How to Create a Pique Assiette Mosaic

Pique assiette mosaic is a type of mosaic created from materials such as fragments of dishes, old crockery, tiles, bottles, jewelry and broken windows. Known also as memoryware or shardware, pique assiette can be created from things with sentimental value or out of objects found in thrift stores, junk shops or even dumpsters. A pique assiette mosaic flowerpot is a great way to learn the craft.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Old pottery
• Hammer or nippers
• Safety glasses
• Towel
• Pencil
• New terra cotta flower pot
• Non-oil based primer
• Polymer modified mortar (not the quick setting type)
• Palette knife or plastic knife
• Tile grout
• Lint-free rag
• Grout sealant (optional)

1. Plan your design ahead of time and draw a pattern with pencil on the terra cotta pot.
2. Break the pottery into small pieces with nippers or a hammer.
3. Seal the terra cotta pot inside and out with a non-oil based primer and allow it to dry.
4. Spread the polymer mortar over a small section of the terra cotta pot. Spread a small amount of mortar on the back of each shard, and place the shards on the terra cotta pot. Use enough polymer mortar that it will hold the piece in place, but not enough to escape around the edges. When that section is completed, move to the next section.
5. Allow the mortar to dry completely, at least 72 hours.
6. Spread grout between the shards. Use a lint-free rag and carefully clean the grout from the tiles.
7. Let the flower pot sit long enough for the grout to dry, and if you wish, apply grout sealant over the top of the grout. Allow the sealant to dry before you use the pique assiette mosaic pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Nippers are the cleanest and safest way to break pottery into shards. If you use a hammer, be sure cover the item with a towel, and to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes.
• Be sure to use a new terra cotta flower pot. A used pot will have moisture and residue in the terra cotta that will affect the adhesion of the shards, even if it's been washed.
• It's a good idea to wear gloves while doing pique assiette mosaic. It will protect your hands from not only sharp shards, but also dirt, mortar and grout.