Young House Love

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How To Use Ceramic Paint

Sorry to anyone looking for Weekly Crafty posts on Tuesdays, it seems that they’ve shifted to Thursdays for the past two weeks! Since my hands are still recovering from staple pulling, more wallpaper peeling, and more painting (we’re doing our stair risers today so we can hopefully install the runner this weekend and have that post for you on Monday), I wanted to pick something fun & easy for this week’s crafty little endeavor. And here’s where I ended up: with a big ol’ hand-painted planter full of succulents and colorful cacti.

Ceramic Paint Final

You know I like sharing house plants that we’re adding/loving/killing every once in a while (like this and this), and this project all started when I found some glass/ceramic paint on clearance at JoAnn for $1.97…

Ceramic Paint

I don’t think I’ve ever used specifically formulated glass or ceramic paint, so a maiden voyage like this is thrilling for a gal like me (seriously, it falls somewhere between finding a five dollar bill in my coat pocket and a new episode of The Walking Dead on my DVR). At first I gave a few other project ideas some consideration – like painting mugs, a vase, or some ceramic candlesticks – and then I saw this amazing planter and said “boom, I’m going planter.” Just like that. Out loud and everything.

The reason for a planter was two-fold. Clara had showed some interest in the colorful cacti at Home Depot the last time we walked by, and I’d been meaning to grab her one or two so we could care for them together. The second reason was that about a week ago I was going through our serving bowls and noticed there were some big winners we use all the time, and one shallow bowl that we hardly touched. But when I saw that inspiration planter, I realized the shape of my poor abandoned bowl was similar. And it was nice and big (around 17″ wide) so I thought it would make for a sweet centerpiece at the kitchen table when it was all said and done.

Ceramic Paint2

So Clara and I took a trip to Home Depot, where we got a little carried away. We stared at everything, discussed their merits and shortcomings (“I like this one because it’s extra pokey!” “I like this one because it’s yellow like a lemon!”) and ended up grabbing 10 plants. Five of them were colorful cacti and the other five were smaller/cheaper succulents to fill things in. All told, it was around $30 in plants (I told you we got carried away) so I’m pretty dang invested in this project now – but Clara is so excited. Begging: please share your cactus care tips if you have any! I don’t want to kill these guys.

Ceramic Paint6

As we were checking out the cashier sweetly told me to mix some sand into the soil when I potted them because they like that and dropped the fact that they actually sell Cactus Sand for a few bucks if I don’t have sand on hand to mix. After embracing her with tears in my eyes thanking her profusely, Clara and I grabbed a bag (when you put $30 into plants, $3 for the dirt they like best felt like a nice insurance policy for a black thumb like me).

Once home with our haul, the first step was ceramic painting, which had me torn. If I wanted to be literal about it, I could paint the entire outside of the bowl like the one that inspired me, but I liked the idea of some white with a fun slice of blue around those colorful cacti, so I decided to paint the inner lip of the planter with my teal ceramic paint. The best of both worlds. Kinda like Two Face. Except less gruesome and eye-ball-y.

Applying the paint inside the lip was easy enough…

Ceramic Paint3

I just followed the instructions: wiping down the part I was going to paint with alcohol, letting it dry, and painting a nice even coat with a small craft brush. I did my best to keep the line around the lip of the bowl even, and since the paint was really slow to dry, if I messed up and got a blob up on the lip, just wiping it with a paper towel left me with a nice clean edge once again. The paint was non-toxic so I could have done it with Clara (I did it right in front of her) but she said “call me when it’s time to touch the dirt!” Funny kid.

Oh and the reason I didn’t bother painting the entire inside of the bowl was because I figured I’d rather conserve my paint for another project instead of using it on a large part of the planter that wouldn’t be seen once the dirt was added.

Ceramic Paint4

To cure the paint on ceramic and glass surfaces, you can either let it air dry for a while, or you can speed things up by baking it in the oven. Although this was a serving dish, it was only microwave and dishwasher safe – not oven safe – so I skipped that step and just opted for the air drying approach. After a few days it was no longer tacky, so I decided the lip could continue to cure even after the pot was in use and Clara and I could commence the much anticipated Adding Of The Dirt.

Ceramic Paint5

The plants were spikey so we had to be careful, but she had a lot of fun dumping cups of dirt into the bowl and digging little holes for me to drop the plants into.

Ceramic Paint 7

Now every night at dinner Clara and I talk about our favorite plants (they all have names) and check to make sure nothing’s giving up on us. So far, so good! Maybe the bean will grow up to be a botanist. Or a paleontologist. The dirt was definitely her favorite part…

Ceramic Paint Final

In the end, this project only took about thirty minutes to gather my supplies, and another twenty spent painting that lip, followed by around 15 minutes to pot things with Clara in our special cactus sand, but I hope it’s a kitchen centerpiece that lasts for years and makes us smile. I actually really like the bright pot + succulents thing, so I’m thinking I might make a bunch more as holiday gifts and even some little ones for the neighbors (one small cactus and a little brightly painted pot should only be around $7 total – and I can try stripes and dots and a dipped bottom, etc).

Is anyone else out there painting ceramic or glass items? Or planting something inside to add a little life to the house as we head into the colder months? How about homemade holiday gift ideas? I’m flirting with the concept of trying to DIY all of them this year, but it might lead to final-hour hyperventilation, so I’m not sure yet.

Psst – Can’t shake the crafty? Check out nearly 50 other craft projects here.

Comments

  1. Melissa @ Loving Here says

    I bought three of these at Home Depot about a month and a half ago in hopes of a project like this…I wanted to use a clear glass dish, which I haven’t gone out to buy yet, but after reading the comments, I’m loving the teacup idea, too. Anyway, I’ve watered them 3 times in that time period and they are loving life right now on my kitchen window sill. Good luck! What an adorable project!

    Reply

  2. Jenifer says

    I’m going home-made consumables this year for the adults in the family (basically everyone): Vanilla sugar, vanilla extract, scented massage oil, and scented epsom salts. For the kids (two, aged 3 and 5), I’m doing pirate-themed gifts (treasure map, eye patch, head scarf, belt, and stick-swords, and personalized jolly roger flags).

    I scored all of the bottles and jars on free cycle; 1 quart of each alcohol (vodka, rum, bourbon — each separate) plus 4 vanilla beans per (for a month), then those beans go into the sugar to steep for a week or two; and I’m using my own massage oil, essential oil, and epsom salt stash to make those. I usually buy those in bulk for use year-round.

    And I’m making the treasure stuff out of my exceedingly small fabric stash, but I also went to a fabric swap recently to pick up some black stuff that I didn’t have (to make the flags and eye patches).

    Reply

    • Jenifer says

      Obviously, my brain wasn’t working, because I gave the recipe a bit wrong. 4 vanilla beans per cup of liquid. Cut them score them length wise and put them in. Wait a month.

      Then stuff them into some sugar for another 2 weeks after you pull them out of the alcohol. People like vanilla sugar for their coffee and tea, and you can use it in baking as well.

      I try to keep my projects simple.

  3. Jessica says

    I bought a few succulents last year and they are mostly dead now. I planted them in a cereal bowl I got from Target. It looks similar to yours, but its covered in the little dots (and its smaller, obviously). After reading everyone’s suggestions, I think I might try again. So, thanks to everyone for your help!!

    Reply

  4. Andrea says

    Haha! I just showed this (super cute! great job!!) idea to my three year old and she said, “Can you ask her to do this craft with me?” <3

    Reply

  5. Mel says

    Thank you–THANK YOU for this. I have just moved from mild and moderate Tennessee to bleak and frigid Indianapolis (I’m feeling a bit dramatic today as I’m back visiting TN and it’s 60 here…) and I love this project so much that I am going to Home Depot to pick some of these up. I think this is just the ticket to give me a burst of color as I look out on our frozen cars and wistfully dream of not wearing a coat like I’m in “A Christmas Story.”
    This is just so darned cheery!

    Reply

  6. Krissy says

    I have a purple passion plant, it’s the only one that survives the heat of our woodstove in the winter. Everything else dies – but I’m betting cacti could totally handle it. I had some cacti growing up and I was so forgetful about watering, but it worked out with them!

    For homemade Christmas presents, I’m making all the neighbors peppermint “bark” in little Christmas tree molds. It was a big success last year, hoping for a repeat!

    Reply

  7. Allison says

    That is a really cute idea for Christmas gifts and it really wouldn’t cost that much! I like that it would last longer than the Christmas season, so you’ll always be in the recipient’s thoughts :)

    I got a Christmas cactus two years ago, and it is the only plant I own and I am so proud of the fact that it doesn’t die. I was lazy and kept it in the plastic pot it came in on top of a salad plate on my mantal and watered it whenever I would remember. I figured since it was a cactus it was supposed to be super dry all the time… it still blooms at Christmas and Easter, so I assume it’s still alive.

    I recently transferred it into one of those Ikea pots so it doesn’t have any drainage anymore, but it looks prettier. Hopefully I don’t kill it after all these successful years!

    Reply

  8. Jen W says

    I love handmade holidays! It is a very do-able idea, but start small. I always do something handmade for our neighbors (usually revolving around food), and our bosses. Then, other family members as the idea strikes me, or I find time (or lack budget!). This year, my big undertaking is room accessories for my brother’s new guest room. Yep, I’m playing interior decorator, but at least it is for the room I’d sleep in, so that’s a plus, right?

    Reply

  9. Pamela @ Little Red House says

    Ooooh, I love succulents. Your bowl of them looks great! It makes me want to try succulents again. Every time I have them I kill them somehow. I can keep most other plants alive (except African violets) but not succulents :(

    Reply

  10. Melissa Cable says

    yep, killed a succulent, I only watered it once a week and I think that was still overwatering, I kill everything!

    Reply

  11. Rebekah says

    One thing that helps succulents thrive is activated charcoal for plants – it absorbs pollutants and bad things in the soil (or minerals that aren’t useful in the water). Usually when I make a succulent garden I put pebbles in the bottom of the container, then a thin layer of activated charcoal, then the special succulent/cactus soil. A lot of times I will fill in the empty space around the plants with river rocks or other decorative items. If you use a clear container the layering of the pebbles/sand/charcoal/soil, etc. looks really cool. :-) Good luck!

    Reply

  12. Melissa says

    As everyone has already said, not too much water especially since the bowl doesn’t drain. Once a month tops. And don’t feel bad if the cacti die; the ones from the stores really aren’t meant to last that long.

    But let’s get to the best part of the post: Walking Dead on your DVR. My husband didn’t want me to watch Walking Dead while I was pregnant (can we say hover husband!) because the episodes did increase my blood pressure! So I envy you with a bun AND watching Walking Dead. I never got to experience that! Ha!

    Hugs,

    Melissa

    Reply

  13. Kingsmom says

    Love the idea! Do you think the ceramic paint would work on kitchen tile? I have a hideous old back splash and counter tile that I would love to paint until I can afford to replace it.

    Reply

  16. Paula says

    The ONLY way a cactus will ever survive is if you resist watering it. Use an eyedropper and put just a drop or two of water next to each cactus….think desert!

    Reply

  18. Steph says

    Love this. Cacti are probably the only plants I don’t kill and I don’t know why it never occured to me to bring some into my house. DUH.

    Also – just a random Cacti story – when I was in HS I had a pink cactus on my windowsill and miraculously managed to keep it alive. I was very attached. Well one day, my friend accidently knocked it over and it hit the ground. It died shortly after that.

    I’m 28 now. I have never let it go. I still call her a Catcus Killer on occassion. Jokingly of course, but seriously, poor pink cactus.

    Reply

  19. maggie says

    I didn’t read all of the comments, so I don’t know if someone said this already. Succulents are a dream. So easy. Ignore them. You’ll know when they get really dry & desperate b/c they won’t be as plump & juicy looking.

    We have some cacti as well. At the risk of sounding like a Debbie Downer…
    While our almost 3 year old knows better, sometimes curiosity gets the better of her. The firm spines/thorns will just poke you & leave it @ that. But some of the “fuzzier” appearing cacti will leave you w/tiny hairlike pokeys stuck in your skin & it’s miserable. Just a few weeks ago our daughter tried to pick a “bud” from our outdoor cactus that to the naked eye didn’t appear to have thorns @ all, but after picking them up her tiny hands were full of these near invisible little thorns that drove her nuts. When/if it happens, we’ve had some success removing the tiny thorns from skin w/duct tape (or the like).

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ouch! Thanks so much for the tip! So far Clara has a very stoic-like reverence for them (she will get close enough to stare at them, but thinks they’re all really pokey so she won’t pet/poke/touch). Hope it stays that way, but good to know about the duct tape trick!

      xo
      s

  20. kim says

    I have a ridiculous and totally off-topic question.

    You guys use the word sweet a lot. When I read it I always think of “like, oh that’s so sweet and nice and cutesy” but then it occurred to met that maybe I’m reading it the wrong way. Like maybe I’m supposed to be reading it in “Sweeeet, that’s awesome” in a sort of dude kind of voice.

    See, ridiculous question, but now I find myself reading with both voices and finding that both can fit most of the time. (Don’t tell me to go with which ever I like! I want to know what your are intending!!)

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hilarious! I think we use it mostly in the “aw that’s charming” way but occasionally the “duuuude, that’s wicked sweet” application will sneak in there.

      xo
      s

  21. Rachel S says

    It is more than likely someone already mentioned this, but since planters useually have drainage holes, and over-water is an issue with cacti, the second best way (that i have found) when plating in a container without holes is a thin layer of rocks or gravel where the excess water can collect before you add the dirt. Helps prevent root rot, etc. I love you guys!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Rachel! Love you right back. A few folks recommended drilling drainage holes with a ceramic-safe drill bit, so I think that sounds like a good time.

      xo
      s

  22. Mindy says

    I also love succulents + cacti… but wanted to comment on the paint.

