Monday, October 31, 2016

Let's Go Shopping!

I call this "The Copper Experience". Enjoy!


Click on the links below to visit the shops and go directly to the link under each shop to see the item featured here.

Top row from left to right:
arizonacopper
Hammered copper clock: $69+


Dark Blue Dot Long Bar Dangle Earrings: $42


Hand Forged Copper Bird Bath: $600

 
Middle row from left to right:
Concrete and Copper Mini Succulent and Cactus Pots: $13.12


Copper Garden: $285


ElectricCrowns
Copper Wire Strand Fairy Lights: $10.73


Bottom row from left to right:
Sun and Moon Bracelet: $89.99


Copper Dish - Shallow Bowl: $26.47


French Antique set of Copper Pots: $281.09

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 






Friday, October 28, 2016

In The Studio - Friday

Happy weekend!

This week just flew for me ... it's been very busy. I like busy weeks!

I finally finished up the mosaic letters spelling out "Michael". Grouting the last few letters Wednesday evening was the best feeling ever!


This brought with it a huge sigh of relief! I've been working on 2 custom orders for months. I started the celestial set in June and the letters in September.




I've gotten them all packed up and ready to go! Yay!

I had a great sale this week. A newsletter subscriber and returning customer ordered 3 mosaics from my Etsy shop and in doing so, put my shop at 100 items sold since opening in 2009. That's a milestone and a personal achievement as well. I was unsure I should open my shop again after having it closed for 2 years. Obviously this is a good time of year to get sales; many are in the holiday shopping frame of mind. But it has given me the confidence I need to keep it open, even when/if there are no sales in the coming months. I'm more able to weather the storm that is online sales this time around. These 3 items below are what are going to their new home today.


I finished up the cool 3 hook rack wall hanging for my daughter's friend. I'm sharing it here hoping it doesn't get seen until it's been gifted. I'm pretty sure it is safe to share it here.


And as promised, here is the flower pot with the glue slowly drying on it. These photos were taken Wednesday afternoon.



I was going to share the vase I put stained glass on but when I grouted it yesterday pieces of glass popped off. I am not going to mention the glue I used. It is a year old and possibly the problem to not adhering the way it is said to. I've used this glue many times over the years and have often been more disappointed than pleased with it for the past few years. I do believe I'm finished using it. I'd rather use my favorite PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) glue that dries clear and allow the time it takes to dry instead of having to re-glue, re-grout the same mosaic a few times because the glue doesn't hold. I'll be working on it over the weekend and I hope I can share pictures of it next week. I am also hoping I can list it because that was the original idea when I started with it.

Enjoy your weekend and I'll be here on Monday sharing a small collection of items I've found on Etsy in my "Let's Go Shopping!" post.

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

In The Studio - Wednesday

On Friday I shared all the pretty glass I nipped up to attach to a vase. I love working on glass-on-glass projects but the fact that they are circular means I must be patient!


Literally waiting for glue to dry so I can turn it and continue working. It is really cool looking. Groovy!


And it is now in the "to be grouted" pile.


Black grout will make this awesome vase pop!

After I worked on the above vase, I picked up a green flower pot and started adding trees to it.



I really love the color of the vase, so I smashed up the last shelf I had in tempered glass for it.


I put clear tape on one side before breaking it to try to keep the bigger pieces together. I've used glue to try that and it never worked. I'd get tiny pieces anyway. This time, I thought clear tape would keep some of the pieces together. We like to use "islands" of it because when it crackles apart some of the pieces are very small. However, the tape didn't work either. As you can see, as awesome as this looks, every single crack is an individual piece of glass. Next time I have the chance to break a shelf or large piece of tempered glass, I'll use painters tape on it and see how it works. I'm still learning even after all these years of mosaic making!

Meanwhile, here's the vase with much wet glue on it holding the tempered glass in place.


Once dry it will be clear and the green color of the vase will come through.


On Friday, I'll share the way it looks with glue slightly dryer. And maybe a new mosaic piece or two.



Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 

Monday, October 24, 2016

Let's Go Shopping!

This week I'm loving the many different hues of green. How about you?

Now that the Etsy Treasury is a thing of the past, I'm dedicating one post a week to my own special selection of favorites and items I find similar in the way a treasury would.

Let's call this one "Shades of Green".


Click on the links below to visit the shops and go directly to the link under each shop to see the item featured here.

Enjoy!

Top Row from left to right:
HandmadeByAleksanta
Leaf necklace: $32.14

Oil Painting: $30.00

long ceramic tray: $32.00

Middle Row from left to right:
"Big Lime Green Elephant": $52.00

Dragonfly Earrings: $30.00

Wrap Bracelet: $6.00

Bottom Row from left to right:
Throw pillow with abstract art: $30.00+

Copper Cuff: $55.00

Green Apple Mosaic Bowl: $65.00



Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 


Friday, October 21, 2016

In The Studio - Friday

What a great week I've had in the studio. It's been so long since I've worked on anything new, other than grouting! I missed it!!

