In The Studio - Wednesday

A few weeks have passed since my last post and I'm not much more settled in than I was then, truthfully. I seem to be mostly in hibernation mode for the winter. I've been handing mosaics to the fam to be placed here and there. I'm grateful to have a place to share my mosaics and in a home that appreciates art so much. It's a wonderful thing!

The Mosaic Muse is sleeping peacefully, slowly stretching her wings, not yet ready to wake up.

The Camera Goddess is wide awake however. I've been taking photos of the area around me, mostly from the porches and am so pleased with the results. I LOVE it when the Goddess is awake!

The weather has been either cold and/or very wet from rain and my bones are just as happy staying in a warm space.

I've been considering what to do and how to do it in this room so I can maximize the space I have available to me. I won't be able to do much or what I see in my head until I've paid off the debt I started the fund raiser for. That will be close to summer time in May or June.

But I am still going to mosaic; as I already feel a slight tug to order more glue since it never made it here with me. I will be working on the fund raising rewards soon so that requires gathering a small amount of cash in the next few months to get the supplies I need to make those. I only need a few things which is great for the budget. I'll be using my bed, a box to hold the glass and other fun things I like to use when I mosaic and watch Netflix with a kitty purring at my feet.

Just because I don't have the dedicated studio space set up, doesn't mean I'm not dedicated to creating. I recently found my doodle pad and a pencil, so I am drawing a little bit. Woo-hoo!

Mostly I'm resting, still looking through boxes that line the hallway toward my room. Not even a small portion of boxes I showed here in the last post when I was packing up have made it to me yet. Those, I truly hope, made it to storage and weren't left behind.

I've had to give up a lot during this move. Just stuff, but still ... my stuff. Pretty sure those wonderful old mosaic stained glass windows I made were left behind due to time restraints and not having the room in cars and vans that were used to transport all of our belongings from one place to the other. My kids, bless their hearts, did what they could to get me in a safe environment and settled enough to be taken care of but I had to let go of so much. I'm in mourning, understandably, for the art I am missing and will be very surprised if I see most of what I am missing ever again.

Art ... so much art ... supplies, clothes. They tell me a lot is still in storage and safe but they don't know exactly what. When I ask about a specific thing, they don't really know if they saw the box, if it got into storage or if they had to leave it behind. I believe this is the Universe's way of telling me to truly start over, fresh, one must cut all ties of the past. Once I am at peace with the loss, I can continue to create new art and feel the renewed excitement once more.

The fam as a whole is now starting to get settled themselves here in our new home and blending in with the rhythm already established by family already living here and who opened their home up to us. What a blessing.

It's been a nice adventure so far, a welcome one. I like learning that I'm not the only elder, no longer alone in my dreams of an artist's life and finding kindred spirits in the young ones as well as the ones older than I am. We've all known each other since before my daughter had my grandson and got along really well. Now we are together every day and have started a few new traditions. One was creating a talking stick and a Gratitude Jar.

Photo credit: Siobhan Comisky

And with the New Year came some new opportunities, with a new job for my daughter's fiance, whom I refer to as The Big Man in his field of expertise --- something he's been struggling to find for almost a year since he was laid off. And night school is continuing for my daughter and of course she's still working too. It's a struggle for her ... makes it hard for her to raise a family, work and be in school, but she's done it so far and I'm very proud of her for it all.


We are all getting the nurturing we need. I only see bright skies ahead for everyone as a group and individually. I'm happy I have food to eat, companionship when I need it, quiet time when I need it, comfort of hot/cold running water. The basics are taken care of and the creative spark will continue soon once more, I'm positive.

Life is good!

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

Hello 2017!! I'm happy to meet you!! I'm so glad the New Year is here!!!

We've moved and I'm slowly finding mosaics that were listed on Etsy. Some are still missing but I'm hoping to reopen my shop in February although originally I said January. I am not ready. Hopefully, no matter how many items are in it, I will be ready on February 6th. I will give a shout out to everyone here on the blog and social media sites to let everyone know when I return.

Here is a portion of what was packed.

Honestly, much is still missing or has been put in storage. I'm hoping I will be reunited with all of it eventually but it is likely some things got left behind. No matter how much you plan, some things, when they are out of your hands, have to be let go.

Above is what my room looked like as I was moving in. And the hall right outside the door has a long line of boxes as well. Most are now unpacked but have just been replaced with more to go through.

I love this window! The view is amazing.

taken from the porch under my window

The kitty is settling in.

Sadly, a few plastic trays that I put mosaics on did not make it.

But happily, the microwave plates I put stained glass on made it just fine. As did the hummingbird privacy panel.

The family is all together. Multi-generational, from both sides of my grandson's family. There are dogs, cats, young adults, new babies on the way, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I see a lot of memories to be made here. Lots of fun and happiness too! And PS ... isn't the wall color perfect?! They painted it especially for me, picking a color they thought I'd like. They did a great job, don't you think?

I'm not yet sure where the studio side of the room will be, how I'll set it up, or when it'll be set up. I do know although initially I was to be in a bigger room, the room I've been given is wonderful. Warm, welcoming and there is enough room to do what I love to do. I have no complaints!

As I figure things out here, I'll share with you all. I hope you'll come along on the journey as I discover new sights and inspiration along the country road.

Enjoy the moments.

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 - 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 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 Two

Yesterday I started working on a new mosaic.

These dish tiles are dark blue although they look black here. The stamp on the back calls this design "Country Cupboard". The shape is one of 4 cutting boards I asked my Dad to donate to the mosaic cause he had made in the 1950's.

I love these dishes and their flower design and have used them in mosaics in the past.

All 3 of these mosaics are available through Storenvy.

The fun thing about working on this particular mosaic is sharing it online and having it sold before it got further than what you see above. I LOVE when that happens!

My daughter and son-in-law from IL came to visit us this week. I shared photos on Facebook of the fam and one of the most unflattering photos of me I've seen in the longest time. Triple chins and exhaustion aside, I'm sitting next to 2 people I love and my 7 year old Grandson took the picture, so what can I do? I must share.

The "Doodle Fairy" is still with me. I'm going to save this one for the new pens headed my way today.

I'm diggin' it!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy