Create a clay garden flower pot using homemade clay and household objects as a mold. Decorate the finished clay pots with acrylic paint, stained glass nuggets, beads, tiles, buttons and other weather-resistant objects. Waterproof construction adhesive works to hold glass, metal, plastic and ceramic objects to the clay pots. If you decorate the garden pots with paint, apply a terra cotta sealer. Because clay is absorbent, you'll use less paint if you seal the pot first.
Instructions
Making Modeling Clay
1. Combine 4 cups salt and 1 1/3 cups water in a saucepan. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and heat on medium for five minutes.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of cold water. Stir the ingredients until the mixture is smooth.
3. Heat the mixture on medium until it thickens; continue stirring to prevent the clay from sticking to the pan. Remove the saucepan from the heat after the clay thickens, and allow the clay to cool completely.
Making the Flower Pot
4. Coat the outside of a medium size glass, plastic, stainless steel or wood bowl with a release agent. Nonstick cooking spray, petroleum jelly or vegetable oil works, but you also can use a commercial release agent. The outside dimensions and shape of the bowl will create the shape of the flower pot.
5. Cut 1/8-inch diameter wooden dowels into four 3-inch strips with a craft knife. Cover each dowel with a release agent.
6. Press the homemade clay onto the outside of the mold until the clay is 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick.
7. Press the four dowels through the clay at the bottom of the bowl until they touch the mold to create drainage holes. Space the dowels evenly.
8. Place the wet flower pot in a warm area. Leave the clay undisturbed on the mold for 24 to 36 hours, until it hardens. Remove the dowels and the dried clay from the mold.
9. Decorate the flower pot or leave it in a natural finish.
