Hey Friends! Well my goodness, since the reveal of our new/old modern farmhouse dining room, I’ve had several questions about the DIY silver tray wreath hanging over the mantel. I kind of thought you’d like it almost as much as I do, but didn’t realize you’d be that enthusiastic! Knowing that puts a big ol’ smile on my face because that’s exactly why I do this blogging thing! 🙂
I saw a wreath made of trays years ago (like 8) in a magazine and have kept it in my mind all these years knowing one day I would make that little beauty. I started collecting trays way back then never paying more than $8.00 for any one of them. Most of them were less than $5.00 because I figured I’d need about 20. I was wrong but glad I have a few left over for some other super fun ideas.
DIY SILVER TRAY WREATH
Anyway, this wreath measures 42 inches tall and it only took 10 silver trays. When collecting the trays for your project, you’ll want to make sure they aren’t too deep and look for trays that are about the same size. That’s if you want the same look as the one I made.
I chose the 5 largest trays for the base and the slightly smaller ones to fill in the gaps for the top ring.
Supplies:
10 Silver Trays
Rubbing Alcohol
Glue Gun
Hot Glue (a butt load of it!)
UPDATE: We decided after we’d used a ton of hot glue that J B Weld Adhesive is not the best choice to keep the trays together. Especially in warm climates).
STEP 1 – Clean the trays
You need to use the rubbing alcohol to clean the trays. I wanted mine tarnished so I only cleaned the areas where the adhesive was going.
Step 2 and 3 – Figure out your circle
2. Lay your silver trays right side up and place them in a circle. You’ll want to use the largest trays for the bottom ring. You could cut out a ring from cardboard if you need a template but I just eyeballed it.
3. Place the second layer around in the gaps. Sitting the top tray where the two bottom trays meet. If you feel it’s wobbly or uneven, choose a different tray for the bottom circle. It’s most likely because the two trays on the bottom don’t meet up well making it uneven.
Steps 4, 5 and 6
4. Take a picture of the wreath. Trust me, this will help!
5. I found this step to be the toughest. Turn the trays over facing down. The top set of trays that filled in the gaps, is now your bottom ring.
6. Once you’ve situated that circle, now place your large trays on top of those setting them down like your picture. You could also use painters tape to number them if that would be easier for you.
Step 7
7. Now you gently pick up the top tray trying not to move it and where the two trays come together, load it up with hot glue or the J B Weld. Then push it down and hold for about several seconds. The longer the better. Then move on to the next tray until you’ve hot glued every top ring to the bottom trays. It only took about 20 minutes to do them all.
If you use the J B Weld, leave it overnight or as the package suggests.
Step 8
8. After that is complete go back and hot glue the edges where the trays meet. Anywhere you see two trays meet, glue it. Hot glue is cheap and you can’t really have too much glue on this thing. The Mister said we could have used a soldering iron but we were afraid of discoloration.
Final Steps
9. We then cut about a 6 inch piece from a metal coat hanger and bent it to form a hook so we could hang it on the wall.
10. Then we hot glued that hook to the back of the top tray. We let it sit over night to get a nice tight grip.
11. It’s time to turn it over! You’ll want one or two helpers because it’s the uneven bending that makes the wreath unstable. You’ll hear some popping and cracking and think Oh my word it’s breaking! But if you’ve done the steps above and used that J B Weld or butt load of hot glue like I said, it won’t break!
HANG IT UP AS SOON AS YOU CAN
Once you’ve got it turned over, it’s best to go ahead and hang it as soon as possible – like immediately when you turn it over. It’s a lot less stress on the wreath when the weight is hanging from the top tray. Don’t ask me how. I don’t understand physics. That’s just what the Mister says.
That’s it! There’s really not much to it and it looks difficult but it isn’t.
I may add a bow to the top but for now, I’m super happy with nothing on it.
Send a photo if you DIY a Silver Tray Wreath! I’d love to see it!
So very pretty Love it! I can’t believe the glue holds them together! Awesome! laura
Author
It does. It’s been on the wall now for weeks and hasn’t come crashing down yet! I’ll keep everyone posted just in case. Thanks Laura!
After seeing a wreath like this on pintrest several years ago I made one. I used a very large square picture frame hung like a diamond shape, and attached the trays to it with command strips. The second layer of trays I used plate hangers on the trays and then command strip hooks. I am definitely gonna try your hot glue idea.
