Do you like to give hand-made gifts? Do you like to display holiday decorations that you can’t get at the store? Then this cute, snowman wall hanger craft is for you!
Just like retail shops, thrift stores are literally overflowing with Christmas and winter-themed decor. And, they’re eager to get rid of it, because they actually do have more ‘in the back’. They’ve been saving it up all year and they need it gone, which means great prices for you!
What makes this creative idea so much fun, is that its something not mass produced. That also means that there will be some effort required on your part to find your materials. You don’t have to use a face plate, either. A plain white ceramic plate (salad-sized one) will do just fine and you can make your own face.
Otherwise, the quick way is to buy holiday themed dishware on line. If you’re in a time crunch, you may not mind spending the extra dollars. Otherwise, almost everything can be found at your local thrift store. But you’ll have to wait until the Christmas stuff comes out.
Material list for snowman wall hanger
- Decorative face plate OR Plain white saucer/salad-sized plate
- Dinner-sized plate with holiday colors or winter-theme
- 1 piece of plain white tile 12″long x 4″ wide (or slightly under). You can buy individual tiles at places like Lowes or Home Depot.
- med-large D-ring hanger
- 1 small tube of a strong epoxy like JB Weld or other
- baby-sized hat
- fork and spoon
- miscellaneous embellishments
Instructions: How to put it together
What if I can’t find a face plate? Don’t worry if you do not find a decorative face plate. Just substitute with a plain, white plate and paint your own face using basic craft paint. You may also choose to use black buttons for the eyes and mouth. A great 3-D carrot nose can be made with orange modeling clay that’s baked dry and glued on. Even a stick would work!
Step 1: Using the Epoxy, glue the D-ring hanger to the back side of the tile near the top. [Note: I chose to drill a hole through the tile instead, but either method works. I’m an artist who makes dish flower garden art in summer and drill my plates…so I had the drill bit on hand]
Step 2: Using the Epoxy, glue the dishes to the front side of the tile. If you are painting your own face, paint the plate FIRST before securing it to the tile.
Step 3: Add Hat. Use the baby-size hat you’ve chosen and glue it on over the top edge of the plate. Regular craft glue will work just fine in this application. (if you drill a hole in the tile and use wire to hang, the hat will hide the wire.)
Step 4: Add embellishments. Decorate your snowman wall hanger with a holiday scarf, buttons down the front and silverware arms (use the stronger epoxy for gluing the silverware to the plate). Cheap silverware is also available at the thrift store and I like to find the prettiest ones I can. Antique silverware makes the piece extra special, but costs a bit more.
If you wish, you can add little finishing touches like a snowflake on the hat or scarf, or a spritz of glitter.
Final Thoughts
This time of the year, it’s especially worth the effort to make something creative and unique. Everyone loves snowmen and this wall hanger is sure to bring you lots of compliments.
I’m very interested in your feedback. If you make this craft, please let me know in the comments below. You’re also invited to be a part of Make it a Garden when you sign up for our newsletter. Thanks for stopping by!
About the artist:
Kristen specializes in up-cycled crafts. She has a reputation for quality and attention to detail, and her artworks show it. She takes such joy in making things “extra special”, especially during the holidays. Her craft posts may entail a bit more description geared to those who don’t make crafts on a regular basis. Even if you do, you’ll appreciate the thoughtful insights so your projects turn out beautiful!
Other unique holiday crafts to try:
Jolly Snowman Front Porch Display
Golf Ball Snowman Christmas Tree Ornament
Kris, I love the burgundy snowman you put together! I am inspired to check for holiday plates the next time I’m at the thrift stores! ” ) Thank you again for sharing your artistic creations!
Lorna, thanks for taking the time to comment. This is the time to look for holiday plates at the Thrift store. Like regular stores, they start putting out seasonal items right around Halloween. There are lots of ways to use holiday plates as decor.