Come to the British Isles to see Shelley’s delightful china craft for the garden

Using china teapots and teacups as garden art!

“I’m Shelley Hardman and I live on the Isle of Man which is a small Island in the middle of the Irish sea, between Ireland and Scotland, UK.

On the Island we have four recycling centres where people can leave and take usable items free of charge. I’m a regular visitor along with frequent visits to local charity shops.

I collect all sorts of china and glass and upcycle them into garden goodies and china creations, for myself, family and friends.

I do sell some items locally on a Facebook page, Shelley’s Vintage China, which I set up, last year. This covers my fuel costs and gives people a unique gift or item for themselves.

I love it when I display at craft fairs, etc to hear all the encouraging comments and I regularly get asked to make something specific. I’m currently working on some teacup candle wedding favours with spring scents and real petal confetti.”

Shelley’s china planter with petunia and lobelia

Charming Lobelia pots

Shelley says, “I’ve been gardening for over 20 years now. My Garden is on the top of the cliffs overlooking a small village called Peel and looking out to the Irish Sea. ”

Shelley’s village, Peel Town, Isle of Man

“I have a small herb garden at the front which I harvest lavender and rosemary and use them in my candles. I have a vegetable plot at the side of the house then through to the lawn surrounded by cottage garden plants.”

Rosemary teapot, with wine cork marker

Lavender coffee pot

Tea with mint, anyone?

“In my garden, through an archway is a patio and a small summer house, which I totally love. We spend long summer evenings down there sipping wine by candle light.  The candles are placed in glass jars in the apple trees.”

Ladder project

Ladder, before

“We have a great recycling centre here which I regularly visit and pick up all sorts. Today I found a great wooden ladder to display all my planters on in the spring time.

I’ve already started to paint the ladder using Annie Sloan chalk paint to give it that French Shabby Chic look. I’m going to plant up some vintage galvanised buckets and have white trailing flowers like water cascading down the ladder. Something like the picture attached from Pinterest, below.”

A ladder from Shelley’s idea file

More china projects

Delicate shell edging on this teapot planter

Shelley’s china bird feeders

Teacups, beads, chain and glue are the materials you need to assemble Shelley’s china projects. We like GE II Silicone for glass and china projects for outdoors.  Make sure to get ‘clear.‘

Teacup feeder with it’s beaded chain hanger

Shelley’s teacup bird feeder

Sneak peek into future projects

“A sneak peek, above, at some of the new creations for 2014. I’m really looking forward to combining my love of recycling, china and gardening.”

Shelley Hardman and ‘friends’

“This is me and my scare crows which my hubby bought me and another picture of Peel Castle,” Shelly says.

Peel Castle

I love your site and the great pictures you share, keep up the good work.   ~~ Shelley