DIY Glittered Cocktail Forks and an Easy, Elegant Olive and Feta Appetizer

Looking for something quick and easy to serve at holiday parties--but something that still has a big wow-factor?

How about this simple presentation of feta and olives, paired with glittery cocktail forks?  You won't believe how easy this is to do, but it looks so fancy and impressive!

It all started with glitter.  Lots and lots of glorious Recollections glitter (available only at Michaels stores starting at just $3.99).  I've been buying and using this stuff for all kinds of projects for several years now, and I absolutely adore it.  This is nothing like the stuff I remember from when I was a kid.  The textures, the range of colors...squeal!  Why yes, evidently I am still an eight year old little girl.

I started out with plain bamboo cocktail/appetizer forks--the disposable kind available at any Party City, Walmart, etc. .  They're incredibly inexpensive and useful, and nicer than toothpicks, but on their own, aren't really interesting.  

A little bit of Mod Podge and some chunky golden tinsel glitter made the appetizer forks look glorious in just seconds, though.

I love the collections of glitter, too, because I have such a tough time limiting myself to just a few colors.  Gimme the whole set--I want it all!  Having the whole range of colors makes it so easy to do fun ombre effects.

I picked shades of green for my Christmas party this year.  I'm saving the golden ones for New Year's Eve.

Now, if you just used Mod Podge and glitter, you'd have pretty cocktail forks, for sure--but they'd rain down glitter on teh food, and that's not particularly appetizing.  Polyurethane spray to the rescue!  Tape off the bottom of the fork with masking tape or painter's tape.  You don't want the polyurethane on the surfaces that will touch food and mouths.

 Spray with a coating of polyurethane and let dry completely.  Once dried, the polyurethane keeps the glitter locked in place without dulling the fabulous sparkle of the glitter.  Be sure to use a high gloss polyurethane spray, though.  I can't vouch for what would happen if you used a satin or semi-gloss spray.

Assembling the feta and olive appetizer couldn't be easier.  Cut feta cheese into cubes.  Buy an assortment of olives.  Sprinkle both with a few freshly chopped herbs.   (I used Italian parsley and thyme from my garden, but basil or oregano or pretty much anything would probably taste great!)

Pop the olives and feta in a small glass (these shot glass sized dessert glasses from Target were just perfect).  Stick a fork in an olive.

The bamboo cocktail forks also perch beautifully on the side of the glass.  

Classy, right?   I guess glitter can be for real grown ups, too!