GARDENING SUCCS
You say "obsession" like it's a bad thing.
  • Blog
  • Instagram
  • Store and Resource Guide

Coffee Cup Planter!

11/14/2012

 
Picture
You know that coffee cup you rarely use, even though it's gorgeous?  I had one of those that a good friend gifted me a long time ago, but I don't use it often, because it's wide at the mouth and the coffee cools off too fast (I'm a notoriously slow coffee drinker).

Anyway, I decided I'd like to look at the cup more often and wanted to make a planter out of it.  The problem was drainage.  I'd heard that it's basically impossible for a novice to drill a hole in a ceramic cup.  This turns out not to be true. 

First, a word on cordless drills.  If you don't know how to use one, it's time to learn.  I don't care if you're a 105-pound woman with absolutely no interest in tools and a husband who does most of this stuff for you.  You need to learn because it will feel awesome and empowering and make a ton of little projects easier.  If you have no idea where to start, email me--I was clueless about cordless drills until recently.

Anyway, to drill a hole in a ceramic cup, you can use a diamond-tip drill bit, but don't need one.  I don't have one, so I plowed ahead with the set that came with my drill.  (My drill is similar to this one, but a 14.4 volt.)  I started with the smallest bit in my set.  I drilled and drilled, stopping occasionally to blow away the ceramic dust and make sure the bit hadn't burst into flames.  Starting is the hardest part; it takes forever to bust through the glaze.  You'll drill for five minutes and make an absurdly small divot in the bottom.  Don't give up.  If you break a couple bits, it's okay (I did).

Picture
Once your wee divot appears to have gotten through the glaze, switch to a slightly larger bit, maybe 1/16".  Don't apply much pressure, but enough to keep the drill steady and firm--about as much as you'd apply to an overstuffed deli sandwich that you're trying to squish down so you can take a bite.  Adjust the angle occasionally.  Adjust to a slightly smaller or larger drill bit.  Vary it.  Hum a tune.  Check your watch.  Talk to the cat.  Try to keep your eye on the drill.  When you least expect it--and probably when you're using your smallest bit--you'll penetrate through the cup!  Whoa!  Give yourself a second to bask in the glory of it!

Next, switch to the next size drill bit up, to widen the hole.  Then the next size up, then the next, then the next--you get the idea--until the hole is the size you want it.  I always adjust the angle of the bit, too, chipping away at the edges of the hole a teeny bit at a time.  Like I said...  this project requires patience.

When you're done--kabaam!  You have a cool planter that you can dress up any way you like.  To the left, you can see the one I made.  I used a paddle plant that was wallowing in a too-large container, then added some different-sized rosettes around it and finished it with some small, multicolored rocks.  I was pleased with how it turned out, and it's currently brightening up my kitchen.

Carol
11/14/2012 02:05:13 pm

... as usual, it's beautiful! Excellent instruction! Did you drill into the cup from the top, or turn it over and drill from underneath? Does it make a difference? Thanks Laura ... Awesome! The giver will be proud of you!

GS link
12/3/2012 01:29:06 am

A good question! At first, I drilled into the bottom, but once I got through, I went back and forth between top and bottom.


Comments are closed.

    Subscribe by email:

    Picture
    Picture
    GS on Facebook
    GS on Instagram


    Other Succ-ers

    Danger Garden
    Debra Lee Baldwin
    ​Desert Plants of Avalon

    I Can Stop Tomorrow
    Rock Rose
    Sky Succulents

    Spiky Obsession
    Succulent Sundae
    Succulents and More

    Succulents Forever
    Succulent and Cactus Lady


    Categories

    All
    Adromischus
    Aeoniums
    Agaves
    Aloes
    Blogs And Blogging
    Cacti
    Crassulae
    Echeverias
    Euphorbia
    Events
    Fun And Games
    Guest Posts
    Haworthia
    Kalanchoe
    Nurseries
    Pets
    Photos
    Plant Health
    Projects
    Propagation
    Public Gardens
    Q&A
    References
    Sempervivums
    Wish List
    Zone 5


    Archives

    February 2021
    May 2019
    January 2018
    May 2017
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    RSS Feed