Holiday Craft Ideas Using Terra Cotta Pots

• 12-inch Santa: (3) 4-inch and (2) 6-inch terra cotta pots
• 18-inch Santa: (3) 6-inch and (2) 8-inch terra cotta pots
• 24-inch Santa: (3) 8-inch and (2) 10-inch terra cotta pots
• 5 Paint pens in black, white, gold, pink, blue or brown
• Satin finish spray paint: 1-3 cans red,1 can black, 1 can white
• 1 2-inch foam brush
• 1 roll painter’s tape
• 10 oz. tube of construction adhesive
• 1-2 yards of white faux fur
• 1 can of clear, waterproof sealant
• Craft paper

Below are the basic steps to make each Santa.

• Cover work area with craft paper. Use clean craft paper between each painting step.
• Paint one small pot black and the other white. Spray the 2 large pots red. Let dry.
• Use paint pens to draw Santa’s beard and face.
• Attach the head to one large pot and the feet to the other. Let dry 1-2 hours.
• Make the body by gluing and stacking the large pots together. Wait 24 hours.
• Using painter’s tape, outline a belt around the body and paint it black. Let dry.
• Use a gold paint pin to create Santa’s buckle.
• Cut strips of faux fur and glue them on to trim Santa’s hat and coat.

Perfect for a tabletop or mantel display, make your own gingerbread village scene using the materials, tools and steps below.

• Different size terra cotta pots and saucers for houses, large building and evergreens
• 3 bottles of acrylic paint: brown, white and green
• 4 paint pens: white, black, metallic gold or silver
• 10 oz. tube of construction adhesive
• 1 can of clear, waterproof sealant
• 1 bag of faux snow
• 24 inches of cotton batting or a white table runner
• Fairy lights, fresh or faux greenery (optional)

Lay down a drop cloth or newspaper and follow the directions below.

• Small home: paint a 4-inch pot and 6-inch saucer brown. Let dry and glue saucer upside down to create the roof.
• Bigger home: paint two 4-inch pots and a 6-inch saucer brown. Let dry. Glue the two pots together and glue the saucer upside down to make the roof.
• Large building: paint a 10-inch pot and 8-inch saucer brown. Glue the saucer upside down on the pot. Optional: Attach a wood cross or clock face above the door.
• Trees: Paint 1-inch, 2-inch, and 4-inch pots green. For a large tree, use 2-inch, 4-inch and 6-inch pots. Glue the pots upside down, largest to smallest.
• Use a white paint pen to make icing decorations like scallops, windows and snow.

Tip: Add a chimney to any building by painting a 1-inch pot brown, detailing it and gluing it to the roof.

Craft beautiful serveware to display holiday cookies, cakes and treats using the materials, tools and steps below.

• Different size terra cotta pots and saucers below
• (1) 2 oz. bottle of soft pink acrylic paint
• (1) 2 oz. bottle of bright pink acrylic paint
• (1) 2 oz. bottle of white acrylic paint
• 10 oz. tube of construction adhesive
• 16 oz. can of food-grade polyurethane
• Foam brushes
• Drop cloth or newspaper

Lay down a drop cloth or newspaper and follow the basic steps below.

• Paint: Cover the pots and saucers with white acrylic paint. When dry, paint peppermint swirls and stripes on each piece and let dry.
• Assemble: For cake stand, glue the rim of a 6-inch pot to the underside of a 10-inch saucer. For small cookie stand, glue the rim of a 4-inch pot to the underside of an 8-inch saucer. For a two-tiered dessert stand, glue the 4-inch pot to the bottom of the 8-inch saucer to make the bottom tier. Glue the 2-inch pot to the bottom of the 8-inch saucer for the top tier. Once dry, center and glue the assembled top tier to the bottom saucer.
• Seal: Apply a coat of food-grade polyurethane and dry for 24 hours before use.

Tip: To protect the painted surface, use it like a charger plate. Simply place a clear glass plate on top for the food items.

Create a whole bunch of these charming ornaments. Materials and steps to make one gnome are below.

• 2 1/2-inch terra cotta pot
• 4 paint pens: white, black, metallic gold or silver
• 10 inches ribbon
• 1/2-inch jingle bell
• 5 yards of thick yarn (for beards)
• 3/4-inch wood ball or pom-pom
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Using a paint pen, give your pot a festive or dramatic color. Let dry.

• To hang the ornament, thread a 10-inch piece of ribbon through a jingle bell. Tie yarn ends into a knot. Use a yarn needle to pull the ribbon loop through the clay pot’s hole from the inside. Secure the bell inside with hot glue.
• To make the beard, wrap thick yarn around your four fingers about 50 times. Tie the center of the yarn with another piece of yarn. Cut the looks and fluff out.
• Glue the beard to the inside rim of the pot, with strands facing down. Trim as desired.
• Glue a wooden ball or pom-pom in the beard for your gnome’s nose.

Make a fun centerpiece with a classic assortment of snowmen. Materials and steps to make these festive pieces are below.

• Terra cotta pots in different sizes
• Tea lights
• 1 can of white spray paint
• (1) 2 oz. bottle of black acrylic paint
• (1) 2 oz. bottle of orange acrylic paint
• (1) 2 oz. bottle of red acrylic paint
• 10 oz. tube of construction adhesive
• 5 small wood knobs or foam balls per snowman
• Foam orange ear plug (carrot nose)
• Ribbon, fabric scraps, felt, sticks, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, buttons
• Glue gun and sticks

Paint all pots white and let them dry.

• For a candlestick, use a 6-inch, 4-inch and 2-inch pot. Glue pots upside down, large to small. Paint a jolly face on the top pot. Make a hat from felt and add pipe cleaner arms. Glue on buttons
• For tabletop statue, glue 2 8-inch pots together at the rims. On the top, glue a 2-inch pot right side up for the head. Let dry. Paint on face and buttons. Attach a festive scarf, hat and arms.
• For a candy holder, decorate a 3-inch pot with a simple face, ribbon, buttons and felt.