How To Make Flowerpot Men?
Flowerpot men are a fun craft project where faces are created on flowerpots to make whimsical characters. The tradition started in England in the 1800s when gardeners would decorate unused flowerpots and place them in their gardens. Some say the flowerpot men were first created by Phillip Tussie-Mussie in the Victorian era, who made faces on flowerpots to bring cheer to people strolling through gardens. Others attribute the origin to English illustrator Beatrix Potter, who featured charming flowerpot men, like Tom Thumb, in her children’s tales in the early 1900s.
Creating flowerpot men is an enjoyable activity for both kids and adults. It allows creativity and imagination to flow. The simple materials needed make it an accessible craft. Flowerpot men can be designed to match any decor or made into lovable characters. They bring a sense of playfulness and charm to both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Materials Needed
To make your own fun and unique flowerpot men, you will need a few simple materials:
- Flowerpots – Clay or plastic flowerpots work well. Make sure to select pots with holes in the bottom for drainage. You’ll need one pot per flowerpot man.
- Pipe cleaners – These will be used to create the arms, legs and other details. Opt for standard green pipe cleaners.
- Decorative materials – Get creative with buttons, fabric scraps, markers, googly eyes, pom poms, wooden craft sticks and more to decorate your flowerpot men.
Gathering these basic craft supplies will have you ready to make a lively bunch of flowerpot men for your garden or home.
Making the Head
The size of the flowerpot you select will determine the overall proportions of your flowerpot man. A smaller 3-4 inch pot works well for making child-sized figures, while a 6-8 inch pot is better suited for adult sizes. Keep in mind the flowerpot size as you shape the head.
To make the head, ball up foil or newspaper into the size and shape you want. Place it in the flowerpot, leaving the neck exposed. The neck will attach the head to the body. Use pipe cleaners to create the neck, cutting them approximately 3-4 inches long. Twist 2-3 pipe cleaners together and stick them into the foil ball inside the pot. Bend the pipe cleaners so they are upright and can support the weight of the head. These will slide into the body later.
Creating the Face
The face is the focal point of your flowerpot man and helps give it personality. You have a few options when creating the face:
Eyes
For the eyes, you can use small beads, buttons, googly eyes, or even draw them on with permanent markers. Place the eyes towards the top of the head so your flowerpot man can “see” out. Play around with different eye sizes and placement to give your flowerpot man different expressions.
Nose
The nose can be created by sticking a small bead, button, or other object in the center of the face. You can also draw a nose using permanent markers if you want a simpler look.
Mouth
To make a mouth, you can glue tiny strips of paper, felt, or foam in a smile or neutral shape. Get creative by making different mouth shapes to show emotions. You can also draw the mouth with permanent markers.
Feel free to get creative and make unique faces for your flowerpot men using the eyes, nose, and mouth elements!
Adding Hair
Giving your flowerpot man a fun hairstyle is easy with a few simple materials. Yarn and feathers make great hair options that add personality. Here are some ideas for hair:
Yarn
Yarn comes in a huge variety of colors and textures, making it perfect for hair. Cut strands of yarn in different lengths and glue them around the top of the flowerpot head in the hairstyle of your choice. Go for a mop of messy hair, neat pigtails, a mohawk, or anything else you can imagine.
Feathers
Feathers give a whimsical, unique look to your flowerpot man. Use feathers from a craft store, or natural ones you find like bird feathers. Apply hot glue to the ends and arrange them creatively around the head, trimming to different lengths as desired. Get inspired by exotic hairstyles like a feather headdress.
Get creative with materials you have on hand for fun hair for your flowerpot man. Let your imagination run wild! The right hair can really bring your creation to life.
Making the Body
The body forms the main structure of the flowerpot man. To make the body:
Take a small terracotta flowerpot and turn it upside down. This will be the body. Make sure to choose a pot that is proportional to the size of the head you created.
To attach the arms, insert two pipe cleaners into the drainage hole in the bottom of the flowerpot. Bend the pipe cleaners up to form arms. Adjust the length and positioning of the arms as desired.
