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!

Whitewashing Made Simple: How-To in 5 Easy Steps

Here is a quick Whitewashing Tutorial for clay pots in 5 easy steps!

Materials:

Terra Cotta clay pots

white water based paint

1 medium paint brush

1 paint palette or plastic plate

1 cup of water

1 sheet of 80-100 grit sandpaper

1 tack cloth

1.) Pour a little of the paint on a palette or plate and fill a glass large enough for you to dip you paintbrush into with water. 

2.) Dip a paintbrush in a glass of water and do not shake off the excess water – blend as much water as possible with a little of the paint. The more water mixed with the paint – the more translucent the ‘wash’ will be. The paint is perfect for whitewashing if it is very runny and watered down. This is the consistency that you are trying to build.

3.) Brush the watered down paint onto the pot. It will dry very quickly – so don’t be too worried if the paint is blotchy. The flaws in it will actually only add spark to the distressing.

4.) One the pot is completely covered with paint and dry – sand the pot with multipurpose sand paper (80-100 grit). You can leave as much paint on as you wish or sand more of it away for more of a distressed look. 

5.) Use a tack cloth to remove any dust

Enjoy!

Happy New Year and Cheers to a New DIY Project: Pottery Barn Inspired Glass Apothecary Jars

Happy New Year! Let's dive right in!

I have been looking all over for glass apothecary jars that don't cost an arm and a leg. Sure you can find the hard plastic ones at retailers like target for not too much, but the elegant glass jars run $30-$70 bucks each at higher end retailers like Pottery Barn.

And while I absolutely love me some Pottery Barn, I refused to drop $30+ bucks each for the jars to hold my cotton balls and q-tips. 

So, I decided to research and be a little creative. I made a trip to the dollar tree, a stop by my favorite craft store, and dropped a whopping $20 to create my little lovelies that might give Pottery Barn a run for their money. Let me show you how you can do it in 5 easy steps!

Materials:

• A few inexpensive glass vases (I purchased mine at Michaels for $3.99 each. Dollar Tree also has a great selection.)
• A few dollar store candlestick holders
• A few drawer knobs or lamp finials (Hobby Lobby has a huge variety of drawer knobs at great prices. Lowes has a great selection of finials.)
• A few dollar store small glass bowls (They sell them in a 4 pack at dollar tree. Also, make sure to get bowls with a diameter or opening across the top of them that is SMALLER than the diameter of the opening of your vase so that the bowl can fit INSIDE the top of the vase.)
• A tube of E6000 craft glue

(Decorative drawer pulls - Hobby Lobby $3.99-$5.99)

(Basic, clear drawer pulls- Walmart $3.47)

(The vase selection at my local Dollar Tree- $1.00 a pop)

5 Easy Steps:

1. Wash and dry your vases, bowls, and candlesticks.

2. To make the actual jars: Using your E6000, line the rim of the slender part of the candlestick holder and adhere it to the bottom of your vase. Carefully hold it in place 2-3 minutes so that it is set in place. Then, do the same thing with the remaining candlesticks and vases. Leave them to dry 30-45 minutes without touching them. E6000 is FANTASTIC!! Nothing that it touches is going anywhere- promise!

3. To make the lids: Using your E6000 once more, glue the drawer knobs to the bottoms of the bowls. As you did with the vases and candlesticks, carefully hold it in place 2-3 minutes so that the knobs are set in place. I love metals, so I found trendy metal drawer pulls at Hobby Lobby. You can also use simple clear ones to match the jars or throw in a pop of color too. Its up to you. Leave the bowls to dry just as you did the vases for 30-45 minutes.

4. Once 30-45 minutes have passed, gently check to see if they are securely adhered before you move them or use them. As I said earlier, E6000 is the best, so don't worry about your jars falling apart.

5. When they are all dry, fill them up with your cotton swabs, q-tips, or whatever else your little heart desires, and let them spice up those vanity tops!

Until Next Time,

XOXO

Old Tin Ceiling Tiles Turned Stylish Chalk Memo Boards and Signage

Old ceiling tiles are not the easiest thing to find these days. You can run across them from time to time at vintage markets and shows, or even around the garage of an older building or home. And if you do, hang on to them, or at least a few of them, so that you can convert some into something fun like this….

And in 5 steps of course! Let's go!

What you will need:

• A roll of painter's tape
• A tarp
• A glossy can of spray paint of your choice (I recommend Krylon or Rustoleum Brand with a built in primer.)
• A roll of a trendy ribbon
• A small can of chalkboard paint
• 1-2 mid size foam brushes
• Measuring Tape
• Drill (OPTIONAL)
• Hot glue gun or E6000
• Scissors

Step 1:

Start by taping off your tile, covering the center with the tape and leaving the frame or outer area of it open to be painted. After you have completely covered the center and there are absolutely no spaces or holes, you are ready to paint!

Step 2:

Lay your tile on your tarp face down. Spray paint the back of the tile. After that coat dries (approximately 20 minutes), spray it once more to guarantee total and even coverage. Let it remain face down and allow the paint to completely dry for at least 30-45 minutes. Test it with your finger tip after a half hour to make sure. Then, flip it over and carefully spray paint the untaped area of the frame with your paint color. As you did on the other side, let the first coat sit 20-25 minutes, then spray it once more. (NOTE: You do not have to paint your tile if you do not desire. Some folks like the vintage look and I am definitely one of those people. It is completely and totally up to you!)

Step 3: 

After you are certain that the paint is completely dry (Like 110% sure), remove the painters tape slowly and carefully from the center of the tile. Next, get that roll of painter's tape back out and place it around the edges of the unpainted area to ensure that your lines remain perfectly straight. Next, using your foam brush and your chalkboard paint, cover the area, slowly and carefully, as you do NOT want to get any chalkboard paint on the frame that you just painted so well. Let the first coat sit 20-25 minutes. Reapply a second coat and let it sit for the same amount of time. FInally, apply one last coat of chalkboard paint and let it dry 45 minutes to an hour to ensure that all coats get sealed and dried. 

Step 4: 

Once you are certain that the chalkboard paint is completely dry (This should take no less than a full hour or so), remove the painter's tape from around the area. 

Step 5: The Display 

At this point, your entire board should be dry. Now, you have the option to drill a few holes and string your ribbon through your tile if you desire to hang your board as shown in the photo above. Or, you can make a fancy bow out of your ribbon to simply adhere to the front. But, no matter which you choose, both are super cute ideas and both are sure to be stunners.

FOR THE HANGING OPTION:

Measure the length across the top of your tile in inches and divide that number by 3. Whatever number you get, measure from the edge of the left side to that number and then mark it with a pencil or pen. Do the same thing from the edge of the right side and mark it also. Then, using a small bit drill, gently drill a single hole through each of those markings. Whatever cute little ribbon you chose, string it right on through. 

FOR A TRADITIONAL DISPLAY OPTION (display on an easel):

Make a bow with your ribbon and use your hot glue gun to adhere it to the front of the frame of the tile. Or, who said you were married to bows? Do you have another clever and unique embellishment idea to use instead? Go for it! You can use things such as antique knick knacks, old fashioned jewelry, buttons, or scrapbook flowers or accessories- the options are vast. 

After you get your embellishment or bow secured on the front of your tile, you are DONE!! Go and give that little lovely as a funky and unique gift that they will be sure to love or find the perfect little spot to hang it or post it up!

Until next time,
XOXO
#PeaceLoveAhavaDesignsTX


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