{"id":926,"date":"2019-04-24T20:44:42","date_gmt":"2019-04-25T04:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=926"},"modified":"2023-02-18T19:01:41","modified_gmt":"2023-02-19T04:01:41","slug":"whimsical-dish-flowers-and-how-to-make-one-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/whimsical-dish-flowers-and-how-to-make-one-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Whimsical Dish Flowers and How to Make One"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Over the Rainbow” on metal conduit post<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

They go by different names: plate flowers, sun catchers, garden art flowers and dish flowers. Whatever you call them, they have grown over the years to become some of the most loved garden art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I certainly fell in love with them when I first started seeing dish flowers on Pinterest. If you’d like to try making one yourself, then read on! This TUTORIAL is packed with those “little details” that will not only help your craft project be successful but give you ideas for a more beautiful dish flower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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dish flower in author’s garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When I first started making my own dish flowers, I did a ton<\/em> of research. You see, I was planning on selling my garden art, so they absolutely had<\/em> to be made to a high standard. I learned a bit of history behind these things; plus different materials and construction methods. In doing so, I picked up a lot a neat tips from other makers that helped tremendously. All of which I happily pass on to you here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A word of encouragement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve tried to make one in the past and it didn’t work out, or you just weren’t overly excited with it, don’t give up! I hope you’ll give it another try. Perhaps this tutorial will give you some valuable insight or even just a new idea you hadn’t thought of before that will give you a better result and thus make your efforts more rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction to making dish flowers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This tutorial will utilize the “drill method<\/strong>” for making dish flowers. If you are planning on using a different method, other aspects of making dish flowers…such as ideas for pretty plate combinations and glue techniques will still be relevant to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drill method of construction involves using a special drill bit to make a hole through the center of the plate. The plate is then attached to the post using a machine screw and wing nut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Drilling the plate is my personal preferred method to attach a dish flower to its post. The flower head can get heavy with all those glass and ceramic plates. While this method is a little more involved than gluing, I feel that the art piece is better supported and more secure when attached to the post with a bolt. Then, the weight of the piece is supported in two places: the entry and exit point of the post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gluing is certainly easier, faster, and generally doesn’t require any specialty tools. However, glue failures are the number one reason why dish flowers fall apart and sometimes break, particularly in hot climates. SEE my article on “The Best Glues to Use for Garden Art”<\/a>. Construction methods are the number one question customers ask me before buying one of my dish flowers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other methods to attach to post<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Different craftsmen use different methods for different reasons, such as gluing something onto the back of the plate. I do not personally use nor recommend these methods because the plate has a tendency to slip off. Never-the-less, here are some other examples of using adhesive to attach the dish flower head to the support post:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flattened spoon glued to back side inserted in copper pipe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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plastic plumbing elbow glued to plate
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Hockey puck and rebar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In my first tutorials, I tried to cover all the bases to give readers a couple of options for making dish flowers. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm got the best of me. There are just too many variables. Someone who is new to this craft wouldn’t be well served. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tried to remember what it was like for myself, when I was first learning and which tutorials were the most helpful. For that reason, I have decided to offer only<\/em> the drill method<\/strong>, which is the method I use as an artist. It’s included here, simply scroll down a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dish Flower Tutorial<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n