Put aside a Styrofoam cup & look at this DIY for the garden

Elevate a boring pot to a structural stunner with just a Styrofoam cup, faux flowers and some plaster of Paris. A bit of glaze on the flowers adds a subtle touch of color. The result is a planter that’s as lovely as the blooms it holds and perfectly accents any room or garden you place it in.

If you’re new to working with plaster of Paris, there are a few tricks to know. The first is that the ideal ratio is always 1 part water to 2 parts plaster. You should also mix the plaster and water slowly to reach a smooth consistency and to avoid creating any air bubbles. To dispose of any leftover mixture, allow the plaster to harden in the mixing bowl, then break it apart and throw it away.

Materials
- Faux flowers, such as hydrangeas
- Wire cutters
- Styrofoam cup
- Straw
- X-Acto knife
- High-temperature glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
- Plaster of Paris, 4 cups
- Water, 2 cups
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Disposable gloves
- Craft stick
- Drop cloth or paper
- Glaze, blue
- Paintbrush
- Gloss glaze

Instructions
1. Cut the faux flowers off the stems, and set aside.

2. Turn a Styrofoam cup upside down. Press one end of a straw into the center of the cup. Use an X-Acto knife to cut out the imprint made with the straw. This will form the drain hole for the bottom of your pot. Slide the straw into the hole.

3. Turn the cup right-side up. Glue the flowers from step 1 around the rim, then glue more flowers in the arrangement of your choice down the side of the cup. This project staggers the flowers, so there are fewer the farther down you go.

4. Measure 4 cups of plaster into a large mixing bowl. Pour 2 cups of water over the plaster. Mix slowly with a craft stick until you reach a smooth consistency. Be sure to wear gloves and to use a drop cloth or paper to protect your skin and your work surface.

5. Using the straw as a handle, dip the cup on its side into the plaster. Turn the cup until you’ve covered all the surfaces. Set the pot right-side up on the drop cloth or paper, and allow it to dry.

6. Once it's dry, paint the flowers on the pot with blue glaze or the color of your choice. Allow the glaze to dry.

7. Go back over the areas you painted blue with a gloss glaze. This will make the color more vibrant and slightly shiny. Allow the glaze to dry.

8. Your new planter is complete. Fill with potting soil and a plant, then display and enjoy!