Faux Concrete Succulent Planter

Today on the Smoothfoam™ blog I am sharing this faux concrete succulent planter featuring a Smoothfoam cube and Makin's Clay®.

Christmas is over and now my mind is officially in THINK SPRING mode!! I am not a winter girl. I despise cold weather, snow, dark days…all of it. Even with the recent warmer-than-normal weather here in North Carolina, I’m already ready for some HOT sunshine and time on our porch and in my gardens. I decided to make myself a little faux concrete planter with a succulent in it to get me through until I can get into my real garden. Once spring finally arrives, it will move to my porch for display.

Materials:

4″ Smoothfoam cubeMakin’s Clay – White
Makin’s Ultimate Clay Machine, Cutting Mat and Clay Tools
Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint – Relic
Beacon™ Tacky Glue
Pepper, spanish moss, jute twine
Craft knife, scissors
Faux succulent

Instructions:

Carefully use a craft knife to hollow out one side of the Smoothfoam cube, leaving about 1/2” on all sides.

Thanks to Lisa Haney for planting the original seeds for this clay technique. She created faux stone with Makin’s Clay and pepper, and I took it a step further to create faux concrete!

Mix 120g of White Makin’s Clay with Relic Chalky Finish Paint until thoroughly mixed. The chalky finish paint has a drier overall feel and texture, so when mixed with the clay, the result really does feel a bit like concrete or terra cotta.

Add about 1 tbsp. of pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Roll in Ultimate Clay Machine, starting at setting #1 and stopping at setting #3 (or hand roll to about 1/8″ thick).

Use the Smoothfoam cube as a template and cut out squares of clay to cover cube.

Working on one side at a time, apply tacky glue over the entire surface of each side and place a clay square on top. Press gently to adhere. Move to next side, using fingers to join the sides at each corner, allowing the seams to be imperfect for a more “true concrete” effect.

For the top, hollowed-out area, apply tacky glue around edges, then place clay square over, and use your fingers to gently press down in center and adhere the clay around the edge, with remaining clay down in hollowed out area. It does not matter if the clay doesn’t completely covered the hollowed-out area, as it will be covered by spanish moss and the succulent.

While the clay is still fresh, sprinkle pepper across each side and press in with your fingers to add texture. Gently brush away excess and repeat on all sides. Let dry for 24 hours.

Tie jute twine around the cube.  Add the spanish moss and faux succulent.  Place on your desk or windowsill and begin daydreaming about truly warmer days to come!