It’s always good to know if the instructions are clear and that there’s enough detail. Sometimes I worry about too much detail. But those things are important to me. Yes, you can use a hole saw for plates, but you won’t need anything that large…it’s kind of overkill and you’d also need a larger diameter bolt, too. There are smaller diameter drill bits that are better for drilling plates. I use a 1/4″ like the one shown in this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vJ2FgV4UBc&t=14s. The reason for a hole saw is that they come in larger diameter (make a larger hole), to accomodate the TYPE of light you may wish to use for a bottle or glass block. Some people may prefer ball lights and others, the tiny wire lights. So choose the type of mini lights you like, then find a drill bit to accomodate the hole size you’ll need. Come to think of it, a 1/4″ might do it if using those tiny little wire string ones. Thanks also for subscribing to our newsletter. Neighbors had sent out warning on our commumity facebook page that there was a brown bear siting in our area, though it had been a few weeks. So that’s what popped into my mind as I rounded the curve in my driveway. Whew! Moose can be dangreous too, but here, they are more accustomed to people…still, with a rut on, a bull could be unpredictable. Fortunatly, he was more focused on the cow.

Thanks for the question. I always advise bringing garden art into storage in regions with freezing winters. I’ve actually been thinking about this problem, myself. We don’t get that much rain and I’m accustomed to just dumping it out when it does. However, if the stem used for a bottle flower can bend or be bent, (as opposed to being completely vertical), then it’s less likely to fill with water or will drain. The other idea I had was to drill a small drainage hole in the bottom of the bottle, before attaching the flower head. Most of the water will drain out. But not everyone wants to learn to drill…it’s an extra step that makes the craft a bit more complicated. Bottom line, rain water should not hurt the garden art. If you apply paint on the flower head (as I did) paint on the outside of the glass piece. Use high gloss glass craft paint that dries super hard and won’t wash off. If you come up with an idea, I’d love to hear about it and may include it in the tutorial! Thanks again for dropping a line.

Thanks so much for your kind remarks. I’d love to see what you made so send me a pic and I’ll put it up on our braggin’ board! – Kristen/MIAG