Oh wow! I do love that. Cinco de Mayo...you are ready. I think it would be really neat to have a whole set to match. I have seen those at the TS, but the little bowl is never with them. Probably gets put over with the dishes. Well, you did a great job on it. The black background makes them peppers pop and the speckling too. Now bring on the chips and salsa!! ha ~Anj

Glad you liked it, Anj. I think it is fun to find unusual things and repaint them. I plan to just put a sheet of plastic wrap on it, then pour on the chips. I'd love to find a non toxic sealer to use on items like this. Luvs

Luvs, very cute. I think it almost looks like a decal, the way you shaded it. Great painting job! I really like the different colors you splattered on the background too.

As far as a sealer that is food safe, interesting. You can buy the wooden trays, bowls, cheese server sets,etc. so what makes them food safe? We'll have to do a little Debbie detective work and try to find the answer to that question, I guess.

My brother loves chili peppers, so I buy him something with chili pepers every year at Christmas time. Both times he's came up this summer he's brought different peppers he canned. DH likes them but I don't eat hot chili peppers at all.

Thanks for sharing another great project. Punk

Hi Punk, glad you liked my little "redo". On the pattern for this which was a lazy susan, they just called for "sealer". On another pattern I looked at for a cake tray, it says "exterior varnish". Wouldn't think either of those would be for use with food! I think Mod Podge is non toxic, but think it would be too "sticky" for this type project, don't you? Maybe someone will come along with a good answer for us. Hope things are going well for you, and you'll be back painting soon. Luvs

Luvs, you always come up with the neatest ideas. This is really cute and very funtional.

I can't help you with the varnish question. I rarely paint anything that I would put food in - however, I would think that since most of the varnish we use is water based, it might be non-toxic. I like the idea of putting Saran wrap over it - just to be on the safe side.

If it's just dry chips would it really matter? How about cutting a piece of clear plexiglass to insert. It would be easy to wash and you could still see the design real good.

In all honesty, I hadn't really worried about using it for dry chips either, but someone on another forum asked about it and made me think it might be an issue. I think it's okay since it won't have "moist" food touching it so shouldn't come off at all. Even to clean it would be with just a damp cloth. Thanks for your input. Luvs

I haven't had time to check out any more on food safety but thought I'd ask if any on you had looked into it any further. Your tray is so cool. Punk

I wish I had your imagination! I would look at this tray and go "what would I ever do with that?" And you turn it into a work of art!!!!!

Long ago when everything was varnished, and kids chewed on stuff - I don't remember anyone getting sick from it...and as you say it will be dry things. My only concern would be oils from the food coming in contact with the tray and leaving spots. Ya' don't want to go around saying "Out Dang Spot" (Shakespeare pun) Job well done!

Belle

I finally got my little box and glasses painted, thought you might like to see them.

Let me just state that I do NOT like painting on glass! I used gloss enamels and got pretty good coverage I think. These will probably all be given as gifts I think.

Luvs

Wow, those will go great with your tray. Looks awesome!! I don't like painting on glass either unless I can spray paint the whole thing first. =) ~Anj

Luvs,
They both turned out great. I love it. Are you going to splatter the caddy? What a wonderful set you have going. Punk

Good idea Punk, I had forgotten all about the spattering--and I do like the look of it on things. I figured this caddy could hold paper plates or condiment bottles maybe. Might have to see if I can use them in a tablescape. I saw some kitchen towels with peppers on them the other day--might get a couple to use with these. They were a fun project, I love to redo items. Luvs

Luvs,

Be sure to post here if you do a tablescape with these. Will you use black dishes or do you have solid red, green or yellow? You should grab the towels and is there some way you could cut them in half and use as napkins with some colored rings? You could always add ric rac to any solid placemats or napkins to match your glasses huh?

Oh my goodness, listen to me getting into tablescapes with you. Oh I have to tell you I had a friend over and she seen my set of OLD TRENTHAM SPRAYS by ROYAL DOULTON CHINA and about flipped out over them. My mom inherited these from her aunt and then passed them down to me.

Best go and talk to you later. Punk

Luvs...just watched Table Talk with Patricia Rawlinson and she suggested using any wax used with wooden salad bowls to seal your painted and varnished project what will be used with food. They can be re-waxed as needed.