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 - Wednesday

I don't really have much to share this week as it's still been a bit slow here In The Studio.

I grouted 2 letters of the custom order. Cleaning these are really time-consuming.

I am very pleased with the results so far. There are a few spots that will need grout touch-ups. That's the hard part with using tesserae in different thicknesses. It's always a bit challenging. But I really do love the results.

And in other news ... I was the winner of a $25 gift certificate contest for September through Gemini Moon Designs by Jeanine Molnar recently. I picked out this awesome incense burner and some incense which arrived in record time.

I've been a big fan of her work and of the person behind the business for many, many years. She is very inspirational and one of the first mosaic artists I found so many years ago that "spoke" to me through her art. She rocks!!

I've written a blog post about her in the past when I used to feature shops. There is a possibility I will do that kind of post again next year. But in the meantime, check out her shop on Etsy for some serious drooling.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping to pick up a little steam soon and continue grouting. I have some new mosaics I want to make. I have a few ideas for some more serious art pieces, not just home decor items. I believe these will take months to work on, from start to finish. Once I get going on them, I'll share what I'm doing.

And the secret giftie I mentioned last week hasn't yet been gifted which means I can't yet share a photo. I'm going nuts, I have to say, because I LOVE to share!

Come back again to see all the latest updates.

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