Happy New Year!

 I know I'm a little late in my wishes, but I hope 2025 hasn't been too awful for you so far. There's so many changes happening right now.

As always, I take the first 3-4 months away from mosaic making to focus on other things during the new year. Usually I clean the studio; make notes as to what I might need once I begin making mosaics once more. This year was a little different and I'm happy with how it's going so far.

In January, I took a free online class on how to make collage papers. It was an eye-opening experience and one I've fully embraced. I've loved abstract collage for years; even made a few calling them "paper mosaics". Here's an example of one made in 2012 using old business cards.

 After the online class, I started to play with acrylics and different kinds of papers to find what I liked and didn't. That led me to purchasing my first Gelli plate. I'm so in love with this art form and the way to make collage fodder is endless!

Using my old doodles, ink stamped papers and even paper towels used to wipe off paint brushes, I stumbled onto something not only easier on the hands but joyful to create.

 

 

For those who are curious about my mosaic making, no worries. I'll still be making them too. In a few weeks, around the time Spring has appeared on the calendar, I'll be back in the studio to make a few small mosaics for Etsy.

At some point, I'd really love to have enough collage art to sell. It seems I have found an alternative for those bad hand days using the tools to cut glass and tile and still be creative. I'm so grateful for that.

As far as where to sell them, that's a whole bothersome thing for me to figure out. Perhaps I'll open a second Etsy shop once I have enough art to make it worthwhile. My website doesn't get a lot of traffic and I've got mugs, totes and pillow covers available featuring my art and photography and haven't sold a thing. That's fine ... not every one can buy art or items for their home ... but that doesn't mean I won't keep creating. 😁

Sunflower By The Water Throw Pillow

 

Meanwhile, I'm reorganizing the Purple Palace. I just got a lamp for the table (not shown here) and I've upgraded to a higher desk to work on. I used a small card table for years (now next to the desk on the right side wall) but my body wants/needs something more comfortable. A small computer desk fits nicely in this space. I obviously still have a lot to do. I could use some shelves or book cases to hold my supplies. Maybe by summer I'll have it all organized. 😅 Quite a few mosaics hanging on the right side were gifts I've received from other mosaicists over the years. They inspire me. 💜

 All those boxes you see in this photo above are filled with supplies, stained glass and dishes. All should be on shelves and in clear containers for easy viewing. The budget for these things is minimal but possible. Slow and steady ...

Back to collage work: I've started a book with a collage a day for 100 days using papers I'm still making daily. I choose 5-7 papers and use them for 5 days. This is to learn what I like and don't like with textures and papers and designs. Once the 5 days are through, I add the combination to a large canvas panel.

Day 36/100 created 03.01.2025

First canvas panel

 

So much color surrounds me these days. Happy me!

That's what's been happening here in my part of the world. I'll share more collage, more mosaics and doodles too in the months to come.

Enjoy the journey.

 Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

 

In The Studio - Friday

It's been a few months since I've written a post and boy, have I been busy!

I have sold just about all the candle holders I've made for the holidays, much to my delight. Some through Etsy, a few through Facebook before getting them listed. That's always fun! I've also sold a switch plate cover and another large glass plate! They are really selling right now, I only have 2 left! Wow! Below are the items that have sold within the past few months. Happy me!

I have one more candle holder to grout. One more ornament to grout, one more to finish getting glass and mirror on. Hopefully I'll get it all done and listed before it's too late but I'm not really rushing at this point.

I had a nasty cold which kept me from working for about 10 days. I'm back at it and the muse wanted to work on the "Let It Snow" panel I started last year. I go where the muse leads me and I'm never sorry! Check it out!!

Chances are good I'll be back at this panel later this afternoon.

Meanwhile, in case I don't write again for another two months ... I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays from Earth Mother Mosaics

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



Stay Peaceful and Enjoy the Moments.
Cindy, Earth Mother Mosaics

 

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
  

Promo Blast!

Happy New Year!! This addition of Promo Blast! is more of a general announcement.

After pushing mosaics and painted pieces of art around to make room for my almost daily creations of more mosaics and painted pieces of art, I've decided to reduce the prices on most of my items on Storenvy. This is great news for those who have been eyeing a specific piece or two on the site. Yesterday after announcing the reduced prices on my FB Page I made a few sales! Yay! PLUS I got a request for a custom order from my most loyal customer this past year. She is keeping me in art supplies, chocolate and socks. Gotta love that!

Head on over to my shop on storenvy and take a look around. Some of the best deals are in wall art. Many pieces I've reduced by more than half. This mosaic framed mirror, "Finding The Joy", for example was $270.00 and is now marked down to $120.65. Free shipping for those within the US. Woo-hoo!

Finding The Joy

The muse gets grumpy if I don't create mosaics or art every day that I can, which means it's time to reducing prices to make some room for more is the best idea ever!! Almost all items in my shop on Storenvy have been reduced (excludes switch plate covers and jewelry). Check it out!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy