Washi Tape Paper Plates

Paper plates are a fantastic art material. I mean, there are literally hundreds of crafts on Pinterest that use paper plates! I think the possibilities are endless, they really are. I especially love what my friend Leslie from Pink Stripey Socks does with paper plates. I think she needs to write a book! And we’ve done our share of washi tape crafts in the past. Check out these pretty leaves and these cool bracelets.

I love this craft because it’s simple and no-fail. These plates can be made by 4 year-olds up to 47 year-olds (me!). My teens especially loved making them. I left everything out on the table for days and even their friends joined in. It’s just so cool to discover different ways to make patterns with the washi tape. Read on to find out how I made the plates a little bit more durable.

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Supplies:

~ Washi tape (plain and inexpensive patterned tape from Amazon, and even better patterned tape but more expensive from Etsy)

~ Paper plates (small 7″ dessert round, big 9″ dinner round, and small square)

~ Small scissors

~ Acrylic paint

~ Paintbrushes (assorted pack)

~ Mod Podge (I used the matte finish)

Directions:

1. There are two ways to start. You can either be thoughtful and careful about your tape colors and create a specific pattern, or you can just randomly select whatever tapes you like and place them anywhere on the plate.

2. Cover your plate with tape, making sure to fold the tape over the back – or cutting the tape off right at the edge. Sometimes I like to cut my tape into thin little wedges. My five-year-old niece taught me that!

3. There is really no right or wrong with the way you make your plate. That’s what I love about this craft – there is so much freedom for expression.

4. When you’ve finished designing your plate, then turn it over and paint the back, covering the bits of tape that have been folded over to the back. Let it dry.

5. When the paint is dry, use the Mod Podge and a bigger brush to cover the front and the back of the plate. I covered the front first and let it dry, then covered the back.

TIP: I placed the Mod Podged plates on plastic to dry because even after they are dry, they are sticky for a little while. I made the mistake of laying then out on the table paper and then they all stuck to the paper. Also, sometimes the thinner plates curled a little when drying, so I just placed a small jar on top of them whilst they were drying to flatten them back out.

After they are dry, they have a more substantial feel to them. The thicker the plate, the better. The square plates are thicker so to me, they feel like little trays. I got the cheap round paper plates so they are still a little bendy.

Here are some other ideas I had as to what you could use these plates for:

~ trays

~ wall art if you add a hanger

~ picture frame, just glue a photo in the middle

If you think of anything else, let me know!! I do hope you try these, even if you don’t paint and Mod Podge, they are just a really fun craft for kids of all ages.

xo, Bar

—- ADDENDUM!! —-

I thought of something else to make with these… paper plate balloon ping pong!! I actually saw the idea on Pen and Paper Flowers blog and decided we had to make them in art camp…