They go by different names: plate flowers, sun catchers, garden art flowers and dish flowers. Whatever you call them, they have grown over the years to become some of the most loved garden art.
I certainly fell in love with them when I first started seeing dish flowers on Pinterest. If you’d like to try making one yourself, then read on! This TUTORIAL is packed with those “little details” that will not only help your craft project be successful but give you ideas for a more beautiful dish flower.
When I first started making my own dish flowers, I did a ton of research. You see, I was planning on selling my garden art, so they absolutely had to be made to a high standard. I learned a bit of history behind these things; plus different materials and construction methods. In doing so, I picked up a lot a neat tips from other makers that helped tremendously. All of which I happily pass on to you here.
A word of encouragement
If you’ve tried to make one in the past and it didn’t work out, or you just weren’t overly excited with it, don’t give up! I hope you’ll give it another try. Perhaps this tutorial will give you some valuable insight or even just a new idea you hadn’t thought of before that will give you a better result and thus make your efforts more rewarding.
Introduction to making dish flowers
This tutorial will utilize the “drill method” for making dish flowers. If you are planning on using a different method, other aspects of making dish flowers…such as ideas for pretty plate combinations and glue techniques will still be relevant to you.
The drill method of construction involves using a special drill bit to make a hole through the center of the plate. The plate is then attached to the post using a machine screw and wing nut.
Drilling the plate is my personal preferred method to attach a dish flower to its post. The flower head can get heavy with all those glass and ceramic plates. While this method is a little more involved than gluing, I feel that the art piece is better supported and more secure when attached to the post with a bolt. Then, the weight of the piece is supported in two places: the entry and exit point of the post.
Gluing is certainly easier, faster, and generally doesn’t require any specialty tools. However, glue failures are the number one reason why dish flowers fall apart and sometimes break, particularly in hot climates. SEE my article on “The Best Glues to Use for Garden Art”. Construction methods are the number one question customers ask me before buying one of my dish flowers.
Other methods to attach to post
Different craftsmen use different methods for different reasons, such as gluing something onto the back of the plate. I do not personally use nor recommend these methods because the plate has a tendency to slip off. Never-the-less, here are some other examples of using adhesive to attach the dish flower head to the support post:
In my first tutorials, I tried to cover all the bases to give readers a couple of options for making dish flowers. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm got the best of me. There are just too many variables. Someone who is new to this craft wouldn’t be well served.
I tried to remember what it was like for myself, when I was first learning and which tutorials were the most helpful. For that reason, I have decided to offer only the drill method, which is the method I use as an artist. It’s included here, simply scroll down a bit.
Dish Flower Tutorial
- Part 1 Selecting Pretty Plates: Glass and Ceramic
- Part 2 Drilling the plate
- Part 3 Adhesives: which glues are virtually fail-proof?
- Part 4: what makes a great post?
Materials for one dish flower:
- 3 dishes of various sizes (See PART 1 below for recommendations)
- 1 tube of GE Silicone Clear, for exterior
- 1 5ft section of 3/4 ” metal galvanized electrical conduit (or 3/4″ copper)
- cordless drill
- 1/4″ round diamond tip drill bit
- 1 packet of machine screws 1/4″ 20x 2-1/2 in (with fastening nut)
Part 1: selecting pretty dishes
For inspiration, you may enjoy this gallery of dishflowers by Make it a Garden
What types of plates to use and why, makes all the difference in the world. But believe it or not, it’s a detail some tutorials take for granted. When I first became fascinated with making dish flowers, I watched some videos on You Tube. All anyone ever said was “just get a bunch of plates”. That didn’t exactly help someone like me who didn’t have a clue.
Eventually, I found one lady who offered more specifics. I wish I could recall her name because she was fantastic. She advised finding plates that actually looked like flowers. Plates with scalloped edges or bright floral patterns or colors. Now, I knew what to look for.
Where to get your dishes
- Thrift Store
- Garage Sale
- Flea Market
- Antique Shop
A Thrift Store is the best place to find the widest selection of plates. Some stores have a separate section for more vintage and antique-oriented items. Be sure to check there also for more unique dishware at a great price. Many thrift stores are run by non-profits and churches to fund local programs.
A garage sale is by far the cheapest place to find dishes, but you may have to go around to a few of them. Pick up several different pieces so you can switch them around at home to see which combinations you like the best.
