Thanks all. I was ready to give it up a few months ago, too, because I was having to tiptoe through the glassware to get to my file cabinet when I was gluing like crazy getting ready for a craft show. The mess was even driving me crazy. I don't think I'll do any more craft shows (well, maybe one this spring) because it's getting to be too much for an old lady like me. I've bought a few more pieces of glassware lately to go with what I already have. I probably won't give it up completely. I want to maybe do more wall flowers. Depends what sells. I also hope to make some cast leaves and mushrooms. Something a little smaller than the totems and birdbaths. Things that I can store outside....like on the bottom shelf of my potting shed. That will make DH happy. And hope to get into some other type of crafts, like altered art.

You might check in the grocery candy aisles for the M&M minis that come in colored plastic tubes. They are a nice size, very sturdy, and have a top that is attached and snaps closed. If you're not an m&m eater, you could certainly find someone to give the candy to, and just keep the tubes.

Mod podge washes off? Not in my experience. I used it to decoupage images onto a blue plastic soap dispenser in my PR and it stands up very well to the wet environment and washing. I can't imagine it'd be any different on ceramic. I think the art looks doable, but I'd only do it on inexpensive plates that I didn't care about. If it's a valuable plate, I wouldn't risk doing anything to damage it.

Is there anyone out there who likes to do altered art????