Next time you break a cup or saucer, consider how you might use the other half - the still intact piece. Sometimes it seems a shame to trash something that's not broken.
Stay tuned this month for craf-tea Fridays - where we'll discover great ways to recycle teaware pieces and transform them into lovely, kitschy works of art, or at least give you a few ideas on how to give those pieces a new lease on life!
This project first appeared on HGTV, and the instructions and text are from there.
My mother has a fantastic collection of teacups and saucers made of bone china that I absolutely adore; the shape and delicate features appeal to my girly nature. Some cups are in pristine condition, but others have hit the floor a time or two leaving a chipped edge or broken handle that can’t always be repaired. Instead of tossing out the broken or chipped teacups, I wanted to turn the elegant items into something new that would play up their great shape and still serve a function. Thus, the idea of Teacup Flower Vase was born.
Required Supplies:
Old teacups and saucers
Epoxy (available at your local home building store)
Spray paint in your favourite colour (I think a Gloss finish makes for a more interesting piece)
How to build:
1. Find yourself a comfortable place outside (this project is best done outdoors as the paint and epoxy both give off fumes).
2. Set-up the saucers and teacups on a flat work surface. Following the instructions on the spray paint, begin to apply several light coats letting each coat to dry to the touch before applying the next. Depending on the colour and pattern of your teacup, this could take a few applications.
3. Once the desired amount of coverage has been achieved on all surfaces of the teacup and saucer, it’s epoxy time! When working with epoxy be sure to take great care as the substance is smelly and you don’t want it touching your skin!
4. After following the mixing instructions, carefully apply the epoxy to the bottom edge of the teacup taking care not to put on an excessive amount. You don’t want epoxy goo seeping out from the bottom of the teacup on to the saucer.
5. With the saucer on the work surface place the teacup in the middle and press down softly to ensure equal adhesion around all edges.
6. After you’ve let your masterpiece set-up for a few hours you might find that you want to apply an additional coat or two of paint to finish off the piece.
7. Once everything is dry, place your favourite flowers in the vase and enjoy!
