Patterned Mosaic Pots

by jenni on September 4, 2009

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It will be time to bring in your plants from outside soon. It has already started to cool off a bit. Since you will be keeping your house plants inside for the winter, why not give them a special pot to sit in. These pots will make great conversation pieces as well. To make them you will use old and broken pieces of china as the decorations.

Materials Needed:

  • Terra cotta flower pot
  • Old broken dishes (dishes from yard sales are great and cheap)
  • Paint to match dish pattern
  • Tile grout
  • Old dish towel
  • Plant in a plastic pot to fit inside your new planter
  • Hammer
  • Strong household glue

Instructions:

1. Use hammer to break plates into small pieces. To replicate a plate’s pattern, keep the cut pieces organized in the original design as you lay out materials.

2. Carefully glue them on the pot, leaving small crevice in between, and then fill in the remaining surface with additional pieces. Let pieces dry overnight.

3. Mix grout (which fills the spaces between tiles, locking them into place), according to package instructions; use a wooden stick to spread it evenly over the mosaic. Wearing gloves, use fingertips to press the grout into crevices.

4. Wipe off any excess grout with a damp sponge or rag, being careful not to wipe away the grout in the crevices. Switch to a dry rag for any residual grout. Let the grout dry overnight.

5. Take the pots outside, and use a foam brush or spray to apply the grout sealant, which protects the grout from water damage, mildew, and dirt. (Glazed ceramic tiles are already waterproof, so you only need to seal the grout.) Wipe off any excess with a damp sponge or rag immediately, and let it dry for one day in a well-ventilated spot.

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