Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!

This is such a wonderful time of year. Busy, hectic, memorable.

For me this year, I'm not really in the holiday spirit but I'm okay with that. We are packing up for a move happening before the end of December. Everything is packed or pushed around waiting to be placed in boxes.

I'll be away from all of my online shops and a lot of social media activities on a regular basis starting this Sunday, December 11th and won't be back until January 4th. Please, if you're considering buying a mosaic from my shop as a holiday gift you have until December 11th to assure it'll be found (most of the mosaics from the shops are likely already boxed up) and shipped out in time for the holidays. After December 11, 2016, I won't be shipping anything out again until 2017.

I'll definitely need some time to find all the mosaics that have been lovingly packed once we get to our new home.

One small area on the studio side getting packed up about a week ago.

What time is normally reserved just for family, is now being split between daily life routines and sorting through treasures. I'm not making gifts this year, I just didn't have the time. Everyone I gift to, either lives with me or knows what's going on in my life. I don't think anyone expects a gift.

We're moving to a rural area within Bucks County, PA. I'll be in one large room for the moment with many windows and bright light streaming through. I'll have room to create and to live within the same space like I have now only twice as big with more space to spread out.

Part of the view I'll see from one window. I'm looking forward to taking many photos as the seasons change.

Another view I'll see often. Not too bad, huh?

We have a Green Man keeping watch over us.

There will be a kitty with me too.

This is Baby. We are fostering her for her Mom who has fallen on hard times. Hopefully she'll enjoy all the windows in my new room as much as I do. She should be entertained for hours watching birds flutter by from the trees.

Life couldn't get much better. I'm very blessed and grateful for family who offered their home and made room for us all. My daughter and her family will be with me too. We're moving in with Little Dude's other set of Grandparents, so he'll have his Mom-Mom, Pop-Pop and his Nana too, all under one roof. How cool is that?!

My daughter and fam will have a small room for the moment but it is only temporary. Our family will be building an apartment for them some time next year. We'll all be under one roof, in our own separate spots, in the comfort of support and like-minded people. It's a wonderful new adventure and I'm looking forward to it!

As for the fund raiser, you may remember I opened one to help with an old debt. My Social Security Retirement Benefits started at the end of last month and I'm now able to make payments on my own. It doesn't leave me with much but I don't need much at the moment. The debt should be paid off completely in April 2017. What a relief! I want to thank all those who contributed, and will be in contact with you all soon about your mosaic rewards. They won't get worked on until the new studio is set up and ready to go next year.

I'll be back, after January 4th, to share our moving adventures and some new photos of my new studio space as soon as I'm able.

Thank you all for supporting me through the all the highs and lows life throws our way. Amazingly enough, I exceeded my expectations with sales through Etsy since re-opening in September. I am positive next year will be a stellar year of many sales and much creativity. I hope you'll share it all with me when I write about my adventures here.

Have a very Happy Holiday and Happy New Year!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics
  

Let's Go Shopping!

This past month I've tried to show some of my favorites I've found on Etsy. It's been so much fun to share new shops, have these folks get to know each other and of course see what I do as well.

We are in the midst of a move and I'm packing a little bit every day (no studio time at the moment either) using the time I'd normally use for blog posts. Now until the end of the year, my posts will be hit or miss due to packing and I might not have internet access for a day, a week or a month.

Sadly, for the moment, dedicating time to virtual window shopping is at a minimum and writing posts may become more difficult within the next few weeks.

Having said that, I have made up a small collection of items from my own shop. I will definitely do more collections from other shops once more as soon as the dust settles after our move.

Click here to go to my shop. I will be stepping away from my shop briefly, not planning on putting it on vacation officially as I'd like to leave it open while we move. Do your holiday shopping now to assure you get your mosaic on time!

Let's connect!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Earth MotherMosaics/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMMosaics

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/eart hmothermos/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/11 4891430568238927351/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artb yearthmothermosaics/

Blog: http://artbyearthmothermosaics .blogspot.com/

Website: http://earthmothermosaics.wixs ite.com/earthmothermosaics

Stop by and shop:

--- ETSY --- AFTCRA --- STORENVY ---

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics
  

In The Studio - Wednesday

Things are slowing down a bit, as is always expected after a flurry of activity here In The Studio. I am still working on something however and can share it.

Using the word "flurry" above was not by accident. I'm thinking winter themed items right now. Although no one likes the cold, including me, I do love snow.

Here is "Let It Snow" still a WIP or work-in-progress.

The best part about this is as I work on it, with nothing really set in stone, I start to imagine how to continue with it. I only knew when I started that I wanted these 3 things on the mosaic.

The glue is still wet in the center where the words are but I put glitter and tempered glass on that part. Fun!!

I have noticed a few large sections in the center that need more tempered glass added to it as the glue dries. But the snowman is perfect and is really cool looking!

Once I continue with this, I'll work on the tree, then do some vines and flowers, maybe around the whole thing. There is another piece of glass that will go behind this one inside the frame. What I'm doing with that piece is not yet clear but I have a few ideas. The end result should give it a layered effect, I hope. If it works out, or even if it doesn't, I'll definitely share here!

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

 

Let's Go Shopping!

I had an enjoyable week off, allowing the creative juices to start to flow once more. The colors of autumn inspire me greatly.

This week, I decided the focus needs to be on woodland creatures. Just because.

This collection is called "It's All About The Owls". Click on the links under the collection to take you to each shop. Give them all a look, a heart or two and let them know they are loved.

It's All About The Owls

Top Row from Left to Right:

robinseggvintageNC - Owl Decor: $21.95

ATwistedThread - Autumn Decor - Fall Decor - Owl Pillow: $25.00

CeramaStudio - Black ceramic mugs Owls Set of 2 cups: $33.86+ 


Middle Row from Left to Right:

CosmicPrint - Wall Art Owl: $11+

Artigianalmentelegno - Wooden fridge magnets: $13.36 

grabacoffee - Felt owl hanging ornament: $5.60+


Bottom Row from Left to Right:

BoutiqueBarn - Barn Owl: $35

HempClub - Owl Necklace: $23.50

FreeInTree - Hairfork Owl: $70.00+

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

 

In The Studio - Friday

A little bit ago I was looking out the window at the beautiful leaves in the trees and realized how grateful I am to have an eye for color and design sense to at least a certain degree. My eye was drawn then to the stained glass vases sitting on my windowsill. This, in turn, made me look at my computer where I was editing some photos for my 2nd Storenvy shop which is dedicated to gift and decor items from photos I've taken over the years.

I decided since I'm not doing anything new since the last post from the studio, instead I'd share a pretty collage of items both mosaic and photo items available in my shops on Storenvy and Etsy. Like other collections I've done, use the links under the collage to take you right to the items I'm sharing here. If you like them, share with those you think might also enjoy seeing them.

Shower Curtain and Area rug set: $120 and up depending on size of rug.

Stained Glass Mosaic Coasters - set of 2: $25.50 + shipping

Stained Glass Mosaic Vase: $75.00 + shipping

Lumbar Pillow - Available in 3 sizes: $33 and up depending on size.

Sometimes working in the studio means taking and editing photos for a few days of the things I'm getting ready to list for sale online. Photography, creativity, art ... it's all wrapped up in a work day for me. Life can be so full of wonder! Look at the photo I decided was the most awesome from the photos I took of the leaves on my tree in the morning while the sun was shining. Isn't it amazing?

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

 

 

In The Studio - Wednesday

Can you believe it?! I am all caught up with grouting my mosaics! Yay!! That hardly ever happens!!

The glass vase is filled with purple, pink, green, white and black glass. The tree pot looks awesome and I'm so happy with how they both turned out. Both will get listed soon.

So now I had a little time to start a few small projects and start a fresh "to be grouted" pile.

The top is a small piece of holiday art. A silver mirrored star with red glass around it. There's a hanger on it which means it can be added to a wall or a door for decoration purposes.

The blue and white piece is more challenging to figure out, isn't it? The circle in blue (painters tape) is a mirror and the cup at the center of the base is for a tapered candle. I would like to add a hanger to this as well. Still not sure. I have 2 more of these wooden candle holders to play with. Each will probably be different.

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

 

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+

balanced

Dark Blue Dot Long Bar Dangle Earrings: $42

ChristCenteredForge

Hand Forged Copper Bird Bath: $600

 
Middle row from left to right:

ConcreteAlphabet

Concrete and Copper Mini Succulent and Cactus Pots: $13.12

CopperGardenStudio

Copper Garden: $285

ElectricCrowns
Copper Wire Strand Fairy Lights: $10.73


Bottom row from left to right:

Element83

Sun and Moon Bracelet: $89.99

MintyWares

Copper Dish - Shallow Bowl: $26.47

Rozeantique

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

smallimpressions

Oil Painting: $30.00

clayswan

long ceramic tray: $32.00

Middle Row from left to right:

LeLuni

"Big Lime Green Elephant": $52.00

BonArtsStudio

Dragonfly Earrings: $30.00

PoePoePurses

Wrap Bracelet: $6.00

Bottom Row from left to right:

ArtPillow

Throw pillow with abstract art: $30.00+

ssdjewelry

Copper Cuff: $55.00

earthmothermosaics

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

 

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