Also @ Creativity Portal

Are you a left-brain thinker or right brain person?
You might be surprised to find out that your brain just might be switched with the logic side on the right and the creative side on the left or perhaps wired differently another way (savants). Find out how your mind works.

Writer's Digest Names Creativity Portal a '101 Best Web Site'
Creativity Portal is honored to be included among Writer's Digest's annual guide of 101 Best Websites for Writers in its must-have May/June 2011 issue. We have enjoyed this privilege in previous years, appearing on the list formerly in 2006.

A Few Words in Favor of Obsession
Part 3 and final installment of author Sam Bennett's OVERCOMING PERFECTION series.

Collaging with Cancer #12: Possibility Awaits
There was something about these images that spoke to me, and so I followed that inner leading and placed them all on a SoulCollage card!

THE ZONE #12: The Sadness Zone
The worst thing you can do to someone who is sad is to tell them to snap out of it, or that things could be worse.

Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist
Perfectionism would be so great...if only it worked. But it doesn't.

Joy St. Germain : Raised Stencil Terra-Cotta Flower Pots

Fun, Colorful Summer Garden Art!

How to Make Raised Stencil Terra-Cotta Flower Pots

By Joy St. Germain

Adding a raised stencil is a creative way to jazz up an otherwise plain flower pot. Terra-cotta flower pots are great for stenciling because they're porous and absorb paint like a sponge. You can use a variety of different acrylic paints, sponges and stencils for your own personalized effect.

How to apply a raised stencil to a flower pot

Terra-cotta flower pots are fun to paint. They come in a variety of different sizes and are fairly inexpensive. You can buy them at craft or home improvement stores. I've even been lucky enough to find them at yard sales. It seems like everyone has a few hiding in their garage. Just giving them a coat of new paint is an easy way to brighten an otherwise boring flower pot.

Terra-cotta (clay) is porous and must be sealed inside and out. Otherwise the water will seep in and the paint will start flaking. Choose a flower pot that's large enough to display the raised stencil. The stencil needs to lay as flat as possible, though it will curve somewhat. Also choosing a simple stencil without a lot of detail works better. It allows the stencil paste to cover and fill the entire stencil without leaving gaps.

I tried a couple different types of paint and sealer for this project. Here's what worked:

Once again, I found that Basics acrylics works great. This is a very versatile acrylic paint that can be used for many different crafts. It goes on smooth and soaks into the terra-cotta. Basics acrylics is not waterproof so it has to be sealed.

FolkArt and DecoArt Patio paints are also a good choice for painting terra-cotta. They're designed for outdoor use and easily clean up with soap and water. I especially like the range of bright colors that patio paints come in.

Since stencil paste and dimensional paint is not waterproof I sealed the flower pots with 2-3 coats of waterproof sealer inside and out. Both spray-on and a brush-on waterproof sealer will work. However, I personally liked the spray-on sealer better because it was easier to use and it got into all of the small spaces of the raised stencil.

Tools & Supplies Used

Terra-cotta flower pot
Krylon Sealer
Basics Acrylics paint
Stencil Paste (& Applicator)
Painting sponge & brush
Stencil template
Tape

Project Instructions

Step 1

Using Basics acrylics, sponge paint terra-cotta flower pot. Don't forget to paint the inside and bottom.

Step 2

Cut stencil from sheet & tape to flower pot. Make sure that the stencil lays flat.

Step 3

Smooth Stencil Paste over stencil.

Step 4

Remove all the tape except for a small piece at the top. Slowly lift the stencil from the bottom.

Step 5

Let the stencil dry at least 24 hours before painting.

Step 6 Example

Basics acrylics blue, orange and black.

Step 6 & Sample Color Combinations

Place the stencil back over the raised stencil before painting.

Example Example

Pansy purple and spring green patio paint.

Patio paint is waterproof and easily cleans up with soap and water.

However, you'll need to seal your raised stencil.

Example Example

Fushia, yellow and black patio paint.

More with Joy St. Germain

Joy St. Germain started The Wildwood Cottage out of her love for art, stenciling and crafts. She's a hands on "Do It Yourselfer" that enjoys creating new and unique crafts. ...

6/12/10