New life for broken pots

Broken pots

My glaze catastrophe a few weeks ago turned into something good.  I hated to let all that work  just go in the trash. Pots with lids that were stuck on were smashed into mosaic pieces. The colors were mostly brown and blue.  

First, I had to go through my stockpile of old lamps picked up at thrift stores.  Of course, the one I wanted to use needed a new socket but, hey, I can do that now. I started by smearing on tile adhesive and placing pieces.  I don't really go for a pattern, I just want a balanced look.  I was going for a "cabiny" look.  That's what the gallery owner calls it.

Then it sits and sets up.  I came back the next day to grout.  I usually tint the grout with a dab of acrylic paint and decided on a tannish color.  Well, the grout I was using was not the right stuff.  I needed sanded grout because some of the joints were big.  I got cracks(wah!!).  So a trip to Lowe's for the right grout was on the schedule.  I regrouted and this time went for a blue color.  After that set up, I still didn't like it!  A color wash of darker blue did the trick!  Man, talk about not knowing what it wanted to be!

The shade is a combination of mulberry papers in blue, burgandy and tan with black bead trim around the top and bottom edges.

I even had an old coffee mug handle to add.  I never throw old pots out.

I love this shade!

Looks pretty good!

So, something good out of something bad.  What do you think?  Did I get the cabiny look I was going for?

Mosaic lamp project

So I started this mosaic lamp project this week.  I used to make them regularly but haven't in a while.  I thought this would be a good chance to take pictures and show the process.  Maybe!  First of all, my pictures were all oriented the wrong way after down loading.  I took them with my Ipod but have done that before and didn't have any problems.  Maybe just the computer gremlins.

I start with old lamp bases I pick up at the thrift store.  I try to get ones that work otherwise I have to replace the socket and cord.  That's not really that hard now that I've done it a few times.

Premixed tile adhesive and grout glopped on with a toothbrush.

Broken pieces of my pottery. Smashed with a hammer and  broken up with tile nippers. I like to think of it as pots that have found a new life!

Tile adhesive waiting for pieces of pottery

I use these flat marbles to fill in  hard  to work with places like around the bottom and just for added  color.

Added to the base

This is after grouting with the same tile adhesive.  Smeared on with a toothbrush and after letting it set up, I wipe it off, wipe it off, wipe it off, scrub it off until the pieces are clean.

 

The lamp shade is a whole other project.  I do them after the lamps are done so I know what colors of papers and bead trim to use.  I use mulberry and tissue paper applied with Mod Podge.  Wear gloves or your fingers will be peeling glue for days!  For that matter, I wear gloves for the whole process!




And this is the finished result.  I used mostly earth tones and greens on the pottery pieces, greens, beige and textured mulberry papers with green fringe bead trim.  The bead trim satisfies my inner hippie!  It took about 5 days from start to finish.  I think it turned out nicely.