For our project for June Summer Symposium, (Tuesday, June 10) we will create “Poor Woman’s Chihuly Glass Flowers” for our gardens and flower beds. We will “repurpose” glass plates, bowls, saucers, candy dishes, ash trays, votives and other candle holders, etc. to make pretty glass flowers. Be on the lookout for glass or china pieces that you can use to make beautiful glass flowers. You can find some great pieces at thrift stores and yard sales – or heck, even your own china cabinet! The photos that are shown here will help you see what kinds of glass and china items will make pretty flowers. Clear colored glass with “petal-like” edges are perfect to use – but hard to find! Deviled Egg plates work great! Clear glass looks great by itself or could be painted with a glass paint (such as Martha Stewart’s Transparent Glass paint you can find at Michael’s). We can add some color by gluing glass “gems” to the plates. Even opaque china plates can be used – with clear glass or by itself. We made a few “flowers” using plastic plates and bowls and cups. We are “experimenting” to see how well they will hold up to being outdoors, but, so far, they look good. Look at the photos and get some ideas. You are limited only by your own imagination. Your “flower” could use 6 or 7 pieces of glass or china – or it might use just two pieces.
Click on a photo to view a larger image.
Vicki, Patsy and Rachel have shopped thrift stores and have purchased some glass and china items which will be available for the June Symposium. We cannot guarantee that there will be enough for everyone’s needs or wants. We hope that all members and guests at the symposium will have enough glass and china for at least one flower. If you have something specific you want to do, you may need to bring your own glass/china pieces. If you want to make several flowers, you will need to bring your own dishes for the extra. Also, the Club will NOT be providing the poles you will use to put the flowers in the ground. We don’t know what size you want. You can use poles from electrical conduit, rebar, plumbing pipes or even wooden sticks or dowels [wood not recommended, though] or you may just want to display on an “easel.” The Garden Club will provide the proper adhesive to put the plates together and will provide a device to attach your flower to a pole. We will also provide some colored glass “gems.”
Happy shopping for great glass items. (It is fun to shop in thrift stores!) We can’t wait to see what beautiful flowers you will create.
p.s. These flowers sell at craft shows and the Internet for $30 to $90 !!
Rachel Doyle – Programs
Submitted by: Martha Billman – Communications Committee
The Sunnyvale Garden Club 