Custom Letter (or word) China Plates Tutorial

This project was actually created out of my need for signage for my new art studio

at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, PA! Having lots of great wall space to fill, I needed

a way to display my name on my wall so that when folks visited my studio they could get

an idea of who I am and what I do. I'm never one to go the traditional route, so I didn't want to use standard printed signage. Instead, I put my brain into creative overdrive and   

created my own unique signage by working with what I'm most familiar with: plates!

I love how they turned out!

 I thought I'd share with you how I created these word plates in case you'd like

to create your own. Just imagine the word possibilities that you could create with these!

You could spell out anything that you could imagine and hang them anywhere in your home.

A few ideas: EAT or DINE (for the kitchen), RELAX or DREAM (for the bedroom), FAMILY

or HOME (for the living room or family room). You get the idea! 

This really is a great DIY home decor project that costs next to nothing (and its fun!) 

Check it out!

My finished letter plates, ready for hanging! This entire project only cost me $6.00!

Materials Needed

A collection of old plates, all similar in size
Black Sharpie marker
Large sized paper clips (you will need one for each plate)
E6000 adhesive
Toothpick or craft stick to apply adhesive
Paper plate (to rest the adhesive on while you are working)
Vinyl stick on letters (the repositionable type)


Instructions

1. The first thing you have to do is collect a bunch of different pattered plates. I used dinner-
sized plates which were all similar in size. Each was about 8" across (20.3 cm) give or take an inch or so. They do not all have to be exactly the same size, just close in size. I thought the 
large sized plates packed a punch and made a nice impact, so I went with those. You could also use smaller plates if you prefer. Just make sure the plates that you choose are all
around the same size. It just looks better that way! 

Where to get plates: thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets, friends and family. These are
the best places to find plates. You want to have a variety of different plates, so start
collecting them now and stash them away until you have a nice selection. How about sharing
this project idea with a friend? That way, you can give each other your duplicate plates (since
you will often find a few of the same pattern for sale at one time.) Once you have your plates,
wash them in warm soapy water and dry them, making sure they are very clean.
  

Repositionable vinyl peel off letters. These are the bomb!

2. The next thing you are going to do is get your paws on some repositionable vinyl letters. 

These are sold in different sizes. The size you will use will be determined by the size 

plates you are using, so you will want to collect your plates first and then purchase your 

vinyl letters afterward. I used the 4" (10.2 cm) vinyl letters. These are available from

craft stores, some hardware stores, as well as online. I bought mine at Dick Blick Art 

Supply because that was closest to where I live. One pack of the vinyl letters cost me

about $6.00, and I thought that was a bargain! I was lucky that I only had to buy one

package of letters. Depending on what you are going to spell out, you may need to buy

more than one package, so plan ahead! There are only so many of each letter included in 

a package. For example, the character count of letters in the package that I bought was 

as follows: A-2, B-1, C-1, D-2, E-3, F-1, etc., so check the package!

Before you apply the letters, lay all of your plates out on a large tabletop and turn them 

until you are pleased with the positions of the patterns on the plates. Position the plates 

on your table top in the same order that you would like them hung on your wall. Next, carefully peel off your first vinyl letter and starting with the top of the letter, position it on your plate (either centered or not, your choice). Slowly apply the letter to your plate, starting with the top of the letter and working down. Go very slow to make sure you don't get any air bubbles or wrinkles in you letters when you are applying them. Yes, they are repositionable, but they also stick really well! You do not want to have to reposition them unless it is absolutely necessary! The first time that you apply them is when they have the best adhesion!  Once your letter is applied, smooth it out with your fingers and then move on to the next one. 

There you have it! Isn't that cool? 


3. Once you have all of your letters on your plates you are ready to attach hooks
to the reverse side to hang them with. You can buy those wire plate hangers if
you prefer, but my way is free! Yay! 

Before you attach a hanger on the reverse side of your plate you need to eyeball it
and make a marker mark on the reverse side to indicate exactly where you will be 
gluing the hanger. You want to do this so that your letters will not be crooked when
hung on the wall. With one hand, hold your plate in front of you, perfectly centered 
(facing you), and with your other hand make a small marker mark on the reverse 
side at the top center edge. Just estimate as best you can where the top center 
is on the reverse side of your plate. Then draw a line going down the back of 
the plate from the marker mark that you made towards the center and over the 
foot (ridge) of the plate. That is the spot where you will glue your hanger.  

