Weekend Wrap Up

Fun mosaic crafty week but up and down on the personal front. We had some internet hiccups yesterday and although I had a million-trillion things I could do for the 6-7 hours without a way to connect with the world (or the family because the phone went out too) I spent it having a big ole' meltdown.

I have a wish list. I even used a "Wish Upon's" Star Box to keep it in.

I found this wish list yesterday and instead of trying to find how much I accomplished in the years since I wrote this list, I focused on what I hadn't yet done. I had, what one might call, a Pity Party.

It isn't like me to do that; I work hard to stay in the moments, to appreciate where I am, to stay grateful and always feel blessed. I thank the Universe each morning for another day and thank it again in the evening for it all.

But yesterday was a day for the PLOMS. That stands for Poor Little Ole Me Syndrome that a long ago co-worker used to describe her sister who was the saddest person I had ever met. Nothing went her way and she moaned and groaned about it constantly. I didn't like hearing this kind of voice in my head and what's worse, I went with it instead of finding reasons to rejoice in the day.

Today I'm much happier and I updated my wish list because I realized the things I hadn't yet done, minus perhaps 2 of the things on the list, didn't serve my life now. It occurred to me, as I thanked the Universe for another day this morning, that It is so much wiser than I am. Everything comes to us in the way it's supposed to. Everything happens in exactly the moment that it should. The reasons behind not having all of the goals met on the wish list are simple ones. They don't serve a purpose now. The 2 things that are still important on the wish list got added to the new one and that revised list went back into my star box. Wish Upon's were made for those who have a special wish. Wish, Believe, Trust, Receive.

When I pull the list out next time, I will try to do my best to remind myself that not all wishes come true for a reason. To be grateful for everything, the good and the bad, because it shapes the person I become.

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Over at Etsy, I joined in on a fun Weekend Treasury Game for the Strategic Promotion for Success Team. If you have the chance head on over to see the one I made yesterday. 

Orange You Glad It's Friday?

I have 4 mosaics waiting at the crafts table for grout today and quite a few boxes of mostly cookie jars to look through, photograph and list on both Zibbet and Etsy in the weeks to come.

Life is good once you let the sunshine into your heart and be thankful for what you have. I have a lot to be grateful for. Including the gift of creating crafty art. Shine on!

Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics

Trendy Tuesday

I really like my Trendy Tuesday Treasury this week. I hope you like it too.

Trendy Tuesday for 10/15/2013

This week I'm loving neutrals. I think they are the most soothing colors to relax in, sleep around and rejuvenate my happy soul with. Here's a few more delights I found and want to share that aren't in the treasury from Etsy. Next weeks trendy treasury may be dedicated to a spa day. Sounds good to me! Click on each link under the photo to take you right to the shop.

CocoandBubbles

BotanicalLabs

MoomettesCrochet

Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics

Weekend Wrap-Up

It's been a great week! I spent a lot of time this week introducing my blog and mosaics to new people who are part of the month long Ultimate Blog Challenge on Facebook. I think writing a post every day is something I'll only do during the challenge because I truly like having the weekends to concentrate on the creative process and the fam. Not in that order. And too, not much mosaic fun happens when I am at the computer and I miss it. I do a little something during the week but because I am living with my daughter and family, my schedule is dedicated to them first, always. There are days when I just blink in the general direction of the latest project and wish I had the time to play. Weekends are my favorite times to do that and I have to do it in order to have new and fresh things to share.

What this challenge is doing for me is getting my new format a more solid footing. Because I changed it to dedicate each day to something specific, it helps me keep track of what I want to post about. I even write a few posts ahead of time, which is good to do but not always helpful for my Featured Shop posts. I had most of them written the last time I did them and found many items I shared had sold or the person had taken all their items out of their shops. I'd spend time scrambling around trying to find new items to share or would skip ahead and do the next shop on the list. Talk about stress! Sheesh. This time around, I work on each post for a bit over the weekend and add to it during the week. If an item sold in the Featured Shop for that week, it is easier to replace. Whew.

And again I have to say, how thankful I am to have a new computer so that I can do all of these things! I'm feeling so very blessed and beyond grateful. A month or so ago, I wasn't sure I would be able to share anything at all when the old computer started going "belly up".

I have 2 "thank you" gifts to make and send out to the folks who wanted one when they donated to the computer cause. I'm kind of excited about getting them completed and sent out because I am so very thankful for their support. All of you deserve something but many said no need to send one, just know they wanted to help.

I also should thank gofundme.com for making it easy to set up a donation site and sharing it. I highly recommend using it should you need extra help with anything. Many use it for help with unexpected hospital bills or for the chance to gather funds together to head out on a new adventure. It's also used to help many people in need who have no where to turn. My site is still up even though I have the computer, I hadn't met the goal I set for it. I'm leaving it up until the beginning of next year. If anyone still wants to donate please know going forward the money will get saved and donated to a worthy cause I find on the site. And if anyone donates at the Reward Level, you will get a "thank you" gift from me no matter what. Awesome, right?!

I have a great support system with my online family and I love you all. I am sending many virtual hugs to you! Thank you. xoxo

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Below are a few of the new items listed and renewed on Etsy. Have a look!

A new decorative pillow has been added with the holiday theme in mind.

Christmas Star Decorative Pillow Cover

There is also Blank Note Cards using this same Christmas Star design. Perfect for gift giving or using yourself for the upcoming holidays.

Also, a few folks like to give custom made items this time of year. My Mirror Gazing Ball and the groovy Crescent Moon that I have dubbed "Vincent's Moon" (inspired by Van Gogh) are most popular around this time of year. Keep in mind it takes 3-4 weeks to get these made up for you, so give yourself the time you need to order.

