12 Crafts of Christmas: Santa Planters

I was really on a roll this weekend with finishing up projects and actually writing about them.  That is probably due, in no small part, to the final paper deadline that is looming in my very near future.

 

I like to think that today's project could make a great gift for neighbors, teachers, coworkers...anyone! Also, like all my favorite projects, it's SUPER cheap to make.  I already had some of the items on hand (and you probably do too!) so I only spent about $5.

 

Santa Planters

 

 

What You'll Need

Clay Pot. Do you realize how cheap these suckers are?  Like, less than $2.  Crazy!

Red Paint.  If you've read any of my posts involving paint before, you know I spray paint everything and this was no exception. I use Krylon Fusion. You can get it at Walmart and it's the best I've found.

White paint or primer (optional)

Painter's tape

Black acrylic paint

2 Sponge brushes. You could just use one and wash between uses, but a lot of times you can find them for 20/$1 at Michael's, so I just stock up then and throw them away as I use them.

Metal Washer. I went to Lowes and got a pack of 4 for something like $1.50. 

Mod Podge

Gold or silver glitter

Hot glue gun

 

What You'll Do

1.  If you're using primer, apply a layer of it to the pot.  I just used .99 white paint to dull up the base color so I wouldn't need as many coats of red. Let dry.

 

2.  Paint the whole thing red.  I painted the inside too.  I applied 3 coats. I sat the pot upside down for the first coat and flipped it right side up for the rest.  Let dry completely between coats.

 

 

3.  Bring your pot inside.  Put painter's tape around the bottom of the lip of the pot. Mine wasn't perfect, but you can't really tell.



 

4.  Using a sponge brush and black paint, paint the area above the tape black, including the rim.  Let dry.

 

5.  Using a sponge brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge to one side of the washer. Immediately sprinkle glitter over the washer and shake off the extra glitter.  Set aside to dry.

 

 

6.  Once the first layer with glitter is dry, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on top of the glitter and let dry. The top coat will help the glitter stick to the washer. 

 

7.  Apply hot glue to the back of the washer and attach to the pot's "belt."

 

 

I'm going to fill mine with homemade candy or cookies for a Dirty Santa party, but you could also put a plant in it (I'd get a plastic liner if this is the case), put some foam in it and make a cookie or cake pop bouquet, fill it with fresh oranges, or really anything that you can think of.

12 Crafts of Christmas: Inside Out Glitter Ornaments



So it looks like I've really dropped the ball on this 12 Crafts of Christmas thing. I had the best of intentions, but then school and work and life in general got in the way and I realized that I hadn't blogged or even crafted or baked as much as I should have.  Here we are a month away from Christmas and we're only on craft number 2.  But for craft number 2, I have an exciting one in mind for you. I love glitter, but I hate that it gets EVERYWHERE.  The other day I bought a new glittered treetopper.  By the time I got home, every other thing I bought, and my shirt, were also covered in glitter.  Now I said I love glitter, but I don't love it so much that I want it in my hair.  So that's why last year I made these Inside Out Glitter Ornaments from Greenbean's Crafterole that I found on Pinterest.  The glitter is on the inside so there's no mess.  This year I had the brilliant idea to make them with sprinkles instead, because how cute would that be?  But intea I ended up with this

 

 

 

They got all melty and gross and the entire ball took on a grey-pink appearance. So I scrapped that idea, broke out the glitter, and returned to the original plan. So, without further ado...

 

 

Inside Out Glitter Ornaments

 



 

What You'll Need

 



Clear ball ornaments. Never pay full price.  Download the Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics app or sign up for email coupons.  There's no reason to ever pay full price for anything crafty.

Glitter.  I prefer Martha Stewart. It's super-fine and I think that makes for a more finished look.

Floor Wax

Funnel

Shot glass

Coffee Filter.  You're going to use this to dispose of excess glitter.  When you're done you can crumple it up and throw it away.  Much more convenient than using a plate or a bowl.

 

What You'll Do

 

1.  Remove the caps from one ball. 

 

2.  Squirt a small amount of wax into the ball and then roll it around so that the wax covers every bit of the ball. Roll, don't shake. If you shake you'll get air bubbles that are hard to get rid of.

 

3.  Turn the ball upside down onto the shotglass to drain away the excess wax.  

 

 

4.  Let the wax drain for about 3 minutes.  Then turn it upside down and place the funnel in the top.

 

5.  Add glitter  to the top of the funnel, remove the funnel, cover the hole with your thumb, and then shake, shake, shake until every inch is covered in glitter.

 

6.  Pour the rest of the glitter into the coffee filter. 

 

6.  Replace the cap of the ball immediately and set aside. 

 

7.  Repeat for all your remaining ornaments.

 

 



These are gorgeous on the tree and would be great to make for yourself or to give as gifts...or both!  Ornaments are one of my go-to Christmas gifts.  Since the ornaments come in a package it's easy to give a set, or you can put some tissue paper in a chinese  carryout gift box and add one to make them go further if you have to give gifts to a group.  I think this would be ideal for students or coworkers.  Plus, this is a really fast project so you can make a whole lot in a short amount of time.