Tag Archives: mosaics and other crafts

2023 in Mosaics

19 Friday Jan 2024

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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In 2023, I didn’t go to the mosaic studio as much as I did in 2022.  Therefore, I didn’t make as many pieces as in 2022.  I also lacked inspiration and motivation. I am happy that I completed every piece and didn’t abandon them, just because it didn’t go as planned.

I promise, they all look much better in person.

Here is all I did.  Some I may have posted before.

I did this one for my sister when she became a US citizen. It is meant to be funny and not a real likeness.

I did this one for my sister when she became a US citizen. It is meant to be funny and not a real likeness.

A star, not as intended, but still a happy star

A star, not as intended, but still a happy star

Either a chicken or a rooster, but a very colorful and happy fowl

Either a chicken or a rooster, but a very colorful and happy fowl

Fashionable dog. This one was done at home, with whatever materials I had.

Fashionable dog. This one was done at home, with whatever materials I had. After this picture I grouted and then applied resin to it.

A peaceful flowery cow

A peaceful flowery cow

A mirror in various shades of blue

A mirror in various shades of blue

A mosaic vase made to look like stained glass

A mosaic vase made to look like stained glass

A cigar box turned into a jewelry box. My sister loved it so much, that I gave it to her.

A cigar box turned into a jewelry box. My sister loved it so much, that I gave it to her.

Another attempt of making a little dog.

Another attempt of making a little dog.

Tray or hanging fixture. I almost didn't post this, as it is not like I intended at all. But I am happy I finished it.

Tray or hanging fixture. I almost didn’t post this, as it is not like I intended at all. But I am happy I finished it.

I don't have a photo of this one finished, as it is in NY. It is missing the grout on this one. This one I made for Michael. The first couple of times we went to the beach here we go we got ice-creams from the truck that drives up and down the beach.

I don’t have a photo of this one finished, as it is in NY. It is missing the grout on this one. This one I made for Michael. The first couple of times we went to the beach here we go we got ice-creams from the truck that drives up and down the beach.

Here is my sister! Well, something like that…

01 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in Daily Life, Finding Me, Mosaic and other crafts

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“But the love of sisters needs no words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present a s a pulse.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours

My sister became a U.S. citizen in November and I wanted to mark the date. While I don’t have the skills yet to do something more flattering, I came up with the piece below.  My sister has long curly hair and round glasses.  I think I have captured her essence, in a fun/funny way.  She liked it.  She cannot look at it without laughing.

I want to start doing more mosaics at home.  I get great ideas and advice at the studio, but I am really interested in what I can come up with without anybody’s input and with the material I have at home.

For the record I adore L., the studio owner.  She is the best and does the most amazing things.  She has helped my love for mosaics flourish.

I have also finished two other project at the studio, that I will be posting next.

 

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.” ― Jim Henson

A Colorful Change in Plans

30 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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“If you dare nothing,
then when the day is over,
nothing is all you will have gained.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

As I was choosing materials for a new mosaic project I am starting, I grouped the glass tiles by color.  I loved the way they looked and decided to do a piece just like that.  

I call it “A Colorful Detour”. 

This is huge step forward for me.  To stop doing something I had planned to go do something totally different and unplanned is new and exciting.

Having ideas and being creative is not natural to me.  Going off course feels wrong to me, and yet this piece feels so right.

This to me represents being okay with doing something unplanned, just because; in art, as well as life.

My message to you is: It is okay to change directions in the middle of the journey.  It is okay to go off the script.  Change things up, do things different.  Don’t be so planned, so expected.  Routine is the enemy of creativity and growth. 

One of the joys of getting more involved with mosaics is finding out that I am creative, that I have this whole side to explore.  It doesn’t have to be perfect or make sense to anyone.

All my projects talk to me.  They all say: “You go girl, you can do it!”

“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson, with Annotations – 1841-1844

“Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward.” ― E.E. Cummings

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“Don’t be very frightened, Marilla. I was walking the ridge-pole and I fell off. I suspect I have sprained my ankle. But, Marilla, I might have broken my neck. Let us look on the bright side of things.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

“Love is like a wind stirring the grass beneath trees on a black night,’ he had said. ‘You must not try to make love definite. It is the divine accident of life. If you try to be definite and sure about it and to live beneath the trees, where soft night winds blow, the long hot day of disappointment comes swiftly and the gritty dust from passing wagons gathers upon lips inflamed and made tender by kisses.” ― Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio