DIY Springtime Decorative Tin Bucket Craft

Springtime is when everything decides it’s time to wake up after a cold winter. Around here the first sign that spring has finally sprung are the little white flowers that start popping up on Bradford pear trees. And since we have TONS of these trees it can be quite a sight. These pretty little flowers stand firm while the rest of the world is still trying to get their act together. The oaks and maples are just now deciding to get in on the action with little green buds visible up close. It won’t be long now.

Another fantastic perk of springtime is the opening of plant nurseries. Now you can buy your flowers at any number of big box stores where the prices are low and there are carts and carts of dead plants mixed in with living and desperately in need of a drink of water flowers or you can go local. My little nursery used to be an even smaller nursery run by an elderly gentleman out of a tent. This sweet man encouraged me to buy my first rose bush, a climbing Jacob’s coat that thrived and flourished and made me realize that I can grow roses. The reason why I went to him and go back is that he really truly cares for the plants and that comes out in the quality you get.

So when I drove by this new building with my old fella’s name on it I was so excited for him and had to stop and check out the goods. He’s come a long way from a tent on the side of the road. I must say that he has done very well for himself. I paid 22 cents more for my gorgeous little pot of petunias than I would have down the street but for that teeny extra bit of cash, I got a healthy and gorgeous little plant.

For this project you will need:

• metal bucket (available in the paint section of hardware stores)
• flowers (I used white petunias)
• potting soil
• acrylic paint in two complementary colors & a soft brush
• cute pinwheel (got mine at Hobby Lobby for 40% off $3.99)
• ribbon & a button
• hot glue gun
• outdoor Mod Podge or a spray sealer

My first instinct for this project was to use an actual basket. But when I saw this little fellow in the paint section at a hardware store I fell in love.

Now would be a good time to drill a few drainage holes in the bottom of the bucket as it will help to prevent root rot from water pooled up inside. If you’re going to keep your plant inside, you’ll need a clear drip tray to keep it from damaging whatever the pot is sitting on. You can find these near the pots in the nursery section. If your plant will be outside and running drainage isn’t an issue you won’t need to purchase one.

I decided to mimic the pattern of a basket on my galvanized metal with a simple pattern of brush strokes like you see above. I didn’t want to ruin my bucket right from the get-go, so I practiced my pattern on paper until I was comfortable with it.

And there she goes! You’ll have to allow your paint to dry as you work around or you risk the chance of accidentally smudging the paint with your hand as you turn it while working. The good news is that acrylic paints dry very quickly!

Next, take the length of your ribbon that will fit around the middle of your bucket. Use hot-glue to attach.

Next, make four loops of ribbon and glue two together to make two X shapes.

Glue your two x shapes together to make a fun little bow. Use a small amount of Mod Podge or sealer to cover the ribbon (to protect it from dirt-laden water dripping if you ever accidentally over-water. After it dried I then used a white button as a pretty focal point in the center. Hot glue the bow onto your ribbon.

After everything is good and dry we’ll be adding your little plant. Be sure to choose a plant that is smaller than your bucket so that it has room to grow. Take the plant out of the plastic pot it comes in and, as my grandmother says, roll the roots. Gently roll the plant in between your hands to break the root system up. This will help the roots to spread and the plant thrives.

As a final bit of embellishment stick your pinwheel into the plant. Depending on the size of the stick the pinwheel is on, you may need to trim it to fit well.

And if you’re wondering what that black thing is behind my gorgeous new little pot of petunias, it’s my cat, Max. A.K.A. my kitty crafting assistant.

All in all, this is a really easy little project. I intend to make several in different sizes for my front porch. It is going to be so cute! These also make wonderful little gifts!

Allison

A crafter since her earliest years, Allison spends a little time every day making something. She crafts, sews, paints, glues things onto other things, and is a firm believer that a life spent creating is a life worth living. Visit Allison’s blog, Dream {a Little} BIGGER.