I finished the 3 hook wall rack and it is now in the "to be grouted" pile. I'll happily get to grouting this weekend. Doing a few things in between is definitely better for my state-of-mind.


My daughter thinks it turned out pretty well which makes me happy. White grout will get added soon!

Next up was the vase I started cutting glass for a few days ago. Believe it or not, I'm still nipping away! These colors are just fantastic. So, so pretty.





The vase I'm putting them on is rather large, so I wanted to make sure I had enough of all the colors I want to use to fill it up. I'm almost finished nipping. I'm looking forward to getting started on the mosaic part!

And great news for the Etsy shop. Another sale! Woo-hoo!!


This flower power snow dude is headed to it's new home as I write this. Happy me! His mate, "Peace Snow Dude", is still available and waiting for someone to take him home. Isn't he cute in his flower power hat and fringed vest?!



Want to see what new things are in the shops? I've added some new mosaics to Etsy and Aftcra so hop on over and take a look any time!

Monday's post, Let's Go Shopping! will be a nice collection of items I found through Etsy. Just because the Treasury Feature on Etsy is no longer available (sad, but true) doesn't mean I can't make my own! :)

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

In The Studio - Wednesday

As the weeks gets closer to the crazy holiday season, I keep telling myself it's time to figure out what I'm going to make. Those I gift each year with a handmade item often don't receive their gift before Christmas. Honestly, each year it becomes harder and harder to figure out. Once I do, it's close to the time to actually give the gift.

As I push things around and look at what I have available In The Studio each day, I am not coming any closer to many decisions yet. I will keep updating the blog about this subject once I get it figured out. IF I do! Wish me luck!

The gift I mentioned last week was finally given over the weekend, so I can share it here. It's Mickey and Minnie! It's functional and wall art, always a bonus when it can be useful. I used mirror in silver and a few colors to make it look like confetti, stained glass and dish tiles too. The sides were covered in blue glass tiles. It measures 5 x 6 inches.


If you look closely you can see I added a hook in the center for a backpack, lightweight jacket, etc. Both Mom and child loved it. That makes me very happy!

I'm back to work in the studio, thank goodness, after a long rest. I'm making a gift for my daughter's friend. She recently moved and gave me some dishes she no longer needed. We're going to give one of them back, in the form of a mosaic.


A 3 hook wall rail is getting some pretty blue flowered dish pieces placed on it. My daughter's friend loves shabby chic, so we'll probably go with white grout to finish it off.

I have a vase I've been staring at for quite some time and started nipping up the glass for it. Lots to be cut yet, so I do a little at a time while watching a show on Netflix or one of the many DVD's I have.

Purple, pink, white with green streaks, light green and burgundy glass are the colors I've chosen. Aren't they a pretty combination? If all goes well with this, I'll probably list it.

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 

Monday, October 17, 2016

Let's Go Shopping!

I'm changing my Monday posts title, if you hadn't noticed, from Promo Blast! to Let's Go Shopping!

So ... let's go!

Last week I made a sweet collection gathering items from Storenvy but quickly learned many of the shops don't use social media as I do, and therefore, it wasn't easy to share what I found with all the shops nor let them know they've been chosen. Those I found, through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, were shared happily! Not finding them all on these sites hasn't stopped me, however, from sharing where I can. Whether they know it or not, I love these items!

Here is the collection and the links to the stores. Enjoy!!!


Witchy Crescent Moon Choker in Brass sold by NecrologyShop

Galvanized Tin Jack-O-Lantern Luminary sold by Suwannee River Merchantile

Candy Heart Shades sold by MILK CLUB SHOP

Pink/White Lolita Bowknot Wedges sold by Moooh!!

Aura Crystal Necklace // Rainbow Titanium Crystal sold by TOCCA JEWELRY

DUFFLE BAG - NATURAL sold by BLACK HOUSE PROJECT


Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 







Wednesday, October 12, 2016

In The Studio - Wednesday

I don't really have much to share this week as it's still been a bit slow here In The Studio.

I grouted 2 letters of the custom order. Cleaning these are really time-consuming.



I am very pleased with the results so far. There are a few spots that will need grout touch-ups. That's the hard part with using tesserae in different thicknesses. It's always a bit challenging. But I really do love the results.

And in other news ... I was the winner of a $25 gift certificate contest for September through Gemini Moon Designs by Jeanine Molnar recently. I picked out this awesome incense burner and some incense which arrived in record time.



I've been a big fan of her work and of the person behind the business for many, many years. She is very inspirational and one of the first mosaic artists I found so many years ago that "spoke" to me through her art. She rocks!!


I've written a blog post about her in the past when I used to feature shops. There is a possibility I will do that kind of post again next year. But in the meantime, check out her shop on Etsy for some serious drooling.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping to pick up a little steam soon and continue grouting. I have some new mosaics I want to make. I have a few ideas for some more serious art pieces, not just home decor items. I believe these will take months to work on, from start to finish. Once I get going on them, I'll share what I'm doing.

