Old School Terra Cotta Clay Pots Repurposed

As spring time draws near, the garden sections of Lowes, Home Depot, and any local nursery are bursting at the seams with an array of new beautiful flowers, gorgeous trellises, and a few classic staples too- good old fashioned terra cotta clay pots. 

While they aren't the savviest of items, there is so much more that those little lovelies can be used for. I have 5 cool and quick project ideas, each with 5 steps, that can take clay pots from dull to chic and multi faceted. Here we go!

1.) Simply Chic: Whitewashed Vintage Clay Pot

While this project may not give you a new and unique use for your clay pot, its designed to help you take them from this

to this!

(Whitewash Photo Courtesy of Pinterest)

Materials:

• A Few Clay Pots
• Whitewash materials (Click here for the whitewash materials and tutorial)
• Iron On Stencil
• A Small Jar of Modge Podge
• A foam brush

1.)  First, whitewash your clay pots. Click here for a quick Ahava Whitewash Tutorial 

2.)  Find your favorite french inspired iron on stencil and cut it out pretty close to the edge.

3.) Apply Modge Podge directly on the front side of the stencil and apply it face down on the pot where you want the design to be. Let it dry overnight.

4.) Peel it off slowly and use a little warm water to help you remove the remaining residue.
5.) Enjoy!

2.) Cupcake Tower or Food Display

I decorate for events often and one of the hardest things to do sometimes is find cake trays and cupcake towers that fit so many different themes and color schemes. So, I came up with a creative and inexpensive way to create an array of display trays for any and every event! And using 3 small clay pots and 3 clay saucers I might add.

Materials:
2 clay pots, 3 clay saucers (pots - same size; saucers- 3 different sizes -Small/Medium/Large)
A white spray paint primer
A can of krylon or rustoleum spray paint
A tube of E6000

1.) Using a can of spray primer and a tarp, prime your pots and saucers.

2.) Select a high quality Krylon or Rustoleum spray paint and then spray your pots and saucers. I recommend two good coats.

3.) After they are completely dry, seal them with a clear coat sealant, and let them dry in their entirety 24-48 hours.

4.) Using a tube of E6000, adhere the pots to the saucers as shown below.

5.) Let it dry overnight, and then use a gentle soap and warm water to wipe out the inside of the trays before adding food to them. 

3.) A Jewelry Holder

Simply use the same materials above, as well as follow steps 1-5 from above, yet instead of displaying cupcakes or sweet goodies, add your jewelry to it! Check out mine below!

4.) A New Kind of Coaster

I am so over these boring things….

So here is an idea to create some coasters with a little more pizzazz! 

Materials:

• 4-8 small clay saucers
• A white spray paint primer
• A can of krylon or rustoleum spray paint
• A tube of E6000
• A piece of white paper and a pencil

1.) Since they typically come in sets of 4-8, pick your lucky number of saucers. Remove any labels and prime them.

2.) Select a Krylon or Rustoleum spray paint and spray them. I recommend two good coats. After they are completely dry, seal them with a clear coat sealant, and let them dry in their entirety 12-24 hours.

3.) Using a paper coffee filter, trace around the inside of the saucer as shown below. Cut out the pattern and then use it to trace and cut out the scrapbook paper that will fit on the insides of the saucers. 

4.) Use a foam brush to paint Modge Podge on the back of the scrapbook paper, then stick it in the inside of the saucers and allow them to dry 45-60 minutes. Then, brush over the top of the paper and along the inside of the of the saucer with Modge Podge to secure it. Apply two coats minimum and let them dry completely.

5.) Use your original pattern from earlier and cut out the felt. The felt is advesive, so peel it off and neatly stick it to the bottoms of the saucers. And you're all done!

5.) A Classic Candle Holder

Materials:

• A small clay pot
• A small glass vase (dollar tree recommended)
• A white spray paint primer
• A can of krylon or rustoleum spray paint
• A tube of E6000

1.) Prime your pot
2.) Paint your pot, let it dry. Seal it if desired.
3.) Place your pot face down, and using the E6000, adhere your vase to the bottom of the pot. Let it sit overnight to dry well. 
4.) Add your favorite candle
5.) Light it and enjoy!

Until next time!