Skill Level
Beginner
Time to Make
1 hour
Adult Supervision
Yes
How to Make
- Scrunch up a strip of newspaper or scrap paper and push it inside a ceramic plant pot, filling it 3-4cm from the top.
- Break off a piece of clay and press it over the top of the paper to make a layer about 2cm deep.
- Rub some water over the clay layer with your fingers so it doesn’t dry out to quickly.
- For making the cactus, break off a piece of clay and shape it into a ball 5-6cm in diameter.
- Press the clay with your fingers to make a longer, tall cactus shape, or for a round cactus leave it as a ball.
- To add a smaller piece onto the side of the cactus, quickly score the surface with a modelling tool, rub some water over the top then press another piece of clay on top, blending the edges with a tool.
- Use the flat end of modelling tool or a strip of card to press a lined pattern onto the cactus.
- Use the end of a brush to press a dot pattern into the surface.
- Score the clay layer inside the pot with a modelling tool, add some water then press the cactus on top and leave to dry.
- While the paint is drying, start working on the flowers.
- Make 3 small cuts from the edge of a foam flower, cutting towards the middle, peel away the backing film then overlap and stick the petals where they have been cut.
- Make more flowers in the same way.
- When the clay cactus has fully dried, carefully lift it out of the pot, attached to the clay layer underneath and remove the newspaper from inside the pot.
- Allow the underneath to dry out a bit more if necessary.
- Paint the cactus green and the clay layer in a dark colour.
- Leave to dry. Paint the pot, covering the outside and inside the top.
- Leave to dry then add a second coat if necessary.
- Use different colours to paint stripes and patterns around the pot.
- Hold inside the pot with your fingers so it can easily be turned for painting. Leave to dry.
- Carefully place the cacti back in the pot with the clay layer attached, so it fits neatly inside the top.
- Stick the flowers onto the cacti.
- Sprinkle small stones or gravel into the top of the pots.
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