Tesserae Tuesday

Last week I mentioned I'd be sharing Christmas gifts I've made for the next few weeks. The last 2 are on their way to their destination now. That means I can share them here when the time comes. I'm sharing them in the order I made them in.

The next one I made was this mandala.

Taking 3 different patterns (one of my own) and combining them, I created a really cool mandala. I wasn't sure how I'd get all the glass and circles on them. I knew this was a good start.

Adding ball chain and broken necklace pieces, stained glass, mirror, ceramic nano tiles and glass rod pieces, I started on the journey that was one of the most intense I've taken in quite some time.

Small pieces of glass and mirror required tweezers and a steady hand. This wasn't something I could zip through quickly.

I'll let the rest of this post speak for itself through photographs. What a wonderful journey this was.

The friends I gifted it with really love it. I am looking forward to making something like this again soon. Maybe on a glass plate, maybe like this one, on a board and framed. I have to say I loved the experience and felt I learned that although the original design was kind of lost, it didn't take away from the final results at all.


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

Tesserae Tuesday

Hi everyone! I'm back!!
 

The last blog post I wrote was in October of 2018. A computer crash slowed the process but eventually I found a laptop did just fine for most things but was a challenge for blogging. I gave it up for a bit thinking maybe I should just move on. I missed it sometimes, the people's responses definitely. I had a small fan base, but I had one. So here we are ... a brand new year and it's time to share what's been happening in the attic I call home and studio.

I thought I'd share the Christmas gifts I made over the next few posts. A few have still not been gifted which means they'll wait to be shared through social media.

This first one, Malachi and Gypsy, was adapted into mosaic from a favorite photo of mine.

 

I'm normally leery of doing portraits because they are so precise. However, much to my delight, this particular photo was not as difficult to transfer into mosaic form. I can only assume the spirits that help me in the creative process knew it was time, and gave me permission to use my mosaic magic.

I started by printing out the photo and tracing it using carbon paper onto the substrate. By the way, these substrates are fantastic. If you're in the need for easy-to-use and lightweight boards that are good quality and affordable (and don't leave a mess like Wediboard does), I highly recommend using these. I'll share the link at the end of the post for those who are interested.*

After the tracing was finished, the fun part begins! Adding features in stained glass is not easy. Shading has become easier, which means I'm learning and reaching the next plateau. The hardest part was his smile. I couldn't add teeth, although I did attempt it. I had to change his lips a few times and lost his smile a little in the end. These two photos show the original set of lips which looked great. In hindsight I should have left them be. That's the only thing I'd try to change if I were to do it again.

Below, his smile is gone but I didn't really see it until it was completed. I used a few small pieces of a terra cotta pot for his eyebrows. I had dropped a pot and kept the fragments, knowing I'd use them in something. Viola!

The polka dot pieces are from a broken dish my daughter had. Since this was going to be her gift, I thought it would make her happy to see them used in this way.

After the tessera was all glued down, it was time to grout. Three colors were used, light brown, grey and black. Using painters tape to cover the mosaic I wasn't grouting as I added each color was essential. As you can see from the photo of the taped mosaic, it works well.

Once the mosaic was ready for framing (not yet glued together in the photo below), I added a peace sign (my signature in 2019) to the bottom right corner.

It's hanging in their hall where everyone can see it as they walk through.

*You can find the substrate I used, skeewbacker board, from https://www.skeew.biz

Note: This is not a paid endorsement, this is true love for a great product! ;-) Enjoy!!


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

Mosaic Monday and a Shout Out for Plaster Bandages!

It's been a while since I've written a post and having to pull myself away from the creative table was not easy when the muse wants to play. However, I wanted to share with you all a blog post recently written by the awesome Callie Teston @OrthoTape.com who dedicated a blog post to my art. I was asked in an email in September how I liked their plaster cast bandages and if I'd share some photos of how I use them. I do love using these strips and their prices are well within my budget. I try to get enough to last for a while, so when the muse is ready to play with them, I can get right to it. I've shared many things I've created with the plaster cast strips over the years and here are a few photos to show exactly how I've used them.

