Faux Ceramics You Can Make!

In this instructable, I will be showing how to make ceramic planters, or containers without all the hassle of getting a kiln, throwing mud, making a mess, etc.  While a great art form, why not make life easy and make them out of readily available material (cardboard)?  With some creative painting techniques and basic "planter" forms, you can have as many containers as you want to make.  Let's get started!

Standard cutting tools such as: box cutter, utility knife, craft knife, scalpel, etc.  A straight edge is needed to make long cuts, and some white glue and/or tacky glue.  And the primary material is corrugated cardboard.  I use kraft paper (grocery bags) as a covering material which will be shown in a later step. To finish the items, craft acrylic paints are used.  So not only are we saving on those things mentioned in step one, we are reusing or recycling these materials.  It's a very inexpensive way to be creative and be green at the same time.

I show a shallow container with angled sides and a rim, or lip, around the top edge.  This container will be finished in a dark green/black pattern that mimics marble or glazed ceramics.  Follow the pictures for complete instructions.  All dimensions are arbitrary, that is, you can make them as small or as large as you want by varying all measurements. 

To make the top lip or rim around the container, cut a strip of cardboard to about 1in. in width. This piece is covered with craft paper as shown so that it appears to be a solid form.  We want to "lose" the cardboard look for sure.

I have added two more planters to show the versatility of this method.  A more rectangle form with wood dowel feet is seen, and then a simple small, terra cotta planter to be used as a small desert diorama.

Use water based acrylic paints to insure rapid drying.  When painting on the cardboard, the paint dries very rapidly, and in no more than 5 to 10 minutes you can proceed to the next stage.  More than one coat of paint is needed for total coverage, but I start with a primer coat, and then add to that.  Decorative painting, or faux treatment can be considered an additional coat. To do this last step, I use a sea sponge cut to a manageable size.

As you can see, I used some paper flowers as props to display my planters. These flowers are made of paper, and are to be the subject of a future instructable.  I thought that a bonzai plant and or a Budda figurine would go good with the dark planter.  It is seen with a Chinese character to suggest an oriental theme.

Since they are "planters" flowers will go nicely. Also, to give it some additional Oriental flavor, dispaly some statuary, in this instance some buddas!