Behind the scenes at the Today Show and making a mosaic
Last week when I appeared on the Today show, I thought it would be fun to demonstrate how to make a mosaic from broken pieces of china. Using broken china to make a mosaic is called pique assiette, which loosely translates to 'plate stealer' or 'scavenger.' Incorporating pieces into a mosaic is a wonderful way to reuse damaged dishes that have sentimental value. But, you can often find damaged china dishes at yard sales and flea markets. Complete instructions for pique assiette can be found in my book Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts under M for Mosaics. Please enjoy this blog of me teaching Matt, Al, and Anne the fine points of this craft.
1 Here I am with Judy Morris - my producer for all TV appearances - like the Today show.
2 A windy morning in Rockefeller Plaza - even the leaves think its autumn!
3 I'm preparing a craft segment with three of the hosts.
4 I love candid shots - Al looks a bit confused, Ann is into it, and I am concentrating on getting the job done.
5 Matt is about to enjoy himself with this craft - making a mosaic with broken china.
6 I try to explain clearly.
7 Matt breaking a perfectly good plate with a hammer - I'd say he's into it, too!
8 Now Al gets it!
9 Love Anne's goggles - important to protect the eyes
10 Matt is explaining how to grout - he obviously has read his notes.
11 Gluing down pieces is not as easy as it looks.
12 I am showing a finished project.
13 Al enjoyed grouting.
14 We did have a good time.
15 With a finished picture frame - I am relieved that we got through the project.
Photos By Katie Goldberg
I'd love to try mosaic - and Martha makes it look simple and fun!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | September 2nd, 2009 at 8:32 am
The mosiac looks like it is so much fun to do!! Great way to use those broken and chipped pieces of sentimental china .. .
thanks Martha. . .it did look like fun.
enjoy the weekend.
regards, nina
Posted by: nina zeumer | September 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 am
Hi Martha,
After the segment was over, I could almost picture you trying to salvage the pieces Al or Matt sort of messed up. I noticed Al got grout all over the bottom of the planter and Matt was getting it up the sides of the tray. But Al was funny when he said maybe you could use icing and then lick it off later. I hope he didn’t accidentally lick his finger with the grout on it! Anyway, I am amazed at the preparation involved in doing a live 4 minute segment; you have to bring so many items with you and get it all set up. No wonder you are relieved when mission is accomplished. Well, for all your hard work I appreciate all that YOU and MSLO does for us and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
FUN! Actually everything in the encyclopedia is fun! Thats how I got inspired for many items in my shop
Posted by: Paper InSyle | September 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Looks beautiful, well done!
Posted by: The Blushing Hostess | September 2nd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Martha you never cease to amaze me. When life gives you lemons (in this case broken pieces of china) you make lemonade or in this case it's ART created from sentimental pieces of china.This is exactly why I tune in to watch you and your show.
Enjoy your working vacation (the pictures of Montana are amazing) with Ted and his team.
" City slicker turn cowgirl in Big Sky Montana ! " Enjoy and thanks for sharing.
Best -
CBB
Posted by: CB Ballard | September 2nd, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Martha, I have seen the coolest patio tables done the way you have demonstrated. I now spend too much time looking for dishes and table possibilities. When done by an individual who has an eye for beauty and balance--one does not wish to finish that cup of coffee or glass of wine while sitting at such a interesting piece of work.
Thanks, now I will start a new looking for the dishes.
Posted by: Margie | September 2nd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Hi Martha, What a great idea to take something old or broken and transform it into something new and beautiful! Plus the fact that you are using something antiquated makes the finished product all the more interesting!
My grandmother had a patio table made from recycled colored glass which this reminded me of, it was always gorgeous and fun to look at.
A great way to recycle old china/glassware, and it looks fun too!
Posted by: Valerie | September 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hi Martha, What a great blog of your latest episode on the Today Show. You, Matt, Al and Anne really did a great job showing us how to do mosaics using old, broken pottery. I especially liked the vase. This is another blog that brings back memories of things I used to do in in college. I had an art minor and one of my favorite art projects was doing mosaics. Thanks for bringing back the great memories. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 2nd, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Perhaps twenty-five years ago my family visited a small historical museum in Tulare, CA. The most memorable display was of vases and bowls covered in this way with bits of broken crockery gleaned from rubble after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. They were actually very thoughtfully executed. I'd love to see those again.
I would not enjoy breaking up dishes to do this sort of project, but I find a lot of interesting bits of china and glass popping up in the back yard of my 100-year-old Los Angeles house. Not only did people bury rubbish in their back yards in the old days, but I live in an area known for art pottery and dish factories. It's a kick to find bits of this stuff when I'm digging in the garden.
Posted by: jw | September 5th, 2009 at 2:12 pm