How to Make Iron Wall Plate Holders

Old plates make a simple and tasteful wall decoration.

Unique and interesting plates can be displayed in a number of ways, including a china cabinet, tabletop plate stands or as hangings on walls. Craft stores and home stores carry a number of wall hangers for plates, but they limit the dimensions of the plate they will hold. Making your own allows you to customize the size needed for little out-of-pocket cost. Annealed iron wire is lightweight and flexible, making it a good medium to create the plate holder.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 18-gauge annealed iron wire
• Wire cutters
• Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Measure the diameter of the plate you want to hang. Add 3 inches to the measurement.

2. Cut two pieces of an 18-gauge annealed iron wire with wire cutters to match the measurement from Step 1.

3. Fold both pieces of wire in half to create two V-shapes. Set one of the V’s aside. Twist the second one two to three times to create a 1-inch loop in the center point of the V.

4. Hold the looped wire in one hand by one of the legs of the V. Hang the other V from the one you are holding. Position it so the center point of the V is resting just below the base of the loop on the other V. Twist the unlooped V around itself two to three times to secure it.

5. Place the plate face-down on your work surface. Center the two wires on the back of the plate. Use your fingers to stretch and bend the ends of the wires around the edge of the plate. Place one end at the 2 o’clock position, one at the 4 o’clock position, one at the 8 o’clock position and one at the 10 o’clock position. Bend the ends over the plate so they are snugly holding the plate.

6. Cut the ends of the wire with a pair of wire clippers so that they stick 1/2-inch over the edge. Use needle-nose pliers to twist the ends into a loop.

7. Place a nail into the wall. Hang the plate on the wall by slipping the loop you created in Step 3 onto the nail.