I have used material as expensive as semi-precious gemstones for a set of lamps, but that tends to get very expensive. This vase-turned-mosaic-turned-lamp was a joy to create and salvaged unused porcelain/china/pottery was used; particularly heirloom pieces no longer part of a set, to create a functional, lasting mosaic. It is a vessel that has lived a life of twists and turns... first intended as a flower vase, then becoming a mosaic vessel that held an umbrella by the door, and finally transformed into a lamp used to give additional light to a corner hosting a pottery collection from Phil Morgan and Sally Lufkin, Seagrove potters.

I created similar lamps by merely using 2nd-hand and new lamps when first learning to create functional mosaics as a hobbyist. However, when it comes to a completed piece going to anyone outside family... a 2nd-hand lamp will not last nearly as long as the mosaic art; and if you buy a cheap lamp, a year or so down the road you have a beautiful mosaic on a lamp that no longer provides light!!!

An artist can use a sturdy vase intended for plant life that already has a hole for excess water at the bottom. This hole can be used to run electric wire through, then use a wet saw to form a niche at the edge for the wire to exit from underneath the vase, or (being very careful and knowing what material this works with) can drill a small hole to run the wire out through the back side of the vase.

For the top, an artist can use any number of things to form either a flat or mounded top for the light fixtures (bulb and lamp frame) to slide into. For example, I used a small bowl turned upside down with a hole drilled in the bottom, then continued with my mosaic to cover it all the way to the metal framing for the lamp and bulb.

ON THE PICTURED "Memories Lamp"~~~~ The mosaic itself consisted of old dishes from sets that were no longer used but had served many holiday meals for loved ones; some familiar and popular vintage collector pieces. This lamp also consisted of broken pottery from some of my favorite well-respected & collected potters in the Seagrove pottery industry, including Ben Owen III, and his wife, Lori Ann Owen; and Phil Morgan. Both curved and flat tiles, hand-painted accent tiles, and border/edging tiles were used to define bottom/center areas, and the curved interior of a gravy bowl picturing a romantic victorian couple was a perfect fit for the neck of the vase. Even the handles of the abovementioned gravy bowl were put to use on this piece!

*P.S.* If electrical appliances is not your cup of tea (like me), and you wish to try something like this, please leave the electrical ingenuity to someone who knows what they are doing (I learned the hard way)!