EarthMotherMosaics-Cindy White

When Inspiration Is Slow to Arrive...Ask For Help.

2010-04-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

I've been having a hard time writing blog posts lately. There's a lot to share about what's been going on around me, truly blog-worthy things. But for the past 4 weeks, I've sat at the computer and couldn't seem to start to find the right words. I wasn't sick exactly but I didn't feel well either...I wasn't feeling much of anything...I felt "off center". I couldn't find the inspiration to share through blog writing some thoughts and/or news about my business, or to work on some new things that I've spent days researching online and still haven't begun or worse still...cleaning the studio. Boy, is it past due for a good scrub down. My DNA is everywhere and, as you can imagine since I work mostly with glass, it isn't pretty.

I've learned the word "inspiration" actually means "in spirit". When I discovered that was the basis for the word, I knew it was time to do some searching within to try to find out why I was having some trouble writing and creating in the studio. And cleaning it because it's such a mess...don't even get me started...

It seems I was ready for a psychic "boost", for want of a better word and I was having a bit of a struggle finding the way to get the engines running again. Gosh I love metaphors.

Anyway, when I get so busy that I can't share the news, I'm not doing what I wanted to do by starting the blog in the first place. I wanted it to be something that people could find the link for flickr so that they could go check out my latest mosaics, share the latest online catalog for the workshops I do or links of friends and their work and lastly, share any updates that happen on my website. Basically, things that are all a part of my daily life. But instead, I sat and stared at the blinking cursor as if mocking me as it blinked saying: "think, think, think". And so, I went within. I pulled out my favorite business how-to books to read through and of course my favorite mosaic books to help me feel that pull towards the studio again. But it wasn't enough. I needed to work on going a lot deeper.

The best way I can do that is to meditate. I won't bore you with what I use to get to the quiet place within myself but I will tell you that when I feel the need to become centered, I find some favorite meditations that I've used for close to 20 years to help me. However, this time and once before a mere 7 months ago, they didn't seem to do it. It was time to find some reinforcements!! About the time I had that thought, I got the perfect email in my online mailbox which directed me to the perfect thing I needed to get me to the next level in my personal growth using meditation. There are no accidents. Spending a few days working on my inner self and giving myself time to relax, reflect and recharge was exactly what I needed.

During times when I work on mosaics that are quite intricate and am so very focused on getting them finished when I said they would be to meet my own personal deadline (within the past month or so I've done a few like that), I am also very busy networking and marketing my business, setting up appointments to meet with the bank, making phone calls concerning some financial things relating to moving in June and expanding my business, getting ready to start a new workshop April 22nd and April 29th at Mt Airy Learning Tree (there are a few spaces left for the class...if you live in the area and would like to take a beginners class, go online and register!---oops look at that...I shared info about the online catalog with you...I must be starting to feeling better...), doing an Open House at a local school where I taught the first class ever this past February to share what I teach and hope some people will take the classes offered in the fall, making small mosaics including jewelry to transport to a "porch sitting" with my cousin during a festival next weekend (we're setting up a few tables and putting out things for sale that we made instead of being a part of the juried festival activities. I'm not quite ready for that just yet but sitting on a porch and talking to people along the way to and from the festival downtown sounds like great fun and if they buy something while they are there chatting, that's awesome!) and thinking whatever isn't listed on etsy.com yet and doesn't sell will go on the store website which means taking a slew of photos of everything made (I know that will take days to do and it's exhausting weeding through all the photos to get 5 good ones of each item, but so worth it!), visiting my wonderful Father who has offered to make some frames for me, always finds treasures for my mosaics and generally enjoys spending some time with his daughter, sharing moments of family joy with my daughters and grandson all of whom are the best reason to be so happy and content with my life, I've found I just can't think after a certain point about anything. I go into overload and just don't have the energy to do much else. This goes on for quite a while inside my head until I know it's time to step back, take a deep breath in and exhale. Thank goodness for clarity.

