Gather and Dwell: DIY Clay Pots

Complete joy has overwhelmed the Damas household recently as my husband and I recently announced some big news: WE’RE EXPECTING! We are excited, giddy, a little nervous, but, most of all, we are humbled that we’ve been entrusted to parent and raise another life! I’m thirteen weeks (and praying morning sickness will soon subside), so we don’t know the gender of baby just yet, which makes it hard to do the fun stuff...like decorate the nursery!

Lately, I’ve been itching to do something with my hands for the nursery besides pinning inspirational photos on Pinterest. The one thing I’ve learned from all this baby prep browsing? No matter the gender, having succulent plants somewhere in the nursery is a must for me (random, I know). So to celebrate the start of my second trimester, I decided to make some tiny clay pots for my nursery succulents. These little guys are great, not only for the nursery, but for any room of the house. They are so fun, easy to make, and add a little personal touch to the room.  To make your own clay pots, follow these steps with the pictures below!

1. Gather your supplies:

- succulent plants (Lowes/Home Depot usually has a variety to sell at VERY affordable prices)
- clay (I used Sculpey Oven Bake Clay)
- clay roller
- a straw
- clay sculpting tool (I lost mine so I used a plastic knife! Hey, whatever works!)

2. Knead your clay well.

3. Roll the clay out until it is about 1/4 inch thick.

4. Using your sculpting tool, cut a circle that is similar to the diameter of the plastic pot your succulent came in.

5 & 6. To finish up the bottom of the pot, take a straw and poke a hole smack dab in the middle of the circle.

7 & 8. Cut a large rectangle out for the walls of your pot. You may want to use a straight edge for perfect cuts. (Tip: Use plastic or wax paper when working with the clay so it doesn’t stick to your surface!)

9. (This is the best step!) Use a straightedge, stencil, or stamp to create a pattern across your rectangle.

10. Wrap the rectangular clay piece around the circular bottom to create your pot.

11 & 12. Smooth out any gaps with your straightedge.

Once you’re satisfied with your design, let your pot dry at room temperature or place it in the oven, following the clay package’s instructions. Creating multiple pots with various patterns and sizes makes for one charming display, as you can see here!

Aren’t they adorable? The best thing about this particular DIY is that the more “imperfect” your pot is, the sweeter it looks! I love when the smallest of projects turn out to make the biggest statements in the home—and this DIY does just that!

I would love to see the clay pots you create for your home. With using different decorating styles and shapes, the possibilities with this DIY are endless. You can use patterns, abstract designs or even names and verses. Don’t forget to share them with us on social media by using the #TFPtalk so we can see your creations, too. We can’t wait to see what you design!

Happy crafting!

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8