Friday

Plates, Plates, and More Plates

This post contains a things that some of you might not want to read.  It's probably going to provoke death threats and suggestions that I have an exorcism, as surely the devil is making me do what I do.

The threats will be a kin to what happens when someone paints a vintage piece of furniture and the crowd goes wild, and not in a good way either.

They don't like the message or the messenger at that point.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com

I told you how I accidentally started collecting clothespins.  I also accidentally started collecting china, plates, cups, saucers, platters and bowls.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com
What the two collections of plates and clothespins have in common is that I never had any intention of using clothes pins to hang clothes up with, and I really didn't have any intention of eating off of any of these plates.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com
However, most of them have in fact been eaten from.  We used my 300, plus some from my friend Dii (hi Dii!) to feed guests at my daughters wedding.

The mismatched plates looked pretty stacked on an old buggy seat and of course were a conversation starter for the people who get stuff like that, and sideways looks from the folks who didn't.

I'll come home with any color plate if the price is right, whatever I find.  I have noticed people most often get rid of pinks and blues.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com
What do I do with all these plates when someone isn't getting married?

This is where some of you might want to cover your eyes and not read any further.....

I smash them.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com

No I don't have a room in my house where I go if I'm mad to fling plates against the wall.  I just quietly place a towel over one and politely smack it with a hammer till it shatters into a hundred pieces.

Then I cackle with glee.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com

And I make mosaics out of them.

There are approximately 300 plates and I've never counted the other pieces like saucers or cups.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com
There is a deep shelf behind closet doors in the garage that has been taken over by different patterns and sizes.  Well, really I've taken over the whole closet not just a shelf.

I also have boxes of stained glass shards.  #1 daughter is a stained glass artist and brought home pieces for me from the place she used to work.  I use pieces of china, mirror and stained glass when I make stuff.

Some plates are in complete sets that someone just wanted to give away.  Some are just a few random plates I picked up for a nickle - probably because the rest were tossed out when they broke.

Some are vintage, some are collectible.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com
Many of the really old ones have a lot of crazing.  I like that look.

Some I have displayed in my house and some we actually put food on.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com

When I host a holiday for my inlaws - which means approximately 50 people including kids - I just go to the garage and get a stack of plates in colors that go with the holiday or the season.

So what if one breaks, that just saves me one less whack when I decide I want to make something out of it.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com

For whatever reason, there are some I probably won't ever smash.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com
For this post I grabbed some samples from what I could reach on the garage shelf, and I moved pretty fast - it's cold in the garage right now.

Plates for Mosaics Bliss-Ranch.com
I particularly like silver rimmed ones and even better if their design is also silver.

It was Amy at While Wearing Heels that caused this walk down plate lane.  She posted these blue plates, both of which patterns I have.

Do you need some more Amy?

And what else did I find when I was snooping around on the plate shelf?  There in a plastic bag from a garage sale was just what I needed more of.......

Clothespins.



*Thank you to those of you who spotted my typo, ahhh ha ha ha ha ha, and thanks for letting me know - so of course I changed it.  For those who didn't get to have a chuckle about it, I wrote I collected bowels instead of bowls.  Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha.  I don't collect bowels.  Ah ha ha ha ha ha........

**And because some of you asked to see, I have edited this to add two links to old posts that have some of the mosaics I've done...
 http://www.bliss-ranch.com/2012/01/cracked-hammered-and-smashed.html
http://www.bliss-ranch.com/2013/07/clever-hideaways-hometalk-board.html

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30 comments :

  1. and the crowd goes wild lol...
    Such a great, inexpensive way to get mosaic material, Bliss...now you need to do a post showing us your creations!

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  2. I was afraid they were going to come to an untimely death by smashing!!! I guess I knew about your mosaic making so it wasn't a surprise. I love mismatched plates but I don't think I'd have the heart to smash them...maybe if I had a collection like yours though I would!!

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  3. Do you follow Penny from The Comforts of Home blog? She makes mosaics with broken plates too! I don't recall that you've ever shared any mosaic pieces that you've made. You'll have to do that some time. You really do have a lot of plates!

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  4. When I started reading this post, I thought, oh no, she's going to tell us she smashes the plates, I'm going to start crying. Mission accomplished! ;)

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  5. Dear Bliss...are you really collecting BOWELS? ;0)

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  6. at least it's easier to keep plate than all the quilts, linens, jackets and shoes I can't resist. Oh and mixing bowls too. And garden ornaments, and, and, and... I need a house just to store all the crap I pack around with me.

    Happy Friday Bliss!

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    Replies
    1. Did I mention doors? I can't resist an old door or window either. sigh...

