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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

DOLLAR TREE METAL SERVING TRAY WREATH


I know I told you I'd be back this week with a Thanksgiving tablescape, but my grand plans for doing that over the weekend didn't pan out.  I never, ever decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but we started dragging things out over the weekend.  And, it's still a mess!  However, if you need a few tips on how to set a beautiful table, go check out my newest post at Word Slingers here.

Since I'll be setting the table at my Mom and Dad's house on Wednesday, I'll skip on over and share another dollar store craft with you today.


After I came home with a handful of trays and made my chalkboard garland, a lightbulb went off in my head and I remembered seeing this pin from a Show Home a little while back.

Hammers & High Heels

I fell in love with it, but thought it would take forever to round up that many thrifted silver trays to make my own.  Then, I realized that I could use the trays from Dollar Tree!

I knew right away that I wanted my wreath to be a big statement over the mantle this year.  So, using the peacock mirror that normally hangs up there as a guide to get the circle right, I laid out the bottom layer of trays (there were 8), just eyeballing to space them evenly.


Then, I alternated the rectangle and oval trays in a layer on top of the circles to give some variety.  I applied hot glue to the edges of the trays underneath that would be covered up, and then stuck a tray on top between them.


Lastly, I added 6 more round trays in the center, scooting them closer to the center and hot-gluing them to the edges of the layer underneath.

I carefully flipped the entire thing over (if it bends too much when you're handling it the spots with the glue will pop loose).  Then, I squirted more hot glue at all of the meeting points to make everything more secure.


After working through another one with my Dad, we decided that it probably would have been better to make a big cardboard form-like a donut-to use as the base and glue the bottom layer to that.  It would be more secure.  Mine is working out fine as is, so that's just another option if you want to try this out.  We also thought something like Liquid Nails might hold together better, but the hot glue was fine too.  *Update- mine came apart pretty easily after Christmas when storing.  It's not a big deal to glue it back together, but I'll definitely be attaching it to a cardboard ring this time.

To hang it, I used a piece of jute rope and hot glued the ends down, then glued a piece of ribbon over that to make sure it wouldn't come loose.  The wreath really isn't very heavy and this has worked out great.


The size ended up being around 45" in diameter, so not bad for $22 and some hot glue!


To top everything off, I got a wild hair and could envision this thing glowing at night.  So, I used some Frog Tape to secure a 100 ct. string of lights to the back.



The lights aren't quite as bright as I would have liked, but it is a soft, warm glow at night.


I've played around with 4-5 different bows, ultimately not liking any of them.  I'm enjoying it as-is for now, but have a few ideas to dress it up a little bit more when I decorate my mantle (DIY gold painted vases found here).



Here it is all finished up for Christmas:


I have one more metal tray project to show you next week, unless I think of something else to use these for between now and then!

Linking up with

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Would you like to comment?

  1. Love this! I might be using this as a gift idea!

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  2. This is my kind of craft - cheap and easy!! It looks awesome with the lights - great idea :) Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  3. Absolutely wonderful! I love it without a bow. It's perfect.

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  4. this is so fun! i also love without the bow! great thinking!

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  5. this is genius!!! i will be doing this next year. great job!

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  6. Dollar Store, here I come! I love your wreath and hope to do several smaller sized for my mantel. Can't wait to see more ideas.

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  7. What a cute idea, Jennifer! I love the mix of sizes and adding the lights was very clever! Love it!

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  8. Shiny, sparkly and affordable = awesome in my book ;)

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  9. Great idea! I love, love the lights added...perhaps another string glued on if you'd like it brighter? Maybe a 35 or 50 light string? Just a thought ~ :)

    xo
    Pat

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  10. This is such a neat idea. I always knew those dollar store trays would be good for something!

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  11. I love it and I have that same inspiration wreath pinned to my board! I've been collecting silvers trays from thrift stores for months. When I went to make it though, I realized how unbelievably heavy the wreath was going to be. This is a wonderful alternative!

    You've had so many terrific ideas for using those trays, is there a Dollar store in the metro with any of them left?!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  12. OK - I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea!!! I am definitely going to steal this one!! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG

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    http://www.omarketingo.com

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  14. You are so darn clever!! What an awesome shiny, statement piece and no one would ever guess the $ store!!

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  15. What a great DIY! It looks great over your fireplace!

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