Once the fog cleared I discovered that I've gotten exactly what I wanted in a very short amount of time. Enlightenment has just about arrived with a big "D'OH" and a slap 'long side my head. It's not that I'm un-inspired at all...I'm just busy! Whoa...how'd that happen?!

All kidding aside, the truth is, I can say as humbly and as sincerely as I can that I believe in myself and I now know what it feels like when you know what you were born to do. To find your "purpose" as they call it. This schedule happened because I decided that I wanted to work hard at something I truly love with all my heart every day no matter what in December 2009 and I always stayed positive about the next step and trusting it all, and enjoying the process of being aware of what it feels like to truly be here...in the moment as often as I can.

I have been so busy trying to find a ways to further work on finding the next stage which has guided me here to this wonderful life where I am now, I discovered I already knew it but forgot. What's great about rediscovering something (especially when you are over fifty) is that it seems like it's the first time you've learned about it. I did know that everything comes to you when you need it. I just forgot. Actually, I didn't realize that I had found what I was looking for because until I changed my thoughts and made positive changes, I didn't realize I also changed my life. It just sort of happened to me while I was busy living my perfect life.

Amazingly, the Universe heard me. I got what I asked for, much quicker than I anticipated. I never imagined I'd be here in merely 4 months since I've taken my business full time. I started off strong and want to remain strong, so I must continue to work for it and ask for guidance when I need it from all of the places where I find it. Which means, for me, meditating.

This awareness crept up on me and I do think that's the way it's supposed to be for me. I'm supposed to do this slowly. This coming into the knowing isn't a quick fix after all. It takes a long time. I'm not finished with my inner work, I know I still have a lot to do. Also I know, that it's not truly enlightenment if you share it with people in a blog. That's something you just know about yourself and keep to yourself. No need to share it if it's real and what you need in your life. It is supposed to be a personal journey. I'll work on that and you won't know it when I have gotten it right because I can't share it when it happens. Unless you ask, of course.

I love my life at this very moment which is probably the greatest thing to feel about it. I'm so very blessed, not just because I love what I do, but because I have family and friends who are supportive and nurture the artist part of me that has just been discovered. My passion is so real for creating mosaics that they understand and accept it when I have nothing much else to talk about. They indulge me because they love me. That makes me love them all even more than I already do! What a gift I've been given! I am definitely feeling loved and full of life!

So now, I can say with utmost sincerity and feeling ... "check out what I created and sold last week":

"Valerie's Private Beach" was created using images of Cancun and a variety of beach and palm tree photos all over the internet. It was my high school friend, Valerie, who suggested I try to make something with those things. When I showed her a picture of it while working on it, she wanted it before the stained glass was filled in around the water and sky. This was created on a discarded microwave plate.

I can also share a comment like this one: "look what's coming up soon" (find the catalog for my workshop here):

http://www.mtairylearningtree.org/

And even this thought...after looking at some of the wonderful mosaics that others have made for me in my home, I can ask you to: "check out this person's art...their mosaics are awesome" (Gypsy...you rock!!):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stjohnsgypsy/sets

Oh and if you have time, check out my website at: earthmothermosaics.com take a look around and say hi.

Well, what do you know? All of the above has made it "normal" blog type stuff after all. I'm back, baby!!! The good thing about this particular blog entry however, is that this is an enlightened one, naturally. An inspired one, certainly. A post written from the heart with love, definitely.

And finally, when I do move in June, I'll start the search for an assistant to help me with my busy life because I now know I don't have to do it all myself! D'oh! I can ask for help and will find it when I'm supposed to if it keeps me less cluttered in my head (and my studio) and allows me to do what I love! Cue angels singing and clouds parting to show a great beam of light coming from that cloud and a strong arm coming through it and smacking me playfully on the side of my head. Silly me...I knew it...I just forgot...I just have to ASK!

Thoughts For Each Day: Try to find something that inspires you. It will change your life. Trust me.

