Friday, April 30, 2010

handmade flower pot



A while ago when I was really itching for spring to arrive, I saw a fabulous article in the Martha Stewart Living Magazine. It showed how to make your own flower pots using concrete, peat moss, and perlite. I just knew I had to try it for myself. I duped my unsuspecting husband into joining me in my endeavor. The word concrete rolled off my tongue and suddenly we were in the car on the way to the hardware store. We gathered all the supplies along with a basket as our "mold" and then we were ready. For all the measurements and directions you can visit Martha Stewart's website article here.


First we duct taped the basket so none of the mixture would be able to seep out after we poured it in.


Next we mixed the items in our wheelbarrow and then spread some onto the bottom of the basket.


We then placed a box inside as our inner mold and filled in all sides with more mixture.


Then we let it dry for a few days before cutting the basket off. Then we drilled some drainage holes in the bottom of the finished pot. Voila! Isn't it pretty? I love the weaved look. You can file the edges down so they are smoother, but I really liked the rustic look so I left mine alone. My mom received this pot as a birthday present and it looks perfect in her backyard. I am hoping to try some more kinds now that I know it was successful!

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19 Comments

19 Responses to “handmade flower pot”

Unknown said...

Isn't it fun to turn something new into a flower pot. Great idea. Is it really heavy? I might have to give this a try.

Gina said...

I saw this too and wanted to try it, but haven't had the chance yet. It looks great!

Char @ Crap I've Made said...

Holy crap I love this!

Screwed Up Texan said...

After Easter holiday sales are a great time to find adorable/yet very inexpensive baskets to use as molds. I bet you could also use Styrofoam coolers.

A. Simpson said...

Did this ruin your basket? It's cool idea!

Katie said...

I did this a couple of years ago, I don't remember what magazine we got the tutorial from but we used concrete and fiberglass.

Little Birdie Secrets said...

This does ruin the basket because you have to cut it off since the mold has dried onto it. So, be sure to buy a cheap basket you don't care about! :)

Anonymous said...

oh so very creative, I have to try this!!

marie said...

I love this idea and I can't wait to try. Hmmm...I think my unsuspecting husband is off work this weekend!!

~Kimberly said...

very cool! What a fun idea! And so much cheaper than going to buy pots at the store!

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

It looks great!! I tore out the same project from Martha but then I was too intimidated to try it and I'm too big of a baby to cut up a perfectly good basket -- I'll have to keep my eyes out on trash day and see if any neighbors toss out some banged up or moldy baskets to make into concrete pots!! : )

Maria said...

I'm sorry to say this but it's really ugly. Plus you have to trash a basket and throw it away. Lots of money plus extra junk in our landfills for an ugly cement "flower pot"

Elaine said...

I think it looks great! The rock garden plants that Martha had on her show a few weeks ago would go perfectly in it.

Kristin said...

I think this is a fun idea, I would love to see it spray-painted bright red or turquoise.

-Sydney- said...

You can use almost anything for a mold--an existing planter, a bucket, a nailed form. If it is a smoother surface the hypertufa will come off easily when dry (it shrinks a little) and it's not ruined. Compared to buying planters this is very cheap.

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

I love the look - great job!

Tracy said...

Oh - I did this years ago and it turned out great. I used 2 boxes but love the look of your basket pattern. It took longer to shop for ingredients than to make the project.

Julie S said...

Wow! That looks great!

Jennifer said...

Wow!!!!

That's amazing. It looks wonderful.

Jennifer

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