Written by Jill of Shindig Invitations.
Cannoli Signs.
It isn’t just enough to let them eat cake anymore. Now you must feed your guests cookies, candy, or donuts to go in adorable little favor bags. Bridget and Nicholas did cannolis. What cannolis have to do with their wedding’s visual theme of birds and branches I don’t know, but I wish I were invited.
The cannolis, in an assortment of flavors, were to be presented on tiers atop a table for guests to fill goodie bags with on their way out the door. Bridget needed a clear way for the different flavors to be labeled. Since we were already doing large chalk board signs for this wedding, I thought that was the way to go.
I found a smaller version of the wood framed chalk boards I used for the branch signs at Lee’s Art Shop on 57th Street. Then, using the same method as with the larger signs, I drew the flavors of the cannolis using a white paint pen.
Next I stained the edges with a non-toxic water-based stain.
I used the same stain on the wooden dowels I would use for sign posts. I originally wanted to use real branches, but I was concerned they wouldn’t be strong enough.
To attach the dowels to the backs of the signs I employed the good old glue gun.
The signs need time to dry thoroughly before standing them upright. The hot glue from a gun is actually a type of plastic that doesn’t need too long to dry, but picking them up too soon will make the sign slide.
Once everything is dry, they are ready to go upright. Long after Bridget and I decided to make these signs we still hadn’t come up with a method of actually making them stand up, then it hit me…
The look of her wedding was intended to have a vintage inspired feel in addition to the bird and branch motif. I collected assorted small vases and jars from Fishs Eddy, and filled them with birdseed. Then stuck the sticks right in there!
It took a few tries to get the right consistency in the birdseed. You don’t just want the tiny little pieces even if that’s what looks best. Make sure to get some sunflower and larger seeds in there because it will help the dowels stand up easier. Don’t ask me why…It’s a physics thing.
For guests to collect their cannolis I got these kraft tin tie bags and stamped them up with the couples logo. Stay tuned and keep fingers crossed for photos from the actual event!
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As is, they just look like, well, manila tags bought from ULINE. They need some style, some oomph. Something that spoke, “Hey, we, the tags have been hanging around for the past hundred years in an attic somewhere waiting for just this occasion!”
