| |

“Give Thanks” DIY Plates

Give Thanks DIY Plates: These DIY plates are easy and inexpensive to make for Thanksgiving or any other holiday. Use a special pen to add permeant writing to any ceramic piece.
Give Thanks DIY Plates: These DIY plates are easy and inexpensive to make, use a special pen to add permeant writing to any ceramic piece.

These DIY plates were inspired by a shopping trip.  A while ago I was walking around Crate and Barrel, drooling over all the pretty things, like you do, when I noticed their cute “give thanks” side plates.  I really liked them and thought they’d be really nice for Thanksgiving, but they were too expensive for me. 

give thanks plates

I had seen on pinerest a few times, how people were using permanent Sharpie markers to write on china, and thought this might work to make my own. After a little more research, it looked to me that this method was hit and miss at best. I decided to use a ceramic marker for a more permanent effect.

Materials:

  • inexpensive white side plates
  • decor art glass paint marker in black
  • oven

how to permanently decorate a ceramic plate


decor art marker for ceramic

How To Make Your Own DIY Plates:

This project is really easy.  Basically you use the marker to write around the edge of the plate.

The hardest part of the project was figuring out the spacing of the words around the plate.  With a little practise and a template to line up the dots between the words, it came together.

You can remove the design if you’re not happy with it before it’s baked.   You can try the writing and if you’re not happy with it just wash it off and begin again.

DIY plates

After the design is finished the plates need to sit 4 hours.  Then the plates get baked for 40 mins -according to the manufacturers instructions.

They need to start out in a cold oven and be left to cool completely in the oven afterward.  All the instructions are on the glass paint marker.

One word of caution: the marker also says that it isn’t food safe. All the pictures of it being used show it on plates, glasses and cups.  So, I guess the key is to only place the design on places where food will not come in direct contact. I thought these were fine, because the writing was just on the rim of the plate.

how to make give thanks plates

After the plates have been baked and cooled the writing should be permanent. They recommend hand-washing, so that’s what I did.  

UPDATE:  I’ve had these plates for years and use them for every Thanksgiving.  I always hand wash and never put them in the dishwasher.  The writing still looks perfect.

The Finished Plates

I used the plates for my Silver Thanksgiving table. I love how they turned out.

DIY give thanks plates

At first, I did consider using a silver pen.  In fact the pens come in a whole range of colours, including gold just like the inspiration plates. In the end, I decided that even though silver would have looked great this year, next year if I use oranges and browns for my thanksgiving table, the black writing would make the plates more re-usable.

give thanks DIY plates

I have lots more ideas for Christmas and other holidays.  This idea is great since it’s so versatile, turned out great, and was really inexpensive.  The whole project was under 20 bucks.  You can’t go wrong for that, even if you only use them once a year!

DIY plates

With Give Thanks DIY Plates, life really is a party!

You might also like our Black and White Modern Farmhouse Thanksgiving Table here.

Black and White Modern Farmhouse Thanksgiving Table: White pumpkins, black cutlery, and DIY macrame napkins rings make the perfect Thanksgiving table.

Also check out our Dark and Moody Thanksgiving Table here.

Dark and Moody Thanksgiving Table: purple leaves, dark dahlias, and plums, red pears, apples, pomegranates, and blackberries create the perfect centrepiece.

You might also enjoy our Vintage Botanical Scientific Thanksgiving Table here.Vintage Botanical Scientific Thanksgiving Table: scientific glass, old books, a microscope, and lots of botanical specimens create a beautiful table.

21 Comments

  1. Life really is a party when you find such generous and artistic hearts.
    I’m in awe. You did so well. I might steal this idea for Christmas… going to see if I can find that marker in my country.
    Thank you for creating this and thank you, even more, for sharing!!!

  2. I love your plates! I love how you’ve taken a concept and made it your own. It is daunting that it isn’t food safe. You’ve got me thinking!

    – The Tablescaper

  3. Pingback: Give Thanks Plates
  4. Really like your creativity, and your step by step directions. It seems like something I can do and I can’t wait to serve Thanksgiving dessert on my new plates.

  5. The plates are President’s Choice, so anywhere that sells that brand, like Loblaws, SuperCentre, etc. It’s only available in Canada I think, but you might find something similar at a dollar store.
    Good luck, Dannyelle.

  6. I love the idea. I am buying the plates at my favorite junk stores so each one is unique. I have done one with “you are my sunshine” and one with “jesus loves me”. If nohing else ‘lt sparks conversation and besides, I am having fun!! .

  7. I bought plates at the dollar store and wrote happy new year in many languages for the holiday of rosh Hashanna. Looks cute but unfortunately my handwriting is not a as nice as yours. I also found if I wrote it first with a dry erase marker I could get the spacing right and it just wipes off.

  8. Hi Jane,
    So glad to hear you tried it! The Rosh Hashanna plates sound really great. Thanks for letting me know, and the great tip too.
    Dannyelle

  9. always i used to ead smaller posts that as well clear their
    motive, and that is also happening with this article whic I amm
    reading here.

  10. I found perfect plates with wide rim at WalMart for $.88! The brand is Better Homes and Garden. I can’t wait to try.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *