Upcycle Thrifted Teacups Into Beautiful Mosaic Wall Decor

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Anyone with a love for vintage drinkware probably knows the frustration of finding beautiful painted teacups, only to have them test positive for lead. But any savvy thrifter should not be afraid of spending a little extra time to turn those gorgeous thrifted finds into lovely art perfect for display. This DIY is a clever way to repurpose old teacups around the house, displaying them prominently in your home. Using teacups bought at secondhand stores, you cut them in half, attach them to a plaque, add mosaic designs, and ultimately craft unique 3D pieces. This new wall decor showcases the beauty of the teacups, but you don't need to worry about harm from lead paint or chipped edges. 

You can source most of the things that you'll need to create this mosaic teacup wall decor from a thrift store. Keep an eye out for teacups with pretty floral designs and intricately-shaped handles, which will look the best displayed on a wall. Don't worry if a portion of the cup is chipped, and look for cups in different shapes and sizes. Grab ceramic plates, cups, and other items that might be too severely damaged for traditional use. These items will be perfect to break into pieces to use in your mosaics. Things like glass beads, pebbles, and other small items can also be collected.

This DIY might be a bit more involved for the amateur crafter. You will need a wet saw to carefully cut your ceramic teacups into two pieces. This tool ensures that the teacups are cut safely without jagged edges or breaking the drinkware.

On Instagram, Yucandu Art_Studio shows how she first cuts the teacups into two pieces. Then, using oval-shaped wooden plaques, like these Oval Craft 7x4.3 Inch Unfinished Cutouts for $9.99 on Amazon, each teacup half is attached with a strong glue. Once the teacups are secured, it's time to break out the bits of ceramic, glass, and other materials you've saved to use as mosaic pieces. Using chipped or cracked ceramic for mosaic pieces is a creative way to reuse broken dishes in your home. 

With mosaics, you have the option to either lay out your pieces before gluing them down, or you can start attaching them as you go. For the best results, consider using a specific mosaic glue, like this BEACON Mosaic Glue for $7.99 from Amazon. Depending on your materials, you can match the colors of each teacup or create a bold pattern for the mosaic design. You'll want to cover the entire plaque so that no wood is visible, even inside the cup.

If you design more than one, you can easily arrange them on a spare wall in a gallery style. The effect of the 3D teacups popping out of the wall is a fresh and unique way to decorate your walls without using framed art. These teacup wall designs are the perfect decoration for a breakfast nook or coffee and tea bar. Once you have them on your wall, they will make the perfect spot to place small bunches of wildflowers for display. You could even hang one by your front door to toss your keys after coming home.