6 Inch Gazing Ball - Made to Order

Crescent Moon - 6 Inches - Made to Order

I've listed a brand new item in my shop this week. Drum roll, please!!! Tote Bags! Tah-Dahhhh. Here's one of my favorite photo prints shown as a tote. Don't you love it?!

Poplin Fabric Tote Bag - Available in 13, 16 and 18 inches

ACEOs (art card editions and originals) or ATCs (artist trading cards) are new for me. I've seen many and know many mosaic artists who make some magical mosaics using the ATC sized cards. It seems to be a challenge for me still but I'm just warming up with dots on a few of them and making them into Fridge Magnets. I definitely will be making some mosaic ones soon; these are so fun to make!

Fridge Magnet ATC - Castle - Dot Painting 2.5 x 3.5 Inches

 Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics

Featured Shop for October 10, 2013 - BohoRain

BohoRain

Bohemian Funky Hippie Boho Bags. This is Boho Rain

dark blue hippie corduroy messenger bag

Oh happy me! I found a Bohemian/Hippie shop on Etsy to share this week!

Natalie's shop, BohoRain on Etsy has such an eclectic collection of goodies. From boho handbags to fun and funky vintage decor, there's a lot of cool items in her shop and I love them all!

white lotus flower bowl

If you love the Bohemian/Hippie way of life and enjoy the style as much as I do, head right over to Natalie's shop and prepare to get happy.

Rainbow butterfly pin

As Natalie says herself: "I adore using corduroy, upcycled fabric, vintage fabric, and other unique textiles to create handmade bohemian bags." Her handmade bags are so cool; one can be seen at the very top of this post. Love, love, love the lotus design!! 

vintage floral bohemian bag

Some of my favorite items from her shop are shared here. Click on the link under the photo to take you right to it.

Rainbow mug

vintage brown glass coin holder

How cute is this owl?!!!

In honor of Natalie and her wonderful shop, I've created a treasury featuring items I hope you'll all enjoy checking out. Have a look. The Good Earth

Follow the links below to learn more about Natalie. Don't forget to check out her 'About' page.

Facebook

Twitter

 Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics

In The Studio

This week, in the studio, it's a little slow. Weather has been humid and rainy which slows the drying process of paint, glue and grout. I've been waiting for the glue to dry completely on the coasters that I had planned to grout this past weekend. I'm fairly sure they are dry now, which means I can grout this coming weekend. Hooray!

I was working on the 2 Flower Power mosaics just before the fatal computer crash. I stopped all crafty work to concentrate on the new computer. Here's what they look like this morning.

One side of the mug is finished, the other side still needs work. I had glass on the unfinished side and didn't like it at all, so it's history now. That's when I put it aside giving myself time to love it again.

While I was waiting for the love to return for the above, I started on the owl.

That's as far as I've gotten on them. Hopefully I'll feel the pull towards them again soon.

I did a little prep work on a custom order which I can't share here just yet because it's just a white painted board. The sides will get some thinset on them and then I start in on the actual work. That's when I'll share. :)

I did a goofy drawing on the board I primed and painted the other day. I really don't draw too well but I give myself a break in knowing most of it will be covered in stained glass.

Mirror, tempered glass, glitter, and stained glass will get added here. The colors will be a surprise to me because I know what I want to see, I am just not sure it is what will be when I start working on it.

I'd like to do another board to accompany this one in the same colored background but with a moon and a star hanging from it. That's the plan, anyway.

And I found a great use for the gifted ceramic disks I received recently. I'm making them into magnets! I have to find the ones I did a few weeks ago and add magnets to them ... no clue where they are at the moment. In any case, these are great to give away as thank you gifts to customers.

And those tiny little magnets are super strong! I have to fight with them to get just one. They are going to be used on some of the small crosses I have put aside to mosaic.

I have a lot of mosaic work planned both in pique assiette and stained glass. Now that the computer troubles are behind me, I've found a lack of energy which I know is directly associated with the stress of the last few months' and in particular the computer chaos. I also know I will find my muse energized and ready to go very soon.

I like to work a little bit every day on something crafty. Honestly, some days I spend less than 5 minutes on something and don't get back to anything else for the rest of the day. Other times I wake up, pick up a project and get to work before coffee.

Here's hoping that next week (internet connection willing) I'll be sharing finished photos of the coasters and projects above.

Enjoy your day!

Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics

Promo Blast!

Mosaic Shrine

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. Wow!

Shipping fees include shipping, insurance and handling for the US only. International shipping is available. Please contact me with your location and we'll figure out the fees.

Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics

Etsy News

Because I've joined a blogging challenge for October, I will be doing what I can (internet connection willing) to post every day, even on the weekends. To those who don't know, normally, I like to spend time with the fam and crafts on the weekends but sharing is important too. And I do love to share. The posts won't be long-winded. I know I can get chatty sometimes. Hee-hee.

I'm starting to list pillow covers for Christmas and wanted to share the first one listed this morning.

Christmas Star

Isn't this photo pretty? I've got cards coming soon with the same print. Watch for those.

Please be aware, each item from my photo prints goes to a lab for printing and processing. I have them sent back to me for inspection and ship them off to you. This takes time. I estimate 2-3 weeks but normally it takes about 2 weeks, I am learning. It still means you have to plan ahead a little when ordering. I've noticed some folks don't take the time to do this (I've been guilty of it myself on occasion) but reading over the policies on each description provided in a tab within the listing is a great way to find out important information. Take the time to read it, please, before ordering anything in my shop not just photo printed items to familiarize yourself with them. Thanks!

What a pleasant surprise to see Deb Babcock from BlueSkyPotteryCO, my featured shop from last week, pay it forward in adding my most popular pillow cover to date into a treasury she curated called "Morning OJ". How cool is that?!

Morning OJ

Stay peaceful,

Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics