Easy DIY – A Lucky Leprechaun Shoe Planter
Talk about the luck of the Irish! My hubby has a closet full of shoes that he can’t wear anymore. Well, I don’t know if that’s actually lucky; you see, one of our fur babies has a shoe fetish. Especially when it comes to my hubby’s shoes 😀 And he has quite a few that have lost their sole mate. Something needed to be done, and with St Paddy’s Day around the corner, it seemed like a good idea to recycle one of those lonely soles into a Lucky Leprechaun Shoe Planter. I mean, who doesn’t love a good shoe upcycle?!
It looks pretty Leprechaunish, right? Is that even a word? Legend has it that these cheerful and mischievous sprites spend a lot of time making and mending shoes. That is, if they’re not chasing pots of gold at the end of the rainbow or dancing the night away. Just like my hubby 😉
It's no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are leaking.
What you need
For this lucky Leprechaun shoe planter, you’ll need the following:
- A piece of wire, masking tape, and aluminum foil
- Some sheet moss or reindeer moss and glue. We used E6000
- Black ribbon and craft foam
- Green spray paint and a small bell (optional)
- A closed shoe and pot that fits nicely inside the shoe
This is the poor shoe that we used for the planter.
Okay, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
How to Make a Lucky Leprechaun Shoe Planter
Give the shoe a good wipe to remove any grimy, dirty bits, and then use the tape to mask off the sole. You can skip this step, but it makes the finished planter look classy. Leprechauns love looking smart 😉 Cut a piece of wire twice your shoe’s length and push it into the toe.
Bend the wire to form a curved shape, as shown above. Next, take some aluminum foil and tear it into strips. Press the aluminum foil to the toe of the shoe and stick it down with masking tape. Start scrunching and wrapping the foil around the wire to give it a “hornish” shape.
Once you’re happy with the look, cover the aluminum foil with masking tape before painting the whole thing green.
If you don’t have spray paint, don’t worry too much. I just find it makes it easier when you add the moss later. It hides any gaps. Once the paint has dried, remove the masking tape from around the sole before adding lots of sticky, tacky, gooey glue onto the shoe. While the glue is still wet, grab some of that moss and squish it into the glue. It’s best to work in sections until the whole shoe is covered. We did the same thing when we made this little fairy toadstool and this beautiful mosaic and moss mannequin with her faux concrete paint effect.
Adding the Finishing Touches
To finish the Lucky Leprechaun shoe planter, cut a buckle shape out of craft foam and paint it gold. Cut a piece of black ribbon to fit around the top part of the shoe and glue the ribbon and the buckle down.
Finally, glue a small bell onto the toe, fill the pot with flowers and insert it inside the shoe planter.
We planted some Creeping Jenny in ours. She’s native to Ireland, and her Irish name, Lus an dá phingin translates as ‘Two-penny plant’ or Moneywort 😉 Quite appropriate for a Leprechaun planter, don’t you think? We also added a few beautiful yellow pansies. They always remind me of Spring and chubby-faced little babies. So cute.
I’d love to know what you think of the idea. Is it something you’d make for St Patrick’s Day and welcome in Spring? Let me know in the comments.
If you like the idea of making a leprechaun shoe planter, don’t forget to share it with your friends and save it to Pinterest.
Pssssst, if you’re keen to make something else for St Paddy’s day, then why not try this really easy Leprechaun bottle topper or this gorgeous mossy boot planter?
Oh, and if the moss on your Leprechaun shoe planter starts fading, here’s a great tutorial showing you how to revive moss and make it look fresh and new again.
BTW if you want to make your own, I’ve saved you the hassle of trying to find some of the materials we’ve used. Disclosure: If you click the links below, we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us feed our fur babies real food instead of shoes 😉
Or, if you prefer to buy rather than DIY 😉 (I really want those black shoes)
And as always, here’s wishing you a beautiful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit. ♧Sláinte Mhaith♧
What kind of wire did you use? Did you have to cut the toe of the shoe and how far did you push the wire in? I have a men’s size 13 shoe I’m wanting use. Sorry for all the questions but definitely appreciate the help.
