Pots are made of everything from plastic to concrete, and they range in price from a couple of dollars to several hundred. But perhaps the one you want is the one that looks timeless and aged--and that costs a couple hundred bucks, right? Rebecca Kolls shares a trick for transforming an inexpensive pot into one that looks expensive.
Materials:
container that has a raised or embossed design
latex gloves
sponges or old rags
gel stains, including black, brown, gray, silver and white
Steps:
Clean the pot. Put on the latex gloves, and start sponging on the stain. Start with the black to give the pot contrast and depth. Continue adding stain, wiping it off as you go. Add some brown- and gray-colored gel stains to give the pot a more weathered look. Base the stain application on how the pot would naturally age. For instance, if the pot is sitting on the ground, it would age from the ground up and would be darker where the moisture gathers. Lighten some of the embellished portions of the pot by using silver and/or white stain. The idea is to make the pot appear as if light were shining on it. Apply the stain treatment to the inside lip of the pot so all the visible parts match. The beauty of making these pots is that you can't do it wrong. Just keep adding layers. Once you start, try to finish the whole project to avoid creating a "seam." 
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