Author
Cheryl, how cool! I bet we saw the same wreath. I would love to see a picture of it. Is it still hanging somewhere? Thanks for stopping by.
I’m so glad you posted instructions. I knew the moment I saw this that I wanted to try it.
Author
Thank you. I was surprised at how many people wanted directions. And thank you very much for all of your comments. I am so grateful. Big hug!
Oh wow, Cindy! That looks great…how did I miss it? It really makes a statement too. I see those silver trays all the time in the thrift store…they are usually pretty cheap too. I am pinning this for future reference! Thanks for sharing how you made it!
Author
Yep. Thrift stores are a great place to start collecting them! Show me when you make one! Each one will be unique. 😀
I absolutely love your silver tray wreath. I started collecting silver when I was just a teen (I’m now 60) as the years have gone by, I have a pretty huge collection. Coming from an old New England family, I’ve also inherited a lot of pieces. My MIL always complains about my tarnished silver though LOL. I was thinking that you might want to put a sealer on the trays, so they stay at just the right stage of tarnishing that you want.
Author
Sounds like you have quite the collection. I am a sucker for silver too. And thanks for the excellent advice. I didn’t know I could keep them like that with sealer. Yay!
What can I use as a sealer?
Author
Hi Laura, thank you for reading. Here is what I’d recommend for clear coating your silver trays. https://www.everbritecoatings.com/silver.htm Let me know if you have any other questions.
That is one wicked cool wreath!!!!! I can’t even imagine who was the first pure genius to think of making a wreath out of silver trays – I mean, seriously, how does that mind even work???
Author
Thanks! I thought the same thing when I saw it years ago – pure genius! 😁
Cindy when I saw this I was immediately smitten. It is so unique and really commands the room. Thanks for that tutorial. I thought you had drilled screws into them.
Author
Nope. No screws! And smitten?! I like that! 😀
Cindy, count me as your newest follower. I just enjoyed your post on Stacey’s blog, and I can already tell I’m going to love your toggling between the farmhouse and your Highland VIllage home. I look forward to getting better acquainted!
Rita C at Panoply
btw, that wreath is absolutely fab. Hot glue, really??!
Author
I know right?! Hot glue. It’s like magic! And thanks for the sweet comment. That makes my day Rita! So glad you found me.
Trendsetting, and the scale is so perfect. Good job, as usual. 🌸
Author
Thank you bunches mom. ❤️
Great idea, and I have way too many trays around :^0
We were in your neck of the woods last weekend…We stayed in Brenham, and traveled out to the surrounding areas for 4 days. Our last stop was the Antique Rose Emporium, where we loaded the back of the truck with roses and other flowers. I spent yesterday afternoon planting them…….oof…….that was hard on an old lady, and today I can barely walk!! oh well, the yard will be beautiful this summer and I will be thankful I did the hard work in the cooler temps!!
Thanks for the instructions for the wreath! I will have to get to Michaels to get all of that glue, and then onwards to a wreath!
Blessings,
J
Author
We love Brenham and I bet those roses will be beautiful! Send a pic when you make the wreath – I’d love to see it. Thanks for the visit too. Hope you have a great week. 😉
I love your silver tray wreath, Cindy! It’s a great idea for repurposing them. In storage I have six, I think. Then when I was at our storage last spring, I brought a couple of my smaller trays here to use in our trailer, but you know how thriftshopping is… I found a few big ones. They had to come home. 😉 I painted four and love using them as chargers but the others I have are all their original silvery goodness! Love your long mantel, too!!! Beautiful together…. sigh! <3
Author
You know what? I think a painted tray wreath would be gorgeous! You should totally incorporate those chargers into a wreath! Then send a pic and blog it! Thanks for your sweet compliments too. 🙂
It has turned out so perfect, Cindy! I am sure this silver tray wreath can grab the attention of guests. So well and perfect.
Author
Thanks Stella! I certainly love it. BTW, totally love your name. Do people tell you that all the time? Thanks for popping over!
Love, love, love it!
Author
Thank you Gwen! I so so so appreciate it! Makes me smile. 😁
Just beautiful! I have been collecting these myself for decorating throughout my home.
Author
I love all kinds of silver and I bet your collection is fabulous. Trays, candlesticks, creamers… They are all gorgeous! Even the tarnished pieces. Thank you for the sweet compliment Daphne and for the visit. Happy Monday!
Stunning!
Author
Thank you Brenda. You made my day. 🙂