This line indicates the top center of the plate from the reverse side

4. Open up a large paper clip as shown in the photo below. Use your fingers to bend the

paper clip so that it sits relatively flat against your plate. It doesn't have to be perfect,

 just try to make it flat if you can. I positioned the small end of the paper clip towards

the center of the plate so that the large end of the paper clip would serve as the hook

for hanging.  

I recommend this adhesive. I would NOT recommend using a hot glue gun! 

5. Now you are ready to glue the clip to the plate. Use your craft stick or toothpick to 

apply a thick, generous coating of adhesive to the small end of the paper clip, traveling up

 towards the hook/large end. Coat the entire small end of the clip to the plate. Do not 

be stingy with your adhesive! Spread it around the clip with your toothpick or craft 

stick. Make sure it is really well coated with a nice thick coating of adhesive.

 Allow to dry 24 hours or at least overnight. 

Clip with dried adhesive

6. All you have to do now is hang them on your wall. I used regular nails to hang mine, 

but depending on what your wall material is made of (and especially if you are hanging

 large, heavy plates) you may need to use reinforcements for your nails, such as mollys 

or anchors. If you are unsure of what type of nail to use, ask for advice at your

 local hardware store. 

That's it! 

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial!  

What do you think?

What would your plates say?

Disclaimer: Please use your best judgment when completing this or any craft project! Always remember that safety comes first! Use good sense when choosing where you will hang your plates and always use the correct length and type of nail and/or supports to hang heavy items. When completing this or any project you do so at your own risk. 

Bohemian Beaded Colored Mason Jar Tutorial

In my last post, Colored Glass Mason Jar Tutorial, I demonstrated how to 

create extremely cool and stylish colored jars with Mod Podge and food coloring. 

Now, take it a step further and dress up those pretty jars with some wire

 and beads and turn them into beautiful Bohemian hanging jars...

First, gather your supplies.  

Here is what you will need:

One finished colored jar (here's the DIY tutorial for coloring the jars)

Craft wire (I used 20g around the jar and 26 g for the beads)

Craft chain (I used jewelry chain) and Jump rings (5-6mm) 

A variety of coordinating beads

Jewelry pliers - any type, small

Directions for adding wire & chain hangers to the jars: 

1. Cut a 3 foot length of 20 gauge craft wire and wrap the wire around 

the rim of the jar below the lip. When you get to the end of the wire, 

twist it together with the beginning end of wire until both ends are 

secured together, and then snip off any excess wire. Tuck any pointy 

wire ends against the jar with a pair of pliers. 

(Note: if you are going to add beads to your jar, do this before adding the chain hangers)

2. Measure and cut four equal lengths of chain. I made each of mine 8 

inches long. Attach lengths of jewelry chain to the wire with jump rings. 

3. Gather together the four lose ends of chain and attach together 

with another jump ring or with a piece of wire and close. 

To decorate your jar with beads:

4. Now cut another long piece of thinner, 26g wire (long enough to wrap around 

the neck of the jar a few times) and do the same thing you did before, wrap the wire 

around the neck of the jar, but this time, first secure the beginning of your wire 

to the wire that you already wrapped around the jar. Now add beads to 

the wire as you go along. 

I strung about 4 to 5 inches of beads and then stopped and wrapped my wire 

around the existing wire to secure it, then I continued, adding another 5 inches 

or so of beads, then again stopped and wrapped the wire to secure it, then added

 more beads, and so on. When you get to the end of the wire, wrap it around 

the wraps and tuck in any pointy ends with a pair of pliers.

5. You can also use additional pieces of wire or headpins to 

create beaded drops and attach those to your jar. 

6. Now attach your chain hangers as described above in step 2.

That's it! Hang in a sunny window. 

You can use this as a candle holder, but do not put the candle directly 

into the jar. Instead, place a candle inside a glass votive and then place 

the votive inside the jar. Not made for holding food or water unless you

use some type of liner inside the jar. 

This was my inspiration photo...

What do you think?



This DIY copyright Laura Beth Love 2013



Check out my new Boho Chic jewelry book!

Colored Glass Mason Jar Tutorial

What could be prettier than colored glass? 

With this tutorial, I'll show you how to easily turn any

ordinary glass jar into a colorful work of art with just three

 supplies that are available at your local craft store.  

Ready? Let's go!

First, gather your supplies.  

Here is what you will need:

Glass jars. Any size or type will do.

 The jar above is an 8 oz. standard jelly jar. 

The jar below is a larger standard shaped canning jar. 

