How to Create Terra Cotta Garden Art

Terra-cotta can be used to make whimsical garden art.

Terra cotta (usually spelled with a hyphen) is a highly durable and weather-resistant clay that is often used in for pots to hold plantings, indoors and out. Terra-cotta can also be used to create decorative accents to make the garden feel more artistic. For example, you could use terra-cotta pots to create whimsical pot people to watch over your budding flowers, or you can create a large terra-cotta leaf that can create a beautiful accent around your hostas or ferns.

Things You'll Need

• Terra-cotta pots
• Nylon rope
• Scissors
• Moss
• Knife
• Terra-cotta clay
• Large leaf
• Rolling pin

Instructions

Terra-cotta Pot People

1. Fill 14 to 16 terra-cotta pots with a layer of moss. The moss will act as a cushion so that you can stack the pots together into a form without the pots breaking or chipping.

2. Cut a hole in the center of each pot's layer of moss using a knife. This will allow you to string a rope through the pots' drain holes.

3. Cut a piece of rope 12 inches long, and tie a knot on one end. Use a nylon rope, which can withstand the elements without rotting.

4. Insert the un-knotted end of the rope through the moss and drain hole of one of the terra-cotta pots. Pull the rope so that the knot is secure in the bottom of the pot. Tie a knot on top of the pot.

5. Slip the end of the rope through the moss and drain hole of another pot, as before. Slide the pot over the first pot down to the knot, then make a knot on top of the second pot. Continue this pattern four to five times, ending with a knot on the top of the structure. This will be the body of the terra-cotta pot person.

6. Repeat this process to make four sections that are each three or four pots long, which will represent the arms and legs of the pot person. Tie the loose ends at the tops of the arms and legs around the knots of the body. You can set the terra-cotta pot person on a garden bench or right in the garden bed as a decorative accent.

Terra-cotta Leaf

1. Roll out 1 pound of terra-cotta clay into a layer that is 1/4-inch thick, using a rolling pin. You can find terra-cotta clay at any art- or craft-supply store, as it is one of the most commonly used clays by artist and crafters.

2. Place a large leaf upside down on a table top, and drape the clay over the leaf. Cut off the excess clay using a clay knife so that the clay is the exact shape of the leaf. Allow the clay to remain on the leaf until it air dries completely, then peel off the leaf.

3. Fire the terra-cotta leaf in a kiln set to medium heat for 4 hours, then allow it to cool completely before placing the clay leaf into your garden as an accent. You can use a kiln at a local high school or community college.

References

• The Artistic Garden: Pot People
• Concrete Garden Leaves: Concrete Leaf