“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace (or something) else.”
– Yogi Berra
– Yogi Berra
Whether you call it a license plate, vehicle registration plate, or number plate, they are a super fun item to upcycle.
Why you ask? We love it when you all ask questions.
Well, they are often full of different colors and textures, they are bendable, AND they often bring about memories (a trip, a previous home, first car, etc).
For this month’s Thrifty Style Team project, we are sharing this ….
DIY UPCYCLED LICENSE PLATE PLANTER
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SUPPLIES
- License Plate (You can often find these at thrift stores, free piles, vintage fairs, or online HERE)
- Clean Glass Jar (to bend it around AND for the inside)
- Head Rivet Tool
- Steel File (not sure why they named it a “#@*!*” file ???)
- Drill
- Pop Rivets
- For the pop rivets we used (above) we used a 1/8 drill bit.
INSTRUCTIONS
- You will need a sturdy round object that you can bend the license plate around.
- Lay license plate on a flat surface. Make sure to have the back (plain) side of the plate up while you bend it.
- Bend the plate around the item. Note – The letters are stronger than the plate so a larger letter like Z won’t bend as easily at first. Don’t worry. Bend as much as you can and you can straighten it once you fasten it all together.
- Drill 1/8 holes, 2 on each end; make sure they match up.
- Taking the “#*@!” steel file, file the holes, inside, smooth.
- Bring ends together and use the head rivet tool and a pop rivet to connect the ends together.
- If you want a bottom, you can make a wood plug and attach it by screwing the plug to the license plate holes that are already there. If you are using the planter indoors, you can use a lid from a storage or food item as a coaster. Or you can do what we did, and use the clean glass jar as a vase inside. If you are using the jar with a live plant, make sure to use rocks at the bottom of the jar, before adding soil, so that it can drain properly.
- Once it’s all secure, bend or straighten, to make sure it is the way you want it.
|HERE IS ANOTHER SUPER EASY PROJECT USING A TIN CAN FOR A VASE|
*You can also use this project as a pencil holder as well.
Now, are you ready to check out all the other amazing Thrifty Style Team Projects?
Well cute! I have a few license plates I sould do something with. One if from my dads car, that woul be a nice keepsake. I take it you don’t like using the file?
Bliss, No, it’s what they named it. I/m not sure why they call it that.
I love this idea so much Deborah! We’ve saved most of our plates from our moves! Pinning!
Cindy, Thanks so much. It was simpler than I thought it would be. I love that you have your old plates.
Deborah– this is so stinkin’ clever! What a fantastic upcycle, my friend.
Kristi, You are so sweet my friend!!!!!!
This is so ridiculously cool! I love old license plates. I have some in my garage that were my Dad’s and while I don’t know if I’ll ever actually do anything with them this is the perfect inspiration for a license plate I don’t have a personal connection to. I know….I’m strange like that.
Mary Beth, Thanks so much. Oh, I totally understand not wanting to bend ones that you have a deep connection with.
Deborah, what a fun idea. We have a bunch of old ones that I have hanging around on the wall in the shop , now I know what I can do with them!
Laura, Oh good. They are so easy to make!
This is so adorable! I have a few plates too!
Maria
Thanks Maria! I hope you get to do a license plate craft.
This is so cute Deborah. We have a small collection of sentimental-to-us plates. We never thought to repurpose and upcycle them. Thanks for the great idea!
Hey Ladies, Thanks so much and hopefully you will get a chance to make one.
This is such an awesome idea!
We just bought a new truck and this is perfect for our old license plate.
Great step by step tutorial!
Meegan, It is a fun way to use them and has memories attached to it.
Love this idea so much. The hubby collects old license plates but I know he has quite a few duplicates and I’m sure he’s not going to mind if I turn one or three of them into a planter 😉
Michelle, I mean who doesn’t love old plates right? Can’t wait to see what you do.
How ridiculously cute!! Love this idea to bits!!
Sam – Raggedy Bits recently posted…How to turn Broken Architectural Salvage into Farmhouse Decor
Sam, Thanks so much. I love me some license plate prjects.
Super clever idea. I want one too! Happy crafting, Kippi
Fun idea! I have a couple old license plates sitting in the garage; what a great upcycle.
Thanks Victoria!!!!
I love how this turned out, what a fabulous idea.
Thank You Claire.