How to Make a Bunny Out of Terra Cotta Pots

A terra cotta pot prepares for its transformation.

Perfect outdoor or indoor decorations for easter, terra cotta bunnies need not be just seasonal decorating. These amusing crafts perk up doorsteps, gardens and walkways year-round in most climates and require only a few weeks indoors during rainy or snowy months. Terra cotta bunnies are easy to personalize, can be made with any size terra cotta pot and require very little adult supervision to create; making them a safe project for young kids.

Things You'll Need

• Terra cotta pot
• Newspaper
• Washcloth
• Craft paint
• Felt
• Superglue
• Googly eyes (optional)
• Cotton Balls
• Felt tip pen or marker

Instructions

1. Lay down several sheets of newspaper in the area you plan to work to protect floors and furniture. Lay your terra cotta pot upside down on the newspaper. Rub your terra cotta pot lightly with a dry washcloth to remove any crumbs.

2. Paint the entire outside of your terra cotta pot the desired color. For a realistic bunny, stick to shades of brown, white and grey. Apply any spots or other markings you want on your bunny's body and let it dry for at least an hour.

3. Cut two long bunny ear shapes out of felt, in a color corresponding to your painted pot. If you wish, cut out two smaller ears from pink felt and glue them to the center of your large felt ears for more detail.

4. Attach the bottom 2 inches of the felt ears to the top of your terra cotta pot, using an accordion fold to help the ears stand up. Use a couple of small dabs of superglue with each fold until the ears stand upright. Let dry for 30 minutes.

5. Paint or glue on two bunny eyes directly below the felt ears. For a cartoon-like rabbit use large googly eyes from your local craft store. For a more realistic rabbit paint or draw them on with colored pencils.

6. Loosen two cotton balls gently with your fingers. Grasping the edges of the ball, lightly pull to separate the cotton fibers, making sure not too pull too hard lest they lose their shape. Place a dab of glue on the back of each cotton ball and glue them next to each other, 1 inch below the eyes to create the bunny's cheeks. Let dry for a few minutes.

7. Daba small amount of super glue onto the back of a medium-sized pink button and press it onto the terra cotta pot, in the center of the cotton ball cheeks, to make the bunny's nose. Hold tightly in place with your fingers for several minutes to ensure it dries correctly.

8. Draw two big rabbit teeth directly below the bunny cheeks with a dark felt tip marker or pen. Using the same pen draw several small dots on each cheek to resemble whiskers.

9. Pull apart four cotton balls with your fingers, and work the cotton around to create one large, loose cotton ball. Glue this large cotton ball to the outside of your terra cotta pot, opposite your bunny's face. Hold in place with your fingers for a few minutes while it dries to create a fluffy bunny tail.

Tips & Warnings

• Try adding bow ties, ribbons and other accessories to personalize your terra cotta pot bunny.

• Hide plastic eggs, candy and other small trinkets under your terra cotta bunny for easter egg hunts.

• Tape spare keys to the inside of your terra cotta bunny for emergencies.

• Purchase several terra cotta pots in differing sizes to create a family of bunnies.

• Snip off fabric bunny ears from a headband and use them in lieu of felt ears. The wire inside will help them stand up.

References

• "Easter Crafts"; Colleen Van Blaricom and Anita Louise; 1992