How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot

This beautiful gilded urn flower pot will bring a splash of gold to any garden. It begins as a plastic planter and is then gilded with metal leaf and given an antique look with a simple paint technique. The gilded urn flower pot would make a great gift for any gardener or a great addition to your own garden.

How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot - Materials Needed

The first thing you'll need to make a gilded urn flower pot is a plastic plant urn. These can be located at home improvement stores or garden shops. They usually come in a terra-cotta color. Make sure you purchase the plastic urn and not the clay version.

Other materials you need to make a gilded flower pot urn are sandpaper, red oxide spray primer, water-based size (glue), paintbrushes, gold Dutch metal leaf, a soft cotton cloth, steel wool, turpentine, amber shellac varnish, light blue and grey acrylic paints and a paint mixing tray.

Most of the materials needed to make a gilded flower pot urn can be found at local craft and hobby stores. Some may need to be picked up at a paint store or home improvement store. If you are unable to find any of the materials, they can always be ordered online.

How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot - Step #1

The first step you'll take to make a gilded urn flower pot is to sand the surface of the urn with the sandpaper. This will make it easier for the paint to adhere to the surface of the urn.

After you've sanded the entire surface of the urn, spray it with the red oxide spray primer. Leave the urn to dry for at least thirty minutes or longer if needed.

How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot - Step #2

The second step you'll take to make a gilded urn flower pot is to paint the surface with the water-based size. Water-based size is a type of glue used for gilding, as we're doing with the gilded urn flower pot.

Paint a thin, even coat of the water-based size onto the entire surface of the urn. Leave it to dry for about thirty minutes or until it becomes clear and tacky.

How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot - Step #3

The next step to make a gilded urn flower pot is to apply the gold leaf. Carefully lay the gold Dutch metal leaf on to the surface of the urn. Make sure you cover the whole area. Then, burnish with a soft cloth to bring up the luster.

How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot - Step #4

The next step to make a gilded urn flower pot is to dip the steel wool into the turpentine. Rub the raised areas of the urn lightly. This will effectively distress the surface. You may wish to wear gloves while performing this step to protect your hands from the turpentine.

How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot - Step #5

Next, seal the gilded urn flower pot with shellac. Apply a thin, even coat of amber shellac varnish over the surface of the urn with a paintbrush. Leave the gilded urn flower pot to dry for about forty five minutes to one hour.

How to Make a Gilded Urn Flower Pot - Step #6

The final step to make a gilded urn flower pot is to give the antique finish. Mix the blue and grey acrylic paints together with a little water on the paint mixing tray. Paint the gilded urn flower pot with the mixture and leave it for five minutes.

Now, rub off most of the paint with a soft cloth, leaving just a little in the areas of detail. If the paint has dried too much, you can dampen the cloth with a little water to help with removal. Leave the entire gilded urn flower pot to dry completely.

Now you've made a beautiful gilded urn flower pot of your own. This makes a fabulous planter for flowers. Plant some and give it as a gift or add it to your own garden!