Organizing the Purple Palace and Downsizing Mosaics Supplies

If things go the way I really hope they do, all of this time spent to get 1, 3 and 5 pound bags of dish pieces (all hand cut) cleaned and organized will be available in a new Etsy shop for a reasonable price. We’ve named them Mystery Boxes. I'll be using flat rate boxes and include that price in the final cost of each bag ordered.

As you can see, these aren't super fancy but GREAT for filling in areas, like these examples below:

I often use white dish pieces to fill in areas around stained glass

 

The background on this one has the bottom rims from cups, bowls and dishes. Nothing gets wasted that way and it gives the mosaic a bit of added interest.

And so, here's the plan ... clean all the dish pieces and weigh them, prepare for the onslaught of sales 😁😂 and reduce the amount of tesserae I have as well as maybe helping someone new to mosaics or someone who just needs a little bit of odds and ends for that background on a stepping stone (I don't have any to share of those but you can find great examples if you search) or flower pots.

Here's the beginning of 20+ years in mosaic making ... lots to gather and clean and maybe, just maybe, might take longer than I think to do it all but I can do a little and that's a great way to start!

YIKES!

This should be about 5 lbs here.

 

When the second shop with these awesome mosaic supplies is up, I'll share here. Meanwhile, feel free to contact me now if you'd like to discuss purchasing a pound or two of these Mystery Boxes.

Do something creative every day!

 

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

Tesserae Tuesday

I started working on a mosaic yesterday. After doing some fixing up and rephotographing a few mosaics I've had listed on Etsy, I decided I needed to do something new. I needed something semi-quick because complicated isn't where my head is at this time. What's better than a mosaic sun?!

A few of the bags were put away and not used for this sun, but I will say the colors I've chosen are making me happy so far and the design just flowed from head to hand to sun.

I love iridescent glass. The sparkle and shine that happens when light hits it, is remarkable. The only color not yet added is the yellow which will go in the spaces near the ball chain. This will be a quick one and will be ready for the "to be grouted" pile by the end of the week.

I'll share more tomorrow for WIP Wednesday.

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

In The Studio - Wednesday

Because I'm working on something in the "Super Secret Mosaics Lab" this week, there are no photos I can share of the process of what I'm making.

I thought about just skipping the post today but instead I've decided I'd use this post as a way to show some things I've done in the past. And to remind those who read this regularly that my Etsy shop will be re-opening tomorrow September 22nd (my 62nd birthday!). I'm happy about that. I have missed the people there, the teams and the treasuries. Hopefully I'll be able to get back into everything full swing without much trouble after being away for over a year. A sale or two would be cool as well. ;)

So here's an example of what a custom order looks like. Over the years, I've listed suns, moons, gazing balls, peace signs and ball ornaments as available custom orders. I've stuck to that combination mostly but do a lot more custom work that isn't shown in any online shops. If you can think of something you'd like to see added to that list, let me know. For example, doing the mosaic letters spelling out a name isn't something I list as a custom order, but when asked, I'll do them. So, if you'd like to order something that isn't listed, just ask! Included in these photos are just a small sample of what I've done in the past few years as custom orders.

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

September Sales Event Starts Today!

Happy September!

I've been recuperating from a recent illness and taking some time off to allow the muse to rest and rejuvenate.

The g-kids are all back in school now and the pace here at home is a lot slower during the day. There are actual long periods of time where there is NO sound at all. It's amazing.

While I was resting, I joined a group on Facebook. The CREATIVE CRAFTWORKS Group is a collective group of handmade artisans. I've just joined and already feel part of their family. It's a wonderful feeling!

The vendors (myself included) are having their monthly Sales Event and I wanted to share the info with you here.

Running from this afternoon, September 8th at 4 PM EST until September 10th, this Sales Event is pretty cool. If you use Facebook, please consider joining the group and visiting the event.

Here's some items that will be for sale created by the vendors in this group.

And here's my contribution!

It's always a great time to shop for someone special or for yourself because you're special too!

Head on over to the Facebook Group and join in the fun!

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

My Etsy Shop To Re-Open --- Coming To You Soon!

Taking some time off this month to reflect and not do much work has been good for me. I really needed to stop and make some decisions about my online presence. And I really, really needed time to recoup from a visit to the Emergency Room due to a bad bout with Vertigo! I'm much better now, but have decided to just relax and enjoy this time away from the madness that creating and clogged up ears due to sinuses/allergies can cause. It's good to recharge the old creative batteries once in a while. Wouldn't you agree?