Make sure your jar is clean and dry!

 

Food coloring. I used gel icing color from Wilton in Rose, Teal, and Violet. 

Mod Podge Gloss

Note: You can use Mod Podge Matte for this project but be advised 

that once it dries the results will be semi-transparent, or cloudy. 

Use the Mod Podge Gloss for a transparent, stained glass look. 

 

A paper plate or large piece of waxed paper.   Craft sticks for mixing your mixture.

Directions for coloring the jars: 

Note: The amount of Mod Podge that you use will depend on the size of your jar. 

The directions below are for a standard medium-sized (8oz) jelly jar.

1. Pour about 4 - 6 Tablespoons of Mod Podge Gloss into your jar and using a craft stick, 

mix in a small amount of food coloring, adding more food coloring until desired 

shade of color is achieved. I used about 1/8 teaspoon of food color in an 8 oz. jar. 

Mix well, until the food coloring and Mod Podge are completely combined. 

Be careful not to mix so vigorously that you create air bubbles. Easy does it!  

2. Your mixture will be opaque while it is wet, but will dry transparent. 

3. Once mixture is completely combined, remove the craft stick and slowly roll 

the jar with your hands to distribute the mixture over the entire inside of the jar. 

Do not use your craft stick or a paintbrush to help spread the mixture. 

Allow gravity to do all the work. 

4. Once the inside of the jar is completely coated, pour out the excess mixture 

and wipe away any drips around the mouth of your jar. Turn the jar upside down 

and onto a paper plate or piece of waxed paper to allow any remaining mixture 

to drain from the jar. 

5. Once the excess is drained from the jar (I drained mine for about an hour), 

turn the jar right-side up and set aside to dry. Drying time varies depending 

on your room temperature. I worked next to a hot pellet stove, so my jars 

dried in about 4-6 hours. In normal  or damp conditions, it could take 24-48 

hours for your jar to completely dry. 

Finished jar made with teal coloring

Didn't like your results? Simply soak the jar in warm water
to remove the color, wash the jar and try again! 

Use jar as a candle holder by inserting a glass votive with a candle inside the jar 
(do not put candle directly inside the jar.)  Because the color is water-soluble, you 
can only use this as a vase if you insert a liner. 

 

Finished jar made with violet and rose coloring 
(above and below)

The dark areas on the jar above were still drying.

Finished jar made with rose coloring 

Wait! Come back!
Be sure to check back soon for the second part of this post, 

Bohemian Beaded Mason Jar Tutorial, 

where I'll show you how to decorate your jar with wire and beads!

What do you think?

Check out my new book!

An Exciting Announcement: My New Book!

I'm THRILLED to announce that my first jewelry instruction book will be 

published by North Light Books and will be available February 2014! 

The book will feature a beautiful selection of jewelry projects that I designed, 

and will be full of great tips and techniques! If you've ever wanted to learn how to 

make jewelry like me, here you go!  

Stay tuned to my blog and Facebook page, where I'll be announcing when 

the book is available for preorder!

Thanks for visiting!

Doily Print Clay Dough Ornaments Tutorial

In my last blog post, Bright White Clay Dough, I shared a recipe and directions for how to make your own white clay dough and ornaments using cornstarch, baking soda, water, and a little creativity.

Now let's take it a step further and make some ornaments with doily imprints on them! Your friends and family will be so impressed and will think that you spent hours working on these, when in reality, they are super simple to make and take no time at all. 

To make these you will need one batch

of Bright White Clay Dough. The recipe 

and directions can be found here. 

Unlike salt dough (which has a golden appearance),
Clay Dough has a silky texture and does not darken 
during baking but remains a bright white. 

Doily Print Clay Dough Ornaments

Prepare a batch of clay dough as directed here.

 Roll clay to 1/4 thickness. Position doily on clay as desired. 

Using a rolling pin, gently imprint the doily into the dough by rolling back and 

forth a few times. 

Slowly remove the doily to reveal your doily-imprinted clay.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and bake as directed in the recipe. 

Completed baked clay dough ornament.

You can leave them white, or add color...

Here are the results of my color experiments: 

If you want to create a contrast, gently blot the finished design with an ink pad.

Here is the same star from above. I blotted it with a damp paper towel to soften

the ink and spread the color throughout the ornament.

 Next I blotted it with white ink. I like this snowy effect.

Here it is with a heavy blue coat of ink. 

What do you think?

Pin this post! 

Thanks for visiting!