Wednesday, August 31, 2011

DYI Ceramic Firepots!

I just love these two little ceramic fire pots that I got for my birthday! Somebody really knows what I like!

They use gel fuel to create an instant fire feature....so fun!
Whenever we lit them.....I would think to myself-  there has to be a way to do a knock off version.
I researched the Internet and the only thing I could find was
the bigger fire pit version that
Karen at The Art of Doing Stuff  posted last September.
I you haven't visited Karen's Blog....I highly recommend you do so soon...she is sooo funny and does some amazing projects!
But back to my project!

 The purchased fire pots are ceramic with a metal insert in a narrow opening to hold the gel fuel.
 hmmmmmm

I knew I needed something ceramic that had been fired and glazed.
Oh yeah....remember all that mid-century pottery I buy at GW?
 I have a whole collection of ceramic vases.....all colors and shapes....so that was no problem.


 Now for the metal insert
                    hmmmmmmmmm

Every morning we feed the cats some Fancy Feast cat food that comes in a nice little can.

Good Start....
I just had to be patient while Maxine finished her breakfast!








 Next......some river rock from the front yard to put around the can in the pot.That worked but it was a little unstable because the rocks were such different sizes.



Off to Home Depot for sand....Standing at the sand display at Home Depot, I spied the Pea Rock...Perfect!
 $2.97 for 40 Pounds....Let the nice young man heft the big bag into the trunk and I was on the way to making a fire pot for less than  three bucks!








I put it all together....you probably don't need to see me pour pea rock into the pot and put the can in....you are smart enough to do that without me showing you how!




The Gel Fuel is the most expensive element in the whole deal.


It comes in a plain version like this....
And with citronella....nice!


You might want to do a little reading about using gel fuel before you do this....it is a little dangerous if you don't know what you are doing....but hey we are pretty smart and can follow directions right?
And this is one time when you really do want to read the directions...(that was my teacher voice you just heard...so do it!)

Here are a couple of articles I found if you are curious about it!
NFPA Gel Fuel Info



See how it turned out!


I just need to figure out what I could use for a cover like the purchased ones have....anybody got any ideas? Leave me a comment if you do.

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13 comments:

Andrea @Oasis Accents said...

I bet a tuna can would work just as well. What a great idea!

Michelle L. said...

I like this project, now you have me all curious to try it!

Sandie lee said...

Very cool!! I'm a new follower =)

Sandie lee
http://saygifts.blogspot.com

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate said...

Genius! What a great way to make something so cool and repurpose on hand items. Thanks for sharing at this week's BFF link party!

Diann said...

What a fun tutorial! I love the way they turned out! Thanks for joining TTF and have a fun week!

Chef in Training said...

Great idea and tutorial! I would love it if you would share this and/or any other projects you have been up to at Tuesday Talent Show at Chef In Training!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wife said...

We stayed at some hotels w/ huge ones this summer and I thought they were awesome. Maybe I'll make some in about 12 years when my boys grow up and leave the house. They'd be awesome for a night time BBQ.

Amy said...

These are neat! What a neat idea. Thanks for sharing!

shaejus said...

how bout a beautiful ceramic plate from salvation army for a cover

Camille said...

These turned out darling! I love them! Thank you so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We would love to have you come link up again tomorrow!
Camille @
SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wife said...

Congrats! This was the most viewed link at last week's party! I'd be honored if you grab a button. This week's party is up and running.
http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2011/09/will-craft-forfun.html

Jessica said...

Wow! I am so impressed with what you were able to make. I can tell just by reading this post that you are really creative. I just found out about these fire pots and I am so impressed. They are beautiful, so I searched the internet and found your blog. You have inspired me and now I am going to make a creation of my own. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Is the cover supposed to be fire resistant? Or is it just decorative for when the fire pot is not in use?

For that odd shape, you could make something from Fimo clay, you could cover cardboard with foil, you could cut up some thin metal, then add a knob.

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