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Turtle Pot Holder

by Jessie Daye

First published: July 28, 2016 | Updated: June 10, 2026

Create adorable turtle-shaped pot holders using terra cotta pots, a saucer, and a styro ball with painted details.

Turtle Pot Holder

Author: Jessie Daye
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Create adorable turtle-shaped pot holders using terra cotta pots, a saucer, and a styro ball with painted details.
Servings 1 turtle pot holder makes

What you need

  • 4 - 3½" terra cotta pots
  • 1 - 10½" terra cotta saucer
  • 1 large wood ball or 3" smooth styro ball
  • Hauser Medium Green/Spring Pasture paints
  • Black/White paints
  • E6000 adhesive
  • 1" flat sponge
  • Scissors
  • Varnish/shellac/etc to protect finish

Directions

  1. Wipe off the terra cotta pots and the saucer with a damp towel and allow to dry.
  2. Paint the outside of the pots, the bottom of the saucer and the entire styro ball with the medium green paint. (The terra cotta soaks up the paint so that may take two heavy coats.) Allow to dry completely.
  3. Stand the pots on end and apply E6000 to the bottoms. Lay the saucer, bottom side up, across the pots. Adjust the pots as necessary to even out the turtle's "legs". Press down lightly on the saucer to spread the glue. Allow to dry completely.
  4. Paint a face on the styro ball using black and white paint. Set aside to dry.
  5. Using scissors, cut the sponge into a rectangle shaped piece and trim the edges to look like a turtle shell. Wet and wring out the sponge. Pour some spring green paint onto a disposable plate. Dip the sponge into the paint and tap off excess. Apply medium green paint with a paintbrush to the edge of the sponge. Using the sponge like a stamp, apply the paint to the saucer. Reapply paint as needed to the sponge until the saucer is covered in a turtle shell pattern. Allow to dry.
  6. Glue the styro ball head to the saucer with E
  7. 6
  8. Prop in place until the glue dries.
  9. Cover the turtle with varnish or shellac if desired to protect the finish.

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Hi, I'm Jessie. 

I’m a Los Angeles mama, home renovator, and lifelong creative, sharing the things that make everyday life a little more beautiful. I believe food is one of the best ways to bring people together, which is why I love cooking: it turns an ordinary Tuesday into something worth remembering. From recipes I make on repeat to DIY projects, home design, and a little bit of real life in between — welcome to my corner of the internet. I’m so glad you’re here.

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