5 Unique Projects for Your Unwanted Family China in 2024 (A Mosaic-Free List)

It’s a very common question without a definitive answer: What do I do with my family’s china dishes? It can be hard to let go of objects passed down through the family that are steeped in nostalgia and memory, even if we don’t want the object itself. Yet the tradition of the family china set is going out of style, and the amount of objects we keep in our lives is decreasing.

Most china has little to no value aside from personal sentiment, which is why it can be found in heaps for cheap at second hand stores and estate sales (You can find out if it’s worth selling here). So what do we do with this beautiful yet outdated stuff? I’ve compiled a short list of easy projects to transform your china dishes into useful items you will never tire of.

1. Display it as a plant saucer under your favorite house plant

Put your family china to use in a unique way by placing it under your plants as a plant saucer. It will catch drainage water from your plant and look cute while doing it. If you have a teacup, bowl, or tureen, you can use it as a planter and show off the set. Use a mason or diamond bit to drill a drainage hole in the bottom. Make sure to drip water on the bit as you are drilling to keep it cool and prevent damage.

2. Repurpose it as a white board sign

If your fine china doesn’t have crazing (tiny cracks in the glaze) it will make a beautiful white board! Use a self-adhesive plate hanger on the back or use a stand to display it. Dry erase markers will wipe right off and if you accidentally grab a permanent marker, just use isopropyl alcohol on a rag to clean off the plate’s surface.

3. Keep a reminder of your family china in plain view by creating magnets

Magnets are a sweet space-saving solution for your old dishes if you want to be reminded often of the family memories they hold. Extra-strong magnets will be essential to hold the weight of the ceramic. Use epoxy to adhere them to shards of china and almost instantly you’ll have an everyday reminder on your fridge. They also make plentiful and thoughtful gifts!

4. Admire your fine china and yourself at the same time by making a wall mirror

That plate grandma gave you is also the perfect frame for a mirror. Glue a craft mirror to the middle of the plate with epoxy and use a self-adhesive plate hanger on the back. You’ve got a beautiful new piece of wall decor!

5. Turn your unwanted family china into jewelry

Of course, if you really want a small reminder of family memories that you can keep close to you, repurposing your china into jewelry is a wonderful option. You can make a simple pendant using epoxy and items you may have around the house. Wire can be looped into a circle and glued on the back of a shard. You can even use a paperclip as a backing with one end sticking up above the shard so a chain can thread through.

I started my jewelry business by turning shards into brooches. Glue a lapel pin or brooch fastener onto the back of the shard and you’ve got a piece as classy as the Queen of England.

If you’re wanting something a little more designed and polished that will last over time, hiring a professional is the best way to go. Safely cutting, shaping, and drilling pieces of china takes specialized tools and some practice. Luckily you’ve come to the right place! I have over 20 years of experience cutting and carving glass and ceramic and I absolutely love helping families use their china in a new way that is meaningful to them. Take a look at past custom projects and see what clients are saying on my Custom Project page.

If you want to start a conversation about a custom project or anything else, contact me below!