Make Something: Animal Toy Planter

 

 I have quite a collection of animal toys — everything from Breyer Horses to small llamas, deer, bears on their hind-legs, werewolves, goats, deer, dogs, cats, dinosaurs, sharks, and sheep. There are toys everywhere. In the closets. Lining shelves. In the bathroom.

The collection started several years ago when I picked up a Breyer Horse for DJ Husband at an antique mall. I just thought it would be a silly, random present. But then he bought me one, and soon after, I found a donkey toy at a thrift store that I couldn't live without. It was a downhill spiral after that, and now I have bags of toy animals of all sizes in my closets.

I often think, I don't know why I collect these, but I do, and someday, I'll use them for something awesome. Until then, the toy collection will just be combined with the bone collection, and the mannequin collection, the wig collection and the weird discarded book collection, and maybe we could make some money giving house tours, like a curiosity shop, except that nothing is for sale.

(Yes, I dust a lot.)

Recently, I've spotted some great ideas that have come to my hording rescue.

Animal toy planters are up on Pinterest, and I knew I was going to make one, it was just a matter of when, and which toy to sacrifice?

It had to be this big triceratops. We said a quick goodbye, but the "squealing" sound he made when I cut into him with my Dremel will haunt my dreams.

Sorry, dude, but I think it was for the greater good, and you look much cooler now.

Make a Toy Planter

What you need:

Hard plastic animal toy, as big as you can find, with at least a 2-inch by 3-inch body to house the plant

(you can usually find them at any Dollar Tree or thrift store)
Dremel or really sturdy craft knife
Sand paper
Paint

Small plant, succulents are best because they don't mind tight spaces

1. 

Cut an opening of at least 2-inches by 2-inches on the top of the creature.

Note: This is plastic, so do this in a large space and not in your tiny kitchen, preferably with eye protection. Also, don't chew gum while you do it, but if you do, make sure you chew with your mouth closed. Also: Drill at least one small drainage hole on the bottom of the toy.

2. 

Empty out the body of any dustings and give it a good clean.

3. 

Give your creature some punch with spray paint!

 

4. 

Depending on the size of the toy, and what parts of the body are hollow, you may want to block off a part so water doesn't get trapped, despite the drainage holes. I used some Dollar Store modeling clay to 

keep water out of the tail.

 

5. Pop in your plant, top it off with fresh soil, give it a little water, and enjoy!

The gang's all here!

Fun, huh?

So far, friends have named it Cliff, Cera (as in triCERAtops,) Trudy, Rinodino and James, though I'm partial to Tricera Mara.

What do you think?

________

HH