Nov 10

Nov 10 Make Artisan Pottery for Less

Ever wanted that handcrafted pottery look but on a budget? Create your own artisan pottery vase for less using this “found pottery” project.

This challenge was the latest project circling the DIY community and I thought I’d give it a shot! Last week on my morning walk with Walker, I came across this adorable squatty vase outside on the sidewalk of my neighbor’s house with a “FREE- PLEASE TAKE” sign. I loved the little nubs and the general shape of it, and thought it would be a perfect piece to turn into “pottery”.

Let’s be honest - it would have been cute even if I’d left it glass. But I have enough glass vases already. And since it was FREE, why not take a DIY risk??

First things first, pick out your paint color and gather your materials. I’ve been feeling really into neutrals in my own home ever since binging Dream Home Makeover on Netflix so I decided to go with my favorite white color, Pure White by Sherwin Williams. (At this point, how do I not have a sponsorship deal with them?!) You’re going to want to use about 1/2 cup of paint.

Next, add the baking soda. I used about 4 1/2 Tbsp. Stir it together thoroughly until completely combined. Ideally you’ll want to use a paint stick, but I ran out so this old ruler worked just fine! The goal is to get a chalk-y texture, kind of like toothpaste.

Adding baking soda to paint to get a faux terracotta texture

You don’t have to do anything to prep the vase other than cleaning it with soap and water (make sure it’s dry!). For the first coat, I used a regular paint brush and it worked…okay. The vase had a highly textured surface, which perhaps explains why the first coat didn’t go on as well as I’d hoped. At this point in the DIY process, I kind of thought I had a fail on my hands…

painting a glass vase with a paint terracotta mixture

And then the second coat was applied - AND I KNEW MY PROJECT WAS SAVED!!! The biggest game changer was using a smaller brush. It was slower work, but WOW, it really coated on the paint much better, and I was able to get in all the nooks and crannies on the vase. The cool part was that it actually started to feel like pottery. I also painted the bottom and the inside, which fixed those see-through sections. I am really happy with the end product! It could be cute as a planter for either a faux or live plant, or maybe I’ll just keep it on hand as a vase. The opportunities are endless with this cutie!