Come see all the crafts you can make with terra cotta clay pots including birdhouses, fairy gardens, wind chimes, and tipsy pots.
Got the crafting bug? See a wheelbarrow full of Empress of Dirt DIY projects here.
Terra Cotta Pot Crafts & Decor
There are all sorts of creative projects you can make from clay pots.
- To find inexpensive pots, keep your eye open for them in thrift shops and at yard sales.
- If you want new pots, check dollar stores. These ones tend to be more fragile, but they are still fine for crafts. Just be sure to store them indoors in the winter. If the new finish doesn’t appeal to you, follow the tips for giving clay pots an aged look (below).
I have gathered a bunch of ideas to get you crafting with your clay pots. Follow the links for project instructions.
10 Creative Terra Cotta Clay Pot Projects
1Clay Pot Lighthouse
If you have three different sizes of clay pots, you have a lighthouse. Add a solar light on top if you would like it to glow at night.
Garden Art Lighthouse DIY Project | Empress of Dirt
2Clay Pot Birdhouse
Turn some clay pots and saucers into a hanging birdhouse. You will need to create holes in the pots for this project.
Project by Barb | Our Fairfield Home & Garden
3Fairy Garden in a Pot
Use a regular clay pot or choose a broken one for whimsy 2.0.
Project from the book Fairy Gardening 101 by Fiona McDonald
Project by Shanna | Restoration Redoux
A broken pot also looks great in the garden with flowers spilling out, or, leave it empty to create a toad house. They like cool, shady resting spots.
4 Clay Tipsy Pots
If you see old clay pots at a yard sale, get them! They are becoming hard to find and look so much nicer than new ones.
5Terra Cotta People
There are lots of these online. Some are goofy, others are creepy!
You will need various sizes of pots, saucers, a power drill, wire, and washers. Clothing is optional.
6Clay Pot Candle Planter
A clay pot makes a good candle holder for the patio. This one is surrounded by primroses (my favorite flower).
Project by Stephanie | Garden Therapy
7Potted Plant Shelves
This project is from the book Big Ideas for Small Spaces.
Click on the link to see the complete project instructions.
See it Here
8Bird & Bee & Butterfly Baths & Fountains
This is a really simple way to make a birdbath: place a large clay saucer on top of an upside-down clay pot.
If you want to secure the saucer in place, use GE II Silicone Sealant.
Project by Barb | Our Fairfield Home & Garden
There are many ways to make a bubbler or water fountain. The main component is a small recirculating pump with the right strength (measured by how much water it can move per hour).
Katie at Addicted 2 DIY has instructions for tiered fountain here.
9Hand-Painted Clay Pots
Do clay pots look naked to you? If so, read on. There are many ways to transform them.
This shows how to hand-paint clay pots with custom designs.
Project Instructions Here | Empress of Dirt
10Mosaic Clay Pots
If you are new to mosaics, covering a flower pot is a good first project.
Project by Carrie | Kenarry.com
More Ideas
- Mod Podge Pots
- French Clay Pots | Image transfer project
11Wreath with Mini Clay Pots
I don’t have an image of a clay pot wreath so I made one in Photoshop. I guess you can tell (lol) as it’s kind of goofy looking but you get the idea. It’s a sweet project.
Visit Confessions of a Plate Addict for a tutorial.
12Mini Clay Pot Wind Chimes
Get a bunch of same-size pots and make a wind chime. Careful where you hang it in case the pots are fragile.
Or, just use your pots as pots. And keep them stacked up in plain site because they are just plain beautiful.
How to Instantly Age Clay Pots
If you want the patina of an old clay pot, there are a few options. I always suggest conducting a test first to be sure you like the result.
Instant Patina
1 Lime Method
Spray pot with a solution of hydrated lime (also useful in the garden for raising soil pH) and water (1 part lime: 2 parts water). Allow to dry. Sand off excess. Repeat several times. Seal with spray sealant if desired.
2White Paint Method
Brush on patches of diluted white acrylic/latex paint with a stiff brush (to get a crosshatch appearance) and immediately remove excess with damp rag.
Slower Methods
3Yogurt or Buttermilk Slow Method
Brush plain yogurt or buttermilk onto pot. Rub on bits of moss if desired. Over time, algae will grow on the surface. Spray occasionally with water and fertilizer to encourage growth.
4The Natural Slow Method
Use your pots! Keep them outdoors. Let nature do its thing.
I hope you found ideas to get your crafty mojo going.
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~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
