Monday, March 30, 2015

Promo Blast!

TOTE BAGS!!! Tis' the season to get some strong and sturdy tote bags through S6. I have found 16 to show you in a group to give you an idea as to how really awesome they are. It's almost that time to think about picnics, beaches, vacations, summer school, pool parties, quick trips to the grocery store, stopping at the farmers market, slumber parties, baby showers. Tote bags are perfect for so many occasions.




Sturdy and affordable. That's how society6 does it! I love seeing my photos of nature and mosaics on these tote bags.

Head on over to see these and many more and get your list of activities sorted out in style.

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

In The Studio - Part One

I finished getting all the glass and dish tiles on the custom ordered peace signs! Yay!

Here's the last 10 inch peace sign - ready for grout. I used stained glass and mirror.





The very last 8 inch one has a wonderful array of tess. Millefiori, glass rods, polka dot glass half circles, broken ceramic dishes, stained glass and mirror. Ready for grout!





I probably won't get to the grouting of these until the weekend. Rain is headed our way and I'm in a tremendous amount of pain physically thanks to the low pressure system coming through. The fun thing about it is that we are supposed to have thunderstorms, which I love, so I'm positive once they head on out of our area I will be feeling rejuvenated and ready to grout both these and the cat clock that's waiting.

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Monday, March 23, 2015

Promo Blast!

Sun Flower Mosaic Stained Glass Trivet or Candle Holder - Orange, Iridescent Amber, Yellow - FREE SHIPPING Within US - $37.65

Gorgeous stained glass mosaic sun flower plate done in orange, iridescent amber and yellow. Wonderful to look at through a sunny window. Can be used as a suncatcher, trivet or candle holder. Has been sealed to protect grout from stains but is not waterproof.





We call this design a "sun flower" because the center looks like a sun and the rays could be petals from a flower. It truly doesn't matter because we love it!

Measures 6 inches round




Makes a great housewarming gift, perfect for a special friend or co-worker, add to your den or guest bedroom/bathroom, college bound students love them for their dorms.





This plate is meant to be shown in sunlight. I used to call these plates suncatchers, but traditionally suncatchers are hung in the window to grab the light. My plates are heavy and hanging is not recommended nor do I craft them for that purpose. They look fantastic sitting in the window in a display dish holder.



Any questions about this mosaic or anything else you've seen? Contact me any time. You can find me on my Facebook Page and through email or leave a comment right here on the blog.

I'm heading back to work on the last 2 peace signs to finish up the custom order. I'll share all the news about that on Wednesday's edition of "In The Studio".

Don't forget, if you haven't yet, to sign up for the Monthly Newsletter!

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Friday, March 20, 2015

In The Studio - Part Two

I've taken a short break from all activity for a few days. There isn't much to share today, but I can show you a glimpse as to how the inside of my head works. It looks a little scary when I think of it this way. Hahaha.




Believe it or not, this is what inspires me to find color combinations of glass and other assorted fun things I use for my mosaics. Often I grab a few bags and dump them out on this tray. This is my "working table", an old TV tray inherited from my great aunt many years ago. It's portable, can be put away when cleaned off and works well for me because I live in a small space.

I have been doodling a little bit for the past few days too. This is an exercise that helps me think. I often toss out many before I decide they are okay enough to keep them.




I have used computer paper and folded it into cards to doodle on, shown above. And I found yet another use for empty cookie and tea bag boxes I have available to me. Cutting them up and doing doodles on them is a great way to recycle. Plus it possibly gives me something to add in a thank you note to my customers. Cool!

Cold weather has arrived again, on the first day of Spring, but it might be the last breathe this years winter will take. I intend to wave it farewell with gusto!

Enjoy your weekend!

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

In The Studio - Part One

Deciding to take a little break from the peace signs was the right thing to do for the muse. I've had a renewed excitement for color which is so important to me.

I worked on the pendants I shared the other day to give myself a little jumpstart before grabbing a larger project to mosaic. Getting the juices flowing, as it were.

The cat clock in one of my favorite designs I do, flower power, was started on Sunday and finished by Tuesday.

Here's the progress for each day.

Sunday - close up

Sunday

Monday - close up

Monday

Tuesday - lunch break

Tuesday - putting vitreous tiles along the side

Tuesday - side view

Tuesday

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Monday, March 16, 2015

Promo Blast!

