GREAT idea

Love that idea

Debra, your pieces are really striking! Starting out with these flowers, I was using all clear glass and enjoying the sparkle and texture of the "crystal" blooms. Thanks to some of the photos here & a nudge from my niece, we've started mixing it up a lot more. Now we'll have to start adding embellishments...

Thank you, Jill.

Some time ago I read about a great idea on how to hang plates outside. Put a big dollop of E6000 on the back, and set part of a large paper clip in it. I do this (bending part of the paper clip out). Before it's completely dry I put some duct tape over the glued part for extra hold. I've got a few decorative plates that have been hanging outside in the Florida sun for over a year and they're still OK. I used paper clips, but I guess you could use wire and form a loop.

Wondering about using the melamine as flower plates. I'm thinking that a lot of sun over time would fade the plastic.

GREAT idea Elfie and yes, I think the plastic would fade over time.

I know some of it is not supposed to fade. Probably not all of it is non-fading though.

Yeah, sunshine is just a bittt detrimental to plastic. The melamine platter is an experiment to see if it holds up longer than regular plastic, or even well at all in a Texas summer. My sister works at a restaurant supply and they sometimes get to take no longer needed samples, so, as a result, I get to play for very little cost.

Mine didn't last long. It was a red polka dot one. It got very brittle and cracked. I have it down now.

I would think they would last pretty ok in a shaded area, under a covered porch/patio or hung on the north wall of a building, ect

Hi everyone! I stumbled across this conversation yesterday and have been drooling over all the lovely creations ever since!

I have grandchildren who would love building some with me! What a great idea. I do have a question - what are those lovely leaves you used? Are they glass? They really added a nice touch.

I recognized most other "ingredients", but I'm lost on those luscious leaves.

Jill, if you mean my plates, the leaves are glass.

Finally bought plate hangers. They are stretch wire that hang on a picture hook, and which turn out to be inadequate for long term use--the wind will blow them right off. But holds well enough to photograph. Tried two arrangements, not sure I like either; looks bare. Probably would need a dozen or better to make it look 'right,' but what do you all think?

Yes, Debra, the leaves are from your creations. You have some leaves that are clear, some look amber, and those gorgeous dark green ones. Where did you find them? I'm gonna have to go shopping and see what's out there.

Your plates do look wonderful, but I agree - perhaps a bit bare. I'm sure you'll add to the grouping and find the right balance. They are lovely!

Jill, I have had them a long time and don't remember for sure, but it was a big craft store. Heck, might even have been Walmart. Sorry.

There are a couple of Etsy stores that have glass leaves in several colors:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/artt...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Anti...

Our Walmart has the glass leaves in the jewelry making section of the craft supplies area.

Thank you for pointing me toward the glass leaf sources. I'll be watching out for some. They add quite a lot to the plate flowers. I am guessing there are lots of little gems out there that would be lovely additions to these giant flowers. These are fun projects and I am glad I stopped by to see them.

Thank you, Tee.

You are welcome, Jill.

I was just thinking about ways to store a bunch of plate flowers (for gifts and also ones I might bring inside over winter)... they don't stack well, but they'd hang just fine on studs in the (unfinished) basement. With glass bottles already on the backs, picture hangers won't work, but I'm thinking I could use big long nails... hammer them into the stud some, then give them a couple of whacks to bend the nail upward... the nail could then go up inside the bottle the same way as a stake or rebar would in the garden.

Lovemygarden, this idea might work for your fence, maybe using long-shank screws and then bending them upward.

As for placement on your fence, I think you might need as many as 6 to start... place them near the tops of the posts (as you've done in the photos), and also put a plate between the 2 posts on the center rail... sort of a zig zag effect, filling in the space without putting them in a single straight line along the top rail. If you don't want to put them on the gate posts (to avoid having them banged into), they could go on the top rail near the gate posts instead.

Thank you, Jill.