How to Paint Broken Pots

Paint broken pottery to use it as a craft material.

When terra cotta or ceramic pots break, you may think of throwing away all of the broken pieces. However, you can salvage the pieces of broken pottery to create a decorative mosaic display piece. Paint the broken pottery pieces using materials that can be purchased inexpensively at any arts and crafts store, then apply the pieces onto a table top to give them a new life. This also enables you to practice your artistic abilities.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Acrylic paint, colored
• Paintbrush
• Acrylic paint, clear
• Plaster
• Small trowel
• Washcloth

Instructions

1. Place the broken pieces of pottery onto a sheet of newspaper. This will protect your work area from accidental paint spills.

2. Paint all of the sides of each piece of pottery using colorful acrylic paint. Either paint the pieces solid colors or select multiple colors to create vibrant patterns. Allow the paint to dry for 30 minutes.

3. Paint all sides of each piece of pottery using clear acrylic glaze. This will keep the colored paint from chipping off and will make the pot pieces glossy. Allow the glaze to dry for 30 minutes.

4. Cover the surface of a table or desk with a 1/4-inch thick layer of plaster using a small trowel, and press the painted pot pieces onto the plaster-covered surface. Leave a 1/8 inch space between pieces, squishing plaster up in between the pieces.

5. Spread a 1/8 inch thick layer of plaster over the entire surface using the trowel, then scrape off any excess.

6. Wipe off the plaster from the surface of each painted pot piece using a washcloth. Allow the mosaic to dry for 12 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep sharp pottery pieces out of the reach of children. Sharp pottery edges can sometimes cut skin.

References

• The Budget Fashionista; DIY: Mosaic Picture Frames; LysL; 2008
• Mosaic Tile Guide: Broken China Plates, Cups, Saucers, Teapots, Serving Dishes