Painted Terracotta Pots

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Terracotta Pots [a variety of sizes and shapes]
• White Chalk Paint
• Black Chalk Paint
• Paintbrushes [this example used 2" flats]
• Masking Tape
• Cardboard or Plastic File Folder [to make stencils]
• Measuring Tape
• Single Edge Razor Blade or X-Acto Knif
• Unfinished Candle Cup
• Unfinished Wood Cube
• Unfinished Wood Disk
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Gun Stick
• Dropcloth or Old Newspaper
• Optional: White Gel Pens, Sandpape

DIRECTIONS:

1. Rinse terracotta pots, removing any manufacture stickers. Let dry overnight.

1. Add masking tape to define patterns and shapes. Run a finger down the length of the masking tape several times, pressing firmly to remove creases and gaps. Apply two coats of chalk paint for a rich look, allowing the paint to dry thoroughly between coats.
2. Stencils are a great way to add additional motifs. Cut simple shapes from cardboard or a plastic file folder. We used a measuring tape around the pot's circumference to add evenly spaced tick marks to guide the positioning of our triangles. A white gel pen can be used to initially trace the stencil, giving a crisp line. Then, fill in with chalk paint.
3. Use a single edge razor blade or X-Acto knife to gently scrape away paint mistakes.

1. Turn terracotta pots over, arrange wooden candle cups or wooden cubes. Thin wood disks work great as spacers if the manufactured base of the terracotta pot has a ridge on the bottom. Paint feet and hot glue to the bottom of pots. We added three feet to two of our widest pots.
2. Black and white painted terra cotta pots look great displayed in a group—vary the sizes and shapes of the pots. Repeat motifs on several pots to design a unified look.
3. Caulk paint is not food-safe—only use your beautiful new painted terra cotta pots for décor or plants. Chalk paint is water-based to make water resilient sealed pots with a sprayable artist fixative or paint varnish.

JOANN HACKS:

• To ensure a clean edge when painting over masked areas, start brush strokes ON the masking tape painting away from the tape edge.
• Seal with a sprayable artist fixative or paint varnish to make a water resilient finish. Test first because these products will diminish the matte finish of chalk paint.
• Terracotta pots with flat, straight sides are easier to mask off than pots with tapered sides.