Finally, antique shops are last on my list. While I love to shop for antiques and salvage, the prices are much higher. I don’t advise buying dishes for garden art there. For one thing, you can’t just buy one or two because dishes are for sale in entire sets. Once in awhile, vintage plates show up at the thrift store for considerably less!
On rare occasions, I have used antiques. Some make incredibly whimsical dish flowers. However, gorgeous as they are, a lot of vintage and antique items are on the more frail side. So, you have to choose carefully.
Which is better for making dish flowers: Glass or Ceramic?
If you’re making dish flowers for the first time, I recommend starting with ceramic plates. The only difference between using ceramic or glass plates is that clear glass additionally should be painted. Otherwise, they are like windows and they don’t show up very well in the yard or garden. Painting isn’t included in this tutorial but you’ll find a link at the bottom of this post.
While you might believe glass is more fragile, that’s not necessarily so. What’s more important is the ‘density’ or ‘thickness’ of the glass.
I speak from experience because I’ve broken a few. Yup, I have! But it’s taught me a lot about the inherent properties of glass and ceramics. Needless to say, I look at plates a lot differently now, then when I first started.
The 3 components of a dish flower
A simple plate flower consists of 3 parts: a dinner plate, a smaller salad-sized plate, and a centerpiece. It usually looks better if you use all of one kind…either all ceramic, or all glass.
Most ordinary, everyday dinnerware such as you have in your cupboards at home will work just fine outdoors. Likewise, heavier, more durable ceramic or stoneware is also great to use, as is the thicker, sturdier glass plates and bowls. Same goes for votive candle parts that make great centerpieces.
“Flower Power”: The shape of a plate
If you want to make a pretty dish flower, simply start with pretty dishes. It’s as easy as that! Dishes with a floral shape are a natural. Lucky for you, it just so happens that flower shapes are very popular for dishware and not at all hard to find!
Dish flowers on the rustic side
If rustic or “farm house” is more your style, use dishware in brown hues. Here’s where you can get your vintage look without actually using real vintage plates! Solid white plates can add contrast and “pop”. The point is to make something you personally like that will go with your motif. This one was one of my favorites. I personally love rustic!
The pattern on a plate
If you can’t find a plate with a floral shape, consider one with a floral pattern. Look for dishes with bright, cheerful colors and patterns. Floral designs, whether traditional or contemporary are very common on decorative plates.
Choosing the Best Plates: Review
With so many choices in colors and patterns and shapes, let your imagination run wild! The best plates to use for making whimsical dish flowers are the ones that produce a beautiful work of art. Whether glass or ceramic, that’s up to you!
Part 2: Drilling the plate
The bigger plate is the only one that gets drilled. Drilling a plate involves more time and labor as well as a few specialty tools to get the job done. But if you’re willing to be patient, your finished art piece will be much more secure. As an artist who sells my works, I’ve built my reputation on this method. I want that guarantee for my customers.
Actually, the word “grinding” is more accurate than “drilling”. A specialty drill bit is used to “grind” a small hole through the center of the largest plate. Then, a machine screw is inserted through the hole and it’s attached to a metal pipe and secured with a wing nut.
The weight of the piece is supported in two places: the entry and exit point of the bolt.
I know everyone’s different, but for me personally, learning how to drill plates was bit daunting at first. But once I got the hang of it, I realized how many other art projects I could do that required drilling glass. Now, I have the confidence to make all kinds of cool crafts for the garden or for the holidays. And so will you!
Use the right drill bit
I use a 1/4″ (6mm) diameter diamond tip drill bit. It’s round and very rough like sandpaper. When in contact against the surface of the plate, it gradually grinds a perfect hole right through. Depending on the makeup of the plate and the power of your drill, it can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to drill a hole.
How do you drill a plate?
Remember, only the largest plate is drilled. Some craftsmen use a drill press. I don’t have one, so I use a basic 12V cordless drill. I have drilled hundreds of plates this way standing over my kitchen sink. See detailed WRITTEN instructions HERE for how to drill a plate. It’s easier than you think, trust me!
*TIP: Turn the plate over so it’s face down. (SEE photo below) With the concave shape of the plate, it gives you some clearance and will help prevent accidental damage to your sink.
