Would you like to learn how to create these lovely terracotta pots?  It's an easy transfer method using Autentico Versante (outdoor paint - so the pots can be used outdoor), Autentico Art Medium and graphics you can buy cheaply on Etsy - or make your own.

You can purchase graphics in Etsy very cheaply, just search "transfer graphics" on Etsy, they cost as little as 87 pence and will be emailed to you both as a regular pdf and reverse pdf.  You would like to use the reverse pdf (ie a mirror image).  You can also print out your own text or image, please remember to "flip" them before printing so it is a mirror image.  You can do any colour.  I have found that laser jet print works best.  

Gather together your materials - Terracota pot, Autentico Paint Versante (outdoor), Autentico Art Medium and your graphics.  Note the words are a mirror image.  Paint the terracotta pot and dry it (you can use a hairdryer to speed up)  I used colour Milk but you can use any colour.

Cut out your graphic, note the darts cut in, this helps keep the graphic flat on the rounded surface of the pot.  Paint on the Autentico Art Medium to the graphic, only on the printed area. Place onto the pot, start at the middle and work your way out to flatten and smooth out any air bubbles.

I use a heat tool to speed up the process, but you can simply wait over night after you have adhered the graphic to the pot.  If using the heat tool, rub all over for at least 3 to 4 minutes.  This speeds up the process by drying the Art Medium and melting the ink onto the surface.  

The next day (if not using the heat tool) or after you've done at least 3 - 4 minutes with the heat tool per graphic, thoroughly wet the paper with water and CAREFULLY rub off the paper.  You need to keep the paper wet, you can use your fingers, a sponge, paper towel.  Some people use all heir fingers, some their thumbs, I use my index fingers.  Rub off the paper, leaving the image behind.  Enjoy.  You can use any colour paint, any colour graphic or photo.  You can do this on a large scale for a table top, front of a side board - endless possibilities.

I've been painting graphics onto vintage windows for some years now and have always wanted to try out etching - so what it looks like, how does it compare to painting on vintage windows.  So I gathered a vintage window (I'd already painted it in Autentico Chalk Paint) and one of my favourite Maison de Stencil stencils, together with some Martha Stewart glass etching cream and my favourite Autentico Chalk Paint White - Ice Cream.

The Martha Stewart etchign cream indicated that it can be mixed with paint (check) and that you should use a stencil brush.  Generally, I don't use stencil brushes as I don't like the finish, rather using a sponge pouncer or a fine paint brush.  But this time, I thought what the heck Mixed up the etching cream and the paint in the rough quantities as per the label (75% etching cream, 25% paint) and painted away.

Very much a highly textured look, removed the stencil once graphic is painted on and ....

What do you think?  Took no more time than using acrylic paint.  One would think that any colour paint could be used too.  Let us know if you would like to make one yourself as we have a huge selection of vintage windows - or let us know if we can do one for you.