Versatile Flowerpots

Terra cotta flowerpots are a wonderful way to bring the ambiance of the garden indoors. Flowerpots are simple, inexpensive, easy to find, and wonderful for all types of craft projects. Over the years, I’ve used these versatile vessels in many different ways to create charming accents for my home. I’ve turned them upside down, stacked them, painted them, hung them, and occasionally, I’ve even use them as flowerpots! Springtime is a great time to use flowerpots for a project. Here are a few ideas--

It’s easy to make a birdbath from flowerpots and a saucer. Select three terra cotta flowerpots in graduated sizes for the birdbath base. When you are purchasing the pots, stack them upside down at the store to make sure you get the height and look that you desire. Use a large terra cotta saucer for the basin. Be sure to look for a saucer that is glazed on the inside so that it will hold water. General painting directions for terra cotta pots are included at the end of this column. If desired, you can glue pots together, but I chose to leave mine separate so that I can dismantle the birdbath in winter and store the pots one inside the other in a sheltered area.

Surprise your favorite gardener with a special gift! What could be nicer than a variety of small garden essentials packaged in a charming container made from a hand-painted flowerpot and saucer? Rubber bands and removable dots are the secret to painting these easy pots. Use the rubber bands and dots to mask off areas so the terra cotta color or another color will show through the top layer of paint. When purchasing flowerpots and saucers for this project, select saucers that fit on top of the pots when turned upside down. Be sure to paint both the inside and the outside of the saucer as it will be used both as a lid and as a saucer. Fill the flowerpot with seed packets, flower bulbs, gardening gloves, and other essentials, tie with raffia, and present to a special friend.

Prettily painted flowerpots make a wonderful lamp base that’s perfect for a garden-themed room. The top flowerpot uses our rubber band painting trick while a playful plaid distinguishes the bottom flowerpot. We covered an old lampshade with fabric and cording to complement room colors and our lamp base.

Flowerpots can be used to decorate for just about every holiday. For Easter, paint small pots in pastel colors, plant with grass seed, and place a colored egg in the grass. Put a family member’s name on each egg and use the small pots as place cards for your Easter dinner. Use your imagination to create a patriotic pot for the 4 th of July, a terra cotta jack o’lantern for Halloween, or a holiday pot that’s perfect to hold a small tree. Have fun crafting with flowerpots!

Painting Terra Cotta Flowerpots

1. Prepare pots by painting inside and out with gesso (available at art/craft supply stores).
2. Apply basecoat with acrylic craft paint. Most surfaces require two coats. Use inexpensive foam brushes.
3. Add surface texture such as sponging, spattering, or crackling.
   
   

   To sponge, use a sea sponge to apply a slightly darker or lighter color texture to the pot. Wet sea sponge in water and wring thoroughly. Put small amount of basecoat color and the color you want to apply on a paper plate. Dip sponge in both colors, blot by tapping on a paper towel, then apply to flowerpot using a tapping motion.
   
   To spatter, apply contrasting color by running your thumb over a paint-filled toothbrush. Be sure to practice this technique on paper, before trying it on your flowerpot!
   
   To crackle, purchase a commercial crackle medium and follow manufacturer’s directions.
   


4. Add details such as vines, bees, leaves, or checks.
5. If desired, add antiquing medium. Spray or brush on a coat of matte-finish varnish before applying antiquing. Many products are available in both oil-base and latex formulas. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
6. Add several final coats of varnish in your choice of finish. For outdoor use, we recommend marine varnish.

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