☼-EarthMotherMosaics~Cindy White

There's always a "Silver Lining" when it's a mosaic!

2010-03-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

This past week was so much fun! Making mosaics is so exciting! Also, I found the perfect PC for play and I think I found a great laptop for business use as well. All is getting settled in EarthMotherMosaics world! :)

I have been busy in the studio and for that I am grateful! I finished the gazing ball and it will be hand delivered on the first day of Spring (March 20th)! Because I created it with the Spring Equinox in mind, I am happy that it worked out that way. Here's a picture of the completed garden art:

You can follow the journey of taking the plain, black and cracked bowling ball to it's final creation of a stained glass gazing ball on my flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosaic_queen2008/

I was also busy at work on "Silver Lining" that I ultimately completed in about 4 days. I was feeling the inspiration strong and steady until it's completion. Once it's grouted in black, it will tone down a bit and the colors will blend a little more. There's lots of yummy iridescent glass in this as well as silver mirror. Using the mirror to show the swirls in the clouds gave me the idea for it's title. Here's what it looks like before grout:

This too can be found on the flickr photostream. I'm very pleased with it and will do this style more often as it seems to resonate with me.

I recently learned that my Basic Mosaics Workshop at Mt Airy Learning Tree is now available online. I'm really excited about this one. Working with the group at MALT and discussing details of the workshop has been a joy. They all have a way of putting me at ease that is very comforting. They are a great bunch of people and I'm thrilled to be able to be a part of their teaching staff! My workshop is set for April 22 & 29. Information on this great school, sign up and a catalog of all the classes/workshops offered can be found online here: http://mtairylearningtree.org/

There's a good possibility that the people in the workshop that I had in February at KV Middle School in Horsham, PA as well as anyone else who is interested will have the chance to take an Intermediate workshop very soon! I'm fairly sure a Beginners workshop will be done there as well, however nothing is settled just yet. Details will be shared when I know for sure one way or the other. Meanwhile, the website to check when the new online brochure for the upcoming season is available at: http://hhaes.org/

These last few days this week have been one of recuperating and getting ready for the next wave of mosaic making madness! My favorite kind of dementia. ;)

Next up: I'll be doing some work on the 2nd in the series of the re-purposed items, this time using an old glass bowl that I covered in lightweight cement close to 2 years ago, trying to learn how to use thinset. It has cracked a lot on the inside due to my inexperience with that particular product at the time but I couldn't toss it out! I just couldn't figure out what to do with it until now. Also in this piece is a red plastic vase given to me by a family friend who worked in a garden center for a while that had been broken on the top and she saved from being tossed out and gave to me. Lastly, a plain wooden tray that I put glass tiles on and grouted. Together these will become an art piece that resembles (I hope) a lamp! I am also planning on working on a few items to go up for sale on etsy.com and I've taken some challenges offered by forums that I belong to as well whose deadlines are quickly approaching! As all of these things are created, pictures can usually be found of the progress on flickr or Facebook's Fan Page if you'd like to see them.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Spring!!!

☼-EarthMotherMosaics~Cindy White

In The Studio

2010-03-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

This week has been an especially busy one. Partly due to having a sinus infection that caused a lot of ear pain and partly due to a "sick" computer. The good news is that the ear infection is just about gone and the bad news is...so is the computer! It's time to start the search for a new one and because my needs have changed, I'm searching for a laptop for business and a PC for home fun! Woo-hoo!!!

In between those things, I've been making mosaics! I used scraps from my work table and created this little beauty that sold before the glue was dry!

It was made using an MDF form that I purchased from a favorite etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtfulMosaicSupplies?section_id=5242736

The owner has a wide selection of forms to choose from and I often get a few when I order from her.

Next up was a bowling ball that I'm turning into a gazing ball for a garden. I'm giving it as a gift for the Spring Equinox to Grandson Malachi's Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop. It still needs grouting, but I've finished adding the stained glass and mirror and am pleased with how it looks. It still needs tons of clean up, but I was able to make 2 stars, a moon, a sun and a flower on mesh and placed them on the ball using mortar. The small pieces of glass and mirror that I added to the rest were adhered with a waterproof adhesive used mostly for bathrooms and kitchens.

Here's the progress so far:

A mosaic birthday gift was made for a cutie-pie who turned 1 just recently and will be hand delivered to her Mom and Dad tomorrow:

And I had a failed attempt at a mosaic as well. I used a warped piece of wood and was told, after I applied the glass and found objects that I could put the board in a warm oven for a few minutes, place heavy books or bricks on it and it would straighten out. I tried it and it worked briefly but after a full 48 hours, it was warped again and the glue had failed. The temp of the oven was too hot for the glue and while grouting, pieces were falling off and I noticed a crackled effect happening under the glass. When I grouted it, the grout even changed an odd color probably from the sealant I used. Although I've never seen it do that before, this poor mosaic, as nice as it looks, has major problems and will stay close to me so that I can remind myself that I still have things to learn even after 6 years of making mosaics!

It's title: "Peace, Patience and Happiness" stood for the charms I used on it, but I do believe that I have also learned to make peace with my mistakes, have patience when things go wrong and still enjoy the experience which gives me so much happiness. It is as meaningful to me as making a sale before the piece is grouted!

In between waiting for the glue to dry with all of the above, I made a set of coasters that will be going to a customer who also ordered a 12x12 inch wall mosaic that has yet to be made. I'm pleased to say she has seen the photos and loves them!

Not bad for a busy week! Next week, gathering the drawings I have for the wall mosaic mentioned above, grouting the gazing ball and making some things to go into the online store!

The best thing about this week was learning how I react when I have a failed attempt at creating something. I'm in such a positive frame of mind that I am thankful for the experience. I truly love making mosaics and learning as I do them. This is an important part of my journey.

I think I've passed an important test this week and I'm happy with the way my week has been because I've had friends, family and mosaics in my life. It's a good life!

☼-EarthMotherMosaics~Cindy White

News and Links of Interest

2010-02-25T13:36:00.000-08:00

The first EarthMotherMosaics Workshop has been completed! What fun we all had! I had the great honor and joy of showing some of the nicest ladies on the planet the basic way to create a mosaic by using a 4 inch coaster with pre-cut stained glass in triangles using the dry grout method. Easy cleanup and no mess which is perfect for a borrowed classroom or a small table in your home or apartment! The class was held on February 2nd and 23rd at the Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham, PA. They learned how to use nippers, used the abrasive stone for the sharp edges and learned that a plastic lid can make a perfect grout scraper! As a special "thank you" for being in my first workshop, they each received a small mosaic magnet made by yours truly.

Another class or two will be held (hopefully for basics and intermediate) during the summer session at KV. The Mt Airy Learning Center in PA has also scheduled a workshop for basic mosaics in the middle of April. More dates and information will follow soon. If you live locally, please consider joining in the fun!!

***

Recently I received an email from a long-time friend regarding an ongoing project at the Holocaust Museum in Houston, TX. It's called The Butterfly Project. The activity title is "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" and it's purpose is to get 1.5 million handmade butterflies representing the number of children who perished in the Holocaust by the Spring of 2013. I will be making a 2-D, 8 x 10 inch butterfly as per their instructions in mosaic form. I'll also be offering a free workshop periodically for anyone who wants to come and make a butterfly of their own to contribute after my move this summer. As they develop, I will include details in the blog, on the website and on my fan page on Facebook. Here's the link for the full description and more information if you are interested (individuals, churches, schools, all other organizations are welcome to participate):

http://www.hmh.org/ed_butterfly1.shtml

***

The Providence Hospital Novi, MI mural projects (4 in toto) have been completed and are cataloged beautifully in a new book written by Brit Hammer entitled: "BREAKOUT! Your Pathway to Success". Lin Schorr's vision and a mutual love for mosaics brought global colleagues together creating 4 pieces of mosaic art in the form of "Swirlendipity I", "Swirendipity II", "Amuzapalooza!" and "Heartistry". Personally, I feel blessed to have found such a wonderful group of people sharing the love of mosaics as I do and for my small contributions in the creation of these mosaic murals. Thanks to Lin and Brit for helping show the world what an amazing art form mosaics can be and for the experience to be a part of it all.

