Woodland Spring

  As I take a day to catch up with myself, I thought I'd share an idea from a magazine feature I did last year for Family Circle. I'm always drawn to woodland elements in decor, but especially in the spring, when shades of green begin to mingle with the residual gray of winter. Birch bark, often associated with winter decor, feels exactly right to me during this time, mixed with mossy greens and delicate spring flowers. 

An easy way to bring this outdoor element indoors is to cover plain terra cotta pots with pieces of birch bark. It doesn't require any particular skill beyond breaking up the bark with your hands and using a hot glue gun. (Don't be tempted to use other adhesives - the heat from the glue gun helps you mold the bark around the curves of the pot.)  You can make a batch of these in an afternoon. Here's how:  

BIRCH COVERED POTS:

Materials:  

Terra cotta pots in various sizes 
Sheets of birch bark 
Floral scissors 
Hot glue gun

Directions:  

1. Break the birch bark into manageable sized pieces (4 or 5 inches long), with jagged edges.  (Breaking it by hand, instead of with scissors, will give it jagged edges.)  

2. Glue the pieces onto a terra cotta pot, slightly overlapping the edges of the bark (minimizing harsh edges).   

3. Using floral scissors, cut strips of bark and glue around the top edge of the pot.

Tip:  Birch bark is very malleable, but some pieces are thicker than others.  If you find that your strip of birch bark is too thick, carefully peel off a layer or two from the back side. 

Good Earth Tip:  Only use birch bark that’s taken from fallen trees.

Not feeling crafty, but loving the color palette?  Mix greenery with galvanized planters to get the same effect.

  Photographs by David Prince

 

Comments

[Suzonne]

Joan, it's been so long I can't remember. But I would just google "birch bark sheets." I'm guessing you can find them on Etsy or on sites like Save On Crafts.

[joan paliotta]

Yes, could you tell me where to get the sheets of birch bark

[Arlin]

Where do I get the sheets of birch bark?

[Suzonne]

Hi Charlie,

Thanks so much!!

[Charlie]

I'm a couple of years late here, but these planters are amazing! I just included them in a round-up of terra cotta planter pot makeovers over at Match Made on Hudson :)

Charlie @ Match Made On Hudson