Give Boring String Lights A Cute Upgrade With The Help Of Mini Terracotta Pots

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A strand of string lights can certainly brighten a patio or back porch, but it seldom adds much in the way of personality. Crafter Kathy Cano-Murillo, known online as The Crafty Chica, has a clever DIY that not only adds loads of character to these otherwise boring string lights, but also makes an incredibly cute and fun craft to do with kids. In her Facebook video, she demonstrates how, with just a few miniature terracotta pots and some paint, to turn a strand of string lights into a festive porch decoration of tiny, glowing shades. The project requires very little expenditure, and only as much time as you're willing to give it, making it a great weekend activity for all ages.

To try this cute craft for yourself, you'll need a strand of mini string lights, such as Minetom's Clear 100-count warm white string lights (which comes with three 20-foot strands for $40), and a pack of 2-inch terracotta pots, like a bulk pack of 100 Nuogo Mini 2-inch pots (at $46), both available on Amazon. The design calls for one pot per bulb, so keep this in mind when buying in bulk. You'll also need an outdoor-friendly set of paint, like Nicpro's 32 Colors outdoor acrylic set (the set of 2-ounce bottles coming in at $32), and a clear sealant such as the Mod Podge Clay Pot Sealer Spray, a 12-ounce can available for $14, both items also available on Amazon. Finally, grab your hot glue gun and a pair of old, blunt scissors you're happy to sacrifice.

To create your lights, start by widening the opening in the base of every pot. Poke the tip of a scissor blade into the drainage hole and twist it around the edge, working outward until a bulb can slip through. Next is the fun part. Take your flowerpots and get creative with paint. Once you've painted each pot to your satisfaction, set them aside to dry. When the color has set, spray each pot with sealer and give it time to dry again. Next, insert each individual bulb into the enlarged drainage hole at the bottom of each pot. Using your hot glue gun, apply a ring of glue around the place where the light's plastic base and the pot meet, being very careful not to get glue on the bulb itself. Repeat this process until each light has its own pot covering, and your string is ready to hang.

The best part about this design is that there are so many ways to customize the look of your lights to make them suit the aesthetic of your outdoor space. You could try creating a beachy, ombré effect, painting the pots in a blue gradient, fading from deep to pale down the length of the strand. For something a bit more festive, you could try painting them in stripes or polka dots — or even both — for a playful, vibrant look. If you already have outdoor furnishings and want to err on the side of sophistication, you can pull out shades from your existing upholstery, making the pots complement your patio decor rather than serve as a standout feature. If you're feeling particularly artistically inspired, you could even take this design one step further by applying decoupage with paper napkins to create a French country or vintage floral vibe.