Next, shape the round flowerpot into more of an oval shape for the body using your hands. Apply firm but gentle pressure to form the basic body shape.
The flowerpot body is now ready to attach to the head and finish constructing your flowerpot man.
Adding Clothes
One of the most fun parts of making flowerpot men is choosing their outfits and dressing them up. You have lots of options when it comes to adding clothes to your flowerpot men. Here are some ideas:
Paint or draw clothing details directly onto the flowerpot. Use acrylic paints and let your imagination run wild designing fun prints, colors, and patterns for shirts, pants, dresses, aprons, etc. This works especially well for simpler outfits.
Glue on clothing made from fabric or paper. Cut or tear fabric and paper into the shapes of shirts, skirts, capes, or any type of clothing you want. Glue the pieces onto your flowerpot man using a strong craft glue. Make sure to let the glue dry completely before displaying your flowerpot man.
Attach clothing using pipe cleaners. Bend pipe cleaners into arms and legs to attach shirts, pants, shoes, hats, and accessories. This allows you to change up the outfits whenever you want.
Use old socks or gloves for shirts and pants. Cut the toes off socks or fingers off gloves and use craft glue to attach them onto your flowerpot man as shirts, pants, or shoes.
When dressing your flowerpot men, let your creativity shine through. Mix and match patterns, layer on fun accessories, or go for full head-to-toe themed outfits. The options are endless for creating fun homemade clothes.
Creating Accessories
Accessories are a fun way to give your flowerpot men extra personality. Here are some ideas for accessories you can make:
Hats
Hats are one of the most popular accessories for flowerpot men. You can make simple hats out of paper, felt, or fabric. Try a wizard hat, top hat, baseball cap, or any other fun hat. Use glue or tape to attach the hat securely to the flowerpot man’s head.
Tools
Make your flowerpot man look like he’s hard at work by adding tool accessories. Miniature tools like small rakes, shovels, or hammers can be purchased or made from wood, clay, or other materials. Glue or tape the tools to the flowerpot man’s hands.
Other Accessories
Get creative with other accessories! You can give your flowerpot man a basket, have him hold flowers or a watering can, or attach a bowtie. Place glasses or goggles over his eyes. Add suspenders, necklaces, or anything else you can dream up. The options are endless for personalizing your flowerpot men.
Displaying Your Flowerpot Men
There are several creative ways to display your flowerpot men. An individual flowerpot man makes a fun decorative accent indoors. Place him on a mantel, bookshelf, table, or windowsill. For outdoor use, set him along a garden path or nestle him into a flowerbed. You can also display a pair or group of flowerpot men together. Create a scene with them “talking” or place them in amusing poses. Groupings work well on porches, patios, garden benches, or among outdoor plantings. Just keep in mind that flowerpot men left outside will be exposed to the elements and may fade over time. When not on display, store flowerpot men in a dry, covered area to help preserve them. Rotate pieces seasonally if needed. However you choose to present them, flowerpot men add a touch of whimsy and handmade charm to your home and garden.
Caring for Your Flowerpot Men
Once you’ve created your delightful flowerpot men, you’ll want to take good care of them so they last a long time. Here are some tips for caring for your flowerpot men creations:
As the weather turns cold, be sure to bring your flowerpot men inside before the first frost. The clay or ceramic of the flowerpots can crack if exposed to freezing temperatures. Find a protected spot indoors where you can display your flowerpot men over the winter months.
Over time, the paint details you added to the flowerpots may start to fade or chip away. Check your flowerpot men periodically and use acrylic craft paints to touch up any details that need freshening up. This will help keep them looking their best.
Avoid leaving flowerpot men outdoors in extreme heat or direct sunlight for extended periods of time, as this can also cause the paint to fade prematurely. Find a shaded spot or bring them in during the hottest parts of summer.
Handle your flowerpot men gently when moving them to avoid chipping or cracking the flowerpots. Check any attached accessories periodically and re-attach or replace anything that has gotten loose or fallen off.
With just a bit of seasonal care and maintenance, your handmade flowerpot men creations can provide years of whimsical charm to your indoor or outdoor spaces!
