| Using broken pieces of crockery or china in | | | | Step 3: Fold the second bath towel in half and |
| mosaics is typically called "picasiette" or "pique | | | | place it over the plate. Ensure the plate is |
| assiette." The literal French translation is "sponger" | | | | completely covered. This will prevent chips and |
| or "scrounger." Therefore, the term pique assiette | | | | pieces of shattered plate from flying in multiple |
| in mosaics means salvaging pieces of china or | | | | directions. |
| crockery. This style often results in lovely mosaics | | | | Step 4: Using your hand on the towel, feel for the |
| because the pieces retain the colors and images | | | | circular ridge on the bottom of the plate. When |
| of the original dishware and because of the | | | | you strike the plate through the towel, you want |
| curved and three dimensional shapes of the | | | | to hit the ridge instead of the center or border of |
| resulting broken pieces. Picasiette is a cheap way | | | | the plate. If you hit the center, the plate's center |
| of using unique shapes in mosaics because you | | | | section may break away cleanly at the ridge line, |
| can find old china and crockery at garage sales | | | | leaving the plate's border intact. If you hit the |
| and flea markets (and probably hidden | | | | plate's border, it may shatter into pieces too small |
| somewhere in your own china cabinet). | | | | to use in your mosaic. Remember to focus your |
| Although it's not rocket science, there's a right | | | | initial hits on the circular ridge on the bottom side |
| way and a wrong way to break china and | | | | of the plate. |
| crockery into pieces for your mosaic. Don't simply | | | | Step 5: Put on your safety goggles. Never break |
| throw the plate on the floor or beat it with a claw | | | | china or crockery without wearing adequate eye |
| hammer to shatter into a ga-zillion pieces. As | | | | protection. |
| always, safety is your primary concern. Always | | | | Step 6: Hit the plate along the circular ridge |
| observe and practice common-sense safety | | | | multiple times in various locations around the ridge. |
| practices when working with mosaics. Wear eye | | | | Don't haul off and whack it as hard as you can. |
| protection when breaking materials for your | | | | Instead, hit the plate with just enough force to |
| tesserae. Unless broken properly, shards and bits | | | | break it. Don't expect the plate to break in a nice, |
| will fly in multiple directions. Obviously, you don't | | | | even pattern. It will break randomly. Some pieces |
| want them flying into your eyes. | | | | will be perfectly shaped for your mosaic, while |
| Materials Needed: | | | | others will end up in the trash can. |
| Adequate eye protection (e.g., safety goggles or | | | | Step 7: Lift up the top towel to look at how the |
| safety glasses). | | | | plate broke. If you want to break the bigger |
| Two bath towels. | | | | pieces into smaller ones, then replace the top |
| Rubber mallet (preferred) or standard claw | | | | towel, ensure your safety goggles are properly |
| hammer. | | | | in-place, and break the bigger pieces into smaller |
| Step 1: Fold a bath towel in half and place it on a | | | | ones. |
| hard surface, such as your concrete garage floor, | | | | Step 8: When you're done breaking the plate, be |
| driveway, or sidewalk. Avoid using your ceramic | | | | careful to put aside the pieces you want to use |
| tile floor or brick pavers. Don't risk breaking the | | | | for your mosaic and throw away the pieces you |
| ceramic flooring or other hard surface by striking | | | | don't. Be careful because there will likely be sharp |
| it with a hammer. | | | | pieces and shards that can cut you. Ensure the |
| Step 2: Place the plate upside down in the center | | | | mess and tiny shards are properly disposed of |
| of the towel. | | | | before breaking the next plate. |