How can I repurpose my mom's old china?
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If it is real china, has any distinctive labelling on the back..I would get it appraised before trying to get creative...jmho
My good china is Blue Rose by Thomas w/10 place settings and every extra piece you could imagine. It had been in a china box since we moved (and retired) 10 years ago. I mentioned one day at a family gathering that I would not use it, no longer formally entertained, etc. and immediately a 30 yr. old granddaughter said she wanted it and would use it every day!! She has two small children but uses it every day and it is a joy to go into her home and see it being used. It warms my heart and not a box in the garage that I never looked into.
Anne, you may be able to find a class where you can choose your own colors to design and paint over them. They then get re-fired so the paint is sealed and will last forever. That way if they're sentimental, the set can still stay in the family but with a fresh hand painted style that suits your tastes. Or perhaps use the cups as planters and crockery as garden art. Here are a couple of ideas for inspiration from my Pinterest boards: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/68820700526085468/ and https://au.pinterest.com/pin/68820700525862238/.
You could make these stands and give them to family members so that they all have a piece of your mom/grandma/aunt etc with them. These stands can be used for a multitude of things: jewelry, snacks, soaps, makeup, special nicknacks...
This picture is one I made from mismatched, but a friend of mine made similar ones with her mother's china set and sent them to her family, brother, sister, cousin etc. They all loved them and it allowed her mom's china (that no one wanted as a full set) to be appreciated and the memory of her mom is ever present. You don't have to drill holes in them, you could glue them into stands using small candleholders, glasses, or other items that would allow for separation.
Could a salad plate be used coordinating with other plates to make a different place setting? Save for child you might give to. What is the pattern? Maybe it is what little ole me wants!
If they really aren't worth anything but have some sentimental value break them and create stepping stones or trivets.
Have you tried Replacements.com? This company buys china. You never know who has the same pattern and is looking to replace broken items. Worth a shot!
You could see if a young couple at your place of worship would care for it and give it away to someone who would appreciate and use, or if they have rummage sales donate it and you can take off taxes as a donation.
I wonder what age you are...the older I've gotten the more sentimental I've become. I know my taste and life circumstances have changed over the years. The pattern of my mother's china, picked out by my father in the early fifties, was one I never cared for when I was young but now I'm amazed at how timeless the pattern and colors are...
Keep the chin, packed away and intact for now. Revisit it as you age and your family undergoes changes.
Yes, just carefully pack up the whole set. They are hard to come by.
Also, I have found my 20 something daughters Love my late mom's Post Modern stuff, as I prefer my Grandmother's fruitwood and walnut French Provincial furniture!
Skips a generation......
Make theminto candle holders. Look on pinterest.
Give them as presents, either fill with sweets and wrap in cellophane and ribbon.
add an easter egg and somefaux flowers, for easter present.
You can also make table center pieces using floristry foam and flowers.
I know this is a few years old, but I created a service specifically for this dilemma. I take your family china and carve it into jewelry that you actually want to wear. That way you can still honor your family and use your family objects without the burden of storing an entire china set. Check it out at www.materialandmovement.com
Break it and make a table top art piece with broken china and grout.
Have you tried a discontinued china company that resells to the public when they break somthing or want more to make up a set? The only other thing, if you have tried and failed to kep in the family is to have it made in to articles you would use eg:
Applied to a Mirror or Picture Frame or resurface a table or piece of furniture or Lamp. Make a bird bath or Bird Feeder. Make something as a gift for all the family as a keepsake. Take a picture of some of it and frame it up. Hang some of the plated on the diningroom wall oor upo the stairs. Use Tureens as Planters. Stack some pieces to make Candlesticks etc. Maybe atleast one piece might be welcomed by the family as a momento. Best wishes, I too miss being able to give dinner parties or accept invitations as I used to......I have a number of different designs and date line place settings in store - hoping one day they will find a home as a complete set...AH!
I would give it to someone who would use and take care of it.
Are 3 things I thought of besides hanging on a wall in the kitchen
Hi Anne: If your mom's old china is in decent shape, maybe you can donate it to your local historical museum.
Donate to a family who will cherish this set.
Hi Anne! You can check out this article for amazing ideas on how to repurpose your old china. Hope this helps!
https://www.theteacupattic.com/how-to-recycle-upcycle-and-repurpose-old-china/