Ok these Terrariums are really appealing to me. Not just these but many that have been featured here. I might have to break down and buy/create one.

$300 for a terrarium?!?!?! Wow.

@ R_Claw: Totally agree. Double WOW at $300.

I wonder how Jeffrey justifies the cost.

Why does Jeffrey have to justify anything to anyone?

Hi Guys!

Jeff of James Modern Terrariums here! Price out the cost of a custom-made cube with a lid (really, get quotes from local glass makers). A cube alone will cost you a little under $300. Then the cost off all the miniature plants, materials, etc... not cheap. Nurturing plants to the right size for the terrarium, R&D figuring out which plants worked in which terrarium, etc. I'm not marking up prices that much at all... just trying to get a little business started.

Just think... you have Paula Hayes beautiful works of art for $20,000 and up, then moss in mason jars. I'm just trying to offer something in-between, somewhat reasonable and beautiful.

Thanks for all the kind comments!!!

I really don't think the price is unreasonable for something like this, even if it is unaffordable for many. I certainly wouldn't be able to buy it, but with the price of the container, and yes, dirt and plants and fancy rocks, and all of the plants that didn't quite work out, and the time spent creating it, and time spent taking care of all of the plants before putting the terrariums together and after they're made but not sold, I think it is quite justified. They're beautiful.

i'm on the side of those who thinks that these prices are ridiculous!

if i were reimbursing for horticultural school, an mfa in landscape architecture at risd, 4-H or garden club dues, or something of the sort we could (maybe) talk. but even given those things, i could make a terrarium in equally as beautiful a container with rocks, soil, charcoal, air plants, fern, moss, and other able-to-survive-in-a-terrarium plants for a third of the price with a substantial profit. and yes, that would include the time spent caring for the plants. and the best part is you can help me pay back my law school loans.

he is not only paying for the materials but also for the website, supplies, space to create in, time involved in maintaining the shop, time involved researching materials, plants, methods etc., his creativity and skill ....

obviously jeff is trying to make some money here. it's up to him to decide how much he needs to make on each product in order to keep going. luckily, if you don't like the prices you don't have to pay them. you can simply whip one up yourself. be sure to share pictures.

plus ... some people spend this much money on a single pillow.

these are lovely. it isn't easy to achieve such a balanced effect. i am impressed!

I think the price is reasonable, given the custom made cube and all the plants. To the lawyer who complained about the price, it costs less than one hour of time for the average experienced lawyer! And it probably takes Jeff several hours to make this!

Let's keep in mind, Jeff got on BTLD when he saw pretty much the same thing for $9000 and wanted to point out that there is a cheaper option. I make terrariums all the time and a basic terrarium is just under $100. Most of the cost is the container, and as he said, those stunning custom square boxes are $300. I say hat's off to Jeff as the design work alone is stunning.

Moss is surprisingly difficult to cultivate into a nice dense clumps and the glass cube really is expensive.

However, you can use a different container and make your own. It may take you a while to get it to look "perfect" You can use a fish tank if you want straight walls, you'll get a rectangle instead of a square.

It all depends of if you want "plants in a glass container" or "terrarium as art"

I wouldn't pay $300, but then I like to garden.

"if i were reimbursing for horticultural school, an mfa in landscape architecture at risd, 4-H or garden club dues, or something of the sort we could (maybe) talk."

Really? From the sound of your comment, you don't feel the cost is justified, regardless. So don't purchase one.

These terrariums are beautiful, and completely outside of my price range to purchase. That said, I may find myself inspired to create my own...

Jeff, rock on. You've created a lovely product and I wish you and best of luck in your business venture.

I love minimalist art! These are living art!

I'm surpised at the criticism of the cost. The price seems more than reasonable to me. It's not only cost of material, but also the eye for beauty and placement.

Having murdered several house plants, I know I personally do not have the skill to "diy" such a terrarium; not to have it look as lovely. I think it would make a great impression in an office setting.

It's fairylicious!

I personally think 300. is pretty dang fair!

Ditto that. What Jeffrey does takes tremendous patience, atristry and skill. Just from looking at the terrariums it is quite evident he doesn't just toss moss, rocks, dirt and plants into a see-through container and then slap an arbitrary price tag on it.

That cube is perfection.