Sharing is Caring

I love it when neighbors drop off homemade treats for us, for no particular reason. What a joy. And likewise, I love making delicious goodies to share. One of my neighbors, who has been the recipient of a number of treats, made me laugh the other day. I'd never checked in with her about food allergies. I'd routinely sent my boys over to her house with baked goods, and this time I thought I'd go too and check in. After enquiring about food allergies, she told me that they were 'equal opportunity consumers'. The phrasing was brilliant.

So to get back on topic, I'm always searching for sharing plates. The idea is, to present a neighbor with a thoughtful plate, and then the neighbor, in turn will pay it forward to the next neighbor with their own goodies.

This plate was pretty simple to put together. All you'll need are:

White dinner plate
isopropyl alcohol
Ceramic pens, such as the Porcelain or Craftsmart pens
Imagination
Oven for curing

When buying plates for this purpose, it is better to buy a ceramic or cheaper one, because the glazing isn't as good. If you get a higher end porcelain plate, the glazing won't allow the paint from the ceramic pens to adhere as well. My first try at the giving plate was on a good quality porcelain, from a mismatched set, and the ink washed or rubbed off even after curing and baking in the oven. The cheaper plates have all lasted much longer.

Wash and dry the plate well.

Shake the pens and pump the nibs to get the ink flowing.

Create. I got this idea for my giving plate off Pinterest.

I really took a chance and wrote out the wording, hoping it would fit, and luckily it did. A safer approach would be to trace an outline of your plate on paper and then write your wording on the paper, so you can adjust spacing, font and design if necessary.

If you make a mistake you must act fast! This ink dries incredibly quickly. Use a Q-tip, soaked in isopropyl alcohol, to wipe away an error. Wait for the alcohol to evaporate fully before writing on the same spot.

Allow the ink to cure for 45 minutes.

Place the decorated plate into a cold oven and heat to 250 F. Once the temperature has been reached (your oven should signal this with a beep), bake for 30 minutes. Then turn off the oven and allow the plate to cool inside of the oven. This slow heating and cooling will prevent the plate from cracking. I have tried many variations on temperature, but this one has served me best. If the temperature is too high you not only risk cracking your plate, but you may discolor the plate and paint colors.

Wash only by hand. I have washed these plates in the dishwasher on occasion, and the ink has stayed vibrant, but over time the artwork will fade or scratch off.