Sculpey III® Coffee Can Planter

Getting Started:

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Oven-Safe Work Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking (also called Curing):

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake/cure clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking/curing; however please note that the baking/curing times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

Before preparing any clays for this project, let’s first prepare the empty coffee can. The can I’m using is a cardboard cylinder with a metal rim at the top and bottom. I have recycled the plastic lid because I won’t need it for the finished project. Remove the paper label if there is one. Paint the outside of the can using two coats of acrylic paint in a coordinating color to the clay colors in this project. Allow the paint to dry completely while conditioning the clays.

Roll out 1/4 bar Black Glitter clay to a very thin sheet, less than 1/8” thick, with the Acrylic Clay Roller. Make sure the clay is long enough to stretch from top to bottom of the coffee can.

I’m using a ruler that is about 1-1/2” wide to give me two parallel lines that I can follow for the band down the front of the can.

Cut out along both sides of the ruler to create a band of Black Glitter.

Position the band of Black Glitter down the center of the can pressing it neatly to the paint. The dry paint will act as a nice adhesive for the clay. Make sure the clay follows the curve of the can.

Trim the excess clay along the metal rims of the can.

For the moon phases decorations we will use about 1/8 bar of each Pink Glitter, White, and Teal Pearl, and only a very small amount of Black Glitter.

Bundle the colors up together as shown.

Partially marble the colors together by kneading and twisting.

Roll the color to a sheet about 1/8” thick with the Clay Roller. Cut out three of the largest circles.

Leave one of the circles whole. Cut one of the circles in half. Cut the third circle in half and then use the same large cutter to cut away the straight edge making the shapes into crescents.

Press the moon phases onto the Black Glitter band on the can and make sure they stick well following the curve of the can.

Bake the can with the clay on it following the baking instructions for Sculpey III®. Allow to cool completely before handling. Since the can is cardboard, it will probably be best to use a small plastic planter with drainage holes that can sit inside the can and be removed for watering and drainage.