A green thumb’s ball of fun

THE Japanese word, Kokedama, translates to ‘moss ball,’ but Susan Seakins is helping make the plant trend a little more fun in Ballarat.

Mainly working with hardy succulents that can tolerate a compact environment, Mrs Seakins packs dirt, moss and a plant together, tightly wrapping it all in complementary neutral, or vibrant, Scottish twine.

Kokedamas are a quirky, yet fashionable way to embrace indoor greenery at home, whether hanging up or sitting in a wooden stand.

With two primary-aged kids growing older and a curiosity to try something new, Mrs Seakins sunk her teeth into the craft two years ago.

Having experienced selling upcycled pots and succulents at markets, and dabbling in macramé, moving into “living works of art” has been a natural and therapeutic progression.

“I enjoy the wrapping,” she said. “It took me a while to learn how to get it done right, I just kept trying to perfect it.

“Sometimes I probably overwrap, but I like to get the pattern right, and a bit of colour as well. Natural looks good, but I still like getting a pop of colour in there, which makes it a bit different.”

Mrs Seakins works part-time as a nurse, but when she’s not hands-on with patients, she’s sometimes hands-on at Ballarat’s Claymotion.

The space champions local artists, promotes learning new creative skills, and is where Mrs Seakins runs Kokedama workshops.

The classes accommodate eight to ten people, so Mrs Seakins can take the time assist everyone individually, and give plant maintenance tips.

Two Kokedamas are made by each person during the two-hour workshops, which have been filling up.

Mrs Seakins said the process can be challenging, but people come out of her classes pleased with their creations, which is also satisfying for her.

“It is hard. I tell people, don’t stress about what your first one looks like because it is hard to try and mould it so it sits there, until you start getting a bit of wrapping to hold it together,” she said.

“They come out quite happy that they’ve actually achieved something and made something with a plant. It’s rewarding.”

Sourcing the succulents from the Ballarat Market at the Showgrounds, Mrs Seakins supports local producers. Workshoppers can bring their own plants if they wish.

The next workshops are on 15 and 25 June.

To find out more information or to book, head to claymotion.com.au. Follow @littlegreenacorn on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date with Mrs Seakins’s creations.

You’ll often find Little Green Acorn with a stall at the Bridge Mall Design Market, held on the first Saturday of every month.