No problem at all, Lila. I used baling wire and pushed it in far enough, so it didn’t wobble or want to fall out. WRT to cutting the toe of the shoe; no need for that. The foil and masking tape around the wire can be shaped to create a seamless look. Please feel free to reach out anytime if you have more questions, and I hope you have loads of fun making your planter.
This has to be the nicest St. Patricks’ day craft ever. Really lovely and you are so creative.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent.
Deirdre
You’re so welcome, Deirdre. It makes my heart happy when someone enjoys one of our crazy ideas.
check out our pictures of this adorable planter at Facebook, Brookdale Jones Farm.
The ladies did such an awesome job. They all look stunning. here’s the link if anyone wants to go have a looksee – https://www.facebook.com/BrookdaleJonesFarm/posts/2880297685428775
My senior residents had a blast making these adorable planters.
Oh my word Susan, you just made a really crappy day awesome. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My smile is wrapped all the way around my head and there are happy tears streaming down my face. The planters are amazing
Love it, I need a shoe lol
Just found your website today March 4, loved your shoe….already signed up……………lots of “LUCK” from Alberta, Canada
It always makes my heart do a happy dance when someone finds us. Thanks so much for signing up.
Michelle, absolutely adorable! Such a clever and unique idea. Love it — pinned!
Thank Debbee, I’m glad you enjoy the tutorial, and thanks for pinning
I used a gym shoe and silk flowers as this is going on my covered porch in Ohio. Thanks for sharing your charming idea.
You are most welcome Peggy and thank YOU so much for trying the tutorial. That just made my day 🙂
I’m sure glad there’s people like you with such creativity, and I really appreciate that you share your ideas. These are all absolutely the cutest and most inspiring crafts I have ever seen. I’m blown away! Thank you so much and I’m excited to receive your newsletters for more ideas. Kiddos!!
Thank you so much for subscribing and commenting Cheryl. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate it.
What a clever elf you are. Looks wonderful. Thanks for the tutorial.??
You’re most welcome
Too cute for words. Luv it!
🙂 Thank you, so happy you like it
This is the cutest thing ever!!!
Thank you so much
Seriously girl, you ALWAYS come up with the coolest ideas! Visiting from our friend Mary, The Boondocks Blog and had to come over and check out this adorable luck leprechaun shoe planter. How did I miss this one? This is definitely my favorite Spring planter EVER!! Pinned 🙂
🙂 hello Marie. So happy for the pin and the visit
This is SO CUTE! I’m definitely going to try this one! Thanks Michelle for the great idea!
YES!!!!! So glad to hear that Jeannie
Can I ask a question? Will the moss die and lose it’s green color since you glued it on. I want to try this idea. So cool!
Hey Debra, the color will probably fade after a while, since it’s dried moss. But it’s easy enough to revive using a few ingredients you probably have at home. This post will show you how – https://acraftymix.com/blog/how-to-revive-moss/
Michelle, this shoe upcycle is awesome!! What a genius idea for a St. Patrick’s Day planter. It’s super cute!!
Thank you my friend. It’s one of my favorite planters right now and so many people comment on it too.
This is so very cute and clever! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Can’t wait to see what you are up to this week.
Thank you Denise, I’m real glad you like it and thank you for hosting Waste Not Wednesday. I really enjoy the party
You always amaze me with your wonderful creations. This is such a fun idea!
Thank you Debra and this one was so much fun to make too
Michelle,
Love your leprechaun shoe. So cute. Please stop by Thursday Favorite Things since you are being featured.
Hugs,
Bev
That’s so awesome thank you Beverly
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #ThursdayFavoriteThings this week. Visit me at https://www.marilynstreats.com on thursday morning to see your feature! All hosts choose their own features from the comments left on their blog so be sure to return to my blog to see your feature. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Ahhhhh Marilyn, thank you so very much for the feature ? I’ll definitely pop by again. I found so many new bloggers at the party which I’m going to enjoy getting to know better
Michelle, you come up with the best projects!! This has got to be by far the BEST repurpose of a shoe!! Such a clever and creative idea!!
