Taking the Week Off

I'm taking the week off so that I can work on a personal problem I'm dealing with at the moment. Nothing serious, just a bump in the road.

Plus, the "new to me" computer crashed after 4 days of using it, so I'm back to my clunky old reliable. I'm grateful it still works but sad I might not be able to get online at some point until I can figure out what to do about this one. There's no money in the budget for computer emergencies. I think there should be!

Meanwhile, there's more than a few projects waiting for me. When I get back to listings (thought I'd do that tomorrow), I shall continue adding one each day during the week.

I've had some time to think over the long weekend I gave myself to create art. I believe I'm going to offer up a few mosaics for free probably once a month until the ones I'd like to see go to a new home are gone. If you want it, all you need do is pay for postage which will be determined at the time of interest. If you're local, you can come and get it. Just let me know when and I'll have it ready. Otherwise, give me your zip code or if you are an International customer, give me something so I can check for postage costs and we'll take it from there. I have so many things in boxes and no place to put them. They've been with me for 5+ years and I'm ready to let them go. That will start next week! It's time to get the heavy load lighter!!

Stay tuned!

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

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

Setting up a "new to me" computer this week and it's been harder than I'd like it to be. The learning curve for things like this is harder than I remember. However, there are a few photos I can share of newly grouted items before I got in way over my head figuring this fun computer out.

Also, those that are curious, my Dad is doing really well after his surgery. What a blessing!

SOLD! before grout was dry - yay - it's heading out today. Cleaned it up a lot more than what's seen in this photo but didn't take an updated photo.

A soft mint ribbon has been added to the back for hanging - hope to list this today

I have decided I like square bezels much better than round - I don't have the skill to fill the round ones up properly but this sure is pretty!

Love the colors used on this one.

I like this one!

After the recent sales I had last week, I was able to get scrap glass for more mosaics. I'm going to start on an autumn inspired mosaic very soon using what's in this box.

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

Cindy

Promo Blast!

Square Peace Sign - Retro Style Mosaic - FREE Shipping Within US - $95.00

A very unique shape for a very unique mosaic peace sign. Square in design using the ever popular Mid Century Modern "Atomic" dishes nipped up along with a few pieces of china from a separate design. Blended together nicely on this really groovy peace sign, we have to say it: "It's hip to be square!".

We love putting mosaics on peace signs. It is the most fun ever to take a well-known shape and create something new and unusual with it.

Measures 10 inches, has a keyhole slot on back for instant hanging.

Sides and back are painted in vermilion.

Interested in a custom order? Want your very own peace sign in some broken china you may have? We can provide it for you in a favorite color or one in a mosaic of stained glass. Or both. If you have it, we take your broken china, mugs and broken jewelry and make them into forever keepsakes in mosaic giving something old a new purpose once more. We also have a rather large collection of all tesserae and bits and bobs from gathering materials and finding treasures for 10 years. We can provide what's needed. Go to this listing for more information:

http://earthmothermosaics.storenvy.com/collections/617158-custom-made-to-order/products/13656393-mosaic-peace-sign-10-inches-custom-made-to-order

Contact me and we'll talk!

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

Cindy

In The Studio - Part Two

I'm taking a few days to recoup and regroup. It's always good to relax a bit before the next wave of inspiration comes along.

My Dad is having surgery today, so my thoughts are with him and his journey. Here's a favorite photo from the Fourth of July in 2008 when Little Dude was only a baby. My Dad is standing in one of his favorite spots near his garden, holding his first great-grandchild! Aren't they cute?

I had a huge sale this week. I mean mind-blowing and grateful and feeling very blessed. My favorite customer decided to do some gift shopping in my Storenvy shop and bought all of this to be sent to friends.

And purchased a little something for himself as well!

Having sold enough to get some much needed supplies to help with my joints as the weather will be getting colder soon. It will be wonderful to have them available when I need them the most. I'm also restocking and still doing some wish list dreaming. The need for grout, glass, glue, rags is a constant thing and can only be acquired when I make a sale or two.

It's an exciting time right now, listing one mosaic daily on Storenvy and grouting and taking photos of new mosaics a few times a week. Getting more supplies to make more mosaics keeps the momentum going.

Today, I listed this beauty. I really do love this one. The colors are awesome.

Mosaic Abstract Wall Hanging - 4 Inches - Jewel Tones

Hug someone close to you today. Listen to them, love them, tell them how much they mean to you.

Stay peaceful.

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

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

Studio time this week is all about final touches, photography and listings. All of the small mosaic wall art pieces I've been working on over the past 2 weeks are keeping me busy.

Some of these have been listed. One was listed today and sold a few hours later! Yay!

Mosaic Butterfly Wall Hanging - 3.5 x 4 inches

SOLD

Mosaic Abstract Wall Hanging - Earth Tones - 4 Inches

I still have quite a bit of grouting to do but the pile is slowly going down. Woo-hoo!