Brit's book "BREAKOUT! Your Pathway to Success" featured on her website, includes a foreword written by Alyson B. Stanfield author of "I'd Rather Be In The Studio!". This new book can be ordered in e-book format, soft cover and hard cover additions through her website:

http://www.brithammer.com/books/

Lin's website, showing the murals from start to finish, can be seen here:

http://linschorr.com/home.html

My contributions are as follows (photo credits: Lin Schorr):
"Swirlendipity I":
http://linschorr.com/artwork/503848_Butta_fly_Swirls.html

"Swirlendipity II":

"Amuzapalooza!" a Jigsaw Puzzle Mural:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/linlee8/3543839254/in/set-72157616763875766/

And finally, "Heartistry":
http://www.flickr.com/photos/linlee8/4139175210/in/set-72157622471906437/

Special thanks goes to Lin Schorr for providing the progress of these beautiful murals on her photostream. Hopefully I'll be a small part of many of her ideas whenever she needs it. I like the way she thinks!!

EDITORS NOTE: Every so often we come across a broken link. If you should have a problem viewing the websites I've included in these posts, please let me know. Thank you!

☼-EarthMotherMosaics~Cindy White

ANNIVERSARY SALE

2010-02-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the first year in business, I am having an Anniversary Sale that is running until midnight (EST) February 24^th. If you purchase and/or custom order a piece of EarthMotherMosaics mosaic jewelry, you will get a small one-of-a-kind mosaic suitable for hanging included with your order. A ring and pendant have been picked for two, separate etsy.com "Treasury" choices since the beginning of the year. What an honor!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/earthmothermosaics

Take advantage of this special opportunity to receive 2 unique pieces of mosaic art for the price of one! BONUS: free shipping and handling!

To see the full selection of jewelry ready and available go to the etsy.com link above or if you want something custom made, send an email to cw.earthmothermosaics@gmail.com.

Custom orders are always welcome!

Thank you all for a great first year! Here's to many, many more!!!

Five Favorites For February - REPOST due to broken links

2010-02-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

I spend a lot of time surfing the net. As someone who is passionate about mosaics and the art form, if I'm not working on a mosaic, I'm looking at it somewhere online. Often I am searching for supplies or books to help me in my quest to find all things mosaic and find some wonderful discoveries. On occasion, I end up getting side-tracked, perhaps a bit distracted in my search to find something but not quite knowing what I'm looking for.

Finding someone who has the creative ability in their own art form, not necessarily mosaics, to make me gasp is one of those "happy accidents" from being distracted so easily! It's not uncommon to hear me uttering aloud (usually alone and scaring the cat, I might add), "Ohhhhhh...look at THAT!". I've found many who have the ability to create beauty in all art forms in my eyes.

A few things that I've done general searching for online have been blown and fused glass, ceramics, jewelry, paintings and of course mosaics in all shapes and sizes, just to name a few. It's always interesting to see what these searches bring me.

I have picked Five Favorites to share with you. The links I've provided will give you the chance to see their work and hopefully enjoy them as much as I do.

