Turn Broken China into Mosaic Tabletops, Picture Frames or Stepping Stones
December 1, 2024

Here’s a guide to making your own mosaic with china you get for a song at Cincinnati’s top consignment shop – Legacies Upscale Resale!
What you’ll need:
- Broken plates, cups, saucers, etc.
- Tile adhesive or thin-set mortar
- Grout (choose a color that complements your design)
- Mosaic base (can be a table, tray, mirror frame, picture frame, stepping stone, etc.)
- Tile nippers or hammer (to break and shape the china)
- Protective gear: gloves, safety goggles
- Sponge and rags (for cleaning grout)
- Popsicle stick or palette knife (for applying adhesive)
- Soft cloth (for polishing after grouting)
Steps to creating a china mosaic
1. Gather Your china pieces
Collect old or broken china pieces (Legacies, known for selling furniture, jewelry and more on consignment, has tons). You can have a blast breaking the cups and saucers. Wrap them in an old towel or cloth and gently break with a hammer. You can also use tile nippers to carefully cut pieces into specific shapes.
2. Plan your design
- Lay out your design before gluing anything down. This helps you see how the pieces will fit together and allows for adjustments.
- Choose a specific pattern (like flowers, geometric designs, or abstract shapes) or a more random arrangement.
- If you’re working on a flat surface (like a tray or stepping stone), it’s easier to plan. For rounded surfaces (like a vase or pot), test how the pieces curve around the shape.
3. Prepare your base
Clean the surface of your base thoroughly to ensure proper adhesion. If it is very smooth, consider lightly sand it to help the adhesive stick.
4. Apply tile adhesive
- Apply a small amount of adhesive or thin-set mortar to the back of each china piece or directly onto the base surface.
- Use a popsicle stick or palette knife to spread the adhesive evenly.
- Start placing the pieces on the base, pressing them gently into the adhesive. Leave small gaps for the grout.
- Work in small sections, as the adhesive will dry quickly (check the manufacturer’s instructions for working time).
5. Break and shape pieces as needed
- Use tile nippers to trim china pieces into shapes that fit your design.
- If you want rounded or curved pieces, nippers make cleaner cuts than hammering.
- For irregular shapes, break the pieces randomly with a hammer.
6. Let the adhesive dry
- Allow the adhesive to dry completely before moving on to grouting. This usually takes 24 hours, but check your grout’s instructions.
7. Apply grout
- Once the adhesive is dry, mix grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use a grout float or your fingers (wear gloves) to spread the grout over the entire surface, pressing it into the gaps between the china pieces.
- Be sure to fill all the spaces evenly. Wipe off excess grout with a damp sponge, being careful not to remove the grout between the pieces.
8. Clean the surface
- After the grout has begun to set but is still soft, wipe the surface of the china pieces with a damp sponge to remove any remaining grout. This step may need to be repeated several times.
- Once the grout has dried completely, use a soft cloth to polish the surface and remove any haze.
9. Enjoy Your Mosaic!
When the grout is cured completely, your mosaic is ready to display.
Additional Tips:
- Try to create harmony between the china colors and the grout for a cohesive look.
- You can focus on a color theme or a specific pattern.
Project Ideas:
- Mosaic tabletops
- Picture frames
- Stepping stones
- Flower pots
Creating a mosaic using china from consignment furniture stores allows for endless creativity, and each project will be one-of-a-kind!