painting clay pots

[Sharon Kalita]

I want to have my girl scout troop sponge paint clay pots to make flower
planters. I have seen the sponge shapes that you stamp with at
Wal-mart, and wondered if they work well.
And what kind of paint will I have to use so the pots can be used
outdoors? Can I use acrylic craft paint (I have lots on hand!)? I
would appreciate any pointers.
Thanks, Sharon

[Lynn]

Sharon Kalita wrote...

>
>I want to have my girl scout troop sponge paint clay pots to make flower
>planters. I have seen the sponge shapes that you stamp with at
>Wal-mart, and wondered if they work well.
>And what kind of paint will I have to use so the pots can be used
>outdoors? Can I use acrylic craft paint (I have lots on hand!)?

I paint clay pots, but I've never used them outdoors. First, I'd recommend
using a sealer. I haven't done that in the past, and I've noticed that the
pot doesn't always absorb the paint evenly. Michael's sells sealer in their
paint section, and I'm going to get some before I do any more.

I use regular acrylic paint, then spray or brush on varnish.

This year, I painted some with Sandstone paint which gave them a granite
look. I then decorated with some small silk flowers, heather, mini birds
and butterflies. Gave them to some friends for their desks at work. BTW -
the Sandstone is regular acrylic paint with "grit" in it. I don't know if
you could make your own by buying grit at a hardware store.

I've had some in the kitchen window to grow herbs in, for about three years,
I'd guess, and they seem to have held up ok. They get the sun and haven't
faded, but I don't know how they would hold up with "the elements", since
the part in the bowl that sits in water has stained on some of them. I
never tried cleaning them up, though. I figure if it gets bad enough, it
gives me an excuse to do more!

Lynn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Life is a search for the truth; and there is no truth
- Chinese Proverb
=====================================================

[Cliff Faires]

You can use acrylics providing they are permanent when dry. Be careful to
check that they are. There are some good water based acrylics out there
which would do the job.
I am not sure where you would get them in the USA
Regards
cliff
www.economyofbrighton.co.uk

Sharon Kalita wrote in message <38773FDA...@rochester.rr.com>...

>I want to have my girl scout troop sponge paint clay pots to make flower
>planters. I have seen the sponge shapes that you stamp with at
>Wal-mart, and wondered if they work well.
>And what kind of paint will I have to use so the pots can be used
>outdoors? Can I use acrylic craft paint (I have lots on hand!)? I

[Joansen]

I paint clay pots and they have been used outdoors. (I have a rather large one
that has been outside for a while and it looks great). I did; however, spray
the pot with a couple coats of a gloss acrylic when I was done. This protected
it and made it look shiny and nice (you can use matte finish just to protect).
(I used acrylic paints). If the girls are going to do sponge shapes
considering making your own before buying already cut-out ones. You can get
the flat sponge sheets (at any Craft Store), they are easy to cut with scissors
and then when you get them wet they pop into a sponge. The girls will love
doing that as much as painting the pots. I had done a bunch and still get a
kick out of it.

JO
Consciousness is that annoying time between naps.

[Sharon Kalita]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think the pots will look great, and now I know
how to make them last longer.
Sharon

[Mini Painter]

You need to call Plaid's customer service line and just talk with them about
what you are doing. They have everything you need for painting clay pots
including free project sheets and instructional books with lots of great
ideas with step by step instructions. They can send you the durable colors
paints, sealers, small stencils, stamps, Folk Art or Apple Barrel Gloss
paints, etc. I like using Decorator Blocks with kids and clay pots. They
are easy and you can get beautiful effects with them. They are also
reusable so you can do other projects with them in the future using the same
paints. They can make Mothers' Day cards with them on watercolor paper.
1-800-842-4197 Gayle Gilford
"Lynn" <Ka...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:s7eshr9...@corp.supernews.com...
> Sharon Kalita wrote...

> >
> >I want to have my girl scout troop sponge paint clay pots to make flower
> >planters. I have seen the sponge shapes that you stamp with at
> >Wal-mart, and wondered if they work well.
> >And what kind of paint will I have to use so the pots can be used
> >outdoors? Can I use acrylic craft paint (I have lots on hand!)?
>