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  7. I love the thought of the mixed dinner plates at large gatherings. Would love to see your mosaic pieces too!

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  8. I see I wasn't the only one who noticed you collect BOWELS! Gave me a good laugh!

    I was hoping for some pictures of the things made after the smashing. I am sure smashing is very therapeutic. I could just see me doing that some day, however I would be saying "hulk smash!" While doing it.

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  9. You forgot the part where you rub your hands together.

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  10. Move over white plates... now I need old china! I wanna smash some plates too. Let me know when you're ready. Seriously, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I like how you prepared the people who will mourn. I love plates ... but I'll happily smash one for the sake of a pretty project.
    And collecting bowels might be a little tricky.

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  11. oh NO!!!! I too, would have a bit of a heart problem if it was a plate in good condition. I recognize some of those old dishes . I have a few in my hutch also. I thought you were doing it because of mosaic art work. Would love to see some of your work!

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  12. I also pick up random plates or at least there was a time in My life I did.I also at some point had the idea of smashing a few for gorgeous mosaic art but alas I couldn't do it.I remember I even had the hammer in hand at one point-but I still have every whole dish.I really got carried away with platters for a few years while I was in My entertaining years-Your collection is very pretty-ENJOY whatever You do with them-Denise

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  13. I love your collection. It's now encouraged me to continue adding to my mismatched collection of plates. I love that you use some for family get togethers. 50 People, really! So, where are pictures of some of your mosaics?

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  14. Anonymous4/05/2014

    You were right. My heart aches now.
    I have a friend trying to put together a set of blue flowered china and I expect you have pieces of it you will smash…..but you own it, so you can do what you like with it………..c'est la vie……

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    Replies
    1. Heal your heart....I'll never get to smashing them all, most are probably safe, especially the blues since I don't have blue in my house.

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  15. Oh, I'm so glad you included the links to the mosaics! I was so excited to see some smashed plates, and then I didn't see any. Kudos to you for repurposing them instead of simply hoarding them. I think the bowel typo was because you were thinking about my poop.

    -andi

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  16. Well, count me in the plate collector's club. At least they're flat and store easier than ... cups/ saucers or creamer/sugars or salt/peppers or pottery or ... well, you know how that goes. Your mosaics are really nice. Thanks for sharing.
    Great weekend to all.

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    Replies
    1. Cheryl we have got to get your commenting fixed so you are a no reply blogger. Drop me a note and I will help you, because I can't respond to your fun comments via email the way it is set up.

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  17. All I can think of is my sister deciding to do plate mosaics. She put the plate under a towel and, with the first smash, cut her finger to the bone. She shudders when she hears of someone doing that now. I'll tell her how much better at it you are! I'm glad you don't collect bowels. That would be creepy.

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  18. I was going to do mosaics and have smashed a few plates, all of which were already chipped. Only made a few pieces of art and lost interest. I wish you lived close enough so I could give you my supplies. The pieces you have done are very, very nice.

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  19. Love this post -- and I love old china! I wouldn't say I collect it, but I've been known to procure the interesting odd plate or piece here or there. :)
    xo Heidi

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  20. Oh. I missed you bowel collecting. darn.
    I love picking up plates as well... though I maybe have 30. Minus that extra 0.

    I would pay to hear you cackle with glee.
    Luv ya crazy lady!!

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  21. There is no greater pleasure than smashing plates! I love to do that too!!! I'm heading to look at your mosaic projects now!!~~Angela

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  22. You smash, cackle, and disembowel? Everybody needs a hobby.

    You have such an artistic flair, I can imagine how beautiful every single one of your mosaics turn out.

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  23. Well, I remember your wonderful mosaics so I don't have to go check 'em out and you won't be getting any death threats from me, so smash away Mrs. B.
    Taking a plate, smashing it up and creating something just as gorgeous, if not better, is perfectly fine with me. The world is definitely not short of plates !

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  24. I had a mosaics phase, but mostly for gifts. But I'm getting ready to have another one because I'm making some stuff for the garden. Wish me luck.

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  25. Sorry I missed the whole collection of bowels. I have a collection of testicles that I have amassed over the years from a variety of men. Tho, I must admit your collection of plates is much prettier!

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  26. I have seen your mosaics, although I wouldn't have guessed that you had smacked, crackled and popped your way to churning out the materials. I'm impressed. I love that you have a hidey-ho for all of your plates and that you practice the garbage in garbage out technique. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall at that wedding for the plate envy alone.

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  27. You have a lot of beautiful plates, and if they sit in a garage cupboard not doing much except for when you have large dinner parties, then I think making mosaics out of them is perfect!
    Debbie :)

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