Make These Fabric Clay Planters For All Your Cute Cacti
Lately, I’ve got the unshakeable urge to fill my home with plants. So, in order to accommodate my new green friends, I’ve molded up some clay planters that mimic the look of fabric for a cool sculptural effect. And just for good measure, I’ve added a contrasting lining to really help the clay fabric folds pop around the perimeter of the planter. Look complicated? Not in the least. Just roll out the clay; then drape it and bake it. You’ll be on your way to a plant filled home in no time!
What You Need
Materials
- 4 oz of white polymer clay
- Small rocks
- Cacti and succulents
- Oven safe 10″ cake stand to use as a circle guide and baking mold. You can also use two bowls in place of the cake stand: a 10″ bowl for the circle guide and a 4-6″ bowl for the baking mold.
- Wax paper
- 4 oz of black polymer clay
Tools
- Rolling pin
- Decorative texture rolling pin (optional) Artist’s knife
-
Oven
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 275F.
2. Begin by rolling out the white polymer clay into an 8″ circle on a sheet of wax paper. If the clay sticks to the rolling pin, place a 2nd sheet of wax paper on top of the clay and continue rolling.
3. Repeat with the black clay, rolling it into an 8″ circle as well.
4. Then place the white clay circle on top of the black clay circle, and cover with a sheet of wax paper. Roll the two layers into one layer, and increase the diameter of the circle to around 11″ (or your desired size). If the wax paper begins to tear, replace it with a new sheet and keep rolling.
5. Next, find a bowl, cake stand or any circular dish to use as a guide to cut a perfect circle from the clay. You’ll want to choose a dish with the right circumference for the size planter you’re going for. In my case, I used a 10″ cake stand, placed it upside down on the rolled out clay, and cut around the cake stand with an artist’s knife.
6. This next step is completely optional, but if you’d like to take the “fabric” look one step further, use a patterned rolling pin to create a textured surface across the circle.
7. Now we’re ready to form the shape of the planter! Place the cake stand (or smaller bowl) upside down and carefully drape the clay circle over the cake stand pedestal, making sure the clay drapes equally on all sides.
The clay will naturally form organic wavy lines, so work with the natural waves to create smaller more intricate waves. This will not only add interest, but also narrow the mouth of the planter.
8. Once you’ve perfected your planter shape, bake for 30 minutes at 275F. After 30 minutes, remove the cake stand/clay dish from the oven and cool to room temperature. Once the dish is cool to the touch, carefully pop it off the cake stand pedestal.
9. Last but not least, plant your cacti and succulents! You’ll want to start with a layer of rocks at the bottom for drainage. Then add in the greenery, situating taller plants towards the back, and shorter textural plants at the front and sides.
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Re-edited from a post originally published on June 21, 2016