Broken China Mosaic Plant Stand

I haven't done broken china mosaics forever!  

I love doing mosaics, but they are really time consuming and there always seemed to be a more pressing project.

Then I was gifted two of these little stands

Now, you can't tell by the picture, but the top of this padded stand is so small there is not even room for half a butt, so what was it's purpose, you couldn't sit on it, you couldn't put a plant on the padded top????  Anyone know?

I took the padded top off

Then painted it to get rid of the bright pink roses

 And did mosaic on the top

It's cute out on the patio

One down and one to go

If you are thinking of trying mosaics, I did a post HERE on getting started.  You can find some of my past broken china mosaic projects HERE

OK, I think I've got mosaics out of my system...... For awhile!

Happy Creating

Carol

Broken China Mosaic Projects

Many of you have expressed interest in my broken china mosaic projects so I wanted to show you two projects I think would be great starter projects.

  You will want to start on a small project.  A tray is really not a good project to start on.  It takes some practice to cut out center pieces and plate trim to form an attractive pattern.  You also want all of your tiles to be level so when you run your hand over it you feel a nice smooth surface, this also takes a little practice.

  

My advice would be to start with small projects until you get the hang of it.

You will need three things to get started.  Tile adhesive and grout, both available at your local hardware store and a glass mosaic cutter.  I have never seen glass cutters at craft stores, I purchased mine online for $24

Don't confuse glass cutters with tile nippers.  Nippers will not give you the precise cuts that you need.

The glass cutter is needed so you can precisely cut out the flowers you want from your china.  If you smash your plates with a hammer you will not be able to get the pieces and sizes you want.  For the shelf I cut the flowers from two of these plates.

I started with a plain shelf

Then cut my flowers out to fit and used tile adhesive to affix them.  I let it dry 24 hours and then grouted them.

I picked a porcelain flower and leaves from my stash and attached them with E-6000

These are very easy to chisel off nick nacks that are chipped.   Since they are damaged thrift stores sell them for pennies.  Usually there is still some good, unchipped flowers left.

You can read the whole tutorial on how to chip off flowers HERE

Here is another easy project.  

I started with a rusted vintage garden trowel

Cleaned it up, painted it, and added tiles

This is super easy, If you have ever had any thought of doing broken china mosaics these are two great starter projects.  

I get my china plates at thrift stores, garage sales, and estate sales.  Sometimes I will buy just one plate but, if I like the pattern I will buy a whole set.

My advise is to start small and get some practice

I don't profess to be anything close to a mosaic artist but, if you have any questions I would be glad to help, ask away!

Happy Creating!

Carol

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

Calling all new bloggers! And a winner!

If you are a new blogger here is a wonderful opportunity to get exposure!  Debbiedoos is having A Newbie linky party.  Head over and check it out! 

Now, The winner of the mosaic shoe is........

By random number generator.........Altered Paper 
A new blogger, it would be great if you all dropped over and showed her some blogging love. I don't do any paper crafting which makes me in total awe of people that do, she does beautiful work!    

Thank you to all who entered!!!

Carol

Broken China Mosaic New Years Giveaway

 To Start the New Years off on the right foot I am giving away this precious little broken china mosaic shoe. 

Ok, so foot and shoe...Maybe a little cheezy ha!

More importantly I wanted to have a giveaway, to say thank you.  I am getting such a kick out of blogging, and  treasure all of the friends I have made. 

This sweet little high heeled shoe is covered with vintage china, stained glass tiles, and a vintage jewel on the toe. 

Occasionally I am lucky enough to find vintage ceramic shoes to mosaic.  

I have this one listed at The Polka Dot Closet

Update- This is sold, but I will let you know the next time I am lucky enough to find one.

Ok, back to the drawing

The winner will be picked on January 15th.

TWO CHANCES TO WIN!

1.  BE A FOLLOWER AND LEAVE A COMMENT. To be a follower just go to the follow button on the left side.

2.  BLOG ABOUT MY GIVEAWAY AND LINK BACK TO MY BLOG FOR A SECOND ENTRY (LET ME KNOW)

I am so excited for the New Year!
I have a couple of fun posts I am working on

The first one will be 
"The secrets to attaching chandelier crystals to anything"  
Stay tuned!

Good Luck!

Carol


Checkout Someday Crafts for more giveaways

Broken China Mosaic Projects Before and After

I am sure I have a Crafting Attention Deficit Disorder.  I am always jumping from one craft to another.  This week it was all about doing some broken China mosaic projects.

A cute  little step stool

 And a Lucite hand mirror

The step stool was $2.93 find and was painted this great vintage green

It is so hot in Florida, when I bring the camera outside it gets all foggy

I painted it heirloom white

I like to lay most of my china pieces out in a pattern before I use the tile adhesive.

I did a little distressing to get some of the great vintage green paint to peak through.

This is a vintage $2.00 lucite mirror.  There was a mirror on both sides, so one side was begging for a little mosaic.

Broken china and a vintage brooch, I really like the way it turned out!

I am going to put both of them in my antiques booth here in Orlando.

OK, now I have to tell you a funny story.  My Mom called while I was working on the stool.  I told her what I was doing and how cute it was turning out.  Her only comment was "Well won't that tile make it slippery, how are people going to use it? "

You see, all of us crafty, shabby, people see a cute little step stool, and we start thinking about how cute it would be on our patios or in our houses with plants or nick nacks on it.  The rest of the world see's a step stool and worry about slipping off! 

Tell me I am not the only one that jumps from one craft to another!  I have never been able to just sew or scrapbook for day's. 

Carol
I am linking up with Debbiedoos Party


I am linking up with The Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday