How to Make Ceramic Flower Pots

Ceramic flower pots consist of inorganic earthy materials that form into a clay. The clay goes into a heating chamber or kiln to harden the material to make a more durable product. Ceramic flower pots are thermal insulators and therefore make a great home for cultivating flowers. You can glaze your ceramic flower pots to create a glossy surface or dry brush them to apply color. If this sounds like a fun project, read on to learn how to make ceramic flower pots.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Form Your Clay Into a Flower Pot

1. Prepare or purchase liquid clay. Liquid clay typically consists of a combination of raw clay, feltsper, grog, china clay and water.

2. Place your dough on the pottery wheel and place your foot on the pedal to spin it at a fast speed.

3. Press your thumbs into the center of the dough and pull upwards with your remaining fingers on the outside of the dough to form your pot into the shape you want.

4. Use the pads of your fingers to reach inside of the flower pot and continue to pull upwards to thin out the sides.

5. Cut a ring about an inch or more from the top of the pot with a knife while the wheel is still spinning to create an even lip.

6. Stop the pottery wheel and use a wire to detach the base of the pot from the wheel. Keep the pot on the wheel until it becomes leather hard.

Prepare Your Flower Pot for Firing

7. Take sandpaper and smooth out all of the rough edges over the entire flower pot.

8. Dust off your flower pot with a dry paint brush.

9. Fire your flower pot in a heating chamber or kiln at 1562 degrees F if you plan to glaze your pot. If you're not glazing, heat the oven to 900 degrees F. Heat until the clay turns into a bisque.

Tips & Warnings

• Glaze the inside and outside of your ceramic flower pot for a glossier finish and re-fire in the heating chamber.
• Dry brush the outside of your flower pot with ceramic paints to apply color.