Part of the fun for me is to find, aka treasure hunt. I created this list to make sure I visited all the store sections at the thrift shop or considered how I could use any random items at an estate sale…and make sure I don’t buy anything that would blow the cost of production too high. (How do I know about that? I have purchased things I shouldn’t have and either took the cut on the pricing or gifted it to someone special instead.) I was also able to give this list to my mama and my estate-sale shopping gal pal Lynne so I have two extra pairs of eyes looking for me.
My price point:
I try to not spend more than $2 a plate, unless I really have a project in mind that said plate would be perfect for. Sometimes I’ll spend $3 a plate at an estate sale if it is a really fancy one and has color all over the plate (when it’s just the rim of the plate that is decorated, keep that in mind–I have a stock pile of plain white plate pieces). I am trying to sell my pieces on Etsy and at a local craft mall. Etsy has a slightly higher price point, so I can spend a bit more on a base or a special plate if I really think it is worth it.
The Hunt, Part 1: Items to Mosaic With
- thinner plates (salad plates, saucers are my favorite because they are much easier to break apart)
keep in mind what colors you already have TONS of (ahem, I have a lot of blue and white now) and what colors are unique enough that you should buy them when you see them! - mugs (the handles!)
- jewelry: glass beads, semi-precious stones, pins/broaches, earrings (clip-on awesomeness), pendants from necklaces, ball chain items
The Hunt, Part 2: Items TO mosaic
1. wooden decor from the 80s
you know what I mean, they are covered in tea-stained gingham, moss for hair, the doll eyes and the rosy cheeks…these are some of my favorite things to “rescue” and repurpose
2. painted signs and plaques
a rectangle is a rectangle, and a lot of times these signs have nice holders/hangers already built into the backside, so it saves me a step!
3. platters/plain plates
one of my favorite things of late is to mosaic a creature or a heart onto a plain plate or platter. I’ve used metal plates and ceramic platters. I have covered them in resin so they are still useable, or just left them as a hanging plate art-style
4. silver teapots
5. glass bottles and bricks
6. frames (with flat surfaces)
7. smaller old windows, with or without panes
this is for glass-on-glass mosaics and the frames need to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of your tessarae you want to add
8. wooden toys/objects–including most any crosses as long as the top is flat
9. wooden or metal boxes with lids
10. flower pots (5″-10″ best)
11. birdhouses
birdhouses are kind of pricey at the craft stores, so picking one up for 99c or even $3 is better than paying $6
