Cake Plate Craftiness

I love cake plates.  I love how elegant and multi-functional they are in the kitchen, on tables, and basically anywhere you have a flat surface.  I don't just use cake plates to hold cakes, I use them for all sorts of things - but typically it involves food.  However, even with my love of cake plates, I have a difficult time finding affordable ones that I actually like.  Most are expensive, massed produced, and lack any sort of character.  So, I decided to make my own cake plate.

I went to the dollar store and spent a grand total of $2 on these items...

It's a basic 10-inch plate with a cool design cut into the glass, and a glass candle holder that is 4 inches wide and 3.75 inches tall.  There is a slight taper at the base of the candle holder, which just adds a little character to an otherwise plain piece of glass.

I used Loctite Extreme All-Temperature glue as the adhesive.  I did this because I wanted to make sure the bond between the candle holder and plate holds - regardless of what is sitting on the plate or if Mum decides to throw this cake plate in the dishwasher (though I prefer to wash it by hand).  Make sure, before you add the adhesive you thoroughly clean the plate and candle holder.  I used an alcohol pad to wipe down both serves and ensure to solid connection between both surfaces.

I kept my hand and the glue steady with one hand, then turned the candle holder with the other hand to ensure the glue was evenly distributed along the rim of the candle holder bottom.  This means turning the candle holder over, so the opening is facing down.  You're going to be gluing the bottom - not the rim around the top opening.

I then flip the plate over, measure out to the center of the plate, and carefully place the glued side of the candle holder on the plate.  The glue's instructions stated the glue only needed 5 minutes before it was solidly fixed, but I let it sit for at least an hour before flipping it back over to use.

And here it is... The finished product.

And I didn't waste any time in putting it to use.  Those Valentine's cookies had to go somewhere... Besides my tummy.

How about you? What uses do you have for cake plates? If you decide to make your own, let me know - I'd love to see your work!