Friday 15 November 2013

Plastic Tubs to Pretty PlantersTutorial

Plastic tub to Pretty Planter

I seem to collect these like they are going out of fashion!
I use them for storing all sorts of things, but there is a limit to how many plastic tubs with lids I actually need. 

I needed to find a new use for them! We have a couple of fairly narrow windowsill at work which could use a plant or two on them, so I had a go at making planters.

First I washed them and attempted to remove the labels. One came off easy (as you can see) the other was stuck with goodness only knows and wasn't shifting no matter what I tried.*

I measured my plant pots (the ones that are going inside these, I'm not planting directly into them, they would get waterlogged) They were 8cm high so I measured 8.5cm up from the base of the tub and marked with a sharpie.

Then I joined the marks with a line and cut along it with scissors.

Next I lightly sanded the tubs. You only need to do this to smooth the top, I sanded the whole thing as I thought spray paint wouldn't stick but I think it would have been fine and my sanding just left annoying little scratches **

Then I spray painted them gold. They had 2 coats of Rust-oleum Metallic gold Elegant Finish (mainly because that's what I had - it is pretty good stuff though)
This is the high tech equipment I use for spray painting smallish things:
I just put them in the box! If it's not actually raining I take it out into the garden, I did one of these coats indoors and my youngest thought there was a gas leak :-/

From this point I did 2 different planters, so Planter 1:

I glued 6mm sisal rope round the top in two rows using B & Q Solvent free All purpose glue. It's always hard to know what glue to use for a project, especially one with plastic. What sold me on this one was that it said on the packet "Wipe any spills immediately, once set this glue can only be removed with force" It was pretty slow to set which made it a bit messy but gave me plenty of time for adjusting the rope. 
I held them in place with clothes pegs till the glue dried (I gave it 24 hours) This was in fact the main reason why there are two rounds of rope - that's how far the clothes pegs would reach!

**You can see the scratches on this picture where I sanded it. I'm trying to convince myself that they add texture!

Plastic tub to Pretty Planter
It cost 78p per metre for the rope, everything else I already had - bargain!
I've just noticed that it looks a little bit wonky in this picture :-( 
Must be the photo because in real life it's straight!

Planter 2:

You nearly didn't get to see this one. Half way through I thought it wasn't working at all but I gave it a second chance and in the end it came out ok. Not as elegant as the other one but not awful either.

(what can go wrong) I spread glue all over the tub then took a strip of left over voile and kind of crunched/pleated it to the tub. It was quite messy, glue went all over my fingers, and nothing seemed to be sticking. I used clothes pegs again to hold everything in place at the top and an elastic band to hold the pleats lower down. 







Once the glue dried I trimmed the top level with the tub and folded the fabric round the bottom under added a load more glue and secured it with a piece of card. I recommend cutting your card first, drawing round your tub before you start any decorating. I didn't and had to wing it with the shape, which is why it's a bit wonky. 



I left this to dry overnight by placing it the right way up on some scrap card with some heavy bottles in it to press the base/fabric/card layers.

A little bit of cord tied round finished it off nicely.


Plastic tub to Pretty Planter

On reflection a silver paint under this fabric would have been better, next time maybe!



* to remove the labels I tried my normally trusty bottle of  "sticky stuff remover", peanut butter and soaking in hot soapy water. Anyone got any more ideas?

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Hello, I'm Julie. I love making things and this is where I share my enthusiasm.

20 comments:

  1. I love this idea, and think it could also be very pretty decorative containers to present Christmas gifts in such as bags of cookies, etc. Decorating options could be endless! I think your second tub turned out great too - love it! Thanks so much for sharing. (Visiting from Thrifty Thursday hop)

    ~Taylor-Made Ranch~
    Wolfe City, Texas

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    1. Oooo, Christmas present containers - why didn't I think of that! I have another one that's nearly empty, a bit of Christmassy scrapbook paper......
      Thanks for the great idea.

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  2. Absolutely brilliant idea - I have a load of these in big IKEA wire-type drawers in my studio. They are perfect for stuffing with all sorts of odds and ends but you are right, there comes a point when you can't find any more room for them! I love the idea of making something good from something that might just get thrown away. Welcome to Handmade Monday x

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    1. Thanks for the welcome and the lovely comment.
      There is something really satisfying in saving something from the bin isn't there. These tubs are great for pens, acrylic paint tubes, seed packets and reviving pot pourri (pop it in there with a few drops of essential oil) We even use them at work to collect used ink cartridges before recycling.

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  3. I, too, have a collection of these pots. They're too good to throw away. These planters are a clever idea to us a couple of them up. Thanks for this☆

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    1. They are too god to throw away arn't they. They are pretty sturdy, even if you shop the top off. I just hate waste.

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    2. Seriously what is the matter with me. When I'm writing a post I proof read, proof read, proof read. Apparently when writing a comment I can't spell at all!
      Obviously these tubs are not too "god" but in fact to "good", and you would never "shop" the top off but rather "chop" the top off. Oh dear :-\

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  4. I love these! I actually love the second one, I'm glad you showed it. I have a round container that I may just do that with.

    Also, nail polish remover works well for me when I have a stubborn label.

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    1. I'll try the nail varnish tip next time, Seriously though, these manufacturers - don't they know we want to reuse and recycle!
      I'm glad you like the fabric covered tub, I got in such a gluey mess! Sometimes I think when you are working on something it's hard to step back and see how it really looks.

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  5. They are both great. Like everyone else I've also got loads of these. I keep, pens, and craft oddments in them, they are way to good to waste, but I never thought of using as planters, thanks for the tip.

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    1. Thanks Andrea, if I have any more bright ideas I'll post them, plastic containers of all types do seem to breed in the cupboard don't they!

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  6. They are really lovely. I can recommend WD40 for removing sticky labels.

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    1. Right, WD40 is on my sticky stuff removing list. I always say you can fix most things with WD40 or Duct tape!

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  7. I never would have thought to use little plastic tubs like this! I love it! What a great way to make a small planter. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome and frugal idea at Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop! I hope to see you back on Sunday night!

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    1. Thanks, sometimes you want something fairly narrow for a window sill and these work great. I love linking up at all my regular parties, I've been made to feel so welcome by you all.

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  8. What a refashion! I love that you saw such potential in that tub, I don't believe I ever would have!

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  9. I love this idea, looking to make some homemade planters for some indoor plants I recently bought. Thanks for sharing on Tuesdays With a Twist.

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    1. It was really easy and I was surprised how well the paint covered the plastic with no problem.

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  10. This is genius, Julia!! Pinned for when I find a plastic container.
    Hugs,

    Pili

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