We have all seen DIY treat trays made in a variety of ways, but this is one way I had yet to see and I love it! Please meet Sarah from A Little of This, A Little of That:
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I never know what is going to inspire my next DIY project.
I was strolling through Target this week (best store ever!), and saw the cutest tiered stands.
It got me thinking…..could I make one myself??
So, I picked up these two adorable plates:
Aren’t they SO cute?!
I’ll give you a Sneak Peak at the finished product:
Supplies for a {Chic} Tiered Stand
Melamine plates (one large, one small)
Threaded Rod (found at Lowe’s on hardware aisle)
4 Nuts (that fit your threaded rod)
Bic Pens
Drill
Measuring tape
Spray paint
“Topper” for your stand (I just used ribbon)
Step 1
Disassemble your bic pens, like so:
Step 2
Spray paint the body of your pen (the WHITE part) a color that will coordinate with your plates.
I choose Ballet Slipper, a very girlie pink, since I am making a Valentine’s Day tiered tray.
(Just in case you were wondering, you will be using the “pens” to cover up the threaded rod)
Step 3
Measure your plates to find the EXACT center. Mark with a pen.
Step 4
Place your plate on a wooden block (or surface you don’t mind drilling in to), and drill a hole in your plate at the spot you marked.
TIP: Push down gently, and BE PATIENT as you drill your hole. If you apply TOO MUCH pressure, your plate will crack.
If you are unsure about how much pressure to use, try drilling on a “practice plate”.
Your plates should now have nice holes like this:
Step 5
Take your threaded rod, and push it gently into your bottom plate.
On the bottom of your large plate, put on a nut, and make it level with the bottom of your plate. Like this:
Step 6
Slide on one of your spray painted “pens”, and top with another nut.
Step 7
Gently slide on your smaller plate, and top that with a nut, and then a spray painted “pen”.
Step 8
Top your spray painted “pen” with another nut.
Step 9
Time to cover up the top of your tiered stand! I used some matching ribbon, and called it good!
Step 10
Pile high with goodies, and enjoy!
Total Cost:
Melamine Plates: $3.50
Threaded Rod: $.97
Nuts: $1
Bic Pens: free; already had some!
Spray paint: free; leftover from other projects
Ribbon: free; leftover from other projects
Total: $5.50
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I love it! Thanks for sharing this great idea Sarah!
For more creative inspiration, please visit
About Stephanie
I LOVE it
totally adorable…love the bic pen idea!
I absolutely love this! My twin girls will be 10 on Valentine's Day so projects like this have a special place in my heart LOL
This is awesome! I am having a baby shower and a few of these would be PERFECT!!! Thanks for your inspiration everyday!
WHAT I'm dying, stop it! Love this idea and for only $5.50. You totally inspired me this morning!!!!!!!!
Paula
What a great (and CHEAP) idea! Can't wait to try this!
Jennifer
Scissors & Spatulas
this turned out great! what a clever idea to use the pens!
TOO, TOO, cute!!!! I need to make a couple of these…..they also make really good , and did I already say CUTE….storage for jewelry or to place scrappy stuff on in your scrap room!!! LOVEEEEEE this!!!!! And this is so afforadle you could make one of these for every holidays!!! WOOOT!
so cute, I love the colors! I was wonndering, in one of the pictures it looks like there was a few inches of your rod left over on the top, too big to be covered by the bow, how do you get rid of that part? I want to make one of these!
I LOVE this!! It is so cute! You could even make one for Christmas and Thanksgiving!! I can't get over how cute that is!
Super cute but I have the same question as Megan above. There are a few inches of rod left and then magically they are gone. Am I missing something? Thanks.
Pure genius!!! I bought these plates too they are so adorable. Happy Friday.
Megan and Liz,
I originally covered the rod left over with a large felt heart. It was cute, but I didn't entirely like it. I used a hack saw (if you don't have one, they are $4 at Lowe's) to cut off about 1.5 inches. I actually forgot that I had done that until you asked about it. Feel free to ask any other questions. Thanks!
~Sarah
Wow thanks for this awesome idea! Genius!! I needed a project for this boring freezing day/weekend.
Such a cute fun idea, made ten times cuter by those adorable plates!!
Great idea! I think a cute drawer knob would be cut on top too;)
Super idea, what a cute and easy way to make such a handy item. It could be used year round!
I LOVE that idea!! Perfect for cupcakes too!
http://shannonsews.blogspot.com
How fun is this!! It gives you the option of making a stand to match the rest of your dishes if you want!
Ah-ha. Very clever! BIC should pay you.
WOW this looks AWESOME!
Totally loving it!
I love this! I always love those cute little plates but never have an excuse to buy them…now I do! Thanks for sharing
http://www.craftybalancing.blogspot.com
How cool is that!?! I have GOT to do this!!
Darling idea!
thank you for sharing
Love Love Love, great job! So creative and I love the colors!
~J
Super cute! Way to go!!!!!
oh man. so great and easy. I'm gonna try this.
a new friend,
kathryn
http://www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com
This is FABULOUS! such a great idea, I'm totally doing it!
I can't believe how easy this was! My daughter is having a Diva party next month and this would be so perfect to make…Thanks so much for sharing your great ideas!
Hi, I saw your post the other day and loved it!!! I got all the materials today and made it during nap time. It really went quick. But I feel like it is a bit wobbly. Was yours? I am thinking that the nut on the bottom is the problem, but I screwed it flush with the plate, like you showed in the picture. Any ideas on how to fix it? Thanks, Giana
I was thinking the same thing….how does the plate sit on the surface with the nut underneath?
I featured this Vday craft today: http://www.jcsloft.com/2011/01/diy-vday-decor.html
Paula
I have not made this was dicussing with sister about making and instantly i thought it might be wobbly, I think to fix what would work is if you would take 4 extra nuts and hot glue to the bottom in strategic places, (see where yours wobbles) as little feet and would balance it nicely, coule leave the nuts as is may not really see them, but could spraypaint in coordinating color.
How does the tray balanace with the nut on the bottom of it? i would think it would make it tip.
How do you keep the plates balanced w/the bolt and nut at the bottom. Doesn’t it cause it to teeter a bit not having a flat surface?
I purchased plates to make a stand – the kind with the candle stick holders in between – but haven’t done it yet because I don’t know where to store it after it is glued together. This one you could easily take apart to store. Love the idea. Wasn’t sure about the bolt on the bottom, but like the idea of adding more nuts around the bottom as little feet.
Did you have to cut off some of the metal rod? If so, how did you do it.love love the tray
So cute, always looking for easy ideas for my craft night, thanks for sharing! Sue
I would think if you chose a plate that had a bottom rim or lip it would take care of the wobble, as long as the nut was the same width or less than the rim. I was thinking you could also have a small plate or bowl upside down underneath the bottom plate to create a little foot for the stand.
Are the plate plastic or glass? I’m guessing plastic but I want to make sure. Thank you!!
Hi, This is a beautiful idea, I´ll do it. !! SURE !! I want a plate stand, but its expensive, now I can pay it. Hugs.. and thank you to share it.
Love this! Thanks for the inspiration. I have Boxes of plates, bows, vases, bottles, etc., and this is another great idea for them. Pinned to my “I am not a hoarder” board Lol!