In The Studio - Wednesday

You may have noticed I changed the name of these posts to "Wednesday" and the next, if I have another for the week will say "Friday". I had "Part One" and "Part Two" for a long time but rarely do I manage to do two In The Studio posts these days. Why put a part one when they might not be a part two?? Duh.

I have been busy making a zombie. I do love how this turned out and now I'm working on the frame which will get some cement added to it soon. It didn't turn out exactly as I had anticipated but considering it's only 6 inches with a lot of detail, I'm okay with it. Hopefully the Little Dude will love it!

"Plants vs. Zombies" mosaic - a PopCap game favorite 

I glued on the "vs." on the tiny tombstone from a piece of paper I used as a guide to make the mosaic.

The frame and back piece will get some cement slathered on, then it all gets glued together with hanging gear on it.

I have a small "to be grouted" pile now and I'm quite happy about that. I have slowed up making items for the shops since my focus has been on gifts for the family. This kitty wall hanging and useful trivet will be grouted next. It goes to my daughter and son-in-law in Illinois this holiday season.

The two kitties here on the mosaic represent their furbabies. Aren't they cute?!

I do have a few things in the grout pile for the shop too.

This is a hanging candle holder done in deep purple stained glass. It will be grouted white.

I'm hoping to get some LED lights to place inside. That way there's no chance of a fire should it get knocked over or hit as it's hanging. The fancy blue on top and bottom of this holder is painters tape to help guide the grout for me when it comes time. I had an experience recently where I put tape on the bottom of a vase and it was crooked. It isn't all that noticeable but I am one of those people who walks into a room and sees crooked things on the wall and cringes. I am thinking the Universe is laughing and allowed me to make this vase in this way so that I can get over that touch of OCD to look beyond the less than straight line and see the beauty just as it is. *Sigh*.

I am not sure if I shared these previously, but they are obviously an outlet and switch plate cover set. I don't know why it took me so long to offer up a set instead of individual pieces. Again I *sigh*.

This set will be grouted and listed. I'm fairly sure they will be grouted in light brown.

Remember the large gazing ball I made awhile back? No? That's okay if you don't. I almost forgot about it myself. It's been sitting in a box in a corner for the longest time and I think it's time to come out and be seen!! Flower Power at it's best!! I haven't finished grouting it yet. That will change soon and this too will be available for purchase.

This part is grouted ...

... but turned just a bit and you can see where the grout stops!

It is a beauty, isn't it?! This sphere measures 15.5 inches and has so much tessarae! Stained glass, mirror, glass gems, tempered glass (paint and glitter under it) and dish tiles too. It's really one of those mosaics you need to see in person to appreciate it. Check out this glam shot:

I'm pretty sure I'm going to add my moniker to the bottom of this and use it eventually for business cards. What do you think?

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

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

I'm fairly sure there's a whirlwind around this studio this week that is visible from at least 100 miles away! I've grouted, nipped, cut and created quite a bit and need to keep going!!

I shared the vase "Phases" last week but have some new photos of it (still waiting for glue to dry) that I want to share here. The Camera Goddess has been awesome!

The Mid-Century Modern Kitties vase looks great! It's still waiting for glue to dry as well but I'm really diggin' how it looks! All four sides have a different color Mod Kitty on it and the area around them is filled with really groovy scrap glass pieces. I'm looking forward to finishing it with grout and some paint to bring out the awesomeness of the kitties.

I am almost finished grouting my Snowmen. I have to do their hats in black grout and then get their hangers attached. Aren't they cute?

I took some great shots of the Small Stained Glass Corked Bottle yesterday in the sun. Oh my, it's gorgeous!! I have to clean the frosted glass I used on the top section a little bit with some vinegar to get the grout completely out of the glass pieces but other than that, this will be ready to get listed very soon.

And finally ... the "Super Secret Mosaics Laboratory" has officially opened for the holiday gift making. I believe it's cool to share what I made for my Dad and Step-Mom here as they don't read my blog, I don't think. Even if they do, I know they will enjoy it more once it's grouted and I've made a frame for it.

Here is the original photo I used for inspiration.

I have been playing with cardboard and made a small frame (not yet built but the pieces are made - see photo below) and I'm going to give it a test to see how it works out by covering it in plaster cast strips and putting a mosaic on the top part of the frame. It's been amazing how many videos on YouTube you can find about such things. Between it and Pinterest, I found exactly how to make a cardboard frame. Woo-hoo!

Here's a small frame I'll be working on first to see how it goes. Exciting stuff!! Doesn't look like much at the moment but it will become a cool mosaic frame for a doodle of mine if it goes as planned. Fun!!

Once I get used to making a few of these, I'm going to attempt to make a frame that will hold a mosaic. I'll share the results when I do!

Yesterday I shipped out the custom vase I made recently. I really love how a simple design can make such an impact. This is one beautiful piece of mosaic art. I'm quite proud of it! I hope the customer loves it!!

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

Cindy

In The Studio - Part Two

I finished up "Phases" the vase I was working on a few days ago and started on a new vase!

"Phases" waiting for glue to dry so it can be grouted.

Fun kitty-inspired vase

I mentioned last month that I was going to work on making a mosaic bra. I've put that aside for now, because I have a few supplies to purchase before I can make it the way I know it needs to be made.

Meanwhile, I was thinking about all the doodle art I have laying around here and how much I'd like to make some frames for them and get them listed for sale. Putting on the thinking cap and using only what I have available to me, without spending any additional money, can be a challenge. However, it's never stopped me from thinking about what I can do and how I can do it.

I have a LOT of cardboard boxes and pieces here in my small space. I know if I cover cardboard with plaster cast strips I can mosaic it. I've done it. BTW, I now have grout I can use to finish that little cardboard box house off with! I have a nice pile of things to grout this weekend. I think I'll add it to the pile.

Soooooo ... making frames using cardboard and plaster strips is the new project currently in the research & development phase.

I'm expecting a lot of trial and error and anticipate the first few will be "just okay". But meanwhile, trying to figure out exactly what to do and how to do it, is so much fun!

Top layer is cut out, middle layer has the doodle and glass and another layer under that will hold a hanger of some sort (still working on it but I do have an awesome idea, so fingers crossed it works!). My goal is to have all 3 layers become one piece, which means the doodle cannot be removed. The top layer will get a mosaic, the back will be finished in some way not yet sure what but it will have plaster strips on it too, so it'll have to be covered with material if not glass.

The holidays are creeping up on us fast! I have no idea yet what I'm making for the g-kids and extended family's children this year. I'd better think of something soon! Over the past few years I've had my grandson make gifts for everyone he knows (adults mostly) but this year I have an idea of my own to give my Dad and Step-Mother. In addition to something he may make them, I'm going to make something too. As soon as the vase is finished up, I'll start working on that.

I am still waiting on the customer to let me know how many switch plate covers they need so I can complete that order, but in the meantime, I have a lot to keep me busy! I just got a nice amount of 4 inch square coasters in MDF to play with. Yay!! New mosaic coasters will be created very soon!! Woohoo!!

REMINDER: If you are interested in ordering something custom made specifically for the holidays from my shop, do it now! There are only 2 more weeks to order something. I won't be accepting any orders for the holidays after November 25th.

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

Cindy