To take stock in what I'd like to do for my online business from this point was necessary too. What did I want to change? And how did I want to once more grow and flow? I definitely still want to have a dedicated studio space and workshop next year but as far as online business ... what did I want?

First order of business: I decided to re-open my Etsy shop. My 62nd birthday is September 22nd and I think it would be awesome to open it during my birthday week but I'm not sure how that will work out just yet. It's a goal and if it doesn't work out, I'll shoot for October around the same date. After being away for an entire year, I'll admit it, I still miss Etsy!!!

When I decided to close it in 2015, I was hoping for more than Etsy could give me. I was comparing myself to others' shops and trying to do what they did to make sales and it was exhausting. It wasn't me or what my journey was all about. Honestly, I tried everything everyone else was doing and nothing worked for me. I had sales, I offered promotions, I joined every team and shared every item on every social media site I had. Daily for 8-10 hours a day for months. I gave up in frustration because I just couldn't afford to keep it open if I wasn't making any sales. And I was being taken away from the creating part which is a necessary part of my life. I denied my creative muse the outlet it needed and I suffered in all ways because of it. I was in bad creative shape at the end of 2015!

Now that I'm a whole year older and maybe slightly wiser, I realized the things I loved the most about Etsy besides making a sale (always a thrill!!) are still there. I used to LOVE making and being in Treasuries and that feature hasn't changed. I'm happy about that. I enjoyed chatting with team members through Etsy Teams once in a while. They are still available should I want to join in. Etsy changed a lot and as far as I can tell, they are still different than they used to be. But the things I loved about the site have not changed. And I missed that.

My focus on making money from my art has changed. I enjoy selling my work so much and enjoy even more the responses from customers when they receive what they ordered. But what makes me create mosaics? It's because I love what I do.

At the time I closed my Etsy shop, I couldn't keep it open without making sales. I used the money I got to ship items and keep listings renewed. I had no budget. Once sales stopped, I had no revenue to keep it open. That situation will soon change when I start receiving retirement benefits at the end of November. Keeping a light load of listings on Etsy is another thing I will surely do to keep myself within budget because although I will get a monthly stipend, it won't be much until the debt I mentioned in many other posts through GoFundMe is completely paid off (estimate of April 2017).

Knowing that the basic things I loved about Etsy are still there, means I will be welcomed back and will once more enjoy them. Even though I might not make any sales, I also might. And everyone who asks me where I sell my work online ALWAYS says: "Do you sell your things on Etsy?". Now, or soon enough, I can once more say: "Why, yes! Yes, I do!".

I'm not leaving any site where I now sell my work. Etsy will be in addition to the other wonderful sites, including ones I haven't yet tried. I like to find new sites to share my work on and have many I don't promote just because there isn't much different on one site as another. It's mostly the same things on many sites but the people on each site are different and their art is different as well. I like that. Finding new people on each site I sell my mosaics on has always been the most fun. For me, it's about making the art and sharing it. I had forgotten that when I tried to do what others did to make sales. I had forgotten that I make mosaics for me first because I love what I do. I've always said, if I'm not having fun, I wouldn't be doing it. I forgot that for almost an entire year!

I will always make mosaics whether they sell or gather up dust on my shelves. If you like what I create, that's awesome. If you want to buy what I create, I'm always grateful as it will help keep listings active. But it's now not the most important thing. It never really was, but I allowed myself to get caught up in an ego driven race that ultimately I could never win, in any case.

I've been blessed with a gift and I will use it in the best way I can.

I'll keep you all posted on when the shop is officially open once more. Also, those who sell on Etsy now, if you belong to any teams you think might be awesome for me to give a try, please feel free to share or ask the Team Captain's to send me a request. I would love to find some new people to share my work with and get to know them and their shops as well for future treasuries. Thank you!

Meanwhile, check out the banner! It's kinda classy, don't you think?!

My Creative Business Journey

I've put a lot of what I was working on, on hold since I learned about my physical problems. It hasn't stopped me but it definitely slowed me down a little bit. Finding the rhythm to become a healthier me isn't difficult but it put all the energy I had into me and not my business, future or otherwise.

Having said that, after a few months of this new me, I am now ready to tackle some business plans once more.

I am concerned about the financial end of things ... so much so that I actually made myself ill for a few days both mentally and finally physically until I realized what I was doing to myself. How my thoughts were sabotaging all the love I have for mosaics and all the wonderful dreams that are associated with my calling. I have, in the past, sort of shook off these thoughts as a dog does water when he's wet. But these past few weeks have been harder to shake and in hindsight I am assuming I just need time to put all the pieces back together in my brain so I can once more plan and dream. I am concerned about the monthly debt I have to pay with no steady income. I am concerned that without collateral (except my art) I won't find the backing/financial help I need to move forward. I think those are legit concerns but I also think if I stay in that mindset, I will never move forward due to fear.

It's time to start thinking once more about what I want to do. I made a new vision board. This one is just a reminder that I do have favorite words and phrases that I use to pull me out of a bad day. I've named this one "stories" because these are the stories I tell myself over and over again.

In this board, I've shared the other 3 vision boards I've got hanging up, and below that, some of my favorite sayings.

One is from Dr. Wayne Dyer's "Excuses Begone" book. He gives examples of our excuses as to why we can't do things. The excuse is: "No one will help me." The affirmation is: "The right circumstances and the right people are already here and will show up on time." I tried to get that all into the sentence in the board but it wouldn't fit, so I made a brief version that reminds me to stay open to whatever comes along.

My "Wish Upon's" mosaics have the tag line: "Wish, Believe, Trust, Receive" with them. These are small boxes I made that hold the dreams and wishes we always have. Writing them down and putting them in a special box especially for wishes, is why I made them. I don't have any more available but am considering finding a way to make more once I get a little money gathered up for supplies again. It would be great to make up little jewelry boxes with a star on them (the other boxes I made were star boxes with a lid but are sadly no longer being made) like this.

Cool, huh?

The third reminder, is loosely based on Mike Dooley's teachings about the Universe and how we perceive life in general. "The Universe has got your back!" is probably the most accurate thing I could remind myself to keep me in a positive frame of mind. I am reminded that if I focus on what I don't have, or lack, I will get more of what I don't have. Focusing on what I'd like to have in my life, not just money (who doesn't need more money?!) but also a more fulfilling life sharing the love I have for mosaics with others. It is so important to me.

I have come to a crossroads in my business life. What used to work 6 years ago, no longer works. I have done everything right, but the formula no longer works. I have a lot of online shops and venues for selling my mosaics and other art. I use social media constantly. People ooohhh and ahhhh and tell me how wonderful my art is, but very few actually purchase anything. It's time to do something different because what used to work, no longer serves me.

I'm ready to take my mosaics out in public (and me with them even without proper teeth or a happy smile ... it's time to overlook those physical problems and forge ahead) and do craft fairs a few times a year, maybe building to 4-6 within a year. It takes help and money. I have the help, thankfully and gratefully my cousin has offered to take time off from her job to help me for a day when I need it, to man the table and carry the mosaics. My daughter has said she'd help me if I needed it and I might just have a new Facebook friend who will help me too. Anything is possible! My Dad has a table and a tent he uses when they do outdoor events and he might even have a chair or two we can borrow. The first craft fair I found close to me is in August and I contacted the person who is running the show and she told me I can hand her the money for the space on the day of the fair as long as I confirm I'll be there. Now all I need to do is find the money.

Without a steady income, it is difficult to do things like this. Savings is long gone. It's hard to do anything, really. I have been fortunate to live with my daughter and her family for a long time and it's been mostly wonderful and rewarding. Seeing most of my family every day, especially my grandson, is awesome. There are times when I need, for example, a new pair of shoes. I can't buy them. The fam definitely can't buy them for me, they are stretched to the limit. Luckily within the next few months, I hope to qualify for social security retirement benefits. That will at the very least keep me in shoes. But, getting from right now to September (I'm assuming the benefits won't start until I'm 62 but I've yet to call the social security office to find out ... it's on the list to do today!) is difficult.

However ... as far as the business end of life goes, I see nothing but blue skies! I'm about to contact someone I know who works for the Chamber of Commerce in our town. I'm hoping to make a connection through this person to see what my future holds as far as getting a studio workshop open and functioning. Just because I can't see how to do it today, doesn't mean it can't be done!

As Oprah says, one thing I know for sure: the Universe has got my back!

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 having a fun week in the studio. It's nice to just forget my troubles for a while and do what I love to do. There's nothing much else that compares.

I wanted to share a photo of the 3 sets of coasters I made for the "how to" posts I've been writing. They are so pretty all together.

I am also glad I have them handy for the craft fair I want to do towards the end of summer. Fingers crossed it all works out ... it seems to be, so far, so that's a really good sign!

I made a sweet Minnie Mouse for a soon to be 2 year old using a discarded plate and some broken dishes, mirror and a little stained glass.

I also had made some polymer clay words that I wanted to put on the plate, but they didn't really work too well on it. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them until I found a small piece of Wediboard I had painted a design on (some flowers I think) and then covered over in paint because I wasn't happy with the results.

After toying with a few different things, I came up with this.

I put a ribbon through the hole at the top so it can be hung up on a wall. The sides are painted with pink paint and then I dabbed them in mica flakes in gold. Very effective, fast and easy project ... and CUTE!!

Now that the gifts are made, I'm starting work on a custom order. I'm struggling with depression right now so trying to focus on art has become more difficult than it should. However, although there are still a few things I'm mulling over with this one, I can start cutting out the shapes.

So far, I've only managed to get a little bit of work done on it. I'm okay with taking my time and I'm also okay with just doing a little when the emotional things I'm dealing with settle down enough to concentrate on other things.

My own design of a sun ready to be cut.

Cutting Wediboard is really easy but this design takes a little finesse.

The custom will be a sun, moon and stars to be hung on a wall. Once I figure out how I'll do the sides and get hangers, I can start the mosaic magic!

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

 

On A Personal Note ...

This week I'm adjusting to having diabetes and what it means. I'm using a new glucose meter to check my blood sugar levels. I don't like it much yet. It requires a lot of precision on my part to get it just right and I'm still clumsy when I use it. I've wasted lancets and test strips just trying to get one reading and enough blood to draw to get a reading. I didn't think it would be as difficult as it is. I'm hoping by the end of this week, I'll have it down and figured out.

I'm not going to give a review on different meters, I'm really not experienced enough to form an opinion, that isn't the purpose of this post. I will say learning how to use this one definitely takes time. I was not prepared for that because the other meter I used for a week before getting this one was much easier. Probably less precise; it's good to get the best results.

I'm also writing down everything I eat, when I eat it, what I weigh, what my blood sugar level numbers are each day. Granted, I've just started doing this for a little over a week (since I got my first meter) but I think there's a good chance I will keep it going. I like knowing what might be causing the high numbers when I take a reading and I switch each week to a different time so I can see the differences. It's new to me, so I'm vigilant about it all. I recently talked to someone who has lived with diabetes for close to 30 years and they aren't as careful or don't seem to be as concerned as I am. I'm not sure that's something I should do: become complacent about it. I am going to try to continue to be careful and make sure I keep track of it all.

In other personal news, I'm losing a little weight. The medication I'm taking helps with that but I think walking 3-4 times a week, even as little as 5 minutes (most times it is longer, I average about 10-15 minutes), seems to make a difference as well. I love to walk. I take my camera and stop and take pictures of pretty flowers, goofy trees with faces or what look like mythical creatures (my artistic side loves to see things as art) and just enjoying the sun.

Sad faced tree with a wrinkled brow.

A goofy faced totem pole made naturally from cutting branches.

Mythical creature gator-lion-lizard.

Right now I'm having trouble finding the balance between when I'm "supposed" to eat and when I'm actually hungry. They don't always happen at the same time. According to the doctor, loss of appetite is possible with this medication (Metformin) but the nurse at the diabetes center I went to recently said I HAVE to eat 3 meals a day. I find 2 is good enough, thank you. And pushing to eat 3 meals is hard when you really don't want it. NO one is more surprised than I am that I don't want it!! Who have I become?!

Meanwhile, art keeps me happy and so do my family. Not necessarily in that order. I start to stress about the lack of things (mostly money and this debt still hanging over my head from the past and what I've got a fundraising campaign for ... I'm seriously so broke right now, as the saying goes: "I couldn't even pay attention") and I know staying in that stressful state keeps things from moving forward in a more plentiful way. I've had 30+ years of training with meditation and listening to inspirational audios to know that way of thinking (negative) is not productive at all. I learned depression too, is associated with diabetes. I have to work much harder to stay in a positive frame of mind. It's a whole new world.

What I would like to do is start to concentrate on the months ahead a little bit and work on mosaics to do a crafts show in August. I don't know yet how to gather the funds for it, but I know I have to do it. I actually want to do it. That is an unknown feeling for me. I never wanted or felt I needed to do craft shows. Now, with the lack of online sales and the shear volume of art for sale online, I think taking it to the streets is the way to go a few times a year. I seem to have everything in place except for the funds to reserve the space. The person running the crafts show told me I could bring money with me the day of the show. How awesome is that?! I have a few months to find a way to gather it up. A few online sales would be great.

And so, learning about life as a diabetic isn't all bad. It makes me aware of what I'm feeding myself, I'm watching portion control and sugar/carbs intake. There are days I just don't care to look and other days I won't touch anything unless I know exactly how much of what is in it. I think that makes me human.

Tomorrow's post will be the 3rd in the series of "how-to" instructions on making mosaic coasters. It's the last in the series for now. The next posts on Tuesday's will be sharing information on where to buy supplies, what kind of tools to use, and some of my all-time favorite mosaic artists.

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

 

How To Make 4 Inch Mosaic Coasters Using Various Tesserae - Part One

Some of the best fun I have is sharing what I know with others who are truly interested in making mosaics. Over the years I've offered advice, gathered resources, given a few classes and hope to give more classes within the next year or so. Meanwhile, I thought it would be fun to share some basic information here for those who want to give mosaics a try. Starting with something small and working up to harder and more intense pieces is the best way to learn.

This weekly post will be dedicated to learning how to make basic mosaics. Come along with me as I show you how easy and fun it can be.

In this post I've shared the way to make two 4 inch coasters from start to finish using glass and vitreous tiles. It also shows how to grout. The posts following these will show only the techniques on how to mosaic and not grouting information. You can refer to this post any time to refresh your memory on how it is done.

For this project you will need:

• Glass and/or vitreous tiles (I recommend both)
• PVA glue
• Paint brush
• Water
• 2 MDF or wooden coasters
• Sanded grout
• Gloves
• Dust mask
• Wooden craft stick
• Newspaper or plastic
• Clean, dry rags
• Glass nippers (optional)
• Acrylic paint (optional)
• Painters tape (optional)
• Felt pads (optional)
• String or ribbon (optional)

This project is recommended for children 5 and up (young children between 2-4 can make these with adult supervision however I do not recommend they do the grouting process on their own).

Art Level: Beginner
Difficulty: Easy

We'll first start off with some basic information before getting down to the "good stuff".

Terms often used when creating mosaics:

Substrate: The base or backing for a mosaic. This is generally what the tesserae are stuck to.

Tesserae: The plural of "tessera", a name given to pieces used in a mosaic. Originally tesserae were the cubes of stone used in ancient classical mosaics, but now the term is used for pieces of any kind of mosaic material, whether they are ceramic, stone, pebbles, glass or some other substance.

Pique assiette: Pique assiette is a style of mosaic that incorporates pieces of broken ceramics - plates, dishes, cups, tiles - and other found objects into the design. The longer answer, to think about the appeal and expressiveness of pique assiette, must take in ideas of lateral thinking, humor, the art of recycling, and the significance of found objects.

______

The above information was found at The Joy of Shards website. This website has definitions/descriptions on all things relating to mosaics. If you have the time and are interested, it is well worth taking a look: http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/glossary/index.shtml

********

Websites for supplies:

MDF Coasters: I buy them through amazon.com. You can get Darice DIY Crafts Coaster Set MDF Square 6 pack 4 x 4 inches (3-Pack) at a very reasonable price. There's a good possibility you can find the exact same thing in your local crafts store!

Glue: I've gotten all kinds of glue over the years and my favorite is Aleene's Original Tacky Glue. You can find this almost everywhere. All crafts stores carry it and you can order it online in many places. The link I share here is from Michaels. This is water-based PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) glue, not recommended for outdoor projects. When wet it is white, but it dries clear. When mixed with water, it works well as a primer for this kind of project (see photos below).

Glass and Vitreous Tiles: I always get these online through the following distributors. Craft stores carry them too but I recommend, if you have the time, to order them online. You'll have a better selection and often find some really great deals.

