Hi Rosie~~ I just used craft paints--the kind you use for most other craft projects. Then I sprayed it with shellac. The window does hang in my gazebo, so it doesn't have direct sunlight. Other than that, it has held up nicely. It's also not painted on glass. I broke the glass out, then used a piece of thin board type material--it has a name, but for the life of me, I'm not sure what it is--it might be mdf board--then painted on that. I'm lazy too and haven't taken it inside in the winter, so it's been out there for a full three years!

Thank you! I know it's not much, but I live in a rental and it was already here. I'm just soooooo super happy to have it up and am excited to watch it fill in!

Ah! So cool! Thanks for the info. Researched all terms given, and I'm pretty sure the one on the right is the Kiwi (as opposed to the Starburst. Not positive though, since the Kiwi doesn't seem to have a stem, while the Starburst doesn't have the right colors.) Although technically, I'm not new to gardening, despite reading a couple of dozen books on the subject, I'm still incredibly naive! The directions include "Light Shade." (I'm going with the description that fits them both, since they are in the same container.) Living in a rowhome (townhouse), I have only two sides of my house -- east and west. They can't be kept outside facing west (no front yard, merely a sidewalk, so they will probably be taken), but I do have an indoor, unheated porch, that gets so hot in the summertime, I'm fairly certain I could bake a cake out there. (No purpose in shades, since the heat comes from the single-paned glass.) Out back, (windows are obstructed thru a variety of reasons) is my container garden, since my backyard is concrete. The sun is strong in the yard for about 6-9 hours per day in gardening seasons. As for shade, the only constant I have are under the tables or butt up against my clematis, which, although also in a container, is now quickly traveling up a trellis in one thin vine. All that to ask -- out of what I have, does any of it fit "light shade?" If not, what distance from fluorescent lights would create "light shade," or would the window with a white thin shade between our front porch and living room do the trick? My lucky bamboo seems to be doing well on that sill. Now, getting back to the Aeonium -- since I'm not positive of the type, but certainly don't want this to only last one season, how do I propagate it? I understand one type self-propagates, but the other has to be done with cuttings. I've never cut succulents before, so just don't know how. Any help is appreciated. And, finally, the last plant in with these two is a jade. If I understand what I've researched, jade may need watering more often then the other two. (No, it's not a window box container, but it has plenty of holes on the bottom.) My collection of succulents has taken off more then any other plants that I grow. Here is how I have them divided presently: - Prickly Pear cactus and Donkey's Tail in a large terra cotta dish in a sunny section out back with the least amount of foot traffic. - Hens and chicks in a different container, but out in the sun, braving the possibility of rain, too. - The container shown above that started this thread. I'd love to have a full look for succulent containers, but still give them more room to grow. Of course, for their health, I'm certainly willing to give them separate containers, if they need them. Is there a better way to divide these plants up, and/or better locations, given my constraints, for the containers? Again, I truly appreciate all the info you've already given me. This is so exciting! I think I finally found a group of plants that fits me. LOL

Thanks everyone. I was worried about posting....so many of you have such gorgeous tabletops...that I felt I didn't even begin to compare to your beautiful tabletops/creations.... But I admit...I have been bitten by the dishes bug.....so I guess I am a dish-aholic in training! I can't go ANYWHERE....that I don't have to stop and look at dishes...now I am HONORED to own some fairies from Judith...such a nice geature...don't worry...I have something to send her in return after the holidays! gasuz