And here are the newest ones: the Wonder Woman inspired mosaic shoe, the Celestial gazing ball and the wine bottle cat! All featured in Callie's blog post which you can read here.

I want to thank Callie Teston @OrthoTape.com for sharing my work with their customers and for showing just how versatile these bandages can be.

I highly recommend OrthoTape for your crafty needs.

Note: This is not a paid endorsement, this is true love for a great product! ;-) Enjoy!!


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

Mosaic Monday - September

Mosaic Stained Glass Candle Holder, Ocean Theme, Mosaic Vase, Spa, Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary, Collectible, Glass-on-Glass - 3.5 inches

This beautiful candle holder soothes the soul and spirit just by looking at it. Depending on the light source, you'll see the blue green colors the best in the bottom part of this holder in daylight or the combined beauty of colors I used for it by candlelight. The top portion reminds us of water, the blue gentle waves can almost be heard when you study it. The bottom could be seaweed, swaying as the soft waves move it from left to right.

Perfect to use with a candle as a centerpiece on your table. We think this would make a great addition to an at-home spa or give the illusion that your ordinary bathroom could become one.

Wouldn't this 3-1/2 inch candle holder make a great one-of-a-kind housewarming or hostess gift? Wouldn't it be great for your home office or at the work place? It holds more than a candle. It could be used for pens, pencils, fresh flowers ... all with a touch of class. Use it at home with a candle or LED lights for a romantic feeling. Or when, after a long day, you need to relax with some wine, this beautiful mosaic will help you do that by adding a candle in it while in the tub. The candle light makes the glass glow. Sit it in a sunny spot near a window. It's gorgeous!! It would be a wonderful surprise for anyone's birthday, make a special anniversary or retirement gift. Don't forget to gift yourself! You deserve it!

Fits any decor making it a great wedding gift or a wonderful treat for yourself. This is a mosaic that is functional as well as a useful art piece. Votive and tea lights fit easily in this holder.

DO NOT SUBMERGE IN WATER OR PLACE IN THE DISHWASHER.

I am so grateful for your visit. Thanks for stopping by. Remember custom orders are always welcome. We'd love it if you'd share what you like with others. Visit again soon and share the love!

Come visit and say hello:
Blog: http://artbyearthmothermosaics.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarthMotherMosaics/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMMosaics
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/earthmothermos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyearthmothermosaics/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114891430568238927351/
Website: www.artbyearthmothermosaics.com

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

Mosaic Monday From The Studio

Greetings and Happy Summer!! It's been a little over a month since I've added a post; I've decided it might be a good idea to post once a week or even twice a month during the busy times. That would be now!

I've listed quite a few new mosaics on Etsy. Here's a glimpse of a few items. Hop on over to my shop to see more!

Peace Sign Mosaic

Cat Mosaic Wall Hanging

Abstract Flower Wall Art

At the work table, the magic continues to flow. I think my favorite project was the wine bottle turned into a groovy cat. The work-in-progress are the first 4 photos.

The 5th photo, of the lotus flower, shows the review I received on Etsy about it. I'm over the moon thrilled with her reaction to it. I actually got to give it to her in person, a first for me! I've sold mosaics on Etsy for years and this was the first time someone local or nearby found my art first, then discovered we were not only in the same state, but about 45 minutes away in distance. She stopped by on Father's Day on the way towards an event she was doing with her Dad and picked it up. And, as you can see by the review, loved it!

Number six in the collage shows the ever growing pile to be grouted! I've added two more to it since that photo, as shown in photos 7 and 8.

I'm going to be working on a scrap glass candle holder mosaic next. Then I'll get to the messy grouting party I'm going to have getting everything done, photographed and listed. Once each are done and ready for their close-ups, I'll share here and on my Facebook Page.

Have a great week and remember to enjoy the moments!

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

Stay Peaceful and Let The Sun Shine In.