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Blogger Quincy, IL on Jun 10, 2012

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I made flowers out of various dishes and china. Plus metal pipe and I have really cute flowers!

Using window caulk instead of glue, just caulk pieces together. Add a flattened silver spoon to the back so the handle can go down in the hollow pipe to make them into flowers for you garden art!

91 Comments Displaying 25 of 91 comments | See Previous

Terry M Quincy, IL

I flattened the spoon with a hammer on my cement step. The handle of the spoon goes into the pipe.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 1
Mary M Muscatine, IA

Wondering what type of caulk to use. I would really like to make some of these for Christmas gifts with all of the excess china and glass I have around the house. I also saw this type of craft at the Iowa State Fair and vintage jewerlry was used for the center of the flowers, was very pretty.

on Sep 01, 2012 · Like 1
Aubrey L Salem, VA

A friend of mine glued a small plate with a cereal bowl (facing up) on the end of a small pipe and put water in it for the birds. She put bird seed in another one. The birds stood on the plate and ate the seed out of the dish.

on Sep 02, 2012 · Like 2
Bernice H Yakima, WA

This is so pretty! I have told myself so many times I am going to do this, and havent! And I have so much glass ware! Bought especially for projects like this!

on Oct 22, 2012 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Terry M Ramona V I have used clear silicone caulking on my bowling balls with half marbles on them, out in the elements for years, just fine. After a few years yes, some of the marbles have fallen off, but we are talking years. Terry, I am interested in the spoon and pipe or pvc. Those i have seen have been drilled and screwed, and this sounds so much easier and just as good. Do the plates blow in the breeze or do you put silicone down the pipe to keep the spoon from moving?

on Oct 22, 2012 · Like 0
Carol B Union Grove, AL

great idea.

on Nov 18, 2012 · Like 1
Irene Montclair, CA

I love this idea. It would be perfect for my eight yr old grandson to work with me to make a couple for his Mom and Dad for Xmas.

on Nov 18, 2012 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Terry M Hi again, so how do you keep the spoon and plate from moving, do you glue the spoon handle to the pipe inside? And Irene You will have so much fun, such a good idea. Everyone loves homemade gifts for any reason, what a useful attitude to teach your grandson.And you know it wont get stuck in a drawer..it will be outside where it will be seen a lot! haha Especially ...»
in California! Mary M I have used silicone clear caulk, outdoor and bath, my post is above, for bowling balls with marbles glued on. I dont know what Terry uses, but she is in Illinois..so it must be something durable. But old jewelry bling sounds so fun for the middle too!!

on Nov 19, 2012 · Like 0
Irene Montclair, CA

Hi Bernice, My grandsons Mom and Dad always display the things we make for Christmas. One year we made a girl frog and a boy frog out of rocks. I glued them together and Tyler painted them any color he wanted. Last year I had taught him to use the sewing machine so I helped him make pillow cases for his Mom and Dad. I took him to the store and he chose the fabrics air planes for Dad and flowers for Mom. I love doing this with him every year. We also buy a ginger bread kit to make a ...»
Christmas ginger bread house. The holidays are a fun time. Thank you for your nice comments.

on Nov 19, 2012 · Like 2
Bernice H Yakima, WA

OH Irene..this is wonderful! He will never forget these moments!

on Nov 19, 2012 · Like 0
Myrna Mc Kenzie, TN

These are amazing!

on Nov 29, 2012 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Irene How did your crafty days with grandson go this year? Am curious!

on Jan 08, 2013 · Like 0
Irene Montclair, CA

They went very well. He loved the idea of the flower plates for his Mom and Dad. We got the plates at our local thrift store and we also found a small plate with colorful polka dots and it was for Tyler. My son and daughter in law loved the plates. I was able to get pre-cut pvc pipe at Home Depot. They had several different lengths and sizes of holes it was so easy to get just what we needed. Thank for asking, Bernice. I hope you hade a nice Christmas and New Year. We had a very nice time ...»
for both holidays. Hmmmm I just remembered my husband and I didn't give each other a midnight kiss oh well we were both asleep by then. LOL

on Jan 08, 2013 · Like 1
Susan Bellevue, OH

I love this idea, think I will have to try it come spring ...Thank you for sharing

on Jan 24, 2013 · Like 1
Camilla Pennsauken, NJ

This a great idea. I collect antique and not so old but pretty teacups. This idea would be a great way to incorporate this love into my flower beds as I already have a teacup planted half way into the dirt with a Stavia spilling out of it :) Thanks!

on Feb 03, 2013 · Like 2
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Irene Hi..am ready to make some of these. You said you used precut pvc..but what did you do ? Did you use a flattened teaspoon as Terry M said, and HOW did you secure them in the ground so they wouldn't fall over? Did you paint the pvc? And did you NOT post pictures????? They had to be adorable! More info please.

on Mar 21, 2013 · Like 0
Irene Montclair, CA

Hi Bernice, I don't know how to post pictures. The pipes are painted green. I took a teaspoon with me to Home Depot. When I found the precut pvc pipe I put the handle of the spoon into a pipe so I could get the right size opening in the pipe I think it might have been 1/2 inch. We pounded the bowl of the spoon flat with a hammer but I sure do wish I had a nice big vice then I think it would have been a lot easier to flatten the spoon. Using the hammer made my hands and forearms sore. ...»

