{"id":6048,"date":"2020-06-18T12:03:23","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T20:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=6048"},"modified":"2022-03-13T22:43:29","modified_gmt":"2022-03-14T06:43:29","slug":"how-to-add-a-leaf-to-your-dish-flower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/how-to-add-a-leaf-to-your-dish-flower\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Add a Leaf to Your Dish Flower"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"dish<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“That’s different, I love the leaf!”<\/em> and, “You never see them with a leaf.”<\/em> That’s how my customers react every time I make a dish flower with a leaf. It just adds to the whimsey of the piece and makes my artwork stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, people who have never seen dish flowers before wonder what they are. All they see are a bunch of dishes on a post. With the addition of a leaf, the art is immediately recognized as a flower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even so, I do not put a leaf on every dish flower I make. Why? Well, artistically speaking, it doesn’t always look right. Sometimes, a leaf just doesn’t enhance the piece but rather detracts from it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, it’s not easy to find a dish that makes a suitable leaf. Although when I come across one while thrifting, I’ll snatch it right up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes a great leaf?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the leaf motif is common in household decor; particularly for summer and fall. So start by looking for something that looks like a leaf such as leaf-shaped candle ware or small serving dishes. I find most of my dish flower materials at thrift stores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But try other things, too. For whimsical appeal, consider a spoon, a fork, or both. Anything could be a “leaf”. Don’t limit your creativity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ceramic, plastic or metal are good choices for a leaf as they will hold up better in an outside environment. Avoid the ones that appear thin and fragile. If you don’t like the color or pattern, remember that most things can be spray-painted. The leaf in the photo below was originally white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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White ceramic leaf is spray-painted to match this happy sunflower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Attaching the leaf to the post<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s a fairly straight forward process to add a leaf to your dish flower. I use a simple mending brace to attach a leaf to the post because it’s good and sturdy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The mending brace may also be attached with a strong weather-proof glue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Because I make my dish flowers using the drill method<\/a>, I do the same when I attach a leaf. It’s better assurance that the leaf won’t fall off if the glue fails. But if you would rather glue, use GE 100% Silicone<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to position the leaf:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place the flower head on the post. Hold the leaf next to the post to determine a good position for it. Mark that location with a sharpie pen. That’s where you’ll drill a hole for the leaf attachment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why using a mending brace works so nicely. When the leaf\/bracket unit is attached to the post with a screw, it’s there to stay!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TIP: If using a metal or aluminum fork or spoon or cooking utensil, just drill a hole thru the handle. No need to use a bracket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Drill a 2nd hole in the post for the leaf attachment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Materials <\/h2>\n\n\n\n