{"id":6932,"date":"2022-01-15T18:16:46","date_gmt":"2022-01-16T03:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=6932"},"modified":"2022-09-19T19:50:41","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T03:50:41","slug":"make-your-best-garden-art-flowers-with-ceramic-plates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/make-your-best-garden-art-flowers-with-ceramic-plates\/","title":{"rendered":"Make Your Best Garden Art Flowers with ceramic plates"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Ceramic
Fairy sighting!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Garden Art Flowers Tutorial<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for a good tutorial with lots of tips and ideas for beginners, then maybe I can be of help. If you’ve tried making them before and encountered problems, this might shed some light. You see, I’ve been making and selling garden art flowers at craft shows for several years now. People ask questions: “what glue do you use?” and “how is it attached to the post?” And I can absolutely vouch for my methods of construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I remember what it was like when I first started out; traipsing all over the Internet trying to figure out how to make these things. That’s why I go the extra mile to write comprehensive tutorials, so you’ll be happy with the way your craft project turns out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s Covered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PART 1:<\/strong> Great dishes that make great garden art–what to look for<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PART 2:<\/strong> Assembly methods and which are most secure in the outdoors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PART 3-a<\/strong>: Adhesives and glues– which ones are dependable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PART 3-b<\/strong>: Putting Your Art Flower Together <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PART 4:<\/strong> The Post: Setting up & displaying your art piece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 1: Find pretty ceramic plates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to dish flowers, many people think of the glass ones, sometimes referred to as “suncatchers”. And they are very beautiful with the light shining through them. But ceramic plates with their bright, solid colors and patterns, produce garden art flowers that are just as lovely and whimsical as their glass sisters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ceramic plates have a lot going for them:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • They come already decorated<\/li>
  • Bright, bold colors and patterns easier to mix and match<\/li>
  • Less fragile than glass<\/li>
  • hold up well outdoors<\/li>
  • Priced lower than glass dishware at the thrift store <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s a few I’ve made over the years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"garden
    “Sunny Side Up”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"garden
    “A Star is Born”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"garden
    “Over the Rainbow”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Where to find dishes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Thrift stores<\/strong> and garage sales<\/strong> are inexpensive places to find your materials. Pick the colors and designs that personally appeal to YOU. Do not be discouraged if you don’t find everything in one place. Inventory comes and goes and the selection can be a little thin sometimes. Or, maybe nothing in particular strikes your fancy and that’s OK. I browse through different stores on different days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What to look for:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The best ceramic plates for garden art flowers look like flowers. These are the decorative dishes with scalloped edges and floral shapes. Some plates were originally created to be hung on a wall. Some are made for candle decor. ALL may be used for making garden art flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"example
    look for decorative plates with floral shapes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Making Garden Art Flowers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Materials List:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Ceramic dishes 3 minimum: dinner plate, salad sized plate (or bowl), a center piece<\/li>
    • 1 tube of silicone sealant, clear for exterior<\/li>
    • cloth rag<\/li>
    • section of 3\/4″ galvanized plumbing conduit for the post, 3-4ft length<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      NOTE<\/strong>: CONSTRUCTION METHODS There is more than one method crafters use to attach the flower head to the post. I’ve included them here as an alternative for your consideration. (Scroll to PART 2) Personally, I use and recommend the drill method<\/strong> which involves using a special drill bit to grind a hole thru the plate. This method is meticulously explained in this tutorial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      3<\/strong> Components of a Garden Art Flower<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1) A dinner-sized plate <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2) a smaller, salad plate <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      3) something to use for the center piece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      \"example
      The 3 basic components of a garden art flower<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      TIP:<\/strong> Browse through the candle ware at the thrift store. There’s all kinds of wonderful decorative items that will make a great center piece for your garden art flower. Or maybe a tea cup and saucer?<\/p>\n\n\n

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      \"Group
      votive candle decor<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

      Bring ceramic plates to life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      If you wish, you may add some delightful painted accents to any solid-colored ceramic plates. Even something as simple as polka dots gives a dose of the whimsical to an otherwise ordinary plate. Practice your imagination without reserve. If you don’t like the way the paint looks, just wash it off!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      TIP:<\/strong> Use a dauber for perfect polka dots or cheap paint brushes to make stripes or other designs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"solid<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      The Right Paint for Garden Art Flowers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Use only Gloss ENAMEL craft paint as it endures the weather without fading or washing off (once it’s fully cured, that is!) To speed the curing process, painted plates can be baked in the oven. 350 degrees for 20 minutes–or according to directions on the bottle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      *Important: Check the backside of the plate to ensure it’s oven safe. Place the plate in a cool oven and let it heat up gradually. When done, turn off the oven and allow the plate to cool down gradually, too.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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      \"small
      Use enamel craft paint to add whimsical accents<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

      PART 2: Methods of Assembly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      As mentioned above, different crafters use different methods to attach the flower head to the post. NOTE: I have not<\/em> personally tried them, but included them here as an alternative if you prefer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      \"example
      flattened spoon glued to back of plate and inserted in copper pipe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      Ceramic plate glued to glass bottle at the rim. Hung on a threaded galvanized pipe. Some crafters use rebar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      The drill method explained<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      As an artist who makes and sells handmade Garden Art Flowers, I promote the drill method. In my experience, it’s more secure for the weight of all those dishes than gluing some type of attachment to the backside of the plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Ceramic plates are quite easy to drill and rarely break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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