I've added some fresh pendants to Storenvy this week. I have a favorite, I must admit.

Orange Sunshine Pewter Pendant - FREE SHIPPING Within US - $35.95
Orange glass and sparks of millefiori fill this pewter pendant. There is a definitely energy attached to my mosaic jewelry. This pendant, when worn, makes you feel full of sunshine and radiance. It will absolutely make you smile.

These pendants make a wonderful, one-of-a-kind gift. Each pendant comes with a necklace or chain.

Pewter pendant measures 1 inch

Each pendant has a unique "super power". For example, the one above makes you happy when you wear it.

Follow the links to read each description on the pendants shown below. Which is your favorite?

Mixed Glass Warm Copper Pendant

Green Summer Fresh Silver-Plated Pendant

Blue Energy Copper Pendant

Yellow Stars and Flower Silver Pendant
All pendants are $35.95 and offer free shipping to those within the US.

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Friday, March 13, 2015

In The Studio - Part Two

It's all about the peace signs this week!

peace signs 5 through 8
I love taking close ups!





There's 2 left to do to finish the order but my muse needs a slight break from peace signs so we're taking a little time off before continuing.

Enjoy your weekend!

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

In The Studio - Part One

We're having a "heatwave" in PA this week! Our temperatures have risen and it's downright steamy here at almost 60 degrees which brings rain instead of snow. In true form, March came in like a lion and will probably go out like a lamb.

My daughter and grandson have been sick for a few weeks. Tara started with a nasty cold that transformed into the flu. Little Dude caught her cold and quickly followed through with a horrible stomach flu. He fought it for a while but it eventually flattened his 7 year old body for quite a few days. That's the first time he's really given in to an illness with very little fighting and I honestly don't think he had much choice. The good news is my daughter is almost completely recovered and Little Dude should follow along behind her soon enough. And as the weather changes, allergies will be upon them soon enough. Ah, the pollen in the air will have everyone sneezing in no time at all! But the best news is, this brings spring flowers and my camera will get a bit of a workout again. Yay!

I'm getting very interested in the way shadows play in nature. I have taken quite a few photos over the past year that didn't seem like much to me until I noticed the shadows. Here's a photo that I have recently placed on fineartamerica.com that I call "Reflections". Isn't it cool?


I have to say, I'm enjoying this custom order so very much. It's so much fun to think up new combinations of designs and colors. I'm in the middle of my journey with these 10 peace signs. It is safe to say it has been a wonderful experience.

So far I've got 4 peace signs grouted, 4 ready for grout and 2 are waiting for the mosaic goodness.

Here's the 4 that are grouted.


I really love seeing them altogether like that. These are 8 inches and 10 inches and although the photos don't really show it, the sides and backs are painted. The back has a D-ring attached to each one for instant hanging from box to wall.

Here are the 4 peace signs that are taped up and ready for grout.


I'm happy that they all seem to look good side-by-side but could also stand alone and look just as good. The customer wants a whole wall of peace signs. I think I've given her a great start!



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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Monday, March 9, 2015

Promo Blast!

Sapphire Blue Mosaic Glass Dish - 6 x 3 inches - FREE Shipping Within US - $32.65

Sapphire blue stained glass was used generously to update this vintage candy dish from the 1950's.



Measures 6 x 3 inches



Scalloped edges give this dish a little bit of added charm. Taking something old and making it new again is one of my favorite things to do.


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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy

Friday, March 6, 2015

In The Studio - Part Two

Where we are here in PA, the snow has made quite an impact this week. I take a lot of photos from my window, using different lenses and editing when the seasons are doing their thing. Here's a close up of my favorite tree at about 10 AM on Thursday. I especially like this photo because you can see the snowflakes gently falling. It's so pretty when I'm inside and warm!


In between watching the snow fall, I managed to grout the other 2 peace signs that were ready for it.

Third peace sign - 10 inches
Fourth peace sign - 8 inches

Both need sides and backs painted, which I'll do a little later today before moving on to the next few peace signs that are ready for some mosaic magic.

I've got really good news to share regarding my mosaics debuting on the Clairporium website. Yesterday more mosaics sold, shown below! It's been a very long time since I've had new customers wanting to purchase my mosaics. I feel so very blessed!

SOLD

SOLD
As soon as the snow starts to melt, these will head out to their new homes. Yay!!

Have a great weekend.

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

Stay peaceful,
Cindy