1) Dale Chihuly: I found Mr. Chihuly's website after doing a search for glass baskets. The instant I found him, I knew he was one of the most talented individuals I'd ever read about. His work is some of the most amazing I've ever seen through the computers eye view. Please take the time to look at his work and follow the computer trail, as I did, to the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio on his website. What a magical journey!

http://www.chihuly.com/baskets/selbas.html

2) AugustMoonArt: Every so often I find a fellow Etsian whose ceramic work speaks to me. I have begun quite a collection in my list of favorites for this medium. Many are young people sharing their talent and love of handmade items with us all. AugustMoonArt on etsy.com was first on my list as an artist to check in on often probably at first because she shares her name with my oldest daughter, Tara. However, her pottery has become the focus on my visits to her website now. Her use of warm colors in her ceramics puts her art on my top 5 list. I love it all! She has a collection of blue stoneware that I would love to own and NOT smash! Trust me...that says it all when you make mosaics! My favorite is her Blue Berry Bowl:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40174751

3) Paul Pearman: I found Mr. Pearman's mosaic belt buckles while searching for blank belt buckle bases online. Veering off towards his website was something I will never regret! His mosaic work, all of it, is truly a personal inspiration for me. I really love his "art for the hips". I've made a few mosaic buckles. I feel my work is too new and child-like to be pleased with it but know as time goes on and I continue to experiment with buckles, I will find my own style and will be happier with the results. It's obvious that this man has found his own style and it's awesome! I highly recommend you do what I do to find inspiration and look at these beauties:

http://www.newschoolmosaics.com/

4) Luminosities: Another Etsian, Nicole makes, among other things, jewelry for people and our pets. Something I find very cool about her is that she uses gems in the "shinies" as she calls them, that have metaphysical properties. I truly believe everything has energy. When creating mosaics I give each piece a positive energy flow while working on it. I believe it is important and probably why I was drawn to her etsy site to begin with. What caught my eye were the Astrological magnets and ones called Magnetic Attraction that she creates. I find them fascinating! Here is my personal favorite from the Magnetic Attraction series:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8924389

5) Rick Cheadle: Rick Cheadle Art and Designs has become a fast favorite of mine. Daily he adds new photos to his flickr photostream and I am one of 350+ fans anxiously awaiting the newest photos of his work. I am a child of the 50's and his work reminds me of that magical time of the 60's and 70's. A time of peace and love and all that is and was ever groovy. His wonderful use of colors, reminiscent of my teens and early 20's, makes me smile and feel good each and every time I see something he's made. His work is a daily reminder of just how fantastic color can be! What a wonderful gift he has! His hand painted tables and wall art are well worth a look:

http://rickcheadle.shutterfly.com/

I hope you enjoy these wonderful artists and share in my joy in having found their work.

New in my shop just in time for Valentine's Day!

2010-02-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Newly added this morning!

etsy.com

Valentine Heart Mosaic

Romantic and beautiful framed mirror filled with delicate yet bold colors of white, red and gray stained glass, Italian Smalti in red, white, gray and green and silver mirror.

The top focal point is a heart-shaped pendant filled with tempered glass or crash glass and grouted in black and the bottom focal point is a heart-shaped charm of a butterfly fairy.

Surrounded by swirls in iridescent red stained glass and silver mirror with accents of red, gray and white this mirror can be useful as well as decorative in any room of your home or as a gift for that special someone in your life.

Black grout gives this frame the drama romance needs to be a one-of-a-kind mosaic art piece.

This 10x10 inch wood frame has been painted glossy black, is signed and ready for hanging.

Star Shine Mosaic

Bright, colorful and reminiscent of the early 70's in style, this mosaic art will definitely brighten anyone's day!

I truly enjoyed creating this Celestial mosaic using stained glass in bright orange, sunshine yellow, soft lilac and bold blue. Iridescent rust brown was used to create the star. I painted it yellow and sprinkled gold and silver glitter before adding tempered or crash glass.

Each moon and swirl were created using the same technique. I used orange and blue paint with glitter and tempered glass and created the shapes using silver and gold mirror. Dots of small stars in Millefiori added to each swirl and moon give each section a bit of interest.

Grouted in black.

10 x 10 inch MDF base painted using metallic silver acrylic paint.
A D-ring has been added for hanging and it's been signed and dated by the artist.