Thanks so much Sam
Michelle,
What a great project!! It came out so cute!! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for taking the time to visit!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you Debbie. When I saw how you’d decorated for St Patrick’s day I thought the shoe would feel right at home in between all those beautiful things you’ve collected over the years. Hope you have a lovely week and that the weather has started improving on your side of the world xoxox
I bow to your brilliance! I mean really so so so so cool!!!
Thank you Deborah 🙂
Michelle, this is the cutest thing ever! Looking at it makes me happy inside. You guys are amazing!
Thank you Carolann, I’m so glad you like it
Michelle, what a super use of an old shoe! This would make a perfect garden decoration not just for St. Paddy’s Day but all year round!
Thank you Maya. I’m really happy with how it turned out
This is such an amazing idea!!!! What a great way to upcycle an old shoe! Pinning!!!
Thank you T’onna, I’m glad you like it
This is too cute! I love your imagination and creativity. Plus, you’ve at least found a use for the extra shoes left behind from your fur baby! LOL Pinned 🙂
? Thank you so much Wendi
So darn cute. Very creative. I wish someone would give me one of these. A great way to upcycle so many shoes that would otherwise see the garbage. #Recycle It must look great in person. Slightly jealous.
Thanks a bunch Michele. It’s always so much fun trying to find a new purpose for something that most people would throw away
That is amazing, Michelle! It got me thinking…since your hubby has more shoes to repurpose, I payback challenge you (it’s not really a challenge, it’ll be a piece of cake for you) to create a fairy tale old shoe house. You know what I’m talking about, right? If not, just Google it. 😉
Ahhh now that’s a brilliant challenge. I think I’ll take you up on that one Jas
😀 Can’t wait to see it!
🙂
Michelle, you have one of the most creative minds! This lucky leprechaun shoe is sooooo cool! If this planter doesn’t make people smile from ear to ear, then I don’t know what will. Just love it!
Thank you so much Jelica
Oh wow, Michelle!! What an incredible DIY project! And I mean it! It looks super professional and something I would purchase at the florist’s if I wanted to decorate for St. Paddy’s Day! Amazing how you hid the actual ankle boot and created this fairytale leprechaun shoe 🙂
x Nadia
(Miel and Mint blog)
Thank you so much Nadia ❣ I really appreciate that, such a lovely thing to say
This project is sooo amazing! The final result is incredible, I am at awe at your talent and creativity.
Thank you very much Nati
Oh, my Michelle!! That is so creative. This leprechaun shoe planter is so awesome. I will surely try this DIY.
Thank you Agnes and let me know how yours turns out.
Michelle, you never cease to amaze me with your cleverness and creativity! The shoe planter is awesome! The way you made the horn with just wire and aluminum foil! How did you get the wire to go through the end of the shoe? I love love this idea!
Thanks my friend ? We used a really sharp skewer to make a small hole in the toe of the shoe for the wire to fit through. You could also drill a hole if that’s easier. Some shoes are tougher than others ?
You are so creative! I am always awed by what you come up with. 🙂
Thank you Kim
Wow, Michelle! This is so adorable and very creative! You really come up with some awesome and unique creations! Great thinking outside the box!
Thank you Gail ? You know when I saw the beautiful ball planter that you made I was thinking about how awesome the two would look together
This is ridiculously cute and so so clever! I absolutely love the finished product. This is something my kids would really love to join in making.
The kids will love making this with you Claire.
What a fun, and adorable Leprechaun Shoe Planter. Just think if your fur babies didn’t have a shoe fetish then you may not of thought of using one of the shoes without a mate. No that’s not true, I’m sure your creative mind would of thought of it anyway. 😉
You’re so right Linda, that fur baby did me a huge favor with this one ❣ Thank you, my friend
This shoe planter is really beautiful, I like the curved shape at the top. This is a good artwork for St, Patrick’s day. What is the difference between St. Paddy’s day and St, Patricks day
Thank you Sadhna. There’s no difference between the two, St Paddy’s day is just a nickname I suppose for St Patrick’s day
Oh my God! Every time I see a creation from you my jaw is dropping! We have not such a celebration in our country but I always enjoy to see such beautiful crafts!