This can also be done outside or in the garage, too. Use a plastic tub or something large enough for the bigger dish to lay flat. Fill with water just enough so that plate is fully immersed; but with only a very shallow 1/8″-1/4″ over the top. It goes without saying…do NOT use an electric drill around water!
Why do you have to drill in water?
The water is necessary because of the heat generated by the friction of the drill bit. Water keeps the tip and the plate cool and prevents the plate from shattering.
*TIP: DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD while drilling or the extra pressure may break the plate. The weight of the drill tip against the plate is enough. All you do is just hold the drill steady.
After drilling the hole, insert a machine screw and fastening nut. Then, glue the additional frontal plates to the surface of main plate.
Part 3: Adhesives
After drilling the large plate, add the other dishes to complete your artwork. First, insert the machine screw, then glue the smaller plates one on top of the other.
Use 100% GE silicone CLEAR for exterior to glue the plates together. The bead is thick and stays put where applied. It has no strong odor.
Glue all the way around the rim for best adhesion. Press small plate to surface of large plate. Allow for glue to set up –about 10 minutes–before adding the next, smallest dish. Let the flowerhead continue to cure overnight. I usually let it sit for 3 days before attaching it to the post.
100% GE silicone is the number one adhesive used by artists who make dish flowers and other types of garden art from dishes. It’s actually not glue, but rather a sealant. It’s primary purpose is to seal around the outside edge of windows. Therefore it can handle extreme temperatures from 60 below zero to 400 degrees. (according to the package) It dries to a rubbery like consistency and remains pliable in cold weather. It won’t freeze and crack, nor melt like butter or dry out and crumble apart in the heat.
The frontal dishes are smaller and lighter weight. The weight of the entire piece is well supported by the screw and the metal post.
Part 4: The Post
And the post is very important because it supports and displays your beautiful work of art in the yard or garden.
Since it’s going to be outside in the weather, wood is pretty much out of the question. Wood, unless specially treated, breaks down over time. It wouldn’t last very long. It’s not the best support for heavy glass or ceramic dish flowers.
What makes a good post for dish flowers?
Aluminum: Don’t use it. When I made my very first dish flowers, I experimented with 3/4″ plastic-coated aluminum garden stakes. While fairly inexpensive, it didn’t take too long to conclude that aluminum is not very strong. Glass and ceramic dishes are weighty. The aluminum can bend and break. Great for staking towering delphiniums, but not so much dish flowers.
Copper: A lot of craftsmen who make dish flowers like to use copper pipe as a post. It’s a classy, but very pricey choice for a dish flower. Over time, copper’s shiny finish oxidizes and develops a greenish patina.
Copper gives the dish flower a more vintage look that some people like while others don’t. If you’re making one or two dish flowers for yourself or a friend, copper (use 3/4″) is a fine choice as long as you don’t mind the price.
Metal Electrical Conduit
Galvanized metal conduit: In my opinion, galvanized electrical conduit is the best way to go. It’s what I use. Conduit is strong, galvanized and won’t rust.
It’s reasonably priced and Lowes stocks 3/4″ pipe is already cut into 5ft lengths. That’s a perfect length for a dish flower garden stake. The stake should be inserted at least 1ft into the ground for best stability. If you would like it shorter, cut it to length with a hack saw. Remember that 1 ft will go into the ground.
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Attaching Dish Flowers to a Post
Drill a hole through the conduit using a 1/4″ drill bit (same size as the machine screw). Use a file to file off the sharp barbs of metal on entry and exit holes. If you cut the post shorter, file the rough edges.
TIP: You might wish to cut the end of the pipe at an angle so it’s easier to insert into the ground with a bit of a point on it.
TIP: install the post into position in the yard or garden FIRST, and then attach the flower headpiece. That way, you won’t risk damaging the flower head in the process.
Attach the flowerhead. Do not tighten the nut too tight or the pressure will crack the plate. Tighten it just enough so that the plate isn’t loose on the post and does not turn. The flowerhead is quick and easy to remove for winter storage or a big windstorm, hail etc. Leave the post in place. Then re-attach the dish flower to bring smiles to your garden in the summer.
Other related posts that may be helpful:
2 of the Best Glues for Garden Art
How to Paint on Glass Plates for Beautiful Dish Flowers
How to make Hub Cap Flowers
Garden Totems (An Intermediate Tutorial)
