These cutout images were then applied with glue to all kinds of flat surfaces—trays, boxes, mirrors, furniture. Today, it is still a popular way to bring new life to old things. Because it is so simple to do and takes very little time, it offers endless decorating possibilities.
Basically you use paper and glue to cover an item. That’s it. Terra cotta pots are good candidates for decoupage and take only a little time to do. When choosing the paper for your decoupage, take into account where it will be displayed and select those with colors that complement your decorative scheme. The method described here uses old postcards to cover the clay pots.
When pots are done, you can use them in any way and anywhere; to hold soap bars in the bathroom, to hold indoor houseplants or kitchen utensils, as pencil holders, as containers for gifts, or whatever else you can think of.
Materials You Will Need
- Terra cotta or plastic flower pot
- Postcards
- Clear matt polyurethane varnish
- White paper glue
- Small paintbrushes
- Leftover paints including gold
How to Do It
- Start by ensuring that the terra cotta pots you will be decoupaging are clean and dry, inside and out.
- Next, paint two or three coats of the clear matt polyurethane varnish on the inside and outside of the pot, letting each coat of varnish dry thoroughly between coats.
- If using postcards, you will need to remove some of the backing. To do this, place the cards face down in a shallow plate of warm water until the card is completely wet; remove from the water and place face down on a flat dry surface. Use your finger to gently roll the backing off the card.
- Put the card between two sheets of paper towels and place a heavy book or other object to keep flat and let dry.
- Apply a thin coat of glue on the area of the pot that you will be covering with your image.
- Take dry card image and using your fingers, gently apply to the glued surface.
- Remove any air bubbles with your finger or a slightly damp sponge.
- When thoroughly dry, use crumpled paper towels, plastic wrap or the sponge to apply paint rather than a brush over the plain part of the pot, overlapping the image.
- Use several coats of glue to cover the previous ones.
- When dry, apply two to three coats of the clear varnish to protect the finished pot. Let dry before using.