Thank you
This is absolutely incredible. It makes me wish I was Irish! Next time you have to make sure Shaun looses more shoes if this is going to be the result. And I’m happy to see you have affiliate links for us. Thank you for the inspiration. I’m sharing it with a friend!!
I’ll tell Shaun Mary 🙂 and I’m glad the affiliate link made it easier for you. I struggled a little to figure out how to do it though
Everything has a learning curve but once you do it a few times you get the hang of it. 🙂
So true Mary ❣
This is the greatest planter DIY ever. Its amazing how you created that mold.
Maria
Thank you Maria
Me last name was O’Malley for 15 years! I love it! Maybe next year. I can see myself doing it as a pixie shoe for Christmas or a fairy shoe for the garden, also!
Well pleased to meet you Kathy A O’Malley ? It would make an awesome pixie shoe for Christmas, especially if you add some poinsettias
Every time I visit your blog, I am amazed at your creativity. This is indeed the coolest makeover of a shoe. Such great diy, I have few pairs of my hubbies shoes he does not wear, I am going to try this.
Yay, Preet I’m so glad to hear that. Let me know how yours turns out, I’d love to see it
You work really is art. This is brilliant. There isn’t an Irish club in the world that wouldn’t want one of these shoes. It’s simply fantastic.
Thank you Leanna
I love this!! I had no idea it had a real shoe in it at first. Such a clever way to upcycle. Your doggy helped you create art! ? The flowers you used are perfect for a Leprechaun shoe.
Fur babies are the best even when they eat our shoes 😉 Thanks Sam
This look sooooo cute and actually perfect for the front yard or entrance. I can truly say that you can repurpose no matter what. You are a magician.
? Repurposing is so much fun Tanvi. We love trying to find new ideas or ways to use something that would normally just end up in the rubbish heap
Seriously, this is the coolest thing ever!
Thank you Michelle
This is such a creative and lovely way to celebrate St Patricks Day. I hope you have a great time.
Thank you Elizabeth
If this doesn’t scream luck I don’t know what! Such a unique idea Michelle, you’ve done it again, the planter is so so adorable and just happy and fun to look at!
Thanks so much Katrin. I’m hoping the moss acts as a disguise so our little fur baby with the shoe fetish doesn’t decide to eat this one too ?
Michelle this looks incredible! I am so often dumbfounded by your creativity and wonderful execution of your creations. Maybe it sounds weird but I love that the sole/heal of the shoe still shows. This is just magical in all and the yellow flowers finish it off perfectly! People should be paying you millions to make all these beautiful creations!
LOL, I wish Ithi. Thank you so very much though, you’ve just made my day
That’s an amazing re-use of an old shoe!! Seriously, so impressed. You are so talented!
Ahhh Claire, thank you so much. There’s still a whole closet full of them that need to find a new purpose in life
This is a pretty cool and neat DIY idea. I would have never thought of it. I hope I can get to try it soon.
Thanks Sue Tanya, I’m glad you like it and hope you get to try it
I don’t decorate for St. Patrick’s Day but this is a super cute idea, Michelle! I’m sure the poor single shoe is now happy that it lost it’s better half and became such a lovely decoration piece. 🙂
Hey there Julia ? I’ve been thinking of you. Hope that new fur baby of yours is doing well.
OMG how fun is this?? Repurposing old tired shoes into whimsical craft is genius. I love this so much and saving it to guide me (and the kids) as we make our leprechaun shoes this year. The moss is brilliant. ? ? xo, Evelyn, PathofPresence ?
I’m glad you like it Evelyn. Hope you and the kids have loads of fun making some Leprechaun shoes for St Patrick’s day
This is the cutest thing ever!!!
Thank you Debbie