Repurposed Wicker Plates into Art

It’s my favorite time of the month again… time for the Thrifty Chicks project challenge.

On the second Wednesday of each month I join some very talented blogging friends for a project challenge, and with a different theme each time it’s really a lot of fun.

If you missed any of the past projects you can find them here.

I’m so excited to see what my blogging friends have come up with for this month’s baskets/woven items challenge. You’ll find links to their projects at the end of this post. Be sure to visit and check out the fabulousness.

These are the befores.

Sponsored: Decoupage product provided by DecoArt. This project idea, choice of product used, and all opinions are 100% my own. See full Disclosure Policy here.

Also, the four floral graphics I’m using in this project are all free printables from the Graphics Fairy.

Honestly, I always have so much fun searching Karen’s site. She has many more florals to choose from, as well as a wealth of other free printables.

 

I immediately got this idea when I found a $1 set of 4 wicker plates at the thrift store recently. I believe these are meant to be used under paper plates for stability.

As soon as I got home that day I went into my graphics stash and found 4 floral graphics that I printed a while ago.

Ideas don’t always come right away, so when they do I have to jump on them and dive right in.

These plates are so much fun to work with, and I used a couple of them to frame some vintage mini oil paintings a while back.

Here’s one of the floral graphics printed on regular photocopy paper. So pretty! You’ll see the others later.

I love to have colorful flowers around me, especially in winter when everything is cold and white outside.

Because we have three very curious cats, I don’t often have real flowers in the house.

So I’m always looking for other ways to sprinkle colorful blooms here and there, and it’s easy to create art pieces with such beautiful florals.

 

I cut the graphic out with an exacto knife on a cutting mat.

 

Make sure your knife is sharp, and you don’t need much pressure at all.

 

Because I’ve never decoupaged on a wicker plate before I decided to start with the easiest cut out, which was this water lily graphic.

All I needed for this project was some DecoArt Paper Decoupage Medium, and a foam brush.

 

I did a dry fit to see how I wanted to place it.

You could spray paint the wicker plates any color you like before applying the flowers.

I’m keeping the plates natural because I like the contrast with the flowers, and they’ll be hanging on a white wall.

 

I added some of the decoupage medium onto the wicker plate, making sure not to overdo it.

You just want there to be enough for the paper to hang on to.

 

Then I did the back of the flower.

 

After putting it in place I added a nice coat of the medium on the top and used my fingers to gently smooth out the paper.

To do this you need plenty of medium on the paper.

If the paper is dry your fingers will pull the paper away rather than smooth it down.

Using your fingers is really the best way to do this, but wash them often to remove any decoupage medium buildup that could mess up your flowers.

 

Some of the other flower graphics had small detailed cut out areas.

For those flowers I added the medium to the main areas only before putting in place on the plate.

Then I pulled those small pieces up slightly, added the medium, and then smoothed them into place.

You could also cut the flower into sections and apply the pieces that way.

Whatever works really.

 

Once done, I gave my flower two coats of the decoupage medium, letting it dry in between.

It doesn’t matter if you get some on the plate where the flower isn’t because the medium dries clear, but you don’t need to spread it all over the plate.

The biggest thing is to make sure that your flower is adhered to the plate well, especially at the edges.

 

Here’s the water lily done.

I love this one because we have a garden pond that has beautiful pink water lily blooms in summer.

It looks a little more rustic than the rest because it was the guinea pig for this project. lol.

 

I did much better with the other three.

The flowers almost have a 3D effect.

 

You can see where the texture of the wicker came through in some places.

That wasn’t done on purpose, it just happened and that’s perfectly ok.

I think it adds some interest.

 

I think this pink Star Gazer Lily is my favorite.

 

You could hang the wicker plate art on the wall with command strips or nails, but I have a thing for plate hangers.

I pick up interesting ones whenever I see them, and I recently got this black iron one for a dollar.

They make a nice statement by grouping items together in one focal piece.

I’ve used plate hangers in the past for displaying vintage Valentine’s Day chocolate boxes, as well as decoupaged photos onto canvas frames.

 

I spray painted the plate hanger a pretty summer green.

A perfect color with the flowers and against the white wall.

I’m not a candle gal so I had to find something to sit on the candle holder.

 

So I spray painted a silver metal Eiffel Tower ornament a pretty berry pink.

It’s a little small, but it’ll do for now.

I like having reminders around of our trip to Paris for my 50th birthday way back in 2011.

 

I have a few other Eiffel Towers, but they’re either smallish like this one or too big.

One day I hope to find one that’s just right.

 

Please pin to your favorite board and share with your friends!

 

Now be sure to check out what my friends did with their basket/woven item projects.

Just click on the links below to check them out.

Itsy Bits and Pieces: A Quick & Simple Farmhouse Basket Redo
That’s Mine!
Little Vintage Cottage: Upcycled Boho Basket
Our Hopeful Home: How I Saved A Farmhouse Hanging Basket
Lora B: Create & Ponder: DIY Vintage Inspired Fiber Placemats

 

Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…

keep on keepin’ on!

XOX