In The Studio - Part Two

After working on 2 peace signs, I took a day off to work on a few ideas for the next 2. It took about hour to make a small pendant for the resident 9 year old in our home for her birthday this week.

Small pieces of millefiori (2-3mm) were used to fill up most of this pendant. Wow was it difficult! I used a magnifying glass and tweezers to get them placed inside. Whew!

She wore it today to school. It got a big thumbs up!

Now I'm working on the next 2 peace signs. The first one shown below, 10 inches, has broken pottery, glass gems, stained glass and millefiori.

And this one is 8 inches, done in blue & green streaky, sunflower yellow and amber streaky stained glass. The focal in the center is a ceramic piece of a figure in the lotus position.

I am hoping to stagger the grouting so I'm not overwhelmed at the end of doing all 10 peace signs. Hopefully I'll grout these this weekend, along with the other things I've done in between.

I'll share photos of everything in the next "In The Studio".

Enjoy your weekend!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

I've finished up "Expect Miracles" and placed it in the ever growing "to be grouted" pile. I love it!

While waiting for supplies to arrive for the custom order, I worked on a cross and a switchplate cover. These too get added to the pile for grouting.

Now the peace signs and all the supplies for them have arrived! All the signs have been primed and are ready for mosaic magic! Yay!!

In this photo: 8 inch peace signs are primed, 10 inch wrapped up at the bottom waiting their turn.

1st peace sign (10 inch) - work-in-progress (ready for grout)

2nd peace sign (8 inch) - work-in-progress (love the stones I'm adding on this one!)

Now as the weeks progress, all you'll see mostly, is peace signs. But we all love them, right?!

The first EMM Monthly Newsletter went out on Monday and I'd love to have some feedback on it from those who have signed up for it. And for those interested, you can find the signup form here on the right.

It's time to also share the horrible "ouchie" I received from a worn out piece of equipment. When I started making the 1st peace sign, I grabbed an old nipping tool specifically for ceramic tile that looks like this:

Mine (now tossed away in the dumpster) wouldn't hold the spring --- something I wasn't aware was a big deal when I first started making mosaics in 2005-2006 when these were purchased. I tried to keep the spring in place but it just wouldn't stay. This has nothing to do with the fine manufacturers of this tool. I got a defective pair, which happens, and should have returned them had I known at the time. In any case, I tried to cut a piece of china with these a few days ago and the spring popped out at the exact time I beared down to nip the piece of china. The china popped away as well so what was left, in a mere instant, was my skin.

ow

As you can see, I had a good blood blister. Ouch. It is much better after caring for it for 24 hours. I was able to work again with very little adjustment in using my hand (I'm left handed) and all is right in my world once more. Almost.

muuuuuch better

Here's the lesson I learned that I've had to reteach myself, sadly. Listen to your gut when it comes to everything! I heard the voice tell me not to use the tool when I picked it up and I ignored it. After all, I only needed it for one piece of china, what could possibly happen?! I'm used to getting hurt a lot worse, actually, from glass and mirror, but never the hand tools. I will try to use patience with myself when it comes to really hearing my inner voice. I know it takes time to really listen to it. It's never wrong, is it?

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

Promo Blast!

Throw Pillows from my shop on society6 are being featured today. Here's just a small sample of some of the designs. All pillow covers are taken from my photography.

Indoor and Outdoor Pillow Covers are available and all come with or without pillow inserts in 16" x 16", 18" x 18" and 20" x 20". Prices range between $20-$39.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part Two

The work is going so well on "Expect Miracles". All blue and black, the tiny pieces I like to use are fitting in really well here.

The supplies are starting to arrive for the custom order. I'm guessing by this time next week, I'll be knee deep in peace signs and their assorted tesserae. Yay!

Some of the yummy tiles I'll be using. Aren't those Moroccan Paisley tiles (broken china) fantastic?!

These items were found on Etsy although I usually like to just window shop to get ideas, I found these to be a fairly good deal. The dish tiles were slightly expensive but they are filled with color and gorgeous. Almost worth it.

Still to arrive, some more glass tiles, Millefiori, the peace signs and hardware for the backs. Exciting!!

I have to say, becoming part of the Clairporium team has been a wonderful experience so far. I'm meeting new people in the groups on Facebook but thanks to the hard work of the biggest fan/customer I've got and its founder, I've had 2 sales within the last month. That is amazing! I'm so blessed and very grateful.

Here's what has sold thanks to her working hard with promotions. I'm honored to be an artisan on her site.

New people seeing my mosaics is a really nice thing. Having new people purchase them is awesome. Woo-hoo!!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

The snow has arrived here in PA. Today the kids are home from school, extending their mini-holiday by one more day. Teachers have been busy with end of semester reports which gives the children they teach time off! Add in a holiday, Presidents' Day, and you've got a nice little break. They've had 6 days off now, one additional day due to the storm. Woo-hoo!!

As promised, here are photos of the Little Dude (7 years old) making his gift for his Mom. A mosaic Valentine heart.

As usual, one of our kitties must supervise and approve our work at all times.

Finished!

Happy Dude!

Grouted with a special card printed out just for Mom.

When he gave it to her, she said: "I LOVE it!" and he said: "I know!".

