In this post I’ll be sharing a quick and simple DIY textured pottery project using paint and baking soda.
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If you’re an avid Pinterest browser, you’ve probably seen a ton of beautiful pottery and clay items in home decor inspo lately. And while this classic material/medium will always have a place in homes, it’s definitely having a major moment right now.
As stunning as they are, they also tend to carry a heavy price tag. While I totally support investing in high quality pieces for your home that you know you’ll love for years to come, I also love a good $$ saving DIY project that let’s you achieve a similar look with items you can either thrift or already have laying around your house.
Now Trending: the baking soda & paint duo.
This super easy DIY will work on almost any material: glass, ceramic, plastic… pretty much anything you like the shape of, try this out and give it a whole new look. You can also use any color (and finish) paint – the baking soda will make it matte and perfect for that clay pottery vibe.
Let’s get into it!
DIY Textured Pottery “paint”
MATERIALS
- classic household baking soda
- paint (I prefer chalk paint because it’s really full coverage and matte, but any kind will work) – for this project I used the Folk Art Chalk Paint in the color Sheepskin
- a vessel to mix paint – I typically use an old tupperware container
- chopstick
- paint brush – I recommend opting for an inexpensive one as this may get ruined. Here is a great bundle for this type of project.
- your object of choice!
HOW TO
Start by adding paint to your plate or mixing bowl. Then add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda at a time. I’d say a good ratio is about 3 parts paint to 1 part baking soda.
But, I don’t usually measure, and instead just slowly add baking soda until the consistency looks and feels thick, like whipped cream.
Use a chopstick to stir the mixture really well. You want to get rid of any baking soda clumps and mix thoroughly.
Once the mixture starts to bubble up slightly, you’re good to go!
Next take your object and start painting!
I recommend using short horizontal strokes and a heavy hand. The more paint you apply the more texture you’ll get.
Add 2-3 coats and wait for the mixture to fully dry between each coat.
For extra texture, add some strokes at the end using a small amount of mixture on the brush. This will give certain areas a more raised look an a bit more uneven – which works perfectly for this project!
And this is how it turns out – completely transformed in my opinion!
The best part about this is that imperfections are almost welcomed. It’s not a stuffy project that requires a ton of precision or attention to detail. If you miss a a few spots or add too much here and there, it kind of adds to the overall “handmade pottery” effect in the end.
The process is SO simple. I mean, you could do this in one afternoon and make one large batch of paint and baking soda mixture to cover several different objects (vases, jars, plates, trays, plant pots, etc.)
Here are some of the other items I’ve made using this method:
This rust colored water jar.
And this metal floor vase!
I also want to try out another version of this method using dirt and sand for an even more dramatic textured, vintage, and distressed effect. Will post an update soon!
Looking for more DIY home decor content? Check out my easy boho wall hanging DIY here!
Xx Laura
PIN THIS FOR LATER!
