…….
I often go to coffee shops where mis-matched cups are used, why throw away a dropped saucer/cup if it can be used with another pattern? Some girls are making old fashioned cake holder towers, the top is a cup the next is a saucer the next layer is a large plate: all different patterns fixed with a central metal holder …….. they look lovely and each is individual.
Slate should be for roofs. Lumps of wood can be burnt ;-).