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February 1, 2011

Broken China Mosaic Projects

I have been on a Mosaic-A-Thon

When I do broken China Mosaics I do many projects at once because it is such a mess.


Of all the crafts I do, Broken china Mosaics is my favorite.  I don't understand why I like it so much given I am a type A personality and it is soooo tedious.

This was a cute little mirror I mosaic, it can be used as a tray or it has a hanger to be used as a piece of art 


This is for sale at The Polka Dot Closet.  I have very little luck selling mosaics in my antiques booth.  The only mosaics that seem to sell there are mosaic shelves or a small piece of furniture.

I decided to keep this tray for moi


Have you ever wondered why mosaics are so pricey?  
It's because it so time consuming, hours and hours go into each mosaic piece.  

First you purchase the china. Then each piece is individually cut (Not hit with the hammer). A pattern is layed out, then the china is applied piece by piece.  Each piece has to be leveled so you get that smooth feeling when you run your hand over it. The piece is then grouted (Big mess) and each individual tile piece gets polished.

Just for fun I did a butter dish, I liked how it turned out 
This is for sale at The Polka Dot Closet


Oh, I like this mirror I used all vintage Limoges china


This is available at The Polka Dot Closet 

I love these ballet slippers, they took me 6-7 hours to complete, it's really difficult to go around the curves and into tight spots.  The hourly wage to produce a mosaic is pretty low LOL!



This is also available at The Polka Dot Closet




 Even though the hourly wage is low, the reason I do broken china mosaics is because it is Sooo fun!  

Hope you're on your toes this week! 
(Playing off the ballet slippers, lame, I know)

Carol
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32 comments:

  1. Sissie's Shabby CottageFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Hi Carol,
    This is one project that I do not have the patience or talent to do. I love the mosaic pieces that you have created. They are all so pretty. You are good girl!

    hugs
    Sissie

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  2. FourSistersInACottageFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    I so understand about the mosaics....there is something very calming about it and you can leave it, do something else and come back and see it in a whole new light.
    YOU DO A FABULOUS JOB!!!! I love it all!!!!
    Amy (Mom to the Four Sisters)

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  3. CindyFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Beautiful! I love the shoes so much!

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  4. DebbiedoosFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Those are sweet. I never wondered why they are a little pricey. I tried one ONCE...need I say never again. The butter dish is way cute! All your pieces turned out great.

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  5. SusanFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    You do beautiful art work with the mosaics!! I love the tray and the mirror!!

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  6. Sue@Uniquely ChicFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Love all of them and you know I love mosaics too and it's one of my fave things to do. But they are really hard to sell kinda like Mersman, ha! Hard to sell because they are pricey and you hit the nail on the head describing the process. But until you actually do it ya just don't get it.

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  7. Katie @ OhhBabyFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    This is beautiful!

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  8. Stacy's Shabby ShoppeFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Very lovely work Carol! I got all geared up to do mosaics at one time...purchased a bunch of tiles and stuff on Ebay, books, the whole bit. They are still sitting there...and are going on Etsy soon! LOL! I have decided that my patience level is way too low! ~Stacy~

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  9. Ricki TreleavenFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Carol, I love the mirror! The butter dish is adorable, too. I have made a few mosaic pieces, but not as detailed as yours. I have a few mosaic pieces I have bought at flea markets, store sales, and online auctions.

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  10. UnknownFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    They are beautiful Carol, you mean to tell me you hand cut each of those pieces? If you do you are as crazy as I am with my paper filigree on my eggs and Valentines. Hugs, Marilou

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  11. PEACHESFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    OMGoodness, those are out of this world! And I know what you mean about time-consuming, but golly, they sure are beautiful in the end. I love the back of that mirror especially. VERY cool!

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  12. GARAGE SALE GALFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    Hi Carol,
    They are all very pretty! I didn't realize that the pieces are cut! That is A LOT of work!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  13. FarahFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    Beautiful Art Work Carol... really beautiful... with your description I truly understand the methodology of arranging and working on it... its a work of patience and specially looking for the china which is your demand... lovely work and most beautiful result... Thanks for sharing the details of How to do...
    Hope you would like to spare a little bit of your time for me sure you will enjoy
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  14. DeeDeeFebruary 2, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    I do Mosaics too... and I love it too... yours is always so very beautiful..I can never find the pretty pretty china like you have...lovely job....

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  15. DebbieFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Ding! There goes the bell going off in my head. Now, I know why mine never look as good in the flesh as they do in my head. I just bam away with a hammer. I didn't know you were supposed to cut them.

    Guess I'm still just stuck in Vacation Bible School in the craft expertise. I'm surprised I'm not still making crafts out of macaroni!

    Yours are beautiful. I really love those shoes and the butter dish.

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  16. Rebecca NelsonFebruary 2, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Be still my heart. Totally fabulous and gorgeous! LOVE EVERY SINGLE THING!

    xoRebecca

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  17. UnknownFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Carol, these are just beautiful....

    Pattie

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  18. One Gal's TrashFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Hi!
    I just linked over from A Thing For Roses. Your mosaic pieces are just beautiful...love all the lavender!
    Pam ~ One Gal's Trash

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  19. Bring Pretty BackFebruary 2, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Everything is gorgeous! The butter dish took my breath away!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  20. UnknownFebruary 2, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Carol, so pretty, I love the mirror and the shoes are so sweet! I have done two mosaic pieces and both of them sold but I must admit it was a job doing them. I love mosaics and have been putting stuff away to another piece. You have inspired me. It's on my list of things to do.

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  21. TonyaFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! SOOO beautiful! I love your work!! I didn't realize it took all that work to make something like this: I did always think the pieces were just broken with a hammer. :( Honestly though, I've never seen anything nearly as nice as these that you do. I'd LOVE to try this someday, when my kids are a little older and I don't have to worry about the baby finding a piece or my son tasting the grout! :S
    Thank you for becoming a follower of mine through Debbie's newbie link. :) I'll be following you, too. :) (I have to come back and admire this amazing work! :) )

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  22. Laurie BrownFebruary 3, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    I don't even want to think about how difficult those 3-D pieces like the slippers are! Or what cutting pieces that small must be like. Arg.

    I've been collecting stuff to try that someday, but never get to it because it seems like such a huge process.

    They are all beautiful, but the tray you decided to keep is absolutely stunning!

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  23. Infatuated with Homes and GardensFebruary 3, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    I love the mirror and the butter dish ,such lovley work!
    Sharon

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  24. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    If I was in Florida I would buy them all! xoxo

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  25. OliviaFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Wow Carol! I am super impressed! I am dying to try mosiacs, it is not an option with small children I am lucky to get an hour of craft time and it is always interupted or the kids need something...so when they get older maybe! My fave is the tray and the mirror! Gorgeous work I am in awe!
    Hugs,
    Olivia

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  26. Pamela KelloggFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Carol, I absolutely adore your mosaic work! These are so beautiful!

    Pam

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  27. LoriFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Beautiful Carol! The slippers are astounding! Lori

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  28. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasFebruary 5, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Carol, These are simply stunning! you are so talented!! I am playing catch up on my visiting! I don't understand why that table won't sell! I LOVE it!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  29. Marianne C.February 8, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Carol, your mosaics are gorgeous!! I love the butter dish, and the slippers....oh, who am I fooling I love it all! No, really the butter dish is exquisite. Can it be washed?

    I'm glad I found your site. I know a few people who would really like what you do. I'll be sure to share with them.

    Happy days to you,
    Marianne

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  30. UnknownFebruary 9, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    You are sooooo right about the work that goes into creating broken china mosaics!

    I have a tutorial posted on my blog on how to create broken china mosaics and I stress NOT to hit the china with a hammer! ha!

    Your work is stunning! So shabby-licious! Love those little ballet slippers!

    Cheers!
    Tina

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  31. AnonymousJune 20, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    This is amazing! I'm curious where you buy your china? I'm interested in doing a similar project. Thanks!

    benandruthie@gmail.com

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  32. MakiMarch 23, 2012 at 12:01 AM

    Hi Carol, WOW! Your mosaics are just beautiful!!! Thanks so much for sharing all your lovely projects.
    Your tutorials are great and I've been trying a few, The little clutch
    purse and the flowers, haven't quite got the beauty that you've achieved, but working on it...so fun!

    Love your blog so much that I browse through often.... Great style!

    Hugs, Maki

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