements.
What’s the most popular item in your shop?
It used to be the geode and pyrite kit, but right now I’d say anything with the amethyst cluster in it. People go crazy for it—and honestly it’s so gorgeous, how could you not? I love my little amethyst clusters. I’m obsessed with crystals and rocks right now, and you can expect to see a lot more from me in that direction.
Speaking of crystals, do you have a favorite?
I’ll go through phases. For a while, I was obsessed with putting gypsum desert rose in terrariums, and also rose quartz. In person, people have been very captivated by the desert rose—I think it’s the texture of it and also that you can’t quite tell what it is. Is it a rose? Is it a living thing? People often think they’re mushrooms. They inspire a lot of curiosity in people.
What does the future hold for Bird and Feather?
I’m going to be focusing more on crystals, but stepping outside of just the terrariums and going in the direction of natural, modern home goods. I’m beyond excited—I’m having another one of those moments where I can feel the wheels of change turning. It’s good.
Follow Bird and Feather on Facebook and Instagram.
Photographs by Jaimé Johnson.
45 comments
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 4 years ago
What a great story and I love your designs. You have quiet the collection to put into your terrariums. Thank you for sharing and I wish you the very best on your future endeavors.
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 4 years ago
Love your work! Congratulations on the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 4 years ago
Congratulations on the feature, Marianne and many blessings for your continued success!!! LOVE the tranquil mini landscapes....so relaxing!!! :D
Vadim Moroz from IconPainter said 4 years ago
Lovely little gardens! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 4 years ago
I love all of this...Congratulations!!
DeUno from DeUno said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Inspiring peaces to keep on your table! Congratulations on the feature!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 4 years ago
Beautiful plants, your work space looks divine, congratulations on the feature!
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 4 years ago
Love these terrariums. So stylish!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
Beautiful shop. I am amaze by the selection that seller has. Congratulations on the feature.
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 4 years ago
Lovely shop. Congrats on the feature.
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 4 years ago
Beautiful inspiring pieces. Congratulations on the feature!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 4 years ago
Your terrariums are so pretty! The crystals add a beautiful touch! Congrats on the feature and best wishes!
Austeja Square from HalfSquares said 4 years ago
Love your work!!! You are amazing.. Congrats on the feature!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing your interesting story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. I wish you much success :)
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 4 years ago
Beautiful plant arrangements! Congratulations on the feature!
Jeanita Jinnah from NaylaBookPublishers said 4 years ago
Very eye-opening piece. And what a creative way to preserve the beauty of nature ... in a glass dish. Congratulations, and much success to you!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 4 years ago
I wasn't graced with a green thumb, but I love terrariums because they are so easy to care for. Your shop is so lovely Marianne and I love the amethyst terrarium. It happens to be my birthstone! Congrats on the feature and may you have a prosperous 2017!
MandariDesigns from MandariDesigns said 4 years ago
I love your designs!!! I am new to selling on Etsy, and love how you display your pieces! Congratulations on the feature! (www.mandaridesigns.etsy.com)
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 4 years ago
Lovely shop, congrats on your success and the feature!
Margo from RetoDecor said 4 years ago
Stanning shop and I love who she used crystals to make it more natural and beautiful !
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 4 years ago
Gorgeous workspace and love all your natural materials you have to play with! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 4 years ago
Beautiful and inspiring! Congratulations on the feature!
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 4 years ago
Great interview and I love your terrariums!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
I love your story. Thank you for sharing :)
Rosemary Lambert from cardhugs said 4 years ago
I love the organization in your shop. A great idea for people to add life to their offices and homes with an easy care terrarium.
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 4 years ago
What a unique way to "decor" : ) beautiful pieces beautifully collected! Congrats on this lovely feature!
luxeprairie from luxeprairie said 4 years ago
Congratulations on being featured! Your work is beautiful!
Dig Deep Vintage from digdeepvintage said 4 years ago
These are so delightful-each and every one of them! You have a beautiful shop and story-what a great gift these make.
Etrennes from Etrennes said 4 years ago
Beautiful work and shop! Wishing you all the best to continued success!!
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 4 years ago
Wow... so beautiful work!!! Congratulations on the feature!
Cat Encio Dolls from CatEncioDolls said 4 years ago
I am so Up~ SIDE~ down in Love with your Shop.. Great write up! Cat
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 4 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats!
Wendy from DrevanM said 4 years ago
Your design ideas for terrariums are great. I love that you have such a large array of pieces to decorate these with. Congrats on the feature!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 4 years ago
Beautiful terrariums! I have some of your kits on my Christmas gift list for the coming year :)
Abby from SweetBloomCA said 4 years ago
Amazing shop, Marianne! Congrats on the well-deserved feature, keep up the great work!
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 4 years ago
Pretty ! Wonderful rock collection too.
Lertpan Pathamavuthikan from orientaltribe11 said 4 years ago
Beautiful and love you work. Congrats on feature. 😍👍
foofoogal54 from GracefulVtgClothing said 4 years ago
Very cute. This type of gardening is so hot, hot and hot right now. Love seeing your work.
bella bring from BellasBoxesStore said 4 years ago
Love your gardens in a bubble! Beautiful designs, and So soothing. Thank you!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 3 years ago
Great idea, Marianne. Ingenious! Love the delicate terrariums. All the best!
Eleni from PlexisArt said 3 years ago
Loooooovely ! Congratulations on the feature!
Portia from SoftJewelrybyPortia said 3 years ago
very inspiring story! love your courage and your creativity. congratulations on your feature!
Roxanne Vigil from RLBabyDesigns said 3 years ago
This is a wonderful feature. I love rocks, air plants, stones. God Bless you in all your work.
CrystalCreek from CrystalCreek said 3 years ago
Beautiful Creative & Inspiring Women and a Lovely Shop Filled with Light! Blessing
bluewine studio from bluewinestudio said 2 years ago
Beautiful! Love your shop. Perfect for plant lovers.