Dishes Repurposed into Garden Flowers

Last year my friend and co-worker showed me a garden decoration she received for Christmas. It is gorgeous and adds an extra special touch to her already beautiful garden when it sparkles in the sunlight. I think it’s a genius way to repurpose old dishes.  
 
My mother in law is a really fabulous vegetable and flower gardener and I thought a couple of these would make great Christmas gifts for her.  My sister and I have been searching Goodwill and second hand stores and found some gorgeous dishes at extremely good prices. 

Materials:
Old glass dishes in small, medium and large sizes.
Re-rod (for the stems) 
Rod (for the leaves)
Bolts, nuts and washers

Tools:
Chop Saw
Welding machine
Drill Press 
Ceramic drill bit

In addition to the materials and tools you need an AL.

Al is a farmer which means he has all kinds of tools and supplies for this type of project. It also means he’s automatically super skilled and knows how to use them. Here is how it’s done.
   
First you cut the rod and rerod for the stem and leaves. If you look closely my eyes are closed…real safe.  Not recommended. 
Next, use a vice to shape the leaves.

Then, have Al fix the funky shaped thing you made so that it looks like a leaf.
You can shape and reshape using the vice until it looks like you want.
  
Lay the leaves on the stem and weld them on.
I gave the welding a try, but it’s more difficult than it looks. Al is a pro. I was having trouble seeing and it’s not safe to close your eyes while welding either.  I need some serious practice.I love how Al is laughing. He’s probably thinking, “Why is she trying to weld the flower to the table…it’s the leaf to the flower.”
Al is giving me pointers. You know like…”Open your eyes.”  “Put the welder right here.” “You are welding the leaf to the stem.”What do you suppose Al is thinking here?  “What is she doing? Awww go ahead and weld the flower to the table I can chisel it off.” 
Next Al welded on the “L” shaped stabilization piece…
and a bolt which is where the dishes will attach.
 
Then, Al drilled a hole in the center of each dish with a drill press.
Judy and I began to assemble the flowers. We stacked the dishes on the bolt then added a washer and nut and they were complete.

We were appreciative that Al and his Judy gave up their Sunday afternoon to help us out! Truth be told as you can see from the pictures, Al did most of the work. Thanks Al and Judy! 

Oh and I did call my mother in law yesterday and asked her not to read my blog until after Christmas so she’ll be surprised.