Tina's Tutorial

Hey guys! Today I'm going to show you how to make a faux paper mache vintage baskets using peet moss gardening pots.

 

You can find these cups at the big box stores in the gardening section. They're super cheap and look just like the vintage looking paper mache cups you'd find at the gift shop. Let's start by gathering the supplies you'll need. Things are going to get a bit messy so the more organized you are, the better. I also recommend doing a sort of assembly line when making these. Trust me, you won't just want to make one.
Supplies: Mister Huey Dark Calico, Claudine Hellmuth Gesso, Claudine Hellmuth Blank Canvas

I highly recommend priming the surface of the peet moss pots before painting. The peet is like sponge and will soak that first layer of paint right up. Using gesso gives you a little more coverage. I also really like Claudine Hellmuth's paint for this project because it's super think and not as watery as some other acrylics out there. You want to make sure you let the cups dry between layers of gesso and paint. If you cups get too wet, they'll probably tear on you. Prime your cups, and walk away. Do a load of laundry, make a snack, do whatever. Just don't be tempted to hurry this process!

Once the primed cups are dry, apply a good thick layer of white paint. If you're using a different acrylic, you may need to apply 2 coats.  Again, let them dry completely before moving on.
Time to make these guys look old and weathered. To do this, you have the option of using either Mister Huey or a the Distress Ink pad. Take sponge or a waded up dry paper towel and bounce it against the cup. Apply as much as you like. Let it dry a bit.
Enter the glitter. I've used two types here. One is the coarse clear glitter from the Martha Stewart line found at Micheal's. The other is glass glitter which is really cool stuff for this kind of project but it's harder to find. 

Take your dry cups, and coat them well with Modpodge. Working quickly, dunk it in glitter while rotating the cup to get a nice coating on the surface. Brush or tap off the excess and flip it upside down on a bottle to dry.
While your glittered beauties are drying, get your embellishments ready.  I've chosen to glitter these as well. The Studio Calico wood veneer butterflies & yellow notions are so perfect for these spring baskets. I wanted to do something different so I also glittered the ampersand symbol found on the State Fair sticker sheet. With the ampersand, I used that super sticky double stick tape. On the wood veneer and yellow notion, I used modpodge. Set those aside to dry. They'll be applied after we add the wire handle to our basket.
Cut a length of wire using wire snips and wipe it down a few times. It's coated with oil to keep it from rusting. We don't want that all over our pretty baskets. Look at the photo above to see how I've attached the handle. I start out by punching tiny holes on either side of the pot.  The wire is easy to work with and I recommend using a pair of pliers for this. It'll make clasping the ends easier on the fingers.

Important tip! Pinch the wire after inserting it into the tiny hole to avoid tearing because it will tear! If this happens, it should be easy to fix by dabbing on a bit of glue.

Now you're ready to decorate! I used a super strong glue for this because you're adhering to glitter which isn't the most sturdy surface.
Here are my finished baskets, ready to fill and give away!

Some other ideas... try using different color paints. Try rubber stamping directly on the pots. These are perfect gifts for every holiday and even birthdays!

Comments

[heathyr]

these are darling, Tina! Love them!

[Diane Payne]

Beautiful!

[Linda]

Thanks Tina! You're just too talented!

[Annette Allen]

great idea. thanks for sharing

[Lexi Bridges]

so.very.awesome! i am using those planting containers for a different project, but yours looks WAAAAY cooler ;) Great joB!

[Felicitas]

great idea. tfs

Felicitas from germany

[paloma1815]

beautiful! thanks for sharing!

[gudrun]

This is SO cool!! Thanks for sharing. :)

[ChrisC]

Beautyfull
Nice Idea.
Thanks

[Kimmy]

SO CUTE@!

[Michelle Clement]

So pretty, Tina! :) Love it!

[Tanya]

I love these! Glitter is one of my favorite craft supplies. This is right on.

[Sibylle]

beautiful!!!