There are many places to purchase these but here are a few to get you started:

http://www.mosaicmercantile.com/

http://www.marylandmosaics.com/

Tools: I purchase my glass cutting tools online to get the best I possibly can because I use them all the time. You can find those here:
https://www.witsendmosaic.com/product/108/LEPONITT-G30C-Wheeled-Nippers

They look like this:

If you are just toying with the idea of making mosaics and aren't sure you want to invest in a lot of supplies, your nearest DIY or craft store carry glass nippers. You don't need a glass cutter for this project.

 ********

Let's get started!

1) It's always a good idea to prime your substrate before you begin working on it. You can get primer paint at your local DIY store such as Kilz however if you're only doing small pieces or just not sure you'll be making a lot of mosaics, using the glue/water wash method works really well.

The following photos show you how it's done. We recommend a ratio of 3:1 (glue:water).

Paint the wash on generously and allow to dry. Depending on the weather depends on the drying time. For us here in PA in June, it takes about a 1/2 hour to dry.

Now you can start making your mosaic! Woohoo!!!

Please note: If children are going to be doing this project, and I highly recommend they give it a try (my grandson loves making these), make sure they handle the pieces carefully. Even though tiles are less likely to be sharp, they are made of glass. Just keep that in mind and you will be fine.

2) Gather up your tiles and decide on a design. I like to do an abstract design, fitting in the pieces as I go to fill up the coaster. You can draw a simple design on the coaster if you'd like.

Add a little glue and start putting the tiles down. You have a little leeway with this glue to pick up the pieces and maneuver them.

Lots of beautiful colored tiles from years of collecting! Aren't they pretty?

Continue to fill up the coaster with glue and tiles.

This coaster required a few tile pieces to be cut using nippers.

All finished and ready for the next step!

I painted the back of each coaster before grouting them. You can leave them as they are or paint them after you grout. It's entirely your choice.

3) Let the coaster(s) sit for at least 24 hours before grouting.

Now let's grout!

I use sanded grout that I get from our local DIY store. For these coasters, I'm going to use a tan colored grout.

Besides grout and water, you will need:

• A container with which to mix grout and water.
• A wooden craft stick or other stirring device.
• Gloves.
• Dust mask (recommended).
• Newspaper or plastic to protect your surface.

4) Mix grout and water together slowly getting the consistency of peanut butter or brownie batter.

Following is a group of photos sharing what I do and how I do it.

I use sanded grout that I get from my favorite DIY store, an old plastic container, frozen pop sticks,
 water and a plastic grocery bag.

To prevent grout from getting all over the back of my mosaics, I use painters tape to cover.
 This is only really necessary if you are a bit sloppy (like me) or letting children have some grouting fun.

Put on the dust mask and mix the grout. This photo shows the consistency of grout and water.
 The stick is standing up on its own.  You need to let the grout slack for 10 minutes.
 This is usually when I tape the bottom surface of the coasters. When I'm finished, the grout is ready.

Start adding grout to the mosaic, making sure all the spaces are filled in nicely.

Allow the coasters to sit for about 5 minutes after adding the grout.
 You will see a hazy effect start to happen as the grout dries. Don't panic!! That's a good thing!

When the haze happens it means it's almost time to start cleaning off the grout.
 I use dry cloths to wipe the grout off.

These are looking good! Ready to start cleaning.

This is the first initial cleaning off of the grout. I normally wipe my mosaics with dry cloths 2-3 times within an hour.

Once grout is dry, remove the tape. I like to add felt pads to the bottom.

Wrap them using twine and give them as gifts for special occasions.

Hey ... they work! Yay!!

Please note some folks like to use a sealant on their coasters, to protect the grout. You can find sealant in your favorite DIY store. I personally no longer use it due to health issues. I create my mosaics in a small space not conducive to good air flow/circulation. If you use a sealant please follow the directions and always make sure you protect yourself from fumes!

I hope you've enjoyed the first lengthy "How To" installment. If you have any questions about this project or anything I've mentioned here, please let me know. I'll be happy to help.

Part Two's "How To" will show how to use acrylics, glitter and tempered or crash glass to make a mosaic. Again I'll be using coasters because a small piece of art can have a big impact.

I'll also share a few links of people who inspire me and people who share "how to" information that I keep handy for my own use.

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