The first step in creating my advent candles is to add a faux finish to new terra cotta pots reminiscent of the charming patina found on old clay pots.
The supplies I used to add the faux finish are as follows: Krylon stone textured spray paint, Patina paint in black green, Glaze paint in dark brown, sandpaper and a boar bristle paint brush. (Dark green & brown acrylic paints would work as well.)
To apply the faux finish, follow these steps:
Step 1: Lightly sand the new terra cotta pots and then apply a coat of the Krylon stone textured spray paint completely covering the pot. Dry according to directions.
Step 2: Once dry, use coarse sandpaper (60-80 grit) to remove the textured paint until you have achieved the look of mineral deposits similar to those found on old pots.
Step 3: Squeeze small amounts of the dark green & dark brown paints onto a work surface. Tap the ends of the paint brush into the two colors (similar to stenciling) and then prime the brush by dabbing it a few times on your work surface before applying it to your pot. With a light touch begin applying the paint to various places on the pot to replicate the look of aged moss. Reapply paint to the ends of the brush as needed.
Step 4: Once the paint has dried, apply the number to each pot by using a stencil or handpainting. I created my own stencil and used the font "Bickham Script Pro". It's a free font and can be downloaded by searching on the web. (I used a small foam sponge to apply the black paint to the stencil.)
The last steps are to add your candles and moss. I used 2.5" tall by 2" wide candles, purchased at IKEA. The bottom of the pots have a hole, so I secured a piece of packing tape over the hole and then added rice to the pot until I achieved the desired height of where I wanted the candle to be. Using a sheet of fresh moss (purchased from Michaels), I tore small pieces and tucked them in around the candles. As with all candles, use caution and do not leave them unattended when lit, especially when fresh greens are present.
During Advent, I plan to place the pots on one of my wire racks and tuck in fresh cuttings of boxwood, as I've pictured above.
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