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Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

Melissa Smith |

Hey there, creative souls and crafting enthusiasts! Are you ready to embark on a journey that combines the earthy charm of terra cotta planters with the ethereal beauty of resin tumblers, all while adding a touch of greenery with a succulent tumbler topper?

Today, Kaelee Ruppel of Mountain Laurel Designs is diving into the art of making a Terra Cotta Planter Resin Tumbler using Pop of Color Paints and Culture Sculpt

—a craft that promises to bring a botanical oasis to your everyday sips.

Let's blend nature with creativity and infuse your tumbler game with a breath of fresh air!

Succulent Planter Tumbler topper Tutorial

Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

Get ready to sip your favorite beverage from this botanical-inspired masterpiece, letting the earthy colors, textured details, and succulent accent transport you to a tranquil garden retreat.

Embrace the beauty of handmade craftsmanship and the joy of crafting creations that reflect your love for plants and creativity!

Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

Tumbler Topper Tip

In the video below, Kaelee shows us how to make her adorable succulent tumbler topper. She also shares a fabulous hack to make our tumbler topper assembly a breeze!

Kaelee uses a car coaster as the base for building her succulent topper. There are so many reasons that this is a brilliant move!

Not only do car coasters make a super durable base. They also fit perfectly into your tumbler lids without messing with your straw hole or hardware.

Succulent Planter Tumbler topper Tutorial

And, by using magnets, you'll be able to easily remove your topper. Which makes cleaning your lid a snap! 

Car coasters are also a great way to use up left over resin from other projects. Keep your molds close by and when you have a little extra, pour your car coasters. You'll be able to reduce waste and have bases ready to go whenever you need them!

Sculpting your Planter Tumbler

Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

As with any crafty project, there is more than one way to go about transforming your tumbler into a planter. 

You can absolutely measure your tumbler and Culture Sculpt strips perfectly to get a beautifully even and uniform look. Or you can go the more free form route and eyeball your sculpting.

Kaelee likes a to create her planter tumblers in a free form way. She likes the organic look this gives her tumblers. They resemble a carefully handcrafted pot with all its subtle inconsistencies. Versus the uniform look of a mass produced pot.

Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial Supply List

Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

Step By Step Instructions

  • Start by lightly sanding your cup with sandpaper to scuff it up a bit. Then wash and dry it to remove any debris.

  • Now give your tumbler a base coat of White Pop of Color Paint. Let the paint dry before moving on. Our paints dry very quickly but you can use a heat gun to speed the process even more. 
  • Use your gloved fingers to scoop out equal amounts of Part A and Part B of the Culture Sculpt, just eyeball it. Then smoosh and knead it with your fingers until it is completely combined. You will know it is ready when it is all one color.
  • Roll the combined Culture Sculpt into a rope. Then press it around your tumbler, a little bit down from the rim.
  • Now press and shape the Culture Sculpt to form the lip of your planter. It will take a few minutes to get it just right but this is the fun part!
  • Next we smooth it out. Lightly did your finger into a bit of water. Then use it to smooth out any marks or indents. Don't obsess about your edges too much. Things will round themselves out more when you add epoxy.
  • Let your tumbler dry and cure overnight before moving on. You can work on your succulent tumbler topper while you wait!
  • Next add your planter color paint. We love Farmer's Market or Terra Cotta for this step. You may need a second coat of color on your tumbler. 
  • Once your paint is dry, carefully add your decal. 
  • Then mix up a batch of Fast Set according to the package instructions and use a gloved finger to apply a thin layer to your tumbler. You can add some fine glitter to your resin for some extra shimmer. Then let it cure.
  • For your final step, mix a batch of Artist Resin and apply it just like you did the Fast Set. Allow your tumbler to fully cure then add your succulent topper and enjoy!
Succulent Planter Tumbler topper Tutorial

Making your Succulent Tumbler Topper

  • Start by removing the hardware from your tumbler topper. 
  • Then us UV resin to attach the magnets to the bottom of your car coaster. Flip your UV lamp upside down, turn it on, and set the car coaster on top of it to cure. 
  • Add your second set of magnets to the already attached ones. Then add a dab of UV resin to them. Place your tumbler topper right onto them and cure them the same way you did the last ones. 
  • Next flip the lamp over and cure the other side of your magnets by placing them under the lamp. Make sure both sides of both pieces are fully cured before using.
  • Reattach your topper hardware. Then grab your car coaster to start layering your succulents. 
  • Start with your largest flower first and use the UV resin to secure it in place. Then add in your other pieces one bit at a time, curing in between. 
Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

The Finishing Touches

A big thanks to Kaelee for sharing her experience and know-how with us! She makes creating these succulent plater tumblers a breeze. If you loved learning from Kaelee, you can see what else she has going on by checking out her Facebook Page and her website!  

Crafting a Terra Cotta Planter Resin Tumbler with Pop of Color Paints, Culture Sculpt, and a succulent topper is more than just a DIY project—it's a celebration of the natural world, a fusion of art and functionality, and a testament to your crafting ingenuity.

So, crafty makers, infuse your tumbler game with botanical bliss, let nature inspire your creativity, and sip in style with a crafted creation that blooms with beauty and elegance. Cheers to crafting magic and the art of bringing a touch of the outdoors into your everyday moments!

Succulent Planter Tumbler Tutorial

Pop of Color Shock Paints are sold exclusively at Counter Culture DIY. So now you have even more reasons to stop by!

You can find more awesome video tutorials like this one on our YouTube channel!

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If you want more inspiration and information we have a Facebook group for that. Join us in Counter Culture DIY Artist Support where we, and other artists, offer ideas, answer questions, and support each other!

Do you have an art project using any of our products that you want to share? Send it to us at support@counterculturediy.com, and we can feature them here!