I painted an empty wine bottle covered in plaster cast strips while waiting for mosaic inspiration to arrive. It's bright and brilliant!

I think it's so cool! Makes me smile just to look at it.

Work has begun on a new plaque. This one: "Expect Miracles" is a favorite saying of mine and it looks like I'll finally get that blue I thought would be used for my Namaste' plaque.

And get ready, because the new EMM Monthly Newsletter will be headed out next week! I had planned on getting it out last week but a few more people signed up around that time so I thought it might be a good idea to wait a week or so. I have to say it's fairly light in content right now, mostly introducing where to find me and what's new on Storenvy. As the months continue, I'm hoping to fill it with additional information that is only touched on through social media and this blog. Sharing links where my items can be purchased is the main event for each one. Those who have signed up, let me know what you think of it's layout and what's included. Stay with me as I take a new adventure.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

Promo Blast!

Mosaic Shrine - Bohemian Decor - Sun Design - Hippie Art - "Sun Shrine In A Box"

Mosaic Shrine - Bohemian Decor - Sun Design - Hippie Art - "Sun Shrine In A Box" - FREE SHIPPING Within US - $250.50

My mosaic shrine is called "Sun Shrine In A Box" using a clever play on words for "shrine" and "sunshine". :)

Measures 7 inches by 8 inches and is covered inside and out, top to bottom with stained glass, china and mirror.

It was once a small wooden jewelry box painted in pink with bright flowers heading towards the dumpster. I have re-purposed it into a fine piece of Bohemian mosaic art.

I used stained glass, tempered glass, ball chain, charms, broken china and mirror on the inside. On the outside I used broken china, mirror and stained glass covering the top, bottom, sides and back.

The sun was painted then sprinkled liberally with gold glitter, covered in tempered glass and outlined in ball chain. The charms hanging from the top are a few broken earrings and really cool odds and ends charms given to me over the years. I added the finial on top and painted it black.

Tea light shown is not included. Should you use a candle inside, to protect the mosaic and your surroundings, please be aware the structure is wood. Do not leave candle unattended or burn for long periods of time.

This is not a light piece of art! It weighs about 5 lbs. More photos available upon request. Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is definitely one-of-a-kind.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part Two

It's almost Valentine's Day and Little Dude and I are going to be busy for the next day or so making Mom a special ornament.

He specifically asked me if he could mosaic something (you've NO idea how happy that makes me!!) and so I found one of the folk art heart shapes I cut out a while back. Before he begins on this, I have to add a hole at the top so we can add a ribbon. I've covered up the sides with white cement to give it a more polished look. I will definitely share photos next week of his handiwork!

Meanwhile, I've been priming a lot of shapes to have ready for the muse when she decides to wake up. She's sleeping at the moment and I'm okay with that.

I've just gotten the final details on a custom order that will keep me busy for about 2 months! That's why I'm okay with allowing the muse time to rest. I need her wide awake very soon.

My favorite customer has requested 10 peace signs (5 are 10 inches, 5 are 8 inches) for a wall she wants to dedicate to them in her home. I am beyond excited that she decided to ask me to make them all, slightly different, but all mosaics. She has purchased 2 peace signs (8 and 10 inches) ready made from my shop plus requested a custom one that I made for her last year. You may remember seeing some of these if you've followed my blog for a while, but those of you who are fairly new, shown below is the custom order done in August 2014.

And these are the two that were in my Storenvy shop she recently purchased.

 This is going to be fun!

Of course I'll share with everyone the work-in-progress as I go along.

If anything in the pile above of primed shapes looks like something you may be interested in once completed, let me know. Once I've gotten them filled with mosaic goodness, they'll all be available for purchase either directly through me or from my shop on Storenvy.

And here's a gentle reminder about the Monthly Newsletter: sign up using the form here on my blog or through my Facebook Page. I'll be gathering up email addresses next week and sending out the first Newsletter during the last week in February!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my wonderful followers!!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

Things have quieted down quite a bit In The Studio this week.

I zipped through the rest of the 15" sphere. It's gorgeous and has been placed in the "to be grouted" pile.

I started right in on a sign after this.

I was more than surprised at the fact that I used mauve and yellow on this piece. They aren't "my" colors and I kept thinking I'd use purple and blue.

But I was drawn to the top right color the most. That is what the muse wanted and I'm smart enough to get out of her way and allow her to lead most times. She wasn't wrong. Using it and yellow made this piece very soothing to look at.

Now I've been studying the projects around me, trying to land on something to do next. Mostly I'm resting up for the next wave. In a few weeks I'll be working on a large custom order. I'm really excited about that!! I'll share more once I get going on it.

Meanwhile, I could be working on some small mosaics, maybe the ornaments I cut out a while back for just this purpose. Maybe not ... whatever I decide between now and Friday, I'll definitely share here with you all.

I'm starting to think about my newsletter and what I want it to be. This blog is a great way to share all things I do and I'm grateful to have some people follow along with me here. I'm hoping the newsletter will entice those who aren't reading this blog to do so. My main purpose for starting a newsletter is to share new items I've added to the shops online with links. Once I become more established with it, I hope to make my monthly newsletter something folks look forward to receiving in their email boxes. It should be available during the last week in February.

Have a great week and join me on Friday to see what I've been doing In The Studio - Part Two.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy