The Gifting Holidays are just around the Corner
I hate to say it, but with the cool breath of FROST in the air for the next three nights,
and local merchants---pushing the orange/black to the side for red/green/glitz;
the *WINTER HOLIDAYS* are right around the corner.
LAST YEAR, I thought ahead for a change after admiring some NEW Tiered-Cookie-Trays
at a craft show...just like this---for $35.00 and up, I knew I needed quite a few,
and the budget...well UGH!
During the OLD 1950's when I grew up...yes, I'm that OLD--
every house you visited had a gorgeous tiered-cookietray
filled with nummy holiday baking and candies.
I LOVE that Vintage tiered-cookietrays have made a comeback along with pedestal cakeplates.
I thought golly, I have a stash of OLD dishes here and there...
I could easily add to and REDO my own for my GIFT LIST.
Here is a great example of OLD plates that could easily be put together into a REDO tiered tray.
I actually bought these at thrfit shops and Goodwill
for as little as 25 cents each and up to $1.99 for the Castle plate.
Keep in mind thick plates take longer to drill through---I mean way longer.
But all you need is elbow grease, a power drill, the handle hardware, drill bits and patience.
I knew I needed seven sets for gifts, and I wasn't shy about spreading plates out
on a ping-pong table at the store (Goodwill) to see what went together with my own.
Here I chose a pinecone theme for my sister-in-law with the beautiful house in the woods.
Make sure you have a few extras in solids just in case of any breakage.
(We had two plates not usable out of 32 after drilling)
Here is a Cardinal themed set-up with the hardware, for a lover of cardinals.
I chose a smaller red plate to include with the cardinal setup, so the cardianl tray can be used all year round. The best part they can be dismantled to store flat...just three plates and the hardware.
I chose NEW traditional hardware...by the dozen, but they come in many styles and finishes.
This hardware ran about $15.00 for 12 sets plus shipping.
It was a bit on the thin side, so next time I will order the thicker sets.
Watch carefully where the shipper is located, as many are from China
and shipping from there takes forever. Mine came from San Francisco.
All the pieces have plastic gaskets to protect the plates,
and easily fit together adapting to thick or thin plates.
I only had one plate that was really too thick for the hardware.
You will need a ceramic drill in the size to match the screws in your hardware.
The bit should be labeled for glass and tile, and plan on buying more than one.
We went through 4-5 bits for thirty-two holes....of different thicknesses.
Drill from the top surface down...because if there is splintering, it will occur on the bottom then.
After drilling I sealed the holes with non-toxic (GREEN) acrylic sealer.
I recommended handwashing for all the pieces on the tags I included with each tray.
This was an ivy green plate on the bottom with a solid top plate
and a great vintage dessert plate with fruit in the square shape as an alternate top plate.
This one was actually my favorite.
Green was chosen for a friend who serves homebaked cookies at work.
IT LOOKS LIKE GIFT LAND HERE!
Here are five completed REDO sets and an unassembled Cardinal set.
The REDO tiered trays were a big hit, and everyone seemed thrilled.
I offered to drill any plate they would like to add their own dishes,
but No Takers....everyone seemed happy just the way they were.
Not too late to get started, and thanks for stopping by.
I'll be sharing at these great link parties:
Sandi
