Instructions for Fall Terra-Cotta Planter Crafts

Terra-cotta planters make versatile craft supplies.

Terra-cotta planters of all shapes and sizes have many potential applications in craft projects. They can be painted and glued, are lightweight but sturdy, and you can use them to make decorations suitable for all seasons and occasions. Their natural rusty orange color really lends itself to fall-themed craft projects. With a few other items and crafts supplies, you can make a whimsical "Pumpkinhead Scarecrow" or a painted pilgrim's hat that makes a fun decoration for your Thanksgiving table.

Things You'll Need

• For each pumpkinhead scarecrow:
• Scissors
• String
• 1 small terra-cotta plant pot
• 4 tiny terra-cotta seedling pots
• Hot glue gun
• Baseball-sized pumpkin
• Raffia
• Large buttons
• Permanent marker
• For each painted pilgrim's hat:
• 1 terra-cotta plant pot
• Painter's tape
• Black, yellow and white acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Pencil

Instructions

How to Make a Pumpkinhead Scarecrow

1. Cut two pieces of string equal to the height of the terra-cotta pot plus 8 inches. Thread the end of one of the strings through the hole in the base of a tiny terra-cotta seedling pot, then tie a double knot in the end of the string that is inside the pot. Make sure the knot is too large to pass through the hole. Repeat this with the second string and another seedling pot.

2. With the knots pulled firmly inside the two tiny pots, take the two unknotted ends of the strings and pass them together through the hole in the base of the large pot. Set the pot upside down so that the two tiny pots dangle from their strings off the edge of the table, acting as feet.

3. Take the two ends of string that are coming out of the hole in the base (now the top) of the pot, and thread each one through the hole in a seedling pot, going through the base to the inside of the pot. Tie knots in the ends of the strings to allow the seedling pots to dangle like arms.

4. Position the dangling arms and legs where you want them, then glue the strings in place on the bottom (now the top) of the upside-down plant pot with hot glue. Apply a generous amount of hot glue to the underside of the tiny pumpkin, and stick it immediately down on the pot, hiding the glued-down strings.

5. Cut a handful of 4-inch strands of raffia, and glue the bundle to the top of the pumpkin, letting the stalk poke through. Glue two buttons to the front of the terra-cotta pot, then draw a face on the pumpkin head with a permanent marker.

How to Make a Painted Pilgrim's Hat

1. Stick a strip of painter's tape neatly around the circumference of the terra-cotta planter's rim.

2. Paint the entire planter -- other than the taped section -- with black paint. Wait for it to dry, then paint a second layer and let that dry.

3. Remove the painter's tape. Use a pencil to draw a small rectangle on the rim of the planter, then another smaller rectangle inside the first one. This is the buckle on the hat.

4. Paint the entire rim of the planter white except for the buckle shape between the two rectangles. Wait for the white paint to dry, paint a second layer and let this dry.

5. Paint the buckle yellow, adding a second coat if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Make small painted pilgrim's hats as place markers for your Thanksgiving dinner table by writing names on them with white chalk.

References

• Craft Juice: Plant Pot Ladies
• "200 Craft Projects Made Easy"; Simona Hill; 2006