Valentines is a special day for that special one. If you are in search of something romantic yet delicious, then you are in the right place. In this article, we are going to discuss how to make a lollipop valentine centerpiece so that you can present it as a gift and consume it as well later on.
The whimsical lollipop valentine centerpiece is really two crafts in one. You can paint the clay pot too! And there are many variations to decorate this project. Use it on the mantle, food buffet, or on a table. If you have a long table – make two or three!
This centerpiece also makes a great give-away or door prize. Plus, the best part is that you can eat it later! You don’t have to paint the pot for this valentine centerpiece – you can use it with its natural terra-cotta coloring. Perhaps just paint the rim or attach ribbon and stickers. But if you want to learn an easy way to paint it, read on…
Valentine Centerpiece Steps
Painted Pot
This valentine centerpiece, as shown in the photo, has a really easy painted clay pot.
You will need:
- Acrylic paints (Liquitex is a good brand) of your choice of color(s). Suggestions are white, “portrait pink,” or else mix white and red paint to make pink. Or just red paint will work too.
- Optional – palette knife, if you are mixing paint colors
- Square of an ordinary kitchen sponge, about 2 inches square
- Small plastic picnic plate to use as a palette
- Water jar, and rag
- Medium-sized clay pot with tray
- Water-base, clear craft varnish to seal painted pot
- Valentine stickers, (or a stencil to paint on hearts)
Before painting the clay pot for the valentine centerpiece, wipe it clean with a slightly damp paper towel to remove any dirt or grip. Dry. Squirt some paint onto the plastic picnic plate that you are using for a palette (this is cheap and easy).
Dampen the sponge squeeze well, and dip into the paint. Then sponge paint over the entire pot (not the inside) and its tray. Also, paint the bottom of the pot. It will show since the pot will be turned upside down. When the pot has dried overnight, then brush on a coat of varnish. Dry again overnight. Then you can stick decorative stickers on to the valentine centerpiece pot if you are using stickers.
Lollipop Flowers
The lollipop valentine centerpiece, of course, must include the lollipops – like flowers. We wrap candy ourselves and put them on tall skewer sticks since standard store lollipops do not have long enough sticks.
You will need:
- Craft glue
- Scissors
- 3 Long wooden kabob skewers
- Florist tape (or another strong tape), 3 strips about 6 to 8 inches long
- 3 pieces of clear plastic wrap, cut in 8–inch squares
- 3 8-inch pieces of green ribbon
- 3 pieces of large round candy
- Colored paper, cut into 3 flower shapes (for tops of candy)
- 3 small green pompoms
- 2 to 3 curly reeds (or any type of reed)
- Large round doily for base
Lay down a square of plastic wrap onto the table. Place the round candy in the middle. Pull up the sides of the wrap and gather it tightly, inserting the skewer. Wind florist tape tightly in place around the skewer and plastic wrap, tightly under the candy. Cut off any excess tape. When wound, trim down the ends of the plastic wrap if they are too long.
Curl and tie a green ribbon around the tape to decorate it. Glue the flower shapes on top of the wrapped candy. Then the glue the pompom on top. Turn the painted pot upside down on its tray. Insert the lollipop flowers and curly reeds into the hole. If the skewers are too long for your particular pot, they are easy to snap off or cut at the appropriate length.
Conclusion
Be it something small or big, you can always make valentine special by creating something of your own. Things that require effort and hard work hold a lot more sentimental value as compared to those that are simply purchased and wrapped as a gift. Therefore, bring out the inner artist to make a couple of lollipop valentine masterpieces.