Upcycled Flower Mirror

Image 1: Upcycled Porcelain Flower Mirror

Mosaic art can often include "found objects".  In my recent mirror project the found objects basically took over!  I made this floral mirror using repurposed vintage 3D porcelain flowers, a new beveled mirror, and mosaic tools, techniques, and products.  

Image 2: Upcycled Porcelain Flower Mirror

The edging reminds me of frosting flowers on a cake. As a child I wanted decorated cakes with frosting roses, so I think perhaps that unconsciously influenced my mirror.  (Because I wasn't thinking frosting flowers as I made this mirror, but now that's what I see.)  

   

Image 3: Porcelain Flowers in Mirror border

I decided to use mostly pastel flowers in spring pinks and yellows, but then I added the deep pink flowers as an accent.  The roses vary quite a bit - some of the roses are more modern than others. 

Image 4: Porcelain Flowers in Mirror border

The photo above has a daffodil - its the second flower from the top on the left.  There are also a handful of carnations and other flowers, but mostly the mirror is created with roses. 

Image 5: Flower Mirror Border Detail

The flowers come from vintage porcelain floral arrangements which were often arranged in small white containers and baskets.  I've seen the arrangements mostly at estate and rummage sales.  Many 3D floral arrangements get thrown out because of chipped or broken flowers.  What a loss, and yet understandable - the arrangements aren't currently "in" style, and a broken flower detracts from the effect.  Reusing several of the the flowers in a mosaic project like a frame is great re-purposing.  Using this many in my mirror frame is probably excessive but definitely brings me spring joy. 

Image 6: Mirror Corner Detail with Carnations

The mirror is, (not surprisingly!), very fragile, and dusting, cleaning, and moving it requires care.  This mirror is not exactly practical! But I know, while I own it,  I would be able to repair any petals that break by replacing the flower, exact color and style not being important. 

Image 7: Porcelain Flower Mirror

Enjoy Spring and Summer,

and 

Stop and Smell the Roses!

 

Notes: 

The mirror dimensions are 21.5 inches wide by 25.5 inches high (about 55 cm x 65 cm).  Most of the roses I used are about 1.5 inches to 2 inches (3cm-5cm) across.  (Many flowers of this type are up to 3 and 4 inches across).

My art teacher, who has worked at estate sales over decades, and is a "professional" thrifter, collected many of these flower arrangements over the years for the flowers.  She has made at least two gorgeous mirror frames with the flowers.  I was fortunate enough to use her collection of flowers for this mirror - it might take me a lifetime to collect this many flowers.  I used a new frame with a beveled mirror from an "At Home" store for the base. 

These types of flowers are sometimes called Capodimonte porcelain after an Italian manufacturer from 1743-1759.  That manufacturer influenced the Majello company in 1867 to revive the porcelain tradition.  Majello spurred interest in flower arrangements, resulting in companies making reproductions and new arrangements over the years.  The bouquets were sometimes wedding and shower favors, as well as Italian souvenirs and gifts.  Real Capodimonte arrangements (from 1743-1759) are collected and expensive antiques, but the term has morphed into a label for the flowers and bouquets.  While Italy was an original source for Capodimonte, England and China manufacturers also create bouquets. 

  

As always,
Click on the images to see them enlarged!
There is so much more detail in the larger photos!

Please leave comments, I love them!

If you enjoyed Creative Projects you might also like:

Glass Flowers 2

Rock Window

Mosaics

Bunny Mosaic

Mosaic Birds

Mosaic Birdhouse

Glass Flowers

Mosaic Cross

Mosaic Window

Valentine Ball

Spring Album

Button Pumpkin

Fused Glass

Batik Star Quilt

Circle Quilt

Heart Quilt Top

---------------------------------------------------------

St. Patrick's day is March's holiday -
Here is a link to my seasonal Hutch display!

Seasonal Hutch

 

I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 415 (Entry 8x)
Classical Homemaking: Pink Sunday #1! (Entry 5)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 287 Mon 4a (Entry )
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry )
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 9a (Entry )
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry )
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry )
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry )
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry )
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 1p (l Entry )
Keeping it Real: Party (Entry )
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry )
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry )
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 3p (l Entry )
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry )
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday (Entry )
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up Tues (m Entry )
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry r)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist (l Entry )
Stonecottageadventures: You're the star (l Entry )
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 5p Tues (l Entry x)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry r)
Also Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed (m Entry r)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house Wed (m Entry )
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry )
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry )
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home (Entry )
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm Wed (m Entry )
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop Wed (Entry )
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry )
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 6p (Entry b)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty Th (Entry)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry )
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry )
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry )
Modern on Monticello: Home matters Fri (s Entry )
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry )
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry )
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 8a (L Entry )
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 325 (Entry )
Fiesta Friday: Fiesta Fri (Entry )
Skyley: Skywatch Fri (Entry )
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry )
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry )
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather (L Entry )
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party Fri (Entry )
Rambling Woods2: Nature Notes Fri (Entry )
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged Fri (Entry )
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry )
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry )
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best (l Entry )
House on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 240 (Entry 1 of 33)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry )
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 296 Sun 3p (l Entry 11)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun even (l Entry )
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 4)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry )
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 576 Sun a (Entry 10 of 28)
Also Love my Mess: Happiness is homemade Sun (Entry )
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop Mon 4a (Entry )
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry monthly)

735611

Bydevis, Teacher