Colorful planters for colorful succulents.
My succulent collection rapidly expanded beyond my current containers and I wasn't finding the shapes, sizes, and colors I wanted in my planters. So what's an artist to do... but create my own.
The Base
I used terra-cotta, wood, and ceramic planters (and bowls) as the base for my project.
My Color Palette
I choose Meyspring Mica Pigment Powders as my colors to add to the clear epoxy resin. I love the subtle but gorgeous shimmer they provide and how they're smooth like glass once cured. They didn't have the orange-red shade I wanted, but because their products are the best quality I could find, I decided to create my own colors from theirs.
I purchased several colors from them, but ultimately ended up using three colors for my entire palette. "Wine Red", "Charcoal Black", and "Golden Labradorite".
To create my multiple shades of orange I used a variety of blends. Here are a few of my shades:
2 parts Gold +1 part Red =Vibrant Orange
2 parts Red +1 part Gold =Deep Orange
2 parts Red +1 part Black =Reddish Purple
I also used the Red and Gold by themselves (to add highlights or depth to my palette).
“Deep reds and orange with a touch of gold, gave me the rich color palette I wanted.”
Getting Ready
Safety first. I always wear a respirator while working with epoxy resin. Once I have my station ready - completely leveled and covered with plastic I put on my mask. In my studio, with all the windows and doors open, along with fans and air purifiers running full blast, I open the epoxy and follow the instructions to mix. I stir the amount I'll need for today's project and once it's thoroughly mixed, I pour the clear epoxy into separate cups and add my desired amount of color. Now I'm ready to pour.
Only one side of the planter (either the inside or outside) can be poured in a day. I usually begin with the inside of the planter and follow up with the outside once the resin on the inside has completely cured.
Because planters are a relatively vertical surface to pour epoxy, there will be plenty of dripping - so be sure you have lots of plastic covering your work surface. The vertical pour also means there's not much chance for creating typical epoxy patterns that can be done on a flat surface. The nature of epoxy will continue to slowly slide, stretch, and eventually drip from the planter. This minimizes the patterns and designs that can be created. Strips work very well, although they're not the style I desired.
The Process
I began by coating the planter with a thin layer of a single color (whatever base color I chose for that planter). This can be done with a foam brush, although I found it easiest to just wipe it with my gloved hand. Once the planter is coated, this surface will allow the creative layers to flow and merge more easily.
Then I poured, streaked, and splashed, my desired colors onto the planter. As minutes passed, the epoxy slowly stretched into vertical streaks again - what I didn't want. So I used a heat gun to feather the colors. I began at the bottom edge and blew the colors upward, letting them swirl together. The epoxy still slid with gravity again, but this gave me the more subtle and creative look that I enjoy.
Note: the more tacky (toward the end of the working time) the epoxy is, the more the feathering will stay where you place it, and the less it will turn into stripes again.
The Feet
I love a little lift and light under my planters so I had my husband cut wooden dowels (of specific widths and lengths) that I used as feet. While the planter is upside-down, I pour the outside colors. And at the end (as the epoxy is slightly less fluid) I dipped each dowel foot into the epoxy cup and carefully placed it on the bottom edge of the planter. The resin acts not only as color but as glue to seal the feet to the planter.
Catching Drips
I returned a few times over the first few hours to make sure the feet hadn't drifted, and to wipe away any drips along the bottom edge. Catching drips is critical to having a smooth rim on the finished planter. I simply ran a popsicle stick along the edge to smooth out and wipe off the dripping resin. Once the resin is thick enough not to drip, I let it sit to cure overnight.
The Art of Arrangement
I get so much joy from arranging my succulents. Each plant is like a tiny masterpiece. See how they all come together in the Art of Arranging Succulents.
Get Inspired
Try it yourself - pour your own epoxy colors over planters or purchase pots from the store and arrange your own succulents. Have fun and enjoy all those vibrant colors.