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, (see below), but mostly the mirror is created with roses. 

Image 5: Mirror Corner Detail with Carnations

The flowers come from vintage porcelain floral arrangements which were often arranged in small white containers and baskets.  I've seen these 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 necessarily  "in" style, and a broken flower detracts from the effect.  Reusing several of 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: Flower Mirror Border Detail

The mirror is (not surprisingly) fragile. 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 larger 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.  You can't really see the bevel in the photos above.

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 gifts and Italian souvenirs.  Real Capodimonte arrangements (from 1743-1759) are collected and expensive antiques, but the term has morphed into a label for the porcelain flowers and bouquets.  While Italy was an original source for Capodimonte, England and China manufacturers also create porcelain flower 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

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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

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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)
Creativsalat.de creativsalat March (Entry 84r of 109rMarch)
Classical Homemaking: Pink Sunday #1! (Entry 5 of 9.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 287 Mon 4a (Entry 16)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 508 (Entry 2 of 81)
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry ***)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 2 of 27)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 842 (s Entry 16x)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 18 of 31.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 571 Mon (l Entry 3 of 58)
Keeping it Real: Party 454 (Entry 9 of 26)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry --)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry ***)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 768 (l Entry 2)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 23)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday (Entry --)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 468 Tues (m Entry 19)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 26r)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues 620 (l Entry 36)
Shelbee on the Edge: Spread kindness 748 (l Entry 24)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 628 Tues (l Entry 2x)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 15r)
Also Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 15r)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 444 Wed (m Entry 21)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 13)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry --)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home (Entry 18)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 482 Wed (m Entry 12)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 540Wed (Entry 11)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 6)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 456 Wed (Entry 20)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 386 Th (Entry 8)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 17 of 64)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry 17)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry )
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 522 Fri (s Entry 5r of 43r)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 10 of 35)
2Chicks+Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry 8)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 661 8a (L Entry )
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 390 (Entry 4 of 34)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 28)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry ***)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather (L Entry ***)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party Fri (Entry 21)
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged 771 Fri (Entry 5 of 14)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 38)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best (l Entry )
House on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 240 (Entry 1 of 117.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry )
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 296 Sun 3p (l Entry 11 of 126.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 661 (l Entry 6 of 127.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 4 of 10.)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry 4 of 106.)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 576 Sun a (Entry 10 of 64.)
Sticky Mud+Belly Laughs: Mon Morn club (Entry 26 of 28.)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry monthly)

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Bydevis, Teacher bacn