How Olio helps me turn unwanted ceramics into art

A mosaic artist with a passion for sustainability, Dalia from Orrell in the UK, has been upcycling long before it was trendy. “I’ve been an enthusiastic recycler for over 35 years, way before it became a ‘thing’.”

She’d already been using platforms like Freegle and Trash Nothing for over a decade, always on the lookout for ceramic pieces to transform. But it was during the Covid years that her creative journey took a colourful new turn.

“I was picking up some unwanted ceramics from a regular and she mentioned this new app, Olio. I downloaded it as soon as I got home… and I haven’t looked back since.”

Over the last four years, Dalia has connected with over 450 Olio-ers  and not just for collections. Some of them, she says, have become ‘regulars’ and even dear friends.

“They save things for me now. They call it the ‘Dalia box’. Odds and ends no one else would want – chipped teacups, broken figurines, old costume jewellery, even bits of watches or circuit boards. They know I’ll find a use for it all. And I do!”

In her hands, these ‘rubbish’ items are reborn into mosaics that sparkle with history, colour and character. She uses everything from shattered crockery to old camera lenses and mechanical toy parts. “Even the eye of that ‘bird guy’ sculpture was made from a lens.”

Dalia’s mission is simple: turn unwanted ceramics into art and give broken treasures new life. But for her, it’s not just about the materials. It’s about the joy in the process  and the unexpected human moments along the way.

“Sometimes I’ll take long bus rides across the city to pick up a bag of ceramics and I’m genuinely thrilled. I practically dance when I unpack them in my studio! And with some of my regulars, I’ve ended up sitting in their kitchens, having a cup of tea and a proper chat. Those little moments mean so much.”

For Dalia, Olio is far more than just an app – it’s a community, a creative spark, and a reminder that even the broken things in life can be beautiful again.

Dalia believes that by using Olio, it’s possible to turn unwanted ceramics into art while building meaningful connections and helping the planet.

What do you love the most about Olio?

“It’s knowing that someone’s chipped plate or broken clock isn’t going to landfill – it’s going into something beautiful that will last for decades. That shared effort to save the planet, in such a joyful way, is just priceless.”

If you’re interested in Dalia’s art, take a look at her Etsy shop.