Basic terra-cotta pots go bold with a simple coating of milk paint, an organic material that gives surfaces a distinctive color-washed finish.

Tools and Materials

• Sieve
• Milk paint powder
• Water
• Craft stick
• Foam paintbrush
• Terra-cotta pot
• Cotton rope
• Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
• Sanding pad
• Clear matte finishing spray (optional)

Milk Paint Terra-Cotta Pot How-To
1. With a sieve, sift 1/2 cup of milk paint powder into 1/2 cup of water while stirring with a craft stick until all powder is incorporated.

2. Using a foam brush, apply milk paint to terra-cotta pot using vertical strokes. Let dry completely.

3. Braid cotton rope as desired and with hot glue, attach to pot just below rim.

4. Once hot glue has cooled, apply a second coat of milk paint to pot, being sure to completely saturate braided rope with paint.

5. Once paint is dry, use a fine-grit sanding pad to sand pot until smooth.

6. To weatherproof for outdoor use, seal pot with clear matte finishing spray.

7. Plant pot as desired.

Resources
Milk paint available from milkpaint.com. All other tools and materials available at your local craft supplies or hardware store.