Etsy’s awesome recommendation engine delivers again! These are the wonderful upcycled vintage dishes by AlijoeDesigns. The shop specializes in “quirky makeovers for vintage plates,” and their wares are both charming and modern. For once, something listed as “upcycled” on Etsy really has been made better by the seller’s efforts!

“Scouring boot fairs, junk and charity shops to rescue the often gorgeous but dusty, unloved vintage plates that are invariably hidden under piles of junk, I juxtapose a variety of images with the original designs to create unique, quirky, collectable, decorative pieces. In effect, the original pattern of each plate becomes a ‘frame’ for the new design.” -Debbie Carne

After deciding what images are to be added to the plates, she prints them as ceramic decals, then attaches them using a process similar to decoupage to ensure that the embellishments are permanent. Although her additions are minimal, they have a tremendous impact on the final works. I’m amazed that something so simple could be so effective. I’m especially in love with the designs that span multiple plates. Her work has a real Monty Python-esque flair that I find very compelling. There are definitely going to be a few of these delicious plates in my future!

All images property of AlijoeDesigns.