Making the Base

• 1). Soak a 4-inch clay pot in a bucket of water. This step will prevent the pot from cracking when you pour in the plaster of paris.
  
  
• 2). Cut a straight stick 12 to 14 inches long, or use a bamboo stake. The stick, which will support a Styrofoam cone, will be permanently embedded in the plaster. Select a stick that is 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.
  
  
• 3). Cover the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot with aluminum foil, newspaper or tape. This will prevent the plaster of paris from leaking out and making a mess of your work surface.
  
  
• 4). Mix 2 cups plaster of paris with 2 cups water in a disposable container. Add more water as necessary until the plaster has the consistency of sour cream. (Note: This will set quickly, so have everything you need right on hand - the pot with covered drain hole and the stick.)
  
  
• 5). Pour the plaster into the prepared pot.
  
  
• 6). Place the stick into the plaster. You may need to support it until the plaster sets, usually not longer than 3 or 4 minutes.
  
  
• 7). Allow the plaster-filled pot to dry at least one hour.
  
  
• 8). Impale a Styrofoam cone on the stake.
  
  
• 9). Cover the Styrofoam cone with a layer of dried moss or large green leaves such as aspidistra. Secure the covering material in place with floral pins.