The terracotta planter cracked during a spell of freezing temperatures, but I couldn't bear to discard this fragment of Italian painting. Now it rests on the wooden fence on my patio, and I can admire it daily.
I'm so with you on that decision, Allison! I simply can't discard lovely things! Just two days ago, I retrieved a delicate cut crystal wine goblet from Poland, one of a dozen my aunt once sent me. The flat bottom broke and I glued it, knowing it wouldn't really be usable again. Then I thought, "a votive candle holder"! It's beautiful, and I'll probably use it more than we use the drinking goblets! See how it is that *I get it*?!
@Weezilou Love your re-purposed art, Louise. Just imagine if some archeologist were to excavate your delicate bit of crystal in 500 years, he would treasure the piece that survived.
The idea of terracotta freezing and cracking is new to me! I would have saved that sunny face too. I used to have what I called the "Ceramic Graveyard " in a corner of my garden where I scattered broken pieces of china and pottery.
@weegordie the company from whom we bought the planter even warned us not to leave it out in cold weather, but I got lax and the temperature plummeted and that was the result. I think the clay is so porous, it absorbs water and then when the ice expands, the planter cracks. A little science lesson I would have preferred not to demonstrate.
