My little girls are wearing sweet new necklaces made from broken china. And they come with a little story and a lot of family history. If you’ve ever broken something that has a lot of sentimental value, don’t throw it out … make DIY broken china jewelry instead!
My great Aunt Lorna painted china her whole life. I remember going into her studio basement when I was a child to look at all of the projects she was working on. The first time I was given one of her works of art, I was so touched. To this day, I greatly treasure the pieces she painted … and even more so because she died a few years ago. She was a lady who has always had a special place in my heart and I treasure the few things I have from her.
When each of my children were born, she sent them a special piece of painted china. The twins were given patchwork piggy banks that I loved. They were placed high on a shelf to keep them safe and I always told the twins to be so careful with them.
And then one day, I dropped Lila’s piggy bank and broke it.
I was so sad that I broke something that had such sentimental meaning. I was hoping Lila would have this bank forever and actually pass it on to her child one day.
I kept the broken pieces in a basket for months, unable to throw them out, and finally decided to use some of the pieces to make little necklaces for my girls {and one for myself}. It seemed like a fun way to hang on to that special piggy bank.
I bought small pendants for the girls and a big one for me, filled them with small pieces of china, and covered the pieces with a dimensional resin product.
At Lila’s request, I managed to preserve a little bumble bee on her necklace.
The girls are wearing their pendants on black cord and they look so sweet.
And I’m delighted that we’ve found a way to hang on to that special bank.
Love it!
I love this! My husband’s grandparents collected souvenir plates from all over and we’ve been trying to figure out a way to honor their memories without necessarily decorating our entire house with plates…this might be a great idea for each of the granddaughters.
What a great idea! Those pendants are so cute and have sentimental value as well. And like the black cord. Love it!
Randi, these are so beautiful. Could you use the rest of the pieces in a garden stone? It could sit close to where those beautiful birds hang out.
Absolutely beautiful! I wish I had held on to our set of Spode dishes that shattered during our last move.
These are gorgeous and what a great idea! I’m so excited, because I just recently had a disaster with a falling china cabinet (tear) and a LOT of china was broken. I save some pieces and now I know what to do with it! Thank you SO much! Have a fabulous weekend! [email protected]
I love this idea. I’ve got lots of broken china and this is a great and easy way to use it. Thanks.
She would have been thrilled that you cared enough to save and use the broken pieces, Randi. The garden stepping stone is also a good idea! We have a move coming up and who knows what could happen to all that beautiful painted china I have! I’ll keep your ideas in mind, just in case!
Brenda
What a great story Randi and how meaningful for Lila to have a piece of your aunt’s special art work.
This is just the sweetest story and what a lovely necklace keepsake Randi!
So sweet, and although I am sad they broke, I love you found a way to use them.
The story is s sweet and you are so clever in the way you found to preserve these memories.
I wish I would have thought of this when we broke two of my daughter’s precious piggy banks! Great idea and sooo precious! 🙂
Randi,
What a wonderful story! This is something they will never forget! You are such an incredible mom!
blessings,
karianne
These are beautiful! I will have to do the same with some broken pieces of my grandma’s antique china that I’ve been hanging on to.
I’ve found lots of beautiful fragments out in the woods in farmland. I always thought I ‘d make something like this with it.
What a great idea! Super mom to the rescue 🙂