Monday, November 30, 2015

Promo Blast!

Shopping for the holidays doesn't have to make you crazy. Buy handmade and support artisans now and throughout the year!

These are a few of my favorite things in my shop through aftcra.


Top row: Mosaic Stained Glass Pendant, Orange - Pewter - $31.80, Sun Mosaic Switch Plate Cover - Double - Stained Glass and Mirror - $37.58

Bottom row: Mosaic Stained Glass Plate - "Colors of Autumn" - Abstract - 15 inches - $200.00, Mosaic Octagon Shaped Trivet - Stained Glass on Mirror - Earth Tones - 6.5 Inches - $42.40


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

Cindy

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

In The Studio

For those of us in the US, this is the week of Thanksgiving. What a busy time of year. I love to keep busy, so I'm fine with the excitement of the upcoming holidays but I sure do feel sorry for my daughter, who works, goes to school in the evenings and helps raise 3 children with her fiancé. I'm here for her, when she needs me, but my mobility is limited. I so wish she could relax a bit and enjoy this time of year. I do remember what it was like, trying to get the house clean enough for company according to our standards, making sure the kids put everything away, etc, and the stress that goes with it is almost visible. That is how it is here with us this year. We all help when we can but she often feels like she's doing it all alone. Poor thing. I say, if you have the chance to relax and enjoy the holidays, please do it. Don't put so much pressure on yourself! These holidays come and go whether we are stressed out or not!! And most times, they are enjoyed by all (except the frazzled host and hostess!!). However, I do cook a mean turkey and we're looking forward to that. We're having our Thanksgiving on the Saturday after the holiday, which should make my daughter happier ... she has more time to get things done ... but she says she has more time to stress out! Hahaha. Poor thing.

Speaking of cooking ... I've been on FIRE lately with mosaic creations and other fun things In The Studio. I finished the mosaics for my folks and decided not to try to frame it with one of my handmade frames. I need to work on those more, to make them sturdier before placing one-of-a-kind handmade mosaics gifts in them. I know my Dad has tons of frames he's gathered over the years. I'm positive he'll find one to fit this mosaic. I'm going to add some ribbon tape around the edges so it doesn't cut fingers when handled. But this is, in my opinion, almost ready to wrap up and gift! Yay!

My Step-Mom, Patti and my Dad, Lew in mosaic

The small frame I made using cardboard is coming along nicely. The R&D it takes to get something like this done is very time-consuming but once I reached the cementing part of the frame, I discovered how much I really love the look without a mosaic over it.


I love the look of the cement here - it was placed in plastic to slow the drying time down a bit to prevent cracks - it's so cool!

The glass and my doodle art are not yet attached to it but I had to see how it looked against the earthy, industrial look of the cement frame. Did I say: I LOVE it??!! I will have to work on the back part and stand to make sure it can hold the weight of cement and eventually the weight of a mosaic. More will be made, that is for sure.



This has some gesso primer painted on the board and the stand has plaster cast strips on it. Not yet attached. I want to work on toughening up the cardboard backing, possibly adding more cardboard to it in a few layers to make it less flexible and more sturdy. Then I want to paint it. The stand will probably be painted and no cement on it either but if I need it for weight distribution, adding cement to the stand will do that. Stay tuned ...

I recently got new wheels for my glass nippers and some pretty glass tiles and ball chain from the last sale I had. I had a burst of energy and got this gazing ball made in a day (12 hours exactly from start to finish, so far) using all new glass. A real treat for me because I use scraps all the time for almost everything I do. Unfortunately not being used to new wheels, I have cuts all over my fingers from the glass. I'm not used to the sharpness of glass!! I didn't realize how bad the wheels were until I discovered I couldn't cut a tile in 1/2 any longer. I knew it was past time to get new wheels for the nipping tool. My fingers have been sliced and diced!! Yikes!! I must keep new wheels and maybe a new pair of nippers on the wish list.

In any case, I really do think this gazing ball is gorgeous (my DNA is hidden but it's definitely on here!). Well worth the few days it'll take to heal all the cuts from the glass on my fingers. I'm very happy with it.


6 inch gazing ball waiting for grout - will be listed soon

I finished up the "Phases" vase, the shabby chic mosaic glass bottle and both Snow Dudes. They are now listed along with a mosaic frame called "energy". Check them all out below (click on the links to take you right to them in the shop).

Mosaic Moon Stained Glass Vase - Moon Phases - 8 Inches - $85.50

Mosaic Bottle with Cork - Ocean, Shabby Chic, Beach Cottage Decor - 4 Inches - $37.10

Mosaic Snowman Wall Hanging - Flower Power Snow Dude - 10 Inches - $37.10
Mosaic Snowman Wall Hanging - Peace Snow Dude - 10 Inches - $37.10

Mosaic Photo Frame - Stand Alone - Green - Energy - 9 x 7 Inches - $37.10



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

Cindy

Monday, November 23, 2015

Promo Blast!

I was looking through my Storenvy shop the other day and realized I had a lot of nice gift ideas for those who are hard to buy for. Focusing just on home decor this morning, here are a few gift ideas for the upcoming holidays. A few make great hostess gifts.

These are good ideas all throughout the year, not just a holiday! Great ideas for those who have just gotten married and for new homeowners any time of year. Check it out!


Top row: Stand Alone Stained Glass Mosaic Art - 7 x 9 Inches - $74.90, Coasters in Tangerine and Lime, Set of 4 - $48.40
Bottom row: Hand Painted Wooden Napkin Rings - $25.00, Mosaic Star Candle Holders - Set of 2 for Tapered Candles - $53.70

Make your holidays special and give the gift of handmade mosaics.

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

Cindy

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

In The Studio - Part One

I'm fairly sure there's a whirlwind around this studio this week that is visible from at least 100 miles away! I've grouted, nipped, cut and created quite a bit and need to keep going!!

I shared the vase "Phases" last week but have some new photos of it (still waiting for glue to dry) that I want to share here. The Camera Goddess has been awesome!



The Mid-Century Modern Kitties vase looks great! It's still waiting for glue to dry as well but I'm really diggin' how it looks! All four sides have a different color Mod Kitty on it and the area around them is filled with really groovy scrap glass pieces. I'm looking forward to finishing it with grout and some paint to bring out the awesomeness of the kitties.





I am almost finished grouting my Snowmen. I have to do their hats in black grout and then get their hangers attached. Aren't they cute?




I took some great shots of the Small Stained Glass Corked Bottle yesterday in the sun. Oh my, it's gorgeous!! I have to clean the frosted glass I used on the top section a little bit with some vinegar to get the grout completely out of the glass pieces but other than that, this will be ready to get listed very soon.




And finally ... the "Super Secret Mosaics Laboratory" has officially opened for the holiday gift making. I believe it's cool to share what I made for my Dad and Step-Mom here as they don't read my blog, I don't think. Even if they do, I know they will enjoy it more once it's grouted and I've made a frame for it.


Here is the original photo I used for inspiration.



I have been playing with cardboard and made a small frame (not yet built but the pieces are made - see photo below) and I'm going to give it a test to see how it works out by covering it in plaster cast strips and putting a mosaic on the top part of the frame. It's been amazing how many videos on YouTube you can find about such things. Between it and Pinterest, I found exactly how to make a cardboard frame. Woo-hoo!

Here's a small frame I'll be working on first to see how it goes. Exciting stuff!! Doesn't look like much at the moment but it will become a cool mosaic frame for a doodle of mine if it goes as planned. Fun!!


Once I get used to making a few of these, I'm going to attempt to make a frame that will hold a mosaic. I'll share the results when I do!

Yesterday I shipped out the custom vase I made recently. I really love how a simple design can make such an impact. This is one beautiful piece of mosaic art. I'm quite proud of it! I hope the customer loves it!!



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

Cindy

Monday, November 16, 2015

Promo Blast!