And the secret giftie I mentioned last week hasn't yet been gifted which means I can't yet share a photo. I'm going nuts, I have to say, because I LOVE to share!

Come back again to see all the latest updates.

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 

Monday, October 10, 2016

Promo Blast!

This isn't a typical Blast this week, but more a "shout out" to the many peace signs I've made over the years. Shockingly, this is only a small portion of what I've made.


Kind of amazing, isn't it?


Custom orders are very welcome. Now that I've re-opened the Etsy shop, I've cut the prices of all items, including customs. They are surprisingly affordable at $95 for a 10 inch peace sign.

Now is the time to get a peace sign to gift that awesome hippie you know and love. Start your collection of peace sign wall art, like a customer did a few years ago, with a Earth Mother Mosaics original made especially for you.

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

In The Studio - Wednesday

How is everyone's week going so far? Mine?? Well ... it's been all about the fam. The g-kids have had Monday and Tuesday off this week, so this old lady has had very little time to actually do mosaic work or any artwork at all yet this week. We also adopted another kitty and although I'd love to share a photo of her, I can't yet get her to pose for me. She's very unsure about her new home but she's met everyone but me a few times before she arrived, so she's doing pretty well. We still have an old lady cat who isn't at all concerned with the new kid, but will give her heck if she doesn't stop growling at her after a few minutes. They will figure out the dynamics and eventually it will get all settled.

But, because I dedicate this post to studio news, I thought I'd share a few photos I've taken of new things I've found or have been given to use for mosaics.

First up are a few really cool old perfume and liquor bottles along with a large vase. One person says it's recycling or even garbage, this person says: how cool would that look with stained glass or other neat-o things glued to it?!


My daughter gave me an old cake pan and I promised myself I'd figure out what to do with it. After some thinking on it, I decided to add rays which resulted from cutting out some shapes recently using Wedi board.


The rays will be challenging to work on. Not so much the flat bits but the sides (in blue) which is harder to cover with glass, tiles, etc. I might cover both sides with glass and paint the exposed sides (once more, in blue) instead of trying to tile/grout them. This is going to be fun to work on!

I finished up the "Ghost House" getting a hanger on it. I have to say every darned time I look at it, I smile. I think it's so cute. Will NOT be listing this, but if somebody wants to purchase it, let me know. It's one of those whimsical pieces I made thinking I would list it but I sort of fell in love with the goofy face I made on it!


The white spots, other than the grout, are actually white glass. It's got purple, orange and black dish shards and shiny orange ceramics from an old flower pot on it too. Fun!!

And last, a personal struggle for me. To try to turn a family foot stool into something fun and awesome. I didn't get a good shot of them, but the bottom part of the "feet" are in pretty bad shape; splintered and pieces of wood are broken off. This was made by a family member in shop class. In pencil on the underside is written "1961" but I'm not sure if that's when it was made or when it was initially repaired. My Dad, who works with antiques and restores furniture, worked on it a little bit. He gave it to me when my kids were little for them to use, keeping it with me from apartment to apartment over the years.


 I really believe I could make it happy once more although the wood looks really awesome on top. Well-weathered and what many work hard to recreate when working with reproductions in wood. However, for me, a nice flat piece of "real" wood with legs means I need to cover it with a design in glass and dishes. Well, not really, I do know some things are better left alone, really I do. But this belongs to me and although I'm fairly sure no one will care, I want to make sure I do a decent job with it, make it awesome/cool/terrific. My grandson said I should make a tree on it but then said putting two glass feet on it would be cool too. I like the way he thinks! So stay turned, because I'm not sure when the muse will decide it's time to work on these many little things here, but I do know once she's ready, I'll share photos as we go!

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics

 

Monday, October 3, 2016

Promo Blast! - An Aftcra Collection

I promised myself that I'd spend some time promoting shops and items I've found in all the online sites where I sell my mosaics. I really do enjoy making up small collections and sharing them. It is fun to pick a theme or a color and see what I can find.

This week, it's all about what I found on aftcra, baby! Aren't these items below really cool?! As usual, I will share this on my social media favorites: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr and Twitter.

Aftcra: Crafted By American Hands. One of the sites I sell my mosaics on, and one of the sites I truly am proud to be part of is featured today, along with 9 of their shops. I hope you enjoy it.

All of these items were lovingly chosen for their unique style and because I just plain love them. If you see something you love too, please click on the link below the photo. It will take you directly to the shop.


Top Row - From Left to Right:
Pallet Clock from Monte Sano Farms
Wood Earrings from OnceAgainSam
Countdown To Christmas from St. Croix Routing Design


Middle Row - From Left to Right:
Pumpkin Sign from The Rustic Mermade


Bottom Row - From Left to Right:

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!~Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics