Decoupage Glass Christmas Platter

I turned a thrifted glass dish into a charming DIY platter for Christmas. Keep in mind you can use this crafty technique for any holiday or occasion.

All you need is a large glass plate, a few napkins, some Mod Podge and a little imagination.

Thrift store shopping has always been a fun way for me to pass the time, but lately, it's become an obsession.

I pop in on my way to the grocery store.

Map out trips to shops far, far away.

Sometimes, I'll even yell, STOP, when my husband and I are out running errands.

After all, he has a pick up and you never know what you may find.

Of course, most of the time, my treasures don't require heavy lifting.

Like today's lucky winner in the what can I make with you game I play once I get everything home.

I found this very large glass plate for 50% at a shop over the winter. It was a whopping 13" in diameter. 

I had no idea what I was going to do with it or where I was going to display it, but it was a unique piece for $3.50, so I grabbed it.

The glass did have a few scratches on it, so I knew I couldn't leave it alone. Besides, that's boring.

At first though, I was stumped.

Then the heat rolled in and I was all about Christmas in July crafts, and I thought, wait a minute, this would make a great serving platter for the holidays.

I'd made a little decoupaged glass plate for Christmas before and it was darling. So I figured a bigger glass platter would be even better.

Plus, I had a few Merry Christmas napkins leftover from an old sled makeover on hand.

Coincidentally, I also was tasked with coming up with a glass upcycle for this month's Do It Over Designers Hop, hosted by my friend Ann from The Apple Street Cottage.

Participating in a fun DIY party with friends and a little Christmas in July crafting.

How perfect.

How To Make A Decorative Glass Christmas Platter

 Keep in mind you can use this crafty technique for any holiday or occasion.

Just swap out the Christmas napkins for ones that match your theme.

Ok, so I started by gathering my supplies:

• Glass Platter or Plate - Dollar Tree has glass dinner plates
• Christmas Napkins
• Rice Paper
• Mod Podge or Dixie Belle Satin Clear Coat - they do have Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge although I've never tried it. If you plan to really wash the plate with heavy soap and water if might be worth looking into. 
• Paint Brush
• Scissors
• Razor Blade
  
  

Step 1. Prep The Platter

Starting with a clean surface is always the best way to go. So I grabbed a razor blade to thoroughly remove the sticky price tags.

Then I gave the entire plate a good wipe down with vinegar and water, to make sure all the gummy residue was gone. 

I paid special attention to the bottom of the plate since that's where I was applying the papers.

Step 2. Prep The Napkins

Napkins are a great way to add pattern to glass, however, they're not the easiest to work with...I've found that rice paper is amazing and favor it.

However, rice paper is much more expensive and doesn't always come in patterns I like or need. Napkins are available everywhere, in designs for every holiday and season and they're cheap.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.

But again, they're a pain and I usually grumble my way through the process.

For this project, I had to cut out the part of the napkin I wanted to use.

Then I had to seperate the three layers of paper so I was left with only the decorative top sheet. 

Some napkins only have two layers, other look like they only have two layers and then when you apply the Mod Podge that sneaky third layer makes itself known as it bunches up and the slides right off your prepped surface.

Forcing you to start all over again. See, I'm clearly not a fan. 

But armed with experience, I knew there were three layers and pulled them all apart.

Step 3. Prep Rice Paper

Oh yeah, there is none. 😉

Ok, well if you have a huge sheet of it and your project piece isn't that big, you can cut a smaller piece to fit. 

I was using a scrap leftover from my cottage style wooden Christmas tree trio, so no cutting for me.

Looking for another no fuss, quick crafting trick?  Peek at the Christmas sled I decoupaged with fabric. Super simple.

Step 4. Apply Decoupage

Once my napkin and paper were prepped, I loaded my brush with satin sealer and coated the entire back side of the platter with it.


I used a bristle brush, but you can use a foam one if you prefer.

Now, people ask all the time, can you eat off a Mod Podge plate and the answer is no. It's not approved for food use. That's why I only put it on the back of the glass plate.

They also ask if the Mod Podge will stay on glass if washed. It will. You can't soak it and even the Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge is unreliable when in water for a long time. 

But you can give it a quick wash especially if you're only really washing the top. That technique has worked well on the decoupage glass cutting board I made years ago.

Step 5. Add Napkin and Rice Paper

Next up, I carefully laid the small Christmas napkin, face down in the center of the glass.


Then I smoothed it out. A plastic zippy bag or latex/ rubber glove makes that job very easy.

Then I applied some more decoupage gel on top of the napkin.


Immediately following that, so the decoupage medium didn't have time to dry, I placed the rice paper on top.

And again, repeated the plastic baggie trick.


Then I brushed decoupage on the top of the rice paper.


I made sure to get every bit of the glass plate, including the rounded edges, so the paper wouldn't peel away when it dried.

Step 5. Let It Dry

So this was probably the most important step, since there were 2 layers to this decoupaged glass platter.

I didn't want any part of it to be wet when I tried to trim the edges, so I left it alone for hours.

Step 5. Trim

Only then, did I use a super sharp razor blade and very carefully ran it along the edge of the platter to remove any jagged paper edges.

The rice paper cuts easily and cleanly. It doesn't bunch or snag, again, so forgiving to use.

When I was done, I had a showstopper of a glass Christmas serving platter.


For $3.50.

Best of all, it's so festive on its own, I can display in between all the parties.

To decorate my Christmas home.

How fabulous.

🌲


Hey, before you go check out all the other creative glass projects from my friends.


Let's hop!


Happy Crafting, Friends!