Thanksgiving Craft Idea: Copper Leaf Charger Plates
For this project, you will need:
– 7 1/2″ clear glass charger plates (such as those found here at Save On Crafts)
– Krylon General Purpose Copper Metallic Paint
– Delta PermEnamel Air-Dry Surface Conditioner
– Delta PermEnamel Air-Dry Transparent Glass Paint in Amber
– Delta PermEnamel Air-Dry Satin Finish
– Sponge brush
– Plenty of newspaper
– Fall craft leaves
– Mod Podge or other adhesive that will dry clear
– Popsicle stick
– Acrylic finishing spray
Begin by making sure your workspace is adequately covered with newspaper and is well ventiliated enough for the use of spray paints. Wear a safety mask if necessary during the painting process.
With a sponge brush, coat each charger with Delta PermEnamel Air-Dry Surface Conditioner and allow them to dry for at least one hour. (Start by doing the front, drying, and then repeating with the bottom.)
Next, apply two coats of Delta PermEnamel Air-Dry Transparent Glass Paint in Amber to the front of each plate. Once this has set for forty five minutes to an hour, repeat with the underside of the charger. Allow this to dry as well.
Take one craft leaf for each charger and spray with a coat of Krylon General Purpose Copper Metallic Paint. These leaves are extremely fragile, so take great caution when painting them. Add a second coat of paint and allow them to dry completely.
With Mod Podge or other adhesive, secure one leaf face down to the underside of the plate. (The front of the leaf should show through the clear amber glass of the charger.) Using your fingers or a popsicle stick, carefully smooth each leaf to remove any bubbles. Once the glue has dried, coat the entire underside of each charger with five to six coats of acrylic finishing spray.
The chargers are gorgeous but hand washable only when completed.
TIP: Additional detail can be added to the charger by using acrylic paint. Simply apply your pattern to the underside of the plate after securing the leaf with glue. Also, glass gems can be hot glued to the top of the charger, creating a wonderful serving tray idea. Use your imagination to come up with other details to meet your table design needs!
