Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Pique Assiette?
Pique Assiette is a style of mosaic that incorporates pieces of broken ceramics - plates, dishes, cups, tiles - and other found objects into a mosaic design. Pique Assiette is commonly referred to as Memoryware, Shardware, Broken China Mosaic, and Bits and Pieces Mosaics.

Pique Assiette comes from the French term translated as "stolen from plate." This folk art began in France and is attributed to Raymond Edouard Isidore. Born in 1900, Isidore began collecting glass and pottery shards in 1938 from the fields near his home in Chartes, France. A bit on the obsessive side, he began covering anything that would stand still with his findings and when every surface of his house, inside and out became covered with his mosaic designs, he soon became a spectacle. He was infamously referred to as "Picassiette" - plate stealer. This term has stuck today to describe this folk art.

Mosaic art is not only beautiful but one of the oldest art forms. There is a long tradition of using discarded materials in the creation of something new. The ancient Romans and Greeks used mosaic art. Aztecs used mosaics as embellishment. This art form remains alive and well today.

The 'Found Objects' add a unique beauty and special interest to mosaic projects. In addition to china and pottery pieces, vintage buttons, antique jewelry, river rock, sea glass, and shells add a unique touch to a piece of mosaic art.

2. What do you use to make your Mosaic Garden Art?
We use a variety of tressere or found pieces for our Mosaic art. We primarily utilize vintage china. We also use broken pottery, river rock, buttons, jewelry and any object that catches our eye.

The primary base of our bird baths and feeders is concrete. We use the highest quality sanded grout. All of our pieces are sealed with professional grade grout and tile sealer.

3. Where do you get the beautiful vintage china?
Hunting for vintage china at flea markets, estate sales, antique stores, eBay and auctions is great fun. We prefer to use china or pottery that is "Already Broken". Since people tend to just throw away any broken china or pottery, that is getting harder to find.

4. How do you get the china pieces into the shapes and sizes you need?
We have so many people ask if I just throw the dishes into a sack and hit the bag with a hammer. The answer is NO. Each piece is individually cut based on the unique design of the china and how or where I want to use the piece.

5. Are your Mosaics weather proof?
We make our garden art so that it can be used outside in your garden. Yet nothing is 100% weather proof. If you live in a cold winter climate, you will need to take the same normal precautions you would with any concrete items. Do not allow concrete to stand in ice. All pieces must be drained and covered or overturned if left outdoors. If you allow your piece to sit in water during freezing weather could cause cracking, crumbling and damage to your piece.

6. Why don't you sell your pieces on your web site?
Because of their weight and size, the shipping costs for concrete pieces can be very, very high. Also, packing individual pieces to protect them in shipping can be difficult.

7. Can I get you to do a special designs for me?
Yes, we do accept commissions. Each piece we do begins with an inspiration, and is the result of an organic creative process. Until the piece is complete, we don't know exactly what the end result will be.

Pricing varies dependent on the size, materials, and complexity of the piece. Please send us an email to discuss any specific requests.