christmashostessgift.pdf

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on’t you just love all the glitz and glamour of the holiday season?  The lights twinkle.  The ornaments sparkle.  Even holiday clothing shimmers with beads and sequins, making them perfect for all your holiday get-togethers. ‘Tis the season for celebrating, and if you’re anything like Matt and I, you’ll be attending a few parties this holiday season.  Wouldn’t it be fun to give a hostess gift with the same glittery beauty as the season itself?

I

have the perfect suggestion; handmade party serving pieces!  This set consists of a 10” to 12” glass plate, a small glass bowl, and a serving spoon.  The pieces shimmer with beautiful silver coils and spirals, and sparkle with jewels.  What hostess wouldn’t be thrilled to receive such a beautiful serving set?  It not only looks pretty, it’s quite practical, too.  In fact, it’s a gift which can be used all year round.

 
If you’d like to make this project, you can find the glass plate, bowl, and serving spoon at your local discount store.  However, most of the other supplies are available at your local hardware store. 

Materials List:

• 10” – 12” clear glass plate
• Clear glass bowl about 5 inches in diameter
• Serving spoon
• Colored floral marbles
• Roll of silver lead free solder
• Epoxy adhesive suitable to bond metal to glass
• Clip-type clothes pins
• Silver 20 gauge wire
• Assorted beads
• Round needle nosed pliers
• Wire snips
• Mineral spirits

Instructions:

1.  To begin this project, carefully wash the glass pieces, being sure to remove any dirt or grease.   After washing the pieces, wipe them down with mineral spirits and allow the pieces to completely dry.  This will help to ensure proper bonding between the metal and glass pieces.

 
2.  Use the wire snips to cut an 8” length of solder.  Using the round needle nosed pliers, create a coil on each end, bending the remainder of the solder into an attractive curved pattern.
 

3.  Place the solder design up against the bowl, shaping it to the curve of the bowl.  Following the manufacturer’s directions, place glue on the coils and adhere to the bowl.  Use two clothespins to hold the design in place until the glue sets and dries.

 
4.  Repeat this process to create additional solder designs on the bowl and dinner plate.  Allow the glue to dry completely before removing the clothespins.

5.  Choose the color of floral marbles for your design.  Using a small amount of glue, glue the floral marbles in place on the coiled solder design.  After the piece has dried completely, remove any excess glue with mineral spirits.

 6.  To make the beaded serving spoon, first arrange the beads in a pleasing pattern along the handle.  Be sure not to extend the beading too far down the handle, as cleaning dips or food particles from the beaded area may be difficult.
 
Once you are satisfied with the pattern, cut a 12” length of craft wire.  Using the round needle nosed pliers create a small coil at one end of the wire. 
 
Place this at the lower end of the spoon handle, wrapping the wire around the handle to secure in place.  After stringing a bead onto the wire, wrap the wire around the handle again. 
 
Continue this process until you reach the top of the spoon handle.  Finish with a small wire coil.  Place a dab of glue beneath the first and last bead to secure the design in place.
 
The only thing left is to fill the bowl with your favorite dip (Matt’s particularly fond of Matt’s Blazin’ Chip Dip) and layer the plate with fancy crackers.  Your hostess will undoubtedly ooh and aah over the beautiful serving dishes.  Just wait to see her reaction when you tell her they are a hostess gift.  Her bright smile will be the best part of all the glitter of the evening!

Shari

 
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