April 21, 2014

Making A Broken China Mosaic Dress Form

This is one of the biggest DIY project I have ever done....Oh my, it took me a week to complete




I have wanted to do this for a couple years and I finally did it!  I thought how cool would it look to completely cover a dress form with broken china?

So when I found this battered dress form at an antique shop and my friend gave me an antique lamp base.....It was time to try it



I removed the t shirt fabric from the form and got started

With tile adhesive I first attached the pearl necklaces around the bust.  I had to use tape to keep them in place until the adhesive dried



Then I picked out the china plates and stained glass I wanted to use and got started

I used a drapery finial on top



And the antique lamp base on the bottom



Can you find the heart on her backside?





I'm bring Her to sell at the Polka Dot Flea 


Now, before I give you the price I have to tell you what I have invested.......
It took the better part of 6 days to complete this project.  

I used over 25 plates, since the rose pattern is only along the rim of each plate.  I used 3 different sheets of stained glass and 2 pearl necklaces.

Then each piece was individually cut (Not hit with a hammer). The pattern was layed out and the china applied piece by piece.  Each piece was leveled so you get that smooth feeling when you run your hand over it. The form was then grouted (Big mess) sponged off and then each individual tile piece got polished.

So the price.....$500...Yes, that's right, and If it doesn't sell...Well, it looks mighty fine in my dining room!



If you are interested in trying broken china mosaics you can read a previous post I did on the basics of getting started HERE.  Anyone can do it with a some practice (On smaller projects).  I'm surprised that I enjoy doing such a tedious project because I'm pretty high energy and seldom sit still, but I find mosaics are a little like doing Yoga, I do it in complete silence and find it really relaxing......Go figure!

The planning for the Polka Dot Flea is going great!  I will give you an update on my next post.

You can check out the Polka Dot Flea website HERE
Follow the Polka Dot Flea on FB HERE


Happy Creating
Carol  

53 comments:

Egretta Wells blog said...

I've done some smaller projects and let me tell you, that price is not one bit too much, if enough! It looks incredibly gorgeous and you did such a great job! Worth every penny!

BECKY said...

Wow Carol!!! I sure wish I possessed your drive and tenacity!!!!! Once again, you have amazed me! This is gorgeous, and I can't imagine that it wouldn't sell. I so admire what you accomplish with your artistry!!
You go girl!

Have a fabulous week! The Polka Dot Flea will be here before we know it!

Hugs!
Becky

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

This is amazing!! So very pretty! Happy new week!! xo Holly

Melody said...

She's beautiful, classy & one-of-a-kind, Carol! Make no apologies for her price tag. (I'm kinda surprised she has no name, though... ;) )

The Old Parsonage said...

It's a piece of art and you should charge more! At least $750-$1000. Really.

Leann

Cranberry Morning said...

That is an amazing piece of art! How did you even come up with the idea? And after all that work and how it turned out, is'nt it going to be hard to part with her? Gorgeous!

Martinel said...

Entirely perfect...Love it..It inspire me so much, thanks a lot for sharing it:)xo, Marinela

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Oh wow! That is spectacular!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

OMG! This is the most beautiful work of art! You deserve every penny of the $500 asking price and even more. Absolutely stunning!!

mizdarlin said...

You did an amazing job...and those of us who knit or crochet for a 'living' understand the value of time..we just can't really charge for it!
I think your price is totally fair, and you've given me some stimulation to find a way to use an old male torso I acquired..not sure if a rose china pattern would be just the thing, but some beautiful tiles in ocean colours might do the trick..thanks again for the inspiration...

Bluebirdbasketry said...

Wow - just WOW! That needs to be on a magazine cover. I think the price is great - in time and materials you are worth much more - but you have to be realistic, too. Such a neat project, the flea is almost here!

Sue

Bente said...

OH MY, I`m out of words,( almost).This is the most fantastic dressform I ever seen. What a talent you are. This will be sold at once.

Have a great week
Hugs from here

Di@Cottage-Wishes said...

Can I repeat WOW, AMAZING and Fantastic!!! Beautifully done, you deserve that price, I think someone is going to be very lucky!! Di@Cottage-Wishes

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It really is a beautiful work of art and a bargain at that price! It takes time...but always skill and talent! Someone will be thrilled to have it in their home. WOW is RIGHT! I love it! Hugs, Diane

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

So unbelievably gorgeous! The price is right! So much work and the results are incredible.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That is an amazing piece you've created, Carol! It is just stunning.

Createology said...

Breathtakingly Beautiful Carol Dear! Worth every dollar of your labor of love. Very unique and stunning. Blissful Planning and Flea Organizing...

Mari said...

You did an amazing job on her, she turned out gorgeous, your the best with transforming dress forms into real beauties ;-)

Smiles~
Mari

-Lana said...

Amazing! She is beautiful. I feel confident you will have a buyer and then you will be ready to make another one for your kitchen. ;)

20 North Ora said...

Carol - Don't you dare sell that beauty for any less than $500!! She is beautiful and you can tell that many, many hours of tedious work went into her.

Good luck.

Looking forward to lots of photos of the Polka Dot Flea!!

Judy

Teresa said...

I might be biased as we spent the day yesterday enjoying my nephew's pictures in Barcelona and now I stop by to wish you HAPPY EASTER and find out Gaudi is (also) living here. Amazing Job! And it's a wonderful price for someone that can afford it... I'm already imagining how striking it would look in the window of a shop. Wonderful Job, Carol!!!
Happy Easter and I hope it ends in a lovely home or place - that's a work of Art to be cherished and enjoyed through and through.
Yours,
Teresa

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Wow! The dress form looks amazing Carol!!!

shari said...

