L@@KIE what just flew in....

We have been busy this Spring. We are working fast and furious on so many awesome ideas and projects that we are just bursting at the seams. ARTful Salvage is going to be taking off in a BIG new direction! Stay tuned for our BIG Announcement coming soon in April 2012. In the mean time: L@@KIE what just flew in to our Etsy shop! It is my newest piece, titled: "The Chit Chat Club." More details and purchase info on the ARTFUL Salvage blog. Please stop by, give us your feedback and share with your family, friends and contacts! Thanks so much!

Repurposed and Recycled bowling ball to gazing ball using blue willow plates

Hubs has been asking for a blue gazing ball for the garden......He found this blue stand at a sale which is where this project began. Okie dokie......so what to use? I had just bought this bag of blue willow transfer ware oriental dishes at a yard sale. Sounds good to me. Have Rubber Mallet....can smash dishes!! LOL

Here are some step by steps and the finished product!! :)

safety glasses, tile nippers and adhesive

Rubber mallet and plate

Oh, so pretty whole

whole no more

half way there , holes were filled with caulk

half way there still, flip side

finished and grouted (sorry, hubs was sneaky and grouted when I didn't know)....so no pics of that step. We used white non-sanded grout.

close up

In the garden

Mosaic Table Recycled Project

Here's the table I bought from a garage sale for $2. It was missing the glass top and was a drab brown color. Wonder husband cut a new wood top for me and I painted it my fave color, black. I saw these great tile mixes at Home Depot that were the perfect colors for our house. However they were $10 each and I needed between 10-15. Not happening. So, I bought 5 ceramic floor tiles that were the same colors (good luck finding a sold black, non marble floor tile, btw). I spent an afternoon with a hammer whacking the little buggers up. Good therapy for me.....not sure the neighbors agree!! Then I just did a random pattern using all 5 tiles. I finished it up with gray grout. I'm pretty happy with it! :::smiles::: Total cost for the project was around $25. Now when we sit on the front porch in the black rocking chairs we have a table for the phone, a good book and a glass of sweet tea!! Want to come visit??