The holidays are coming! Today I'm sharing a beautiful vase that is holiday-inspired. Glass in green and red, with a ribbon design on it, this is sure to make any occasion sparkle!

Holiday Mosaic Stained Glass Vase - Green and Red - 7 x 3 inches

This is such a pretty mosaic vase. From top to bottom this holiday-inspired mosaic is filled with hand cut pieces of stained glass in shades of green. A ribbon design in red is placed around the vase.




The colors are perfect for the holiday season but pretty enough to stay out on your table or shelves all year long. The light play from sun or candlelight is intense and truly quite beautiful. Grouted in light charcoal and sealed.




We love useful and decorative art. Perfect!! This vase is handmade with love and one of my favorite mosaic decor items to create and give.

DO NOT SUBMERGE IN WATER.

Measures 7 x 3 inches 



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

Cindy

Friday, November 13, 2015

In The Studio - Part Two

I finished up "Phases" the vase I was working on a few days ago and started on a new vase!

"Phases" waiting for glue to dry so it can be grouted.

Fun kitty-inspired vase

I mentioned last month that I was going to work on making a mosaic bra. I've put that aside for now, because I have a few supplies to purchase before I can make it the way I know it needs to be made.

Meanwhile, I was thinking about all the doodle art I have laying around here and how much I'd like to make some frames for them and get them listed for sale. Putting on the thinking cap and using only what I have available to me, without spending any additional money, can be a challenge. However, it's never stopped me from thinking about what I can do and how I can do it.

I have a LOT of cardboard boxes and pieces here in my small space. I know if I cover cardboard with plaster cast strips I can mosaic it. I've done it. BTW, I now have grout I can use to finish that little cardboard box house off with! I have a nice pile of things to grout this weekend. I think I'll add it to the pile.

Soooooo ... making frames using cardboard and plaster strips is the new project currently in the research & development phase.


I'm expecting a lot of trial and error and anticipate the first few will be "just okay". But meanwhile, trying to figure out exactly what to do and how to do it, is so much fun!


Top layer is cut out, middle layer has the doodle and glass and another layer under that will hold a hanger of some sort (still working on it but I do have an awesome idea, so fingers crossed it works!). My goal is to have all 3 layers become one piece, which means the doodle cannot be removed. The top layer will get a mosaic, the back will be finished in some way not yet sure what but it will have plaster strips on it too, so it'll have to be covered with material if not glass.

The holidays are creeping up on us fast! I have no idea yet what I'm making for the g-kids and extended family's children this year. I'd better think of something soon! Over the past few years I've had my grandson make gifts for everyone he knows (adults mostly) but this year I have an idea of my own to give my Dad and Step-Mother. In addition to something he may make them, I'm going to make something too. As soon as the vase is finished up, I'll start working on that.

I am still waiting on the customer to let me know how many switch plate covers they need so I can complete that order, but in the meantime, I have a lot to keep me busy! I just got a nice amount of 4 inch square coasters in MDF to play with. Yay!! New mosaic coasters will be created very soon!! Woohoo!!

REMINDER: If you are interested in ordering something custom made specifically for the holidays from my shop, do it now! There are only 2 more weeks to order something. I won't be accepting any orders for the holidays after November 25th.

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

Cindy



Wednesday, November 11, 2015

In The Studio - Part One

Inspiration has taken hold and I've been doing some work!

I've gotten a few new supplies in and started work immediately on the custom ordered vase.


Gorgeous colors. Life is easy when there's so much beauty around me!


The vase is sitting, waiting for glue to dry. It will take approximately a week, maybe longer, before it's ready for grout.

So I went next to a square vase because I've got a few designs in my head for vases and need to get it all out!


Two sides are finished so far. This is called "Phases". I have a lot of dark blue scraps in stained glass but not enough to cover an entire vase. So my solution was to use different shades, all in blue for the section above the orange and all dark purple for the bottom section (all the same on each side). I like it so far!

I'm still waiting for information and decisions to start on the switch plate covers for a customer, which means I get to play continuously with other things until those decisions have been made! Yay!

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

Cindy