MacGyver Challenge: China
Posted by ReadyMade
Project by Terri Prigic Roller, Photo by Bryan McCay
This project gets our vote for the most versatile (and pretty) reuse of china. Make one and watch the simplest treats and eats rise to towering heights.
“This is a great way to repurpose all of the pieces of mismatched china that I’ve discovered at the local Goodwill store. It’s fun to mix and match, and the results can range from funky to elegant.” -Terri Prijic Roller
Skill Level
Easy
Active Time
Less than an hour
Cost
$
- 3 vintage plates, one each small, medium, and large
- 2 glass candleholders or glass parfait dishes (for separators)
- Clear-drying epoxy glue (look for a kind that sets quickly, such as Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy)
- Toothpicks or cotton swabs
Materials
- Pencil
Tools
Clean and dry the plates and candleholders or parfait dishes. You’ll be stacking them vertically as follows, from the bottom up:
Large plate
Candleholder or dish
Medium-size plate
Candleholder or dish
Small plate
Make a pencil mark at the center bottom and top of each plate (except the small one) to be your guide when gluing. Starting with the large plate, apply glue (following package instructions) to the rim of the dish and attach it to the top of the plate, pressing firmly. Use toothpicks or swabs to remove any excess glue. Wait until the glue sets firmly before attaching the next piece.
Continue gluing the remaining tiers, allowing glue to dry completely between additions.
Your lovely new treat stand is ready for serving! (Washing by hand is strongly recommended.)
Variations: Use all glass plates and separators to lend extra sparkle to the table. Try going slightly more monochromatic with plates in variations of a single hue. Experiment with other designs: Try two tiers, glue a teacup on top for serving dip or nuts, or keep it to one tier and use as a cake stand.