    I used ceramic paint to decorate wine glasses (for a party/gifts). The brand I used also called for drying (curing maybe even) in the oven, I was a little nervous about putting wine glasses in the oven but all worked out. I wanted to make sure that the paint was more permanent than not so that it wasn’t affecting the drinking function of the glass! (There had also been samples at the art supply store, so I knew it had been done successfully). Brands may vary, but if I remember correct it was a fairly low heat but for a significant amount of time.

    I’ve since used the same paint to tint some mason jars (faux-tique like), which make great flower vases.

    Reply

  23. Betty says

    I have never bothered with cacti, but I heard someone say that they would keep track of the weather in southern Arizona – when it rained there, they watered.

    Reply

  24. Sammy says

    I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while, but I’m not sure what plants to pick. I don’t want anything too prickly, but I’d love lots of green. Think terranium. But now your colourful combination has me in doubt!! It looks so pretty!

    Reply

  25. Annika says

    Hi! I love how colorful and happy this turned out. Might steal this idea… succulents and cacti are great. I have decorated some porcelain before, but only with a porcelain-pen. It was really fun and easy though, and turned out quite pretty if I might say so myself. Here’s a couple of the things I “painted” on. Photos are not very good, but…

    http://magpiesatsunrise.blogspot.no/2011/04/pimp-my-porcelain-figurine.html

    http://magpiesatsunrise.blogspot.no/2010/10/painting-porcelain-second-try.html

    http://magpiesatsunrise.blogspot.no/2011/02/ok-so-i-know-that-i-have-tried-this.html

    http://magpiesatsunrise.blogspot.no/2010/10/diy-painting-porcelain.html

    Reply

  26. jenny says

    Years to come? Have you ever planted anything? you put six plants in a serving dish and don’t expect them to outgrow it for years to come? lmao

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Maybe I’m crazy, but I had a red cactus in grade school that I ignored for years and it just wouldn’t die. I never repotted the thing over the span of at least four years (and probably only watered it once a month when I remembered). I don’t think the colorful cacti are very fast growers (some of the succulents might spread, but I think I can thin them out and repot just the extras). Will keep you posted!

      xo
      s

  27. erin says

    You can’t kill cacti! don’t worry about it! The succulents have a slightly different watering requirements (1 to 2 times a month).
    I was told at the Phoenix botanical gardens that if you water your cacti once a year even, you can’t kill it.

    I bought a tiny one like the one in the middle of your bowl and have had it for almost 14 years!! In my Chicago climate, I leave it in a sunny window sill in the winter and put it outside in the summer and never touch it. The rain from the summer will last it through the winter. It’s now much larger and about four little babies are growing out of it! Not bad for a $2 Walmart cactus I bought in Tucson when I went to visit my grandparents in 1999.

    Reply

  28. mp says

    When I bought a few cacti at a farmer’s market, the seller said, “It’s better to water once in 30 days than to water once a day for 30 days.” So, the drier the better!

    Reply

  29. Amber V. says

    I love a good, fast project! They’re the fuel for the DIYer.

    I have been meaning to send you guys a note to let you know that the AC Moore on Hull Street is having a 40% off liquidation sale for the rest of the year. I figured this could be the perfect time to stock up on some canvases so you can start painting again, or just stockpile some craft supplies.

    Reply

  30. Erin says

    I am so not crafty, but this is so adorable, and I think my husband would love the finished product as much as Clara loved the dirt. (Also, I love the line about her growing up to be a botanist or paleontologist – go, Clara!) May have to actually try this one. A really nice centerpiece for the holidays that doesn’t feel too season-specific. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think John has his sights set on a playset for her (she’s really into swings and slides – as well as random dirt and rocks, which seem to abound naturally, haha!).

      xo
      s

  33. Ana Silva says

    I want one now! I can’t keep up!! :( You guys inspire me so much. And Clara seems to be becoming more and more adorable each day.

    Reply

  34. Diana says

    I was just thinking about getting some succulents for our coffee table but love the colors on the cacti too. I like plants that don’t need water since that’s what all our current house plants current receive.

