This plant pot uses an assortment of pebbles and earth-coloured tesserae to give it a rustic character.

Allow yourself plenty of time to complete this project, as each side of the pot must be completed and dry before beginning on the next.

You'll need:
Tools Brush, palette knife
Goggles and mask
Tile nippers
Old towel, rubber gloves, rags or cloths, sponges
Mixing containers

Materials
Terracotta pot (square or hexagonal)
Water-based sealer
25 x 25mm ceramic tiles in earth colours: brown, black, light grey, yellow, beige
Small terracotta pot (smashed to make tesserae)
Pebbles
Cement-based tile adhesive
Terracotta-coloured grout

Note: Larger pebbles, in a variety of colours, are used around the top of the pot and smaller ones, all brown, are used down the sides of the pot.

Here's how

Step 1 Seal all surfaces of the pot using a water-based sealer. Ensure the interior of the pot is well sealed: the sealer prevents the moisture seeping through the porous terracotta and weakening the adhesion of the tesserae around the outside of the pot. Allow the sealer to dry.

Step 2 Wearing goggles to protect your eyes and a mask to prevent inhalation of dust particles, prepare enough ceramic tiles to complete at least one side of the pot. The mosaic design for this pot is made up of small squares and thin rectangular tesserae. Smash the terracotta pot and cut it into long, thin rectangles.

Fixing the tesserae

Step 3 Place an old towel on the work surface and lie the pot on its side. Using the palette knife and the cement-based tile adhesive, apply the adhesive in a thin strip along one side of the pot, just under the rim. This type of adhesive is waterproof and bonds well with the porous surfaces of terracotta.

Step 4 Fix a single row of larger pebbles around the top of the pot, pushing them into the adhesive. Use pebbles that are similar in size to create a uniform effect.

Step 5 Remembering to work on one side at a time, spread adhesive along the rim of the pot. Fix a row of brown tesserae to the pot. Similarly, stick a row of thin, rectangular brown tesserae below the pebbles.

Step 6 Starting from the middle of one side, fix a vertical row of small square black tesserae to the pot. On either side of this, fix a row of smaller brown pebbles. If possible, try to use pebbles that are similar in size and shape. Leave enough room at the bottom of the pot for a row of thin brown tesserae.

Step 7 Moving in an outward direction, fix a single row of light grey tesserae on either side of the small pebbles, following the photograph at the top as a guide.

Step 8 Fix two vertical rows of long, thin pieces of terracotta to create a border around the yellow.

Step 9 Continue laying vertical rows of tesserae in this manner until one side of the pot is completed. The size and shape of your pot will determine how many rows of tesserae are needed to complete the mosaic work. If your pot is larger than the one used here, you may want to add in extra rows using different coloured tesserae, or continue to repeat the rows of colours until the side is completed.

Step 10 To complete the design for this side, fix a row of small square-shaped tesserae around the base.

Step 11 Allow the adhesive to dry for about two hours. Turn the pot onto the next side and repeat this process to finish all the sides.

Step 12 To finish laying the tesserae, stand the pot upright and tile around the top of the rim. Use brown tesserae cut into large rectangles and stick them around the top. To fill in the gaps in the corners, cut the brown tesserae into triangular or wedge-shaped pieces and stick them in the corners.

Finishing Step

13 Allow 24 hours for the adhesive to dry and then grout. This pot uses a terracotta-coloured grout to complement the earthy elements of the pot. As the pot has an uneven surface it is easiest to apply the grout with your hands. Wearing rubber gloves, spread the grout over the surface, pushing it around the pebbles and other mosaic pieces. Wipe off the excess grout with a rag and let it stand for 5-10 minutes.

Step 14 Use a sponge to wipe away the residual grout, rinsing the sponge out in water as you work. You will need to go over the surface several times to clean off the grout. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

Step 15 When the mosaic is completely dry, a light film of grout will be left on the surface - polish it off with a clean, dry rag.

Tips: To allow the mosaic to cure properly, it is best to cover it with a damp cloth and allow it to stand for at least three days before using it.

Clean up your grouting tools soon after you have finished using them. The wet grout washes off easily in water, but once hardened it is difficult to remove.

If your bucket of water has grout residue in it, never throw the water down the sink as the sand and cement will clog up the drain.

Source: Mosaics (Murdoch Books) from the Better Homes and Gardens Mini workbook series