How to Make Themed Terracotta Pot Place Markers for Your Garden Tea Party

When holding a garden tea party, it is always nice to have decorations on your table that go with the theme you have planned. No matter what theme you choose, you can personalize terracotta pots and use them as place markers. Making these place markers takes little time and only require a few materials. Your guests are sure to compliment your creative side and appreciate the effort you put into making them feel special.

NOTE: These place markers can be used as small party favors.

Items Needed to Make Terracotta Pot Place Markers

-Small terracotta pots (3-inch diameter) (You will need one pot for each guest.)
-Acrylic paints
-Small letter and flower stencils (optional)
-Assorted paintbrushes
-Styrofoam
-Assorted small dried or silk herbs or flowers or both
-Mod Podge
-Toothpicks
-Spanish moss
-Soil disk or potting soil (optional)
-Live plants (optional) (type depends on your theme)

Creating Your Terracotta Pot Place Markers(For these instructions I will be using the herb lavender as my theme.)

I first make sure my terracotta pots are clean and free of debris. I have decided to paint the pots with a base coat of an off-white color because I will be filling them with dried and fresh lavender sprigs, and I want the pots to accent the color of the herb, not drown it out. I let the pot dry completely (approximately 24 hours), before continuing.

Next, I use a grass green color to paint a small strip of grass all the way around the bottom of the terracotta pot. I use small stripes of a lighter green color in a few areas to create dimension. I paint some stems and leaves with the grass green paint, and add purple flowers resembling lavender to the tops of the stems. I leave an area for each invitee's name. I either use the stencils or paint their name freehanded. If paint does not work for you, try a permanent marker to write their name. With the same color of purple I used for the lavender petals, I paint a purple stripe around the top. After paint has completely dried, I cover the pot with two coats of Mod Podge, allowing the first coat to completely dry before applying the second.

After the sealer on the terracotta pot is completely dry, I fill it with a small piece of Styrofoam. I will arrange my dried herbs and silk flowers in a bouquet that is proportionate to the pot. The stems of the silk flowers are easy to insert in the Styrofoam, however for the dried herbs I use a toothpick to first make a small hole in the Styrofoam and then insert the stems in the holes. I then fill in the area near the pot opening with Spanish moss to cover any exposed Styrofoam or insertion points.

NOTE: If you do not want to use dried or silk flowers/herbs, use live plants that your guests can then take home to plant in their own garden.

My terracotta pot place markers are now ready to put on my table for my lavender tea party.

Sources: Personal Experience, Gifts for Herb Lovers, by Betty Oppenheimer