Asked on Mar 23, 2013

Looking for ideas......

Jayme
by Jayme
I went "shopping" today and picked up a couple of embossed aluminium trays. I have an idea what I would like to do with them, but thought I might get some cool input from Hometalk peeps. I do not believe that they are worth anything so I am open to suggestions.
Aluminium trays - one is embosed with Iris and the other might be apple blossoms... or not.
Apple blossoms or something else?
Hard to see, but is an Iris
  22 answers
  • Jeanine Wester Jeanine Wester on Mar 23, 2013
    Mount pictures or mirrors on them and hang them? Just wouldn't want to do anything too big over it or you'll cover up the nice embossing. What were you thinking of? These are a nice find! Or they'd be very nice just as a base for a centerpiece, of course!
  • Liesa Liesa on Mar 24, 2013
    paint inside to edge with black chalk board paint and hang for messages
  • Decor 8 Decor 8 on Mar 24, 2013
    Paint with chalk paint and protect with dark wax. The wax will enhance the embossing on the tray and make it look very cool!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Mar 24, 2013
    Just hang them in a group with other things and enjoy them for their own beauty. It does not need to be enhanced.
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Mar 24, 2013
    Rub them with some thinned down black acrylic paint, immediately wiping off the excess from the raised areas, just leaving a little black in the nooks and crannies. This will outline the raised design, and subtlety enhance what is there, making them look naturally aged. This is assuming that you won't be using them for food or having to wash them, more than damp wiping.
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Mar 25, 2013
    @Jayme I agree with @SheilaG, Plum Doodles and @Leslie D They are so pretty , just emphasize what they already have!
  • Jude Jude on Mar 25, 2013
    Polish them up and use them to hold your hair brush, make up, perfumes, etc. Or just use them as little dessert trays.
  • Melody M Melody M on Mar 25, 2013
    I dont know how you can use them but they are beautiful..... I would hang them with plate hangers and go simple.
  • Carolyn Cavender Carolyn Cavender on Mar 25, 2013
    I heard that there is such a thing as "liquid glass" you could probably put on after enhancement to preserve and make cleaning them easier. Shinier too.
  • Marcia Reichert Marcia Reichert on Mar 26, 2013
    If I had one of those, I'd try to do a rub relief by laying foil over the plate and rubbing it with my finger or and eraser to pick up the pattern and maybe using it as background in a frame for photos or whatever.
  • Z Z on Mar 26, 2013
    Not knowing the size it would be hard to think of something to use them for, but I like Leslie's idea with Sheila's finish. And she's right the small flower is dogwood.
  • ...These are a great find ! I just got one of these at a flea market here in Iowa , and I ' aged ' it a TINY bit, and its on the bathroom counter, ...I put the bathroom accessories ( the q tip holder, cotton ball holder...pretty glass bottles that hold mouthwash, and cups for the mouth wash) on it and it looks good. I decided to not do anything with it, but to use it for a tray. :)
  • Susen Gail Susen Gail on Jul 03, 2015
    I found one a couple of weeks ago to use as a chalkboard. Have the paint, but haven't had the time. Got the idea from hometalk. I'm not sure how the design will work with the chalkpaint, but I can try something else if this doesn't work. It's all about having fun. susen
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jul 03, 2015
    You could turn the round one into a clock...and the other one into a message board as @Liesa said.
  • Denise Denise on Aug 14, 2015
    Whatever you decide, try to bring out the original etchings. It is pretty.
    • Marilyn Marilyn on Jul 14, 2016
      My Mom etched a tray like this one in the '50's and until recently I had it in my craft supplies. Took it to a Habitat store to donate and am still having remorse about it. Paint, just paint so the etching will show clearly. This takes more talent than most people have!
  • Flora Flora on Dec 06, 2015
    I would just clean them and use for cookies, tea cakes, and other mini items when serving. You may also cover with lettuce and put salad items on top when entertaining. I would not alter the design. I love the trays in their original forms.
  • Dre Dre on Feb 21, 2016
    I would add a "pedestal" (any type of candlestick or glass upside down) to the round one. You could use it on your table or anywhere for a cute vignette..... and I would add handles to the other one tuning it into a tray.
  • Cindy Cindy on Aug 08, 2016
    I'm quite sure instead of apple blossom design is actually dogwood tree blooms. Lucky you...
  • Pkb11884727 Pkb11884727 on Oct 17, 2016
    The one is Dogwood. They may be marked on the back with the maker company. Lots made here in Pa. I have a large box full that were my mother 's.
  • Blr12475259 Blr12475259 on Oct 17, 2016
    The first tray shown has dogwood blossoms etched on it.
  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Oct 17, 2016
    I saw a really pretty medallion for a ceiling fixture made of one of those trays. I don't know the size of yours but now I'm going "shopping" for the light fixture above my kitchen sink. 😏
  • Linda Elliott Main Linda Elliott Main on Nov 12, 2016
    I really like Dre's idea!