Chances are good I'll get back to grouting this week but only after all have been set up for listings. It's awesome to have so many small mosaics to list!

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

Cindy

Promo Blast!

Lotus Flower Mosaic Tray - $125.00

A large 13 inch plastic gold serving tray or charger has been given a facelift with some cut up pieces of dishes shaped into a lotus design. Pieces of souvenir plates are used and some great pieces of vintage fruit plates are added along the outer rim. Manufacturers marker stamps are used to dot the the tray here and there along with the rimmed edges of an old plate adding depth as well as interest.

Caution: Not to be used with food. Chemicals in the grout and sealant could harm food placed on this tray.

This looks great sitting on a table, would make a great hostess gift. Give the gift of handmade art to those you love. Don't forget to treat yourself!

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

Cindy

In The Studio - Part Two

And the week ends on a good but exhausted note. It's time to take a few days off and regroup before grouting, photographing and listing more small mosaic wall hangings.

It takes a while to grout, clean, paint, get hangers on them and then get decent photos (at least 3) for listings. I often think the prep work before a mosaic is created and after it's complete takes longer than the actual artwork. When I consider this, I make sure to charge for my time and 10 years worth of experience. If you create something and want to sell it, please keep these things in mind as well. It's important to let your customers know you value your time and talent as much as they should.

Mosaic Fiestaware Peace Sign - 10 inches

Mosaic Flower Wall Hanging - 4.5 inches

Each day, in between helping my Grandson with some school activities this summer, I've managed to create something. Doing small things has been a lot of fun and quite satisfying!

Little Dude working on a word search geared towards the 2nd grade

All of these range in size between 4-6 inches. And I think they are all headed towards the online store. It's been a productive week!

There are no new ones to share just yet. I've been working on what's been done already and what needs grouting. The pile is getting smaller, which is a very good thing! I think more grouting will happen over the weekend or I just might really take a few days off and get back to it next week. Meanwhile I never know when the muse will want to play. I will share what I have when I can!

The weather here is getting cooler in the evenings and there is a just a hint of fall in the air already. Physically this is not good news ... I love the heat for my bones and sciatica especially but emotionally, I do love the colors that come with the fall and in September Little Dude and I have birthday's. That's always exciting!! I truly hope I can get some close ups of fall since I missed spring and most of summer being stuck in my room and on the 2nd floor. If I can get myself down the steps and outside to visit the trees and get some photos I would be really happy!

Have a great weekend!

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

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

It's been a fairly good week so far. I managed to get some things grouted and listed a few things on Storenvy. That's always a good thing.

Grouting is coming along well but slowly. I create 1-3 small mosaics a day and grout 2 at each session unless they are 8-10 inches. The small ones, 3-6 inches can be done in duplicates before my body says "enough"!

I listed the sun and moon this week. So happy with how they turned out. I love that grout color!!

Mosaic Celestial Crescent Moon - 6 inches

Mosaic Celestial Sun - 6 inches

Whenever I list something new, I share it on many different social media sites including Pinterest. This morning I noticed someone pinned the crescent moon in their DIY board. I think that's wonderful that this inspires them to want to make their own mosaic! Whenever I see my mosaics pinned onto a board like that, I want to offer my help, just in case they need it. It is now my practice to write to them on their board, letting them know I'm here to help if they need it. I think everyone should learn how to mosaic and if they can't or decide it's not as much fun as they think, I hope they walk away from the experience in a positive light.

I'm telling you, it's so much better for your soul to see that favorite broken coffee cup or the broken plate that was part of Grandma's good china as a potential art project that you can hang on your wall or gift to someone you love. I used to cry when I broke my favorite dish or cup. Now I think, "Okay! What can I make with the pieces?!"

Speaking of pieces ... I made another peace sign with hand cut dish tiles!

A few days ago I discovered a box with some pieces of Fiestaware I thought I'd tossed out about 2 years ago in green, yellow and orange. I added what I found (after doing a big ole' happy dance!) to the leftovers in Fiestaware from the custom ordered peace sign I made last month and had enough to make a 10 inch peace sign with them. I added a lot of glass 1/2 circles and one other design in dish tiles to fill in the gaps, otherwise I wouldn't have had enough to get it covered. I'm so happy I found what I needed to make another large peace sign. Yay!

It is now grouted but I don't have photos of it yet. Once I get it painted around the sides and back it's getting place on Storenvy. I hope to work on this today.

Each day, as I said, I mosaic a few small pieces. These photos show all before grouting. The next post should have the ones I've grouted and finished up. I hope to list most of these.

I should be able to get some decent photos of what I've grouted soon. The Camera Goddess and I aren't really working well together right now. I've been known to take 65 photos of one item and delete them all due to fuzziness or general out-of-focus looking photos. It's all part of the process. The sun should be out for the rest of the week making it a little easier to get a good photo or two. I hope.

Come back on Friday, for Part Two. I will share the grouted pieces and more new ones to be grouted! I love to mosaic!!

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

Cindy