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Crafts & Decorations

Broken over Broken China Mosaics

thrift_shop_romantic

17 years ago

I've had some discussions with some folks lately on how to do broken china mosaics. And it occurred to me that while I knew HOW to do it, and the final product turned out nicely, there can be unexpected frustrations in what seems like such a happy, calming and simple craft.

Anyway, thinking about this, I thought you all might get a kick out of one of my past incidents of mass mosaicing around Mother's Day-- and how too much of a good craft is STILL too much. :-)

If you have a moment, you can view the blog link here:

http://web.mac.com/thriftshopromantic/iWeb/The_Thrift_Shop_Romantic/Broken_China_Craft.html

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

--Jenn

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Comments (9)

craftylady-2006
17 years ago
I love your blog story, you had me LMAO about the skinny flabby arms and the brain saying you've got to make six - too funny Jenn. Also, my sis loves to decorate French Country and I forwarded your website to her in an email. She was very, very impressed with all of your creations and just loved all of it.
thrift_shop_romantic
Original Author
17 years ago
Oh, that's so lovely, thank you. And thank you, too, for passing the link along.

Next time I mosaic, I'm going to make sure to set the scope of my project to something more reasonable, so I'll enjoy it more. It's a great craft, and there are so many wonderful things you can do. But clearly not when it's a Mosaic Marathon. :-)

Have a happy Monday!
-Jenn
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Hello Sal and Suzi, I've not yet decided on a grout color, but I'm certainly open to suggestions. (hint hint) :-) I was originally thinking of copper, then found out the copper grout was no longer available in our area, so it was back to the drawing board. At this time, I have a question up on a mosaic chat list to see what everyone thinks of adding water based acrylic paint to plain white grout. This is your every day Joe average craft paint from any store. Apple Barrel, Delta, Folk Art, etc. Suzi, I've included a link below which someone on another glass thread mentioned. It is likely not the Christopher Lowell version, but an interesting idea. I thought about using gold foil, then applying glass, then grouting, but when I saw the cost of gold foil in Hobby Lobby, I decided I would use old fashioned ingenuity. Aluminum foil. Yep. Remember when we were young and we made those interesting pictures by coloring with a magic marker on foil? I thought I could mock that same thing. Basically, I would imagine coating a bowling ball or other item with foil. Decoupaging it on in sections, if you will, pressing down any sections that might be sticking up. Then, using a dabber or cotton swab or something, dab various or same colors of paint, even a dyed lacquer all over the foil. When it is dry, then apply the tempered glass. And just for reference, folks, I wanted to mention again that while it may not cut or hurt you, it does splinter well. Be sure to run the vac after you work on such a project. Karen Marie Here is a link that might be useful: HGTV episode with glass project
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if one googles for porcelain jewelry, it should load bunches.. when I first started into the porcelain/china painting, I was checking out everything I could find and printed many pages of examples of pieces of really nice jewelry. I typed in either vintage, or broken or any combination and found more than I could ever keep up with. nearly cleared out the color cartridge in my daughter's computer! I think there may also be a seller or two on etsy. I even gave some thought to selling some of what I have already cut up and have in jars and vases but who knows if I"ll ever get to all the projects that are lined up to be finished. yesterday I got sideswiped from my studio set up, to help youngest daughter move from her roomates, over to her sister's place.. today, I have one sick grandson, with 103 temp..that's another day of sorta-so-so work on the studio at least I have enough crates for the work now..starting with 26 and will add to it all, as they are taken from storage to set up here..I'm excited for this transformation.. ohhhhhh, mom just brought the kid ..gotta go! I'll be administering 7-up and chicken noodle soup today. Becky .(*_*).
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luvstocraft
17 years ago
Jenn, I loved reading about your mosaic experience. Nice to have someone totally honest about thier struggles. Having only had the experience of working with grout once (laid some tiles in a small entry way.) And remembering the wiping, and wiping, and wiping to get it off the tiles and only in the grout lines during that experience--I have been very reluctant to try doing mosaic projects of any kind. LOL

Luvs
toomuchglass
17 years ago
I posted your struggles over at the stained glass & mosaic forum --------- Full credit to you ! --- I think we've all been there - done that - and have that little annoying person in our heads too ! LOL
thrift_shop_romantic
Original Author
17 years ago
Ha- TooMuchGlass-- It's so reassuring to know you veteran mosaicers can recall the initial mosaic challenges. :-) And thanks so much for posting the link in that section. This is such a huge site, I don't get over there-- in spite of loving to see other people's mosaicing projects.

Yep, the ol' inner voice is just a BIT too ambitious sometimes. But hey, that's how we learn.

--Jenn
oddie
16 years ago
Jenn, just had to say I love reading your bolg! you did a beautiful job on your steping stones!
Oddie
thrift_shop_romantic
Original Author
16 years ago
You're always so nice, Oddie. Thanks a bunch! :-)

--Jenn
sjarz
16 years ago
OMG that was really funny and you write so well - and sadly I have thought often about trying the mosaic thing - maybe I'll just sit on that idea for awhile...
very lovely stones you've created!
Suzan J
jaybird
16 years ago
What a great story!!!! You are way too cute!!
Take care and have a great weekend!

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