Miniature Planters with Proxxon Tools

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today and I found a couple small boxes in my stash and thought they'd make perfect little planters for my patio.

I began by sanding each box with the Delta Sander.  Next, I used  FolkArt Brushed Metal paint, painting one with Brushed Copper and the other with Brushed Antique Gold.  I painted 3 coats on each, sanding between each layer.

Using a FolkArt stencil, I selected one of the designs and painted it with FolkArt Color Shift paint in Green Flash.

 

To create drainage, I used the Precision Rotary Tool to drill holes in the bottom of each planter.  This is such a handy tool to have.

Next, I used a larger drill bit to drill holes in the sides of each planter.  This way I can hang the planters if I decide to.

I'm thinking these planters can double as bird feeders during the winter.

 

The planters look so pretty filled with flowers and sitting on my patio. 

 

 

I can't wait for the flowers to fully bloom.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Using the Thermocut to Make a Self-watering Planter from a Water Bottle

With Easter and Mother's Day right around the corner, this self-watering planter makes a great gift. And, since it recycles a plastic water bottle, it helps keep trash out of landfills—a gift to our environment.

Supplies and Equipemnt for the Self-watering Planter

• Plastic water bottle with a tapered neck
• 10" length of cotton kitchen twine
• FolkArt Painted Finishes by Plaid Enterprises
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Proxxon Thermocut
• Ribbons and tulle for the bow. (See the full tutorial on making the bow on the Bowdabra blog.)

Instructions for Making the Planter

1. Cut the neck from the water bottle.

1. Cut the cap from the water bottle.

1. Paint both sections with your choice of FolkArt Painted Finishes. It comes in rust, moss, concrete, and barnwood. I selected the Concrete Painted Finishes.
   
2. When the paint is dry, use low temp hot glue to attach the kitchen twine to the inside of the neck section. This will serve as a wick to draw water from the lower reservoir section to the plant in the upper section.
   
3. Add a bow to the bottom (water reservoir) section of the planter. (See the full tutorial on making the bow on the Bowdabra blog.)
   
4. Plant herbs or flowers in the top (neck) section of the bottle. 
5. Fill the bottom with water and place the top section into the bottom.