Welcome to another Wacky Workshops project – making a garden goddess.

I have always been a sucker for those wonderful tree men wood carvings – they seem so magical and make me feel safe.

This is the feminine (and easy) version – a garden goddess.

THE GARDEN GODDESS ANTHEIA

I have named mine Antheia who, in Greek mythology, is the goddess of flowers and flowering wreaths. Her name means friend of the flowers or blossom. According to the mythology, Antheia was an attendant to Aphrodite.

The daughter of Zeus and Metis, Antheia held dominion over gardens, marshes, swamps, love and flowers. She was often depicted wearing flowering wreaths and was said to be one of the more humble of the Greek gods.

You can learn more about her at Wikipedia   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antheia

This project is easy, though a bit messy as the foam pieces go everywhere when you are cutting it. I did mine over the sink to contain the mess.

LET’S GET STARTED

SUPPLIES

• Foam head – these can be bought in art or hobby shops (I got mine at Riot Arts and Crafts for half price – $8). Please note this is not a sponsored mention.
• Knife
• Paint – I used green to meld in with the surroundings but it’s totally up to you
• Spray varnish
• Soil
• Plant of choice – I used a fern
• Optional – large pot, stick, small, flowering plants, moss, water crystals.

METHOD

• Use the knife to carefully cut a hole in the top of the head – keep carving until it is big enough to contain soil and a plant, but be careful to not to cut too close to the edge of the face. 

  

• Paint with the colour of your choice. 

  

   

• When dry spray varnish to ensure the paint doesn’t wash off in the first rain.
• Add potting soil and water crystals, if using, and plant, to the top of the head. 

  

   

• If using, put the moss around the hole at the top of the head.
• These foam heads conveniently come with a hole in the bottom, perfect for fitting a stick, which can then be poked into the ground so your head doesn’t tip over.

I highly recommend using water crystals for the head plant as the hole is relatively small so the soil dries very quickly.

If you are not familiar with water crystals read the directions carefully. Some brands require you soak the crystals before adding them to the soil mix as they expand quite a lot when they soak up the water.

I originally had mine in a large pot surrounded by flowers but the possums decided they didn’t like the placement as it interfered with their nighttime romps so they kept attacking her.

Then I put her directly into the garden and it’s a much better effect as she looks like she’s rising out of the earth.

I think this is one lady that will keep improving with age.

I hope you enjoyed this project. Let me know in the comments if you did.

Happy planting, and have a gleeful week, Tamuria