Primitive Round Plate Design

• 1). Choose a piece of untreated wood. Good woods for plates include oak, pecan, cedar and cherry. Cut the wood into a 16-by-16-inch square.
  
  
• 2). Draw a large circle directly onto the wooden square that's the size of the plate you want to make.
  
  
• 3). Cut the four corners from the wood using a band saw.
  
  
• 4). In the center of the board, mount the face plate to the board with four small screws.
  
  
• 5). Affix the face plate to the lathe and shape the back of the plate. Cut a small area into the back of the plate so it can be held by a chuck.
  
  
• 6). Sand the back of the plate lightly while the plate is still spinning.
  
  
• 7). Remove the plate from the lathe and take off the face plate.
  
  
• 8). Affix the chuck to the lathe and attach the wooden plate to the chuck.
  
  
• 9). Shape the face of the plate. Cut into the face of the plate deep enough that the screw holes will be removed.
  
  
• 10
  
  Sand the face of the plate and remove the plate from the chuck.
  
  

Painting Primitive Designs

• 1). Select a primitive design pattern, the simpler the better. Choose Americana, chickens, tulips or anything country.
  
  
• 2). Determine the image layout. Some images work well placed directly in the center of a plate, while others look better set off center or around the rim.
  
  
• 3). Paint the image directly onto the plate using a food-safe paint. The Livos company sells a variety of paints and sealants that are safe for humans.
  
  
• 4). Seal the image with a food-safe sealant.