The pipes just need to be pounded into the ground so that they are firmly in. Attach the spoons to the back of the plate and I bent the handle and put it in a pipe to and held the plate up to the flattened spoon to get the right angle so the plate would face out. Then anyone looking at them would be able to look straight at the plate as if it was standing on its edge. Then just put the flattened bowl of the spoons onto the backs of the plates and secure with the stuff that is called for. I can't remember what it's called right off hand it's late and I don't want to go out to the garage. But fortunately LOL the name of it is in the directions. I set my plates face down on a covered card table and put the stuff on them and let it get solid.When we went to the thrift store we bought 2 sandwich size plates with pretty flowers and then I saw a smaller plate about the size of a saucer and it had colorful polka dots all over it. It was so cute so we got that one for Tyler our grandson. If I left anything out just let me know. It is so nice hearing from you again. I'm on face book and if you would like to friend me I would like that. I'll see if I can find you on face book and friend you.

on Mar 21, 2013 · Like 0
Irene Montclair, CA

Me again Bernice, I looked it up. It is called sillicon caulking and you will need a caulking gun to put the tube of caulking in. My name is Irene Foss. I tried finding you on facebook but all I had to go on was Bernice H so I missed you or you don't do facebook. One or the other.

on Mar 21, 2013 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Hi Irene yes, I use clear silicone probably the most. I have used e6000 and it is too runny for me. I have tried other stuff but always come back to clear silicone because I know how it works etc. However a post mentioned marine goop, so I am going to try that next. It is strong enough for boats etc, so ..it is worth a try. I will send you a private message. oops.... I cant until you follow me! ha

on Mar 22, 2013 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Irene Terry M I glued my plates together today. Not as pretty as yours Terry, but it is a start. yesterday hubs and I did a marathon look for pvc, pipe, something flat to attach plates to...yada yada yada. He is sweet, but sometimes ocd. marathon search. Finally at habitat we found some brackets that have a flat tilted end. He needs to cut the bracket in half , then i ...»
will have 4 rods to glue plates on .But now I need more plates! I actually glued half marbles on my plates to make them more interesting! I will post when finished.I love the green duct tape idea, the pvc pipe is white and I am hoping it is not going to look stupid and too big for the flower!

on Mar 29, 2013 · Like 0
Irene Montclair, CA

It only takes a pvc pipe that the handle of a spoon will fit inside maybe a 1/2" pipe. If you use a spoon with the bowl flattened you can bend the handle easily to make the flower be in the position you want it to be when you look at the plate. When it is painted green dark or light it will blend into the foliage around it. I still haven't made any for myself and I need to get going.

on Mar 29, 2013 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Terry M Irene How tall are you making these? They look like about 2 feet high? Hubs may have time tomorrow to cut the piece of pvc, and then I will glue them on. I am still concerned about water spotting and mineral buildup.

on Mar 30, 2013 · Like 0
Irene Montclair, CA

I hadn't thought about water spotting or mineral buildup. But probably a cloth with some lime away would take care of that. I think the pvc could be 2' or 1 1/2' maybe even 18" high. If it was in a pot with some flowers it would be cute with a small plate and the pvc cut 8" or so. I have some not too deep round pots that are about 12" or so across with succulents in them. Wouldn't it be cute to put a little plate maybe 3" across glued to the spoon and the spoon handle stuck into the soil ...»
in the pot. The plate would be really cute if we could find some with a picture of cactus or succulents or something that would look cute with the succulents. Or if you have some acrylic paints it would be fun to paint some cactus and or succulents on a plain little plate. Oh boy that's what happens when you get me to thinking about something. More to do!!!!
But fun. LOL That's a little more than you asked but I just can't stop thinking. LOL

on Mar 30, 2013 · Like 0
Terri Corpus Christi, TX

I made some of these, too. I used glass paint on the back side of clear cut glass dishes and it really gave it a new demension. I love these. My husband doesn't get it, though.

on Mar 31, 2013 · Like 1
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Terri Isn't that the truth???? I know hubs is just going along with this, and not saying what he really thinks. Irene You just keep on thinking girl...I like the idea of small ones, especially while waiting for the pots to fill out with whatever they are going to grow this year. I did put some gems, (half marbles ) on my plates too. think I will try painting a little on the ...»
clear one. Oh well, there are always yard sales. Maybe someone will think they are cute and take them off my hands! BTW Have you girls seen the garden lined with plates just stuck in the ground? And another one with bowling balls lining the garden pathway. I also saw one with bottles stuck in the ground lining the pathway. Makes gardens really interesting. My fave is still the bottle trees! Terry M I am still working on this! Good gravy!

on Apr 02, 2013 · Like 0