In The Studio - Part One

It's been a difficult few days here for me due to unexpected aches from a slight fall. Nothing major!! However, the pains that already hurt from arthritis and cold/rainy weather in addition to this little bit of drama slowed me up a little bit. It's all good, though, because I never stopped creating art and nothing is bruised or broken. Yay!!

The peace signs are all finished and will get packed up soon.

Pre-grout prep work: the last 2 peace signs taped off to prevent grout from going where I don't want it to go. :)

Ninth Peace Sign - 10 Inches

Tenth Peace Sign - 8 Inches

What a wonderful adventure it's been. I'm happy with them all.

1 through 10

The next step in taking care of the customer when handling the peace signs is by running my fingers carefully along the outer edges to find sharp spots and grinding them a little bit with a diamond file.

All that is left is to bubble wrap each one carefully and pack them up for shipping.

Wave buh-bye!!

I also taped up the cat clock for grouting but haven't gotten to it yet. Once the peace signs are headed towards their new home, I'm fairly sure I'll do that next.

I haven't forgotten about the huge sphere that needs grouting. I've ignored it for a bit but I really should get to it soon so it can be displayed somewhere. I'm considering gifting it because I'm not sure we have the room for it here. That's something I don't usually take into consideration when the muse wants to play. :)

When I am not making a mosaic, I am doodling. I got a small box of Crayola markers a few months ago and I've more or less used every bit of them up.

My cousin gave me a book she got for herself and rarely used. After seeing some of my doodles she thought I might get some fun out it. I've been taking the designs from it and doodling onto cardboard or paper every since!

The last photo shows using up most of the colors as you can see the color fading. No worries, however, I just ordered a big box of gel pens and some awesome mixed media paper. I definitely will continue to have fun doodling as the months progress. Maybe soon a doodle will be adapted for a new mosaic!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

Promo Blast!

TOTE BAGS!!! Tis' the season to get some strong and sturdy tote bags through S6. I have found 16 to show you in a group to give you an idea as to how really awesome they are. It's almost that time to think about picnics, beaches, vacations, summer school, pool parties, quick trips to the grocery store, stopping at the farmers market, slumber parties, baby showers. Tote bags are perfect for so many occasions.

Sturdy and affordable. That's how society6 does it! I love seeing my photos of nature and mosaics on these tote bags.

Head on over to see these and many more and get your list of activities sorted out in style.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

I finished getting all the glass and dish tiles on the custom ordered peace signs! Yay!

Here's the last 10 inch peace sign - ready for grout. I used stained glass and mirror.

The very last 8 inch one has a wonderful array of tess. Millefiori, glass rods, polka dot glass half circles, broken ceramic dishes, stained glass and mirror. Ready for grout!

I probably won't get to the grouting of these until the weekend. Rain is headed our way and I'm in a tremendous amount of pain physically thanks to the low pressure system coming through. The fun thing about it is that we are supposed to have thunderstorms, which I love, so I'm positive once they head on out of our area I will be feeling rejuvenated and ready to grout both these and the cat clock that's waiting.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

Promo Blast!

Sun Flower Mosaic Stained Glass Trivet or Candle Holder - Orange, Iridescent Amber, Yellow - FREE SHIPPING Within US - $37.65

Gorgeous stained glass mosaic sun flower plate done in orange, iridescent amber and yellow. Wonderful to look at through a sunny window. Can be used as a suncatcher, trivet or candle holder. Has been sealed to protect grout from stains but is not waterproof.

We call this design a "sun flower" because the center looks like a sun and the rays could be petals from a flower. It truly doesn't matter because we love it!

Measures 6 inches round

Makes a great housewarming gift, perfect for a special friend or co-worker, add to your den or guest bedroom/bathroom, college bound students love them for their dorms.

This plate is meant to be shown in sunlight. I used to call these plates suncatchers, but traditionally suncatchers are hung in the window to grab the light. My plates are heavy and hanging is not recommended nor do I craft them for that purpose. They look fantastic sitting in the window in a display dish holder.

Any questions about this mosaic or anything else you've seen? Contact me any time. You can find me on my Facebook Page and through email or leave a comment right here on the blog.

I'm heading back to work on the last 2 peace signs to finish up the custom order. I'll share all the news about that on Wednesday's edition of "In The Studio".

Don't forget, if you haven't yet, to sign up for the Monthly Newsletter!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part Two

I've taken a short break from all activity for a few days. There isn't much to share today, but I can show you a glimpse as to how the inside of my head works. It looks a little scary when I think of it this way. Hahaha.

Believe it or not, this is what inspires me to find color combinations of glass and other assorted fun things I use for my mosaics. Often I grab a few bags and dump them out on this tray. This is my "working table", an old TV tray inherited from my great aunt many years ago. It's portable, can be put away when cleaned off and works well for me because I live in a small space.

I have been doodling a little bit for the past few days too. This is an exercise that helps me think. I often toss out many before I decide they are okay enough to keep them.

I have used computer paper and folded it into cards to doodle on, shown above. And I found yet another use for empty cookie and tea bag boxes I have available to me. Cutting them up and doing doodles on them is a great way to recycle. Plus it possibly gives me something to add in a thank you note to my customers. Cool!

Cold weather has arrived again, on the first day of Spring, but it might be the last breathe this years winter will take. I intend to wave it farewell with gusto!

Enjoy your weekend!

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

In The Studio - Part One

Deciding to take a little break from the peace signs was the right thing to do for the muse. I've had a renewed excitement for color which is so important to me.

I worked on the pendants I shared the other day to give myself a little jumpstart before grabbing a larger project to mosaic. Getting the juices flowing, as it were.

The cat clock in one of my favorite designs I do, flower power, was started on Sunday and finished by Tuesday.

Here's the progress for each day.

Sunday - close up

Sunday

Monday - close up

Monday

Tuesday - lunch break

Tuesday - putting vitreous tiles along the side

Tuesday - side view

Tuesday

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy

Promo Blast!

I've added some fresh pendants to Storenvy this week. I have a favorite, I must admit.

Orange Sunshine Pewter Pendant - FREE SHIPPING Within US - $35.95

Orange glass and sparks of millefiori fill this pewter pendant. There is a definitely energy attached to my mosaic jewelry. This pendant, when worn, makes you feel full of sunshine and radiance. It will absolutely make you smile.

These pendants make a wonderful, one-of-a-kind gift. Each pendant comes with a necklace or chain.

Pewter pendant measures 1 inch

Each pendant has a unique "super power". For example, the one above makes you happy when you wear it.

Follow the links to read each description on the pendants shown below. Which is your favorite?

Mixed Glass Warm Copper Pendant

Green Summer Fresh Silver-Plated Pendant

Blue Energy Copper Pendant

Yellow Stars and Flower Silver Pendant

All pendants are $35.95 and offer free shipping to those within the US.

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

Stay peaceful,

Cindy