Have the itch to get crafty after all those creative DIY planters we posted? This ought to solve that! We have an easy DIY for you today to make planters using cacti and one of our favorite materials: gold paint.
We go crazy for gold paint on almost anything; you have probably seen us use it on past projects like these adorable gold animals and these gold tipped ballet flats. So get out your trusty gold paint and let's get going on these awesome cactus planters.
Materials:
– Gold Leaf Paint (available at most craft supply stores such as Michael's)
– bag of white gardening pebbles
Tools:
– pencil
– ruler
You can use any cactus or succulent your local gardening store has in stock, but you can see we choose to use some fun neon ones as well as some crazy balloon shaped ones.
To create the stripes (we're digging nautical stripes for hot spring and summer fashion), simply wrap painters tape around the vase and use a sponge brush to paint the gold on the white areas.
To create the diagonal stripes, apply the painters tape in a diagonal and then paint in between just the middle white space created on each side. Feel free to create your own patterns using the tape.
To create the perfect polka dot pattern, use a ruler to mark off every inch on each side of the vase so you have even horizontal rows. Then along the first of those rows, mark a little star at the odd numbered inches (1 inche, 3 inches, & 5 inches).
On the next row, mark a little star at the even numbered inches (2 inches and 4 inches). If your vase is bigger, you could continue these markings based on those patterns.
Then load your circle sponge brush with gold paint and stamp it at each star. After they dry, erase any pencil marks still showing. Pro tip: press, hold, and slightly twist the brush in place to guarantee perfect paint coverage for each circle.
Don't they look awesome all on their own? You could fill yours with anything – fresh cut flowers, pencils, serving utensils, candy – the options on endless.
To plant yours with succulents like we did, put a scoop of pebbles at the bottom of each (to drain the water from the soil), then a scoop of cactus soil.
Next up, carefully empty your cacti from their containers. Don't prick yourself! Gently break apart the soil and roots a bit to help it grow into it's new home.
To finish your planters, pour cactus soil around any empty space and place white gardening pebbles on top.
All done! Just make sure they get a few hours of sunlight and water them about once a week. These are cacti – so don't overwater :)
These look great anywhere, but one of my fave things about this gold paint it reflects light. It will bounce back the light of any nearby tea lights or candles beautifully creating instant party ambiance. We wouldn't be able to show you this party ambience (or any of these other images for that matter) without a great photographer – so many thanks and big hugs to Chelsea Mitchell for capturing these lovely images to show you!
If you think making these are a breeze, don't forget to try making the Marbleized Planters and the Floppy Disk Planters.
What other patterns did you come up for painting your planters? Did you put anything else in them besides succulents? Talk to us in the comments below.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.