This is my absolute favorite dressform ever, AMAZING!!!! I'm sure it will sell, great job.

Anonymous said...

holy guacamole! that is the cutest thing I have ever seen. man oh man Carol! you are so creative!

farmhouse-story said...

amazing, carol! you did such a fabulous job with the mosiacs!

Rosie said...

Amazingly BEAUTIFUL! I've seen it done with seashells before but this is something new! Worth way more than $500!
love
rosie

Unknown said...

wow that is a beautiful masterpiece. I love it and think I might try one on a smaller scale someday. tfs.......
good luck
http://defuscodesign.blogspot.com
milissa
creative hugs your way

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

C-A-R-O-L!!!!!!!!!
She is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
I think you should keep her!!!
Are you getting EXCITED about your flea market! Can't wait to read you next post about it.
Thank you for the birthday wishes.
warmly,
deb

NanaDiana said...

Holy cow, girl! Whoa!!!! That is really something. I think you might have hit a first in blogland. And I was glad to see her heart on her butt instead of on her chest...lol! You did a phenomenal job on her, Carol, Some lucky person is going to walk away with her- ox Diana

Shabby chic Sandy said...

I can't even imagine the hours spent on that. I don't think I would be able to give it up for $500! It is beautiful!

Kathy said...

Oh my gosh, it is STUNNING! I have done a few broken ceramic mosaics and I understand just how much work that was. Well done!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

What a cool idea and it turned out just great, Carol! I can imagine that that this was a lot of work and a big mess.
Julia

Sopa Azul said...

Stunning!You did a great job. Congratulations!!! :D

Debbie said...

I wouldn't accept a penny less for it!! I love it and was thinking the minute that I saw it that you had better be pricing this according to its obvious value. It is exquisite!!

I have also done mosaic work, and I know the time it takes.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol, WOW this is incredible. You are a walking talking talent my friend.
Love it.
How will you part with it? It is worth a bundle too. So much work and certainly one of a kind.
Hugs

Ros Crawford said...

Absolutely stunning!!!! Is there nothing you can't do? This is well worth every dollar! Congrats to you!

Unknown said...

So beautiful! I've always wanted to try my hand at this type of mosaic. I have used torn paper before on furniture items and agree, something about it, is therapeutic.

Trishia said...

Carol, I read your blog regularly but don't often comment. However, for this dress form, I HAVE to speak out and join the chorus: worth every penny and more!! Most women undersell themselves. Our time and talent are worth something and not to be discredited:) I think you may have found your special unique niche!!

Unknown said...

OMG,,,OMG,,, I can't believe the results...you have a "work of art", it is so beautiful and I love the bodice outline and just everything,,I think I'm speechless. As I was looking and reading the post, I was just saying,"oh my gosh," over and over, great job Carol...are you sure $500 is enough for all that work, I'm thinking maybe $750 or $800, love it!!!!

April Nunn Coker, Author said...

Beautiful! I wouldn't charge a penny less!

Lynne said...

WOW...the mosaics are so beautifully applied. You are an ARTIST,!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol,
You never cease to amaze me, my friend!! She is truly a beauty!!
And you are an artist!!

AMAZING!!!

Hugs,
Deb

Cindy The Victorian Journey said...

So much talent Carol... This is beautiful... Great job.. Always loving what you do...

Hugs,
Cindy

Chris said...

Wow! This is amazing. Lovely job!

Little Miss Maggie said...

Carol, what a masterpiece. It's worth every penny of what you are asking. I think you should keep it at least for a little while.

The Speckled Hen Cottage said...

Oh my gosh Carol, this is fabulous!!!Plan "A" I hope it sells...plan "B" it looks very cool in your living room~~~ I have a tiny table that I've been going to try a mosaic tile project on for over 3 years...I have everything I need...except the determination and courage to try a new craft.

Cynthia said...

OMG Carol, I don't even know where to begin, I am speechless!! I am never speechless and this is just mind blowing. Such a beautiful piece of art. The colors are just stunning and I love the heart!

Cynthia

Unknown said...

She's gorgeous!! Great job!

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

This piece is incredible. Stunning, to say the least.

Gotta question. The lamp base. How do you secure that to the dress form? The finial, the stand, the application of all the media, it's such a great piece. I can't wait to hear who buys her and what her name is. Mosie Pearl?

Hugs and happy weekend,
Ima Sewing Machine *wink*

Becky said...

wow, you sure are creative. This is stunning and worth every bit of 500 dollars.

Nancy said...

Not only is this Gorgeous, the price is good too! I would list everything you just listed here on the Price tag so that the New Owner has a little history on their New Art piece.

Everything Carol is looking Great I wish I could spend every day with you preparing for it!! My Daughter has been flying to Orlando a lot this year. I should see if she can schedule a trip that week end~

Huggs, Nancy

Curtains in My Tree said...

Please take pictures to show us who can't attend the big show.also pictures of the dress form mosaic and who buys her.
She is a beauty and I am impressed you finished her in a week
did I say she is gorgeous?

Unknown said...

Sorry not sure if my first comment posted? What ended up happening with this piece? Its beautiful!!! I'm a mosaic artist and this is way under priced!! I saw this on pintrist and had to know more about the lamb as a base! Very creative!!!
Bobbie Jo