A textured artisan vase holding decorative grass sits on a black table with a striped runner. A black geometric mirror is visible in the background.
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DIY Artisan Pottery Vase

ByLisa
2 Comments

Happy Fall Y’all! Ok, so the third day of September doesn’t fully count as fall, but we are almost there! One of my favorite things about the changing seasons is the new decor collections. I was recently browsing through the latest collection from Pottery Barn, and totally fell in love with all their handcrafted artisan pottery. It adds such a warm and cozy vibe to a room, perfect for fall. But as we all know, it comes at a price. I don’t know about you, but this frugal DIYer cannot justify 9 for one decorative object. Naturally, I found a way to get the look for less with this DIY Artisan Pottery Vase.   

A textured, gray pottery vase crafted with artisan flair is displayed with dry floral arrangements inside it. The image includes a website link and the title "DIY Artisan Pottery Vase" in various fonts. The vase sits elegantly on a striped table runner.

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DIY Artisan Pottery Vase Supplies

Vase 
Drywall Joint Compound
Spackle Knife
Sanding Block
Craft Paint
White Spray Paint
Chalkboard Spray Paint

As I mentioned, this is a DIY and you will be getting your hands a little dirty. Think Demi Moore in Ghost circa 1990 but without the pottery wheel and Patrick Swazye, haha! For this project I spent $0! That’s right, no money! I shopped my house and encourage you to do the same. I have linked to the items I used and a vase that would be a great shape, but you can definitely improvise. I shopped at one of my favorite stores for this, my basement! For those of you that are new here, I might be a borderline hoarder and obviously had the perfect vase for this.

A vibrant red artisan vase with a textured surface stands against a white background, showcasing the artistry of fine pottery.

I have had this vase for probably 10 years, so I had no problem transforming it. If you don’t already have one, HomeGoods and Ross often have glass vessels for less than $10 or you can try a thrift store or a garage sale.  

Step 1

Spray paint the vase white. This is technically the first thing I did, but I would say it’s optional. Since my vase was red and I was totally experimenting with this, I wasn’t sure if the color would be an issue. I had some extra white spray paint, so I gave it a good coat to hide the red, inside and out. I used a glossy enamel because I already had it, but would have chosen a flat or satin finish otherwise.A can of Rust-Oleum spray paint with a white cap, labeled as "Gloss Protective Enamel," stands proudly like an artisan's tool, offering 25% more for free. Perfect for transforming any pottery piece into a glossy masterpiece. Placed against a plain white background. A tall, white ceramic pottery vase with a textured surface and a slightly flared rim. The glaze is uneven, creating a rustic, artisan look with darker accents near the top. The background is plain white.

Step 2

Coat the vase with drywall compound. We have a giant bucket of this leftover from our living room project so I had more than enough. A 4.5-gallon bucket of USG Sheetrock brand All Purpose joint compound, featuring a white handle reminiscent of artisan pottery craftsmanship. The label is bilingual in English and Spanish, detailing usage instructions. The bucket is elegantly white with green and red accents.

I used a spackle knife to apply it and coated it fairly thick. Don’t forget to coat the top edges of the vase as well. 

A container labeled "1 Quart Mix 'n Measure" holds a white substance, with a white plastic tool protruding. It rests on a dark surface, while a large artisan pot looms in the background, suggesting the beginnings of pottery craftsmanship.

Because I used such a thick coat, it did require overnight drying. You could use less, but you may not have quite the same pottery effect.

A large, textured pottery vase with a rough, white stucco-like finish stands on a dark surface. The background is blurred, drawing attention to the artisan's skill in the unique and uneven surface detailing.

Step 3

Sand the drywall compound down. I applied my compound very thick and was left with an 80s style wall texture, so I sanded mine down to look more like dried clay. Be careful not to sand to much. You don’t want it to be smooth, but rather imperfect and textured like pottery. A tall, white clay vase crafted with an artisan's touch stands on a surface dusted with white powder. In the foreground, a dark rectangular block with similar pottery texture complements it. The background is softly blurred, enhancing the scene's serene elegance.

Step 4

Paint the vase. I used my craft paints for this step, black, white, and brown specifically. I applied it with an artist brush and blended it with a sponge brush. A paint palette with various shades of brown and gray paint sits on a table, echoing the earthy tones of artisan pottery. It is surrounded by paint bottles, a water spray bottle, and brushes in a holder, while the surface is covered with a black protective sheet.

This should be very random and inconsistent. Remember, it should look like handcrafted artisan pottery when you are done.

A textured, artisan pottery vase with a wide opening and a rough, mottled surface in shades of gray and brown. The plain white background highlights the vase's details. A logo reads "Garrison Street Design Studio.

Step 5

Spray paint the vase. This step is also optional. I wasn’t 100% happy with the color variation after the craft paint, so I used some leftover chalkboard spray paint to finish it off. I was after a moody vibe and wanted to darken it up a bit. If you choose to do this step for a similar effect, do NOT coat the vase! I held the can a good distance away and only sprayed in spurts on parts of it, creating the inconsistent variation. Also, don’t forget about the inside of the vase. It doesn’t have to be completely painted, but you don’t want any of the original color to come through causing it to look fake. A textured, gray artisan vase with a flared top and a rough, stone-like appearance stands on a white background. Subtle patterns adorn the surface, highlighting its rustic pottery charm.

Step 6

Fill the vase. I used stalks from our yard. I have no idea what these are called because I am not a plant whisperer, but they grow very tall in the fall season and felt perfect for the artisan vibe I was after. Once they die, like all plants do with me, I will likely switch to faux stems.Tall, leafy pampas grass with feathery plumes sways gently under a clear blue sky on a sunny day. Nearby, an artisan's handcrafted pottery vase complements the lush green foliage, creating a dense and vibrant backdrop.A woman with long hair, wearing a leopard print top, stands beside a large artisan vase filled with silvery foliage on a table. A pair of scissors and cut stems are on the table. Two mirrors and a light fixture are in the background.

Now I have the perfect fall centerpiece for the dining room. It adds a high end yet natural and casual element to the room. The best part is it cost me $0! I’m not sure about you, but I will take $0 over $139 any day! With a little creativity, you can always get the look for less 😉A large artisan gray vase, expertly textured, filled with dried grass, sits on a striped surface. Below, a smaller inset image reveals the vase's past life as a shiny red glass piece. Text reads "Before" and includes a website URL.

The real win was when Barry said he was impressed! Sometimes he is skeptical of my wild ideas so for me, this is a real win! I may or may not be totally addicted to this method now. Look out, no vase is safe in my house, haha!

A black dining table features an artisan metal vase filled with ornamental grasses. The table pairs elegantly with a wooden bench. Two round mirrors with geometric patterns adorn the white wall, reflecting a modern chandelier, echoing the craftsmanship of pottery pieces. Close-up of an artisan ceramic vase holding a tall, dried grass arrangement. The grass has a pale, wispy appearance, adding a natural, rustic touch to the decor. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the texture of the plant and vase. An artisan vase with tall, wispy dried grass is placed on a black table under a modern chandelier. A round mirror and a window with long curtains enhance the contemporary interior decor. An artisan vase filled with dried, feathery branches sits on a striped table runner. The pottery boasts a textured, dark design that contrasts beautifully with the light background and window view behind it.

Can you see Marvin in the background? I had to use this photo because I just love how his little silhouette pokes through. 

A decorative artisan vase rests on a dark table beneath a modern chandelier. The background features a unique, black-framed mirror and a wooden bench partially visible at the bottom.

If you enjoyed my DIY Artisan Pottery Vase,  please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!A tall, artisan-crafted gray vase filled with dried wheat stalks is placed on a striped black and white surface. The background is a soft, neutral wall.

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A textured black pottery vase crafted by an artisan holds a bundle of dried grass, elegantly placed on a table with a striped runner. A window with curtains frames the scene, and a card reads "DIY Artisan Pottery Vase.

This post, DIY Artisan Pottery Vase, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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