HABITAT Mosaic Musings

Save the smashed dishes-anyone who can break a plate can make pique-assiette. ■ Folk mosaic Is a Mediterranean tradition. It reached a glorious apex in the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, but there’s been a revival recently; bowls and platters decorated with bits of tile and pieces of broken dishes are being sold in specialty shops where people are paying big bucks for naive art. ■ Now folks are taking their folk art back, creating their own works Inspired by pique-assiette artisans. ■ To craft your own, use a ceramic tile adhesive (sold at any hardware store) to glue the broken pieces of pottery, glass or found objects to a clean, dry surface. When the adhesive is thoroughly dry mix grout with grout medium (both available at ColorTile) till It’s the consistency of peanut butter, then work the goo into the spaces between the broken objects. Wipe off the excess and let dry.

Artist Leslie Daum creates mosaic masterpieces with a user-friendly point-of-view. Shown here, Da urn’s pique-assiette lamp. ■ Photographic stylist Janice Metcalfe makes frames using broken dishes and memorabilia that relate to the picture. She also creates bistro tables, like the one shown here. Artist Steve Wiman’s memory jars are a patchwork of sentimental ceramics, as are his oversized plates and platters.