This is why I’m such an advocate of the drilling method.

This is why I’m such an advocate of the drilling method.

The reason I drill just the back plate (and sometimes the middle), is so I can use more variety in the center. Some items I use for centers can’t be drilled, or would take away from the beauty if drilled. This would also require extra drilling and b/c I make them to sell and make so many, it’s just a lot more work and you burn through drill bits faster. There are basically two options…#1 drill and insert the screw from the backside through all layers of dishes and then fasten IN FRONT with a drawer/cabinet knob. This is actually nice, but I don’t want to use knobs as centers all the time. OR #2, insert the screw from front to back and fasten behind the plates with a wing nut, or hex nut (which is the method I use). As for glue, the silicone (which is a caulk, not a glue) is rated for high heat and used by contractors to seal around the outside of a window…I’m pretty sure they use silicone in TX…you could inquire of a window installer or someone at Lowes or Depot. They make oven pans and cookware out of silicone so the product should hold up. But you use the method that works best for you. Every maker has a slightly different method, and that’s ok! Which ever you prefer and works best is the method you should stick with. 🙂

Sure! Melamine plates make great dish flowers. Really, you can use just about anything! Believe it or not, my very first dish flowers were made from plastic and melamine plates. Silicone or epoxy (possibly even E-6000?) should work just fine, though you may have to experiment a bit. I discovered that Melamine does tend to fade over time out in the elements, but there should be several good years. Let me know if you have further questions. Have fun!

Wow…thanks so much! I really appreciate the feed back; helps me know if I’m on target.