Pen & Ink Sketch Decorative Plates
My goodness, November is flying by! Get it…flying…insects. I crack myself up. But seriously, I have been having a blast coming up with new creative gift ideas that you can make. This idea for making pen and ink sketch decorative dessert plates turned out better than I expected! The only downside is that they really are only for decoration. The paint used on the plates can be cured, but the manufacturer states that it technically isn’t food safe.
With that disclaimer out of the way, think about how you could commemorate an event with a personalized plate. Or you could use the same stenciling technique on the outside of a pitcher, mug, glasses or anywhere that the food wouldn’t be in contact with.
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Materials:
- Dessert plates (bought mine at a thrift store for $1 each)
- Porcelaine Chalkboard paint
- Porcelaine gold paint
- Scissors
- Credit card or spatula for burnishing
- Sponge applicator or paint brush
- X-acto knife
- Decorative stencil cut outs (used my Silhouette to cut bug shapes)
- Transfer paper
Optional: Porcelaine or glass ink pens for writing
Instructions:
1. Chose your design and use a Silhouette (or other craft cutter) to cut out the design on vinyl.
2. Weed out (remove) all the inside areas of your design. Lay a sheet of transfer paper on top of your vinyl and burnish it (rub the transfer paper to adhere it to the vinyl.)
3. Carefully remove the backing from the vinyl.
4. Center the design on a clean plate. Burnish again to adhere the vinyl to the plate.
5. Carefully remove the transfer paper from the vinyl.
6. Sponge or paint black chalkboard paint over the stencil.
Don’t freak out when the paint appears bubbly. It will settle and smooth out as it dries.
7. Paint gold paint around the plate edges. I found it difficult to get a precise line, so I went with the bumpy organic look instead.
8. Allow the paint to dry. Gently remove the vinyl from the plate. Use an x-acto knife to pull up the little pieces.
9. If you want to cure your plates, bake them in a non-preheated oven at 300F for 30 minute. Then leave them in the oven as it cools.
Use DiscChangers or other plate hangers to hang your plates on the wall.
I am of the mind set that if you can’t hide something unsightly then work with it. My Nest thermostat is now happily surrounded by some flying friends. I might add a few more plates soon.
What do you think? These decorative plates are high end boutique-chic, don’t you think? And they cost $1 each plus supplies.
Pin for later!
I am loving the chalkboard mugs!!!
Do I have to narrow it down to just one???? If I had all the time in the world, I would love to make the iPad holder, the succulent garden, and the book storage for myself. The scarves and clipboards would make great gifts for the kids teachers! 🙂
What cute plates!!
One of my favorite frugal gift I love to give as a kid birthday gift is a “fort kit” using a sheet with ties sewn on, clothes pins, a rope, a flashlight and any other fort necessity. I would love to use the portrait to make gift tags to go with the fort kit!
Great idea about the plates! I will definitely have to try it!
I love your plate tutorial. That would be a great project.
We did coffee cup sets for everyone last Christmas. 🙂 kidlet and used pretty white $1 store cups and sharpie paint pens. 🙂
I like the DIY Rustic Wood Cake Stand
I love frugal and I love crafts. I love all those ideas. I love your tutorial on how to do those plates. They look awesome. My aunt would love something like that with seashells! Thanks for the ideas! 🙂
I love the scarves and the plates are pretty awesome too!
These plates are FAB!!! & would be an awesome craft night project, new home decration, gift, etc! Thanks for sharing & having this awesome giveaway!!!
I love the birdhouse. It reminds me so much of my grandmother.
I love love love those plates! they are so cute! The dyed scarves are really neat as well.
Your plates are beautiful! I would love to win a Silhouette so I can do some fun craft projects too.
I love the cake stand!