*******************************************************************************

Take some time to look at other lovely things in my shop. Custom Orders always welcome!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/earthmothermosaics

Re-purposing Found/Damaged Items to Create Useful Art - Series #1

2010-01-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

My hope for this series is to show ways that I have found to re-use/upcycle objects and create a piece of mosaic art from them. Some will be decorative, some will be useful. All will hopefully get you to look at some things in a different, creative way.

When my daughter’s kitten, Chunk, was teething, he found my foam yoga block to be a great source of protein for a few days. When I would do my daily yoga routine, I used the block as it was, with tiny teeth marks in it, noticing my meditative attitude dwindle each time I used it. Grumping about the crazy kitten and his snack choices did not put me in the right frame of mind for yoga. I put this one aside and ordered a new one. I knew that one day, I would use this damaged thing again...somehow! How many times have we said that about something that we hold on to? Having no clue what we’ll do with it but we just can’t toss it out or fill up the landfill with our slightly dented whats-its and do-dads. We can and should try to re-purpose them and in this way we're giving them new life, making them useful and often creating art in the process.

Quite a few years ago after a minor operation, my co-workers sent me a planter with among other things a small flower pot sized decorative ivy trellis. Once the plants were finished and I was healthy again the trellis, I noticed, had a slight problem. Water damage. But still, I put it aside in the same general area as the damaged foam block. Somehow, I'd find a use for it.

Not so long ago, while cleaning up my studio, I found these items and realized together, they would make a wonderful jewelry tree for my mosaic jewelry. Although I am fairly sure no one has these two exact items in the same damaged state as I do, hopefully showing a step-by-step process of creating a mosaic jewelry tree from these two forgotten objects will get your creative juices flowing.

The following is the process of how I took those two items and created useful mosaic art!

This is what the foam block looked like ... teeth marks and all :)

The trellis. Bent on the left hand side.

I didn't measure the spot but rather just "eyeballed" the area and made a mark in the foam using the trellis giving it the indent needed to drill a hole.

Easy!

Added some silicone to the hole to give the trellis extra support once heavy items would be placed on it.

Looking good!

This is the end of step one. The next step is adding Rigid Wrap to the base.

Rigid Wrap is a wonderful product that is exactly the same as what is used for broken legs and arms. I found it in my local craft store and if you have trouble finding it at yours, it can be purchased online by doing a general search for it. This is the first time I've used it and I loved the experience. Cut it into strips, wet it and apply. According to the package directions, you can knot, bend, shape and mold it and once it is dry, it will keep that shape. Drying time stated 15 minutes but I left it alone for 24 hours. I also decided to keep the block in this shape because it works for my purposes but I can't wait to try creating something else with the great stuff. I had a lot of fun! Easy clean up and fast drying time too!

Now that the Rigid Wrap is dry, I can add stained glass to it, covering it completely, top to bottom, to give it the stability it will need to hold my mosaic pendants, bracelets, belt buckles and rings securely for display.

I used the adhesive DAP for this project because it adheres quickly to 3D surfaces. It is a quick-drying caulk used for tile and glass. I used mirror and stained glass on this project and DAP works well with both of those things. It is recommended to only use this product in well-ventilated areas and can cause serious side-effects if misused. Please follow the directions of any adhesive you decide to use.

I took a lot of work-in-progress photos of the mosaic from start to finish and posted them here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosaic_queen2008/

That's the end of step two! The final step is grouting, polishing and sealing it for protection and using my new piece of mosaic art!

This has been entered in the Mosaic Challenge called "Create Your Own 3D Substrate" on flickr.

This works perfectly as a display for my mosaic jewelry! I've created a one-of-a-kind mosaic piece of useful art that will surely be admired when it's displayed.

The next in this series will be posted in approximately six weeks.

If you're interested in getting updates regarding this series as well as other blog entries please send an email to earthmothermosaics@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT line EMM BLOG. Thanks!