A Mosaic for Mama {DIY}

With Mother’s day on the horizon, I thought I would mosaic a tray for Mom, she deserves breakfast in bed served up in style, yes? I have tons of chipped china in the cupboard for a start, plus the ceramic homewares section at thrift stores is definitely a favorite.
 

Now this project can be time consuming (Mom’s worth it though, right?)! It’s also messy and the fractured pieces can be sharp – so let’s call this a grown-up DIY project, for big kids only.  The result is beautiful and as you rub the grout off the pieces you’ll feel like an archeologist slowly uncovering the something long-awaited and spectacular.

Here’s What you’ll need:
Pretty old china- the thinner the better, think of a color scheme for a more cohesive look.
Cloth or old rag – you can use the same thing to cover the plates in the beginning and then wipe away the grout in the end.
Hammer
Tile Glue
Light Grout
An object to use- like an old tray, dish, etc.
Large, strong working surface.

Here’s what I did:
I placed all plates under a cloth on the kitchen table and smashed them with a hammer, then used a tile glue to place them where I wanted on the tray.  After the glue has set, you use a light grout to cover all the cracks; push it along with a sponge and then rub it off the tile after it has started to dry- this is the part that takes a long time! You also want to be sure to use the flattest pieces possible.  Perhaps next time I will go for something less ambitious like a mosaiced plant pot? Yes!
For more Nicole,  visit her blog and follow her on instagram.

Project By Nicole Valentine Don for JB est. 1979
Photography By Fiona Galbraith