Throwback Thursday - Custom Work - Mosaic Sun, February 2014

This mosaic sun was created in early 2014. I think I'll let the photos tell the story.

“Bohemian Blue” 9-1/2 Inch Mosaic Sun Stained Glass Wall Art

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 - Friday

I've been working on the custom order for the past few days.

I cut up all the letters and discovered my hand was hurting really badly once I was finished. I had a repetitive thing going but didn't slow down or stop for any of the letters until they were completely cut out by hand. Once I get into the zone, it is so hard to stop.

I cut up some stained glass and added it around the edges of each letter while waiting for my hand to heal a bit.

I have been enjoying the patchwork design I've given these letters.

Working late until the sun sets is not unusual when I get into the zone. Like I said, it's hard to stop! These letters are getting some mosaic magic in record time.

 

"H", "E", "M" and "A" are all sitting in the to be grouted pile.

"C", "I" and "L" are just about finished!

Just in time to start work on the gift I'm keeping under wraps until it's been given. And who knows, maybe some grouting will get done before the end of the weekend. It could happen!

Enjoy the moments!

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

In The Studio - Wednesday

I'm back playing with glass and grout this week after a long absence and it feels great!!

I started off the week with some grouting. Getting the Custom Ordered Celestial Set grouted was a wonderful feeling. I have touch ups still to do on these, a little more grout here and there, a little more cleaning. But they are looking really good.

Starting with the stars, I added my fav "Starry Night" grout to each one.

It's always so much fun to completely cover the tessarae up and then slowly clean off the grout to see it shine once more.

After these were finished, it was time to tackle the sides of the sun and moon. The moon was easy but the sun ... really the opposite.

Cleaning off the tiles around the sies of the sun was very challenging. I used cotton swabs at one point to get the grout cleaned off a little bit in the small areas where my tools and fingers just wouldn't go. It was worth it, however. Just look at that shine!

I got the "M" grouted for my grandson and gifted it to him for his 9th birthday. He loves it!

I have another custom order to start next for the same customer who ordered the celestial set.

The name "Michael" is completely cut out now and I'll share the progress of how it's going on Friday. The light wasn't with me yesterday afternoon so I couldn't get a good photo.

I'll also be back at it this morning with more grouting. It might take each morning this week to get all the grouting finished of things I've got waiting in the pile, but I'm okay with that.

I'll be doing a "Super Secret Mosaics Lab" project this weekend. Can't share that until the mosaic has been gifted (within the next month) but I'll definitely share it.


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

In The Studio - Part One

The grouting sessions have begun for the small 4 x 4 inch artist blocks I put mosaics on. These 10 blocks are going to different parts of the US in August from PA, KY, FL, TX and PR just to name a few. I'm thrilled to see them coming to life.

Each design is different in the center and I'd like the recipients to be surprised by what they see when these arrive. I will share a photo of what each center design looks like once I know the recipient received their block. The sides are all done in scrap glass for all 10. After I took this photo I got out the cleaning and scraping tools and went to work getting rid of the grout shown here in places (like the orange and white millefiori circle, for example).

I'll be grouting and cleaning for the entire month of July. Each day is different for me due to pain management. On days when I think I can grout and clean, I will do as much as I can. Then I rest for a few days. It's amazing how much mobility and strength I've lost over the winter and spring months.

I've finished and sent out the custom ordered peace sign!

after grouting - what a beauty!

the sides were covered in tiles and grout too

after painting sides and back and adding the D-ring

It was a complete joy to make this mosaic and I was a bit surprised by my sadness once I packed it up and shipping it out yesterday. I'm sad to see it go but happy it's headed to its forever home. Mourning the mosaics I make is not unusual but it doesn't happen often. And always takes me by surprise.

I worked on a scrap glass mosaic peace sign last week. Once grouted, it will be added to the online store.

10 inch scrap glass mosaic peace sign

I grouted the mosaic I made of the umbrella using cut up bits of doodle paper under glass. It came out really great. I like it!

This will eventually get added to Storenvy as well. Woo-hoo!

I also have 2 extra 4 x 4 inch artist blocks and I pulled one out to work on the other day. I grouted that and got it painted. I need a good camera day so I can list this one. Hopefully that will happen when the sun comes out again.

Flash photography isn't my favorite but it does show the different blue and white dish tiles I used in this. I used the chintz design and blue willow design along with orange stained glass. The design has a Japanese Maple leaf look to it, although I had no plans for that when I started. I LOVE when that happens!!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

There's always something going on, In The Studio. This week I'm doing small things waiting for some grout I ordered online to arrive to finish up the custom order.

Here's the small pile that's quickly turning into a large pile of mosaics ready to be grouted.

Two were pulled from this pile to grout and are shared below. I discovered two others to add to it, however! No pictures of these at the moment, but the cardboard house mosaic I made a while ago and the very large flower power sphere both need some grout.

I love this star wall art! Made with stained glass and mirror, swirls in nano ceramic tiles. 

An old PS2 has been turned into art that will probably always be a family treasure.

I put tiles along the outer edge of the custom ordered peace sign. Now it waits for grout to arrive.

Every day this week we have thunderstorms or rain. No wonder I no longer sleep. It's been a very painful week between arthritis, sciatica and a muscle spasm.

One of my recent drawings in ink and marker. Waiting for the perfect frame.

Waiting for grout: 3 inch star, 6 inches each moon and sun wall art - will be sold as a set

Also waiting for grout: 6 inch rocket ship.

#20 cross of 25 crosses. I started this challenge over 2 years ago. Interested tidbit of info - the biggest seller in crosses is the scrap glass ones. I guess I'll make a few more of those with the last 5 I've left to mosaic.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

Promo Blast!

Did you see it?!! Did you see the newest listing for a Custom Made, Made to Order, 10 inch Peace Sign?!! After all these years, I'm finally offering them up as a listing. Over the years, the peace sign has become one of my favorite shapes to mosaic and I try to have one or two available to work on to list in the store at all times. Here's something that many have taken advantage of and is now offered up to all my lovely customers.

Mosaic Peace Sign - 10 inches - Custom Made To Order - $185.00

Who doesn't love the peace sign symbol and what it stands for?

I've put mosaics on this shape and sold them for about 6 years. Now we offer a custom made peace sign especially to fit your needs and color choices.

8 inch and 10 inch peace signs

Measures 10 inches and is offered in the traditional circle design and the square design while available through the supplier.

Want your very own peace sign using some broken china you may have or a favorite color in stained glass? I can take your broken china and mugs to make them into forever keepsakes giving something old a new purpose once more.

A broken earrings and a little bit of ball chain help add interest to this retro peace sign

These photos show some of the peace signs I've done in the past and does not represent exactly what you will get when ordering. Each mosaic I make is slightly different due to supplies and materials on hand. No two are alike making your custom order the actual definition of one-of-a-kind wall art.

A fiesta of color for the kitchen!

Place them in any room in your home. Past customers have placed them in their kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, guest room, covered porch.

Gift your favorite hippie with a beautiful work of art made especially for them.

These can be made using dish tiles or stained glass and mirror. Often a combination can be used as well. Broken jewelry as a focal point, if you have something to use, can be added.

The most unusually shaped peace sign I've made to-date (this particular one is still available and for sale in my shop however you can order a square one of your very own)

Please read: Made to order mosaics are not eligible for a refund or exchange. I work very closely with each customer, sharing photos as I go of the progress. Before I start I will make sure you are happy with your choices.

Half of the cost is used entirely for materials and supplies needed for your mosaic peace sign.

Want to work on a layaway program? No problem. We can work out monthly payments until it's paid-in-full. Need to have the amount split into 2 payments? I can send you monthly invoices through PayPal. No work will begin until the custom is entirely paid.

Contact me for further questions and information.*

I love making peace signs. Each one I do is filled with love and lots of good vibes.

There are different sizes available: 8 inches, 12 inches and 18 inches. Please contact me for pricing information if you're interested in one of these sizes.

*FREE SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ORDERS!! Order 2 or more custom peace signs, get FREE shipping within the US.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy