One of the many things I love about South Africa is our rich and diverse cultural heritage. From our fierce Zulu warriors to the clicking Khoi San, the oldest race in the world, we truly are a rainbow nation. While people often associate South Africa with breathtaking landscapes and an abundance of wildlife (no I‘ve never seen a lion walking down the road, although there was that one time….. oh wait, I digress 😉 ) We’re also home to some truly extraordinary people. People like Esther Mahlangu who’s Ndebele art has embellished the tail of a Jumbo Jet, Christian Louboutin heels, and Kim Kardashian’s curves. Quite a diverse portfolio IMHO 😀 And it’s this remarkable woman who inspired this week’s crafty tutorial; 2 easy ways to make Ndebele planters. First up, these bold planters influenced by the bright and colorful geometric shapes typically used in Ndebele art.

Add a little African magic to your garden with these gorgeous Ndebele planters that take less than 10 minutes to make. The full tutorial includes a set of free printables to make your own. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter

And then I’ll share how to give a terracotta pot a quick Ndebele styled makeover with some colorful beads. It kinda reminds me of the Ndlovu choir dancing on the world stage in their Ndebele beads and colorful outfits.

Add a little African magic to your garden with this gorgeous Ndebele beaded planter. The tutorial will show you how to make the planters in two different styles. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter #BeadedPlanter

The Ndebele planters are also perfect for this month’s “Local Love” IBC challenge.

What’s the IBC all about

The IBC, or International Blogger’s Club, is a group of bloggers from all over the world who challenge each other to make something using a common theme.  Last month’s challenge was “Sand of Time” and we had so much fun making Prince of Persia inspired Hourglass from broken wine glasses. This month we’re focussing on Local Love, or as we would say here in South Africa – “Local is Lekker” 😉 This essentially means we get to showcase something special from our country, like these planters inspired by our Ndebele artists.

Okay, before we get to the super-duper easy tutorials, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need for the Ndebele Planters

For the geometric planters

For the bead planters

  • Terracotta pots
  • Ribbon
  • An assortment of colorful beads
  • Needle and thread
  • Hot glue gun

What you need to make Ndebele Planters

How to make Ndebele planters

Option 1 – Geometric planters

The geometric shapes that feature so strongly in Ndebele art are always painted on a lime-washed background, so the first thing we need to do is mask off the top of the terracotta pots and paint them white.

Mask off the top of the terracotta pots and paint white

Measure the circumference of the pot. The terracotta pots I used for the Ndebele art planters are 52 cm so I divided by 10, and made a mark every 5.2 cm.

Measure the circumference of the terracotta pots to figure out where each Ndebele pattern should be put

Using the marks as a guide you can either draw geometric shapes around the pots. Or you can do it the easy way and use this free template to print the shapes on a napkin like I did 😀

Mock print the Ndebele printables to check that they fit all the way around the terracotta pots

How to print on a napkin

Remove the back layer of the napkin and tape it onto a piece of printer paper.  Make sure that all the edges are taped down. You don’t want to run the risk of getting the napkin all scrunched up inside the printer 😉 Place the “napkin covered” piece of paper in the printer and print out the geometric Ndebele shapes. It doesn’t matter whether you have a laser or ink-jet, they’ll both work.

Print the Ndebele printables on paper napkins

Transferring the shapes to the planter

Leave the printed shapes for about 10 minutes so the ink dries properly and then remove the printed paper napkin from the paper and place it on some wax paper. Make sure the shiny side of the wax paper faces up and apply two layers of outdoor mod podge on the napkins.

Transfer the printed napkins onto wax paper before applying mod podge

Leave to dry. I find the mod podge helps to strengthen the napkins and minimizes any wrinkles when you apply them to the planter.

Applying mod podge to the napkins makes them stronger and easier to apply

Cut out the geometric shapes and using the marks you made earlier glue them down with more outdoor mod podge.

Easy way to reduce the wrinkle factor when mod podging paper napkins

Seal with another layer of outdoor mod podge and your Ndebele geometric planters are ready for planting.

Add a little African magic to your garden with these gorgeous Ndebele planters that take less than 10 minutes to make. The full tutorial includes a set of free printables to make your own. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter
Add a little African magic to your garden with these gorgeous Ndebele planters that take less than 10 minutes to make. The full tutorial includes a set of free printables to make your own. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter

Option 2 – Beaded Ndebele planters

The beaded Ndebele planters are just as easy to do, although they take a little longer to make.

Add a little African magic to your garden with this gorgeous Ndebele beaded planter. The tutorial will show you how to make the planters in two different styles. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter #BeadedPlanter

Once again measure the circumference of the pot and cut a piece of white ribbon to fit. Mark the backside of the ribbon so you have a general guide where to attach the beads.

Measure the ribbon and mark every few centimetres as a guide for adding the beads

Double thread your needle and push it through the ribbon starting on the first mark. Using the needle, pick up different-sized, multi-colored beads and thread them onto the ribbon. How many beads you add is entirely up to you. Once you’ve added all the beads to a strand, turn the needle around and push the needle and thread back up the string of beads skipping the last bead. I hope the picture below helps explain that a bit better.

Add as many beads as you like, alternating colors and sizes

Pull the thread tight, sew along the ribbon to the next mark and repeat the process to add the nest strand of beads.

To sew on the next string of beads sew along the ribbon to the next mark and repeat the process.

I alternated between one long strand and one shorter strand. Once you’ve sewn all the bead strands onto the ribbon, use a hot glue gun to attach the beaded ribbon to the terracotta pot.

Use a hot glue gun to add the beaded ribbon.

And that’s it.

Add a little African magic to your garden with this gorgeous Ndebele beaded planter. The tutorial will show you how to make the planters in two different styles. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter #BeadedPlanter

If you like the idea of adding a little Ndebele art to your planters don’t forget to pin for later.

Add a little African magic to your garden with these gorgeous Ndebele planters that take less than 10 minutes to make. The full tutorial includes a set of free printables to make your own. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter

Sharing is caring 😉

Add a little African magic to your garden with this gorgeous Ndebele beaded planter. The tutorial will show you how to make the planters in two different styles. #ndebelepattern #ndebeleart #ndebeleplanter #acraftymix #localislekker #DIYPlanter #BeadedPlanter

Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you 😉

 

Sale D'vine Dev Terracotta Pots for Plants, 4.2 Inch 5.3 Inch 6.5 Inch, Succulent Planter Pot with Drainage and Saucer, 40-A-T-1
4MM 6MM 8MM 10MM12mm Round Multicolor Natural Stone Beads Colorful Turquoise Beads Jewelry Findings for DIY Jewelry Making (4mm)
Sale D'vine Dev 4 Inch Design Self Watering Pot for Indoor Plants, Terracotta Planter with Cylinder Glass Cup, Set of 3, 372-A-3

Before you go, don’t forget to go have a look see at what my friends from the IBC have done with their “Local Love” challenge.

Local Love IBC Challenge

1. A Crafty Mix (that’s us 😉 )
2. Raggedy Bits – How to Make A Whitewashed Farmhouse Sign
3. Unique Creations by Anita – How to Use Iron on Vinyl
4. Birdz of a Feather – Pop Art Serving Tray
5. Interior Frugalista – Alberta Wild Rose Decoupage Napkin Coaster

And as always, here’s wishing you a beautiful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you so much for popping in for a visit.

Made with love by a Crafty Mix