    Reply

  35. April Thompson says

    We live in S.Dakota, but got some cacti from my MIL who lives in Arizona. They are about 3 years old, and every winter we put them in our unfinished basement and forget about them! Then in summer we pull them back out. So far, they are thriving and have about quadrupled in size (though they started out quite petite.
    Great work encouraging Clara’s desire to take care of things and watch them grow!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Love that! Thanks to everyone for the cactus chat today. I’m feeling a little more confident that these guys will be in the family for a nice long time.

      xo
      s

  37. Elizabeth says

    Hi! Such a cut planter! In my experience, I have only killed succulents when planted without holes in the bottom, no matter how dry I let the soil get before watering. I drilled some holes in a ceramic pot with a diamond tip drill bit and a youtube tutorial and saved a few even after the trauma of replanting, those without holes ultimately died. So, my 2 cents is- drainage is a must for those guys. Maybe consider some holes like Nicole mentioned.

    Reply

  38. carly says

    A little off topic… but I just received my YHL rusty bronze wire globe light fixture from shades of light! (it was back ordered for awhile) So excited to get it hung up!!

    Reply

  39. Kirbee says

    Love your bright cactus! We just had our first hard-core snowfall here in Iowa. All our colors are gone :( This is a great idea — but alas, with our feisty one-year-old will likely find it too tempting to resist. Maybe in a couple years when the tots are old enough to look and not touch.

    In the meantime, I saw these and couldn’t help but think of you Sherry. You have some leftover paint – I think these friends could use a good home and a colorful makeover: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/giraffe-and-hippo-vases

    Reply

  40. heather beals says

    So fun! I love succulents. When I started killing mine I read (who knows where) to avoid root rot to water with ice cubes. I put 3 icecubes in my planter every week and it slowly melts down and waters the roots without leaving a bunch of water all around them. I don’t know if it’s scientifically sound but it works for mine!

    Reply

  41. Alyson says

    Sorry if someone has already said this (so. many. comments.), but I had the same kinds of cacti and succulents. They need very little water but a lot of sunlight; I had mine in a south-facing window that got about 3 hours of direct sunlight per day, and it wasn’t enough. The succulents ended up getting all stretched out and freaky looking. But the good part about them is I would forget to water them for like 2 months, and they were fine with that. I eventually threw mine out because they had stretched so much, but as long as they have enough light, I think you’ll be fine!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Alyson! I’m definitely keeping an eye out for the stretching thing. Our triple window in the kitchen gets some pretty good sun (it’s north-east facing), so I hope it works out!

      xo
      s

  42. Shay says

    I’m sure you’ve gotten a ton of advice already but the number one thing I can say with cacti and succulents – ignore them! I really struggle to take care of most plants but I have succulents everywhere since they’re so easy to keep alive by just leaving them alone. Water when they’re dry or they’ll rot. And if you seem to be having problems replant with some gravel on the bottom for draining. Good luck! I’ve painted lots of ceramic planters in my day but I need to try my hand at this glass paint; looks wonderful.

    Reply

  45. Vicky says

    I didn’t read all the comments, so I’m probably the 23rd person to say this but I can’t stress enough – do not over-water. They will turn to mush and die. Definitely err on the side of under-watering.

    Reply

  47. Courtney says

    Sooo cute! Love the idea of using dishes, tea cups or whatever for plants:-) If you drill a hole in the bottom of the dish, the water is able to drain out like it would if you were using a traditional planter…it will make a big difference! Just make sure to use the proper bit so you don’t crack the dish. Also, a layer of gravel under the soil will help too.

    Reply

  48. Dana@chocolateandsunshine says

    I’m glad you tried this as I’ve been wanting to paint something ceramic, too and didn’t know where to start. Even smarter was that you just painted the rim as the dirt covered the rest. Great idea. And, I love the color you painted it.

    I’m trying this. BYW, I plant succulents in all kinds of containers: vintage drawers and boxes, etc. Adding gravel, as mentioned earlier is a great idea. I also will put mine outside from time to time for sunny days. Fun project.

    Reply

  49. Sarah says

    If you check on the weather forecast for Tucson, Arizona, water your cactus when it rains there. I actually live there, and I’ve kept an indoor cactus alive for 7.5 years and counting. Plus two saguaros and a couple barrels in my yard, but I do nothing to them and just let the rain water them. (We get heavy rains in July, and some scattered ones in the winter, but most of the time it’s completely dry… well, it rained Monday, but usually…)

    Reply

  50. Patricia says

    I’ve never planted cacti but have sucessfully grown succulents (i.e. not killed completely) for years and years. I grow mine in pots with drainage outside. They like crappy soil. I use about 75% sand and the rest, potting soil. In winter (our rainy season) I shove them under a bench to minimize rainfall. And they’re thriving (not dying yet).
    Good luck.

    Reply

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