Imagine my thrill when I was gifted with this fancy-schmancy sandblasted Fiestaware plate from a Homer Laughlin Fiesta Collector’s Association!
It's perfect!
Is this not the cutest thing ever?
I had already been making my jewelry from broken plates and pottery for quite a few years when one day I was approached by a Fiesta collector to enter a contest in which artists create something from broken or damaged Fiesta. Of course, now I cannot find a photo of my winning piece, but it was a piece of jewelry, a heart pin brooch with fancy edges and so pretty! Here are a few photos of some other things I have created with broken Fiesta over the years.
Pin brooch (sold '02)
Mosaic teacup plaque. Doubles as the most awesome bird feeder ever. (sold '03)
Backstamp pendant (sold '04) (approx 1.25")
Bracelet
Love these earrings!
Another necklace pendant (approx 1.5")
Mosaic heart - perfect for the Fiesta kitchen! (approx 6")
Earrings with Swarovski crystals and Czech glass pearls (1/2" by 1 & 1/4")
Read on for some interesting history about Fiesta ware colors:
“At its introduction in 1936, Fiesta was produced in five colors: Red (orange red), Blue (cobalt), Green (light green), Yellow (deep golden), and Old Ivory (yellowish cream). By 1938, two years into production, a sixth color was added: Turquoise (robin's egg blue). With the exception of the Red, this color assortment remained in production until approximately 1950. The original Red had been discontinued before 1944 (see below).The lack of this vibrant color, plus the general changes in society due to the United States' participation in World War II, had caused a slump in sales of the larger serving pieces from the early 1940s. Prior to this reduction in the number of shapes offered, only one or two very specialized shapes had been discontinued and those by 1938. Later items which were discontinued, such as covered onion soup bowls in turquoise glaze and mixing bowl covers in any color, are scarce and highly prized by collectors.By 1950, home decorating styles and colors had changed. The Homer Laughlin Company discontinued some original glaze colors and replaced them with four new colors. The original Blue (cobalt), the original Green (light green), and the original Old Ivory (yellowish cream) were discontinued, replaced by Rose (pinkish-brown), Gray (medium), Forest (dark green), and Chartreuse (bright yellowish green). Two existing glaze colors, Yellow and Turquoise, continued in production, so the company continued to offer six colors through the 1950s.” Excerpt from the article “Fiesta (dinnerware)”, which can be found HERE in its entirityOne of my later designs, about 2006 (1/2" by 1")I will have some new jewelry in these and similar designs up for the holidays so be sure to check back!-Laura
