In the Middle Of A Makeover!

Hi Friends!

Sorry for the lack of pictures, links, blog lists, etc. but I'm in the middle of a makeover....I'll have all of my bells and whistles back up by days-end tomorrow. Until then, Enjoy Prudence! I'll be adding an update on this six-toed wonder soon! PS> I have the Style FX sign done!!! Woohoo!!!!

With gratitude, Laurie B.

FLOWERS FOR LEA

Good evening friends!

Here is the most recent mosaic glass applique' commission that I've completed for Lea. The piece was also done on an antique' window from Galena Territory in Northern Illinois. It was such a happy piece to work on and Lea was just a joy to collaborate with! I love working with fellow artisans.

Her Esty shop is Ohana By Lea http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=101124

I do have some sad news to report....after shipping 58 pieces of stained glass, this was the first report of damage I've had. My heart just sunk. It is so hard to work on a piece for weeks and then have something like this happen. From Illinois to Arizona was quite a distance but I've shipped pieces further. Maybe a bumpy trip??

I did insure the piece through UPS for the purchase value along with the shipping cost.

On the bright side the mosaic itself is fine but the glass on the window had cracks in several places on the back. I do believe that with some Weldbond, it will seal the cracks well enough to display the window as she planned, and Weldbond does dry clear...it just saddened me.

However, 58 perfect shipments isn't a bad record. Of course...THIS is why I insure every piece I ship. You just never know.

Lea has been so incredibly kind about the whole matter. She thanked me for my careful packing and complimented my work. Bless her heart! Above is the link to her store and I'd love for you to hop over there, mark her as a favorite and wish her well! She's been so great to work with. I am hoping she will send me a picture once the window is installed. She said it will be beautiful with the light coming through her room. Oh how I wish I could wrap my pieces in humongous bubbles.....(sigh)

With gratitude, Laurie B.

QUOTE FOR THE DAILY BLOGGER

Hello readers!

I've been on a deadline so please forgive my lack of posts! I have been getting orders for my mosaic applique' antique windows!! SO FUN! I hope you are enjoying the end of your summer days...personally, I can't wait for those crisp fall mornings!

I will leave you with this wonderful quote:

(Peaches at The Olde Farmhouse)

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves. Carl Jung

MOSAIC ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Mosaic is a medium...

...that can utilize so much that is undervalued or thrown away in our society. The wonderful patterns created by repetition of rubbish-tip items reminds us of elegant ethnic decoration. A simple spoon, key or cup handle repeated acquires a magic, hypnotic musical rhythm.

These opening words on Kaffe Fassett's website, of Kafee Fassett Studio in London, England, drew me in so fast I couldn't learn fast enough!

I've studied his site and have absolutely fallen in love with his jaw-dropping abilities.

He inspired me to follow my own artistic path and set me on a journey studying mosaic artists from around the world. There are styles I've always been more drawn to than others and found that my love for using stoneware in mosaics was deep and everlasting.

I can't put into words what I've learned from Fassett, only to say that if I met him in person I'd probably fall over in a dead faint! The best I can do is try and "turn you on" to his work by giving you the link to his site. http://www.kaffefassett.com/highlandstoneware-mosaics.htm

Study his work and read his story. He's a gift to the world and I'm happy and deeply honored to lift him up in this post as AN ARTIST I ADMIRE! (and aspire to) The picture I'm sharing today is the first mosaic table top I ever created. With gratitude, Laurie B.

TRASH TO TREASURE TABLE

Mornin' Peps! Here is another mosaic that I created a few months back. A neighbor from my old place gave me this junked up spool several years back. I swore I'd turn it into a table someday. I used it as an outside table for years, it sat outside in the winters, I painted it several different colors and then it sat at The Olde Farmhouse for a couple of years on the side porch. Honestly it started looking a bit rough. I toyed with the idea of throwing it away but since I tout myself as a recycler I couldn't live with that. So....a mosaic commenced. I asked my son Andrew to draw on the table top. He drew the swirl. At first we thought it would be a blast to turn it into a yellow brick road and then on the pedestal draw scenes from The Wizard Of Oz such as Emerald City. Some times I really let my imagination roam free! However, I knew I'd be refinishing my family room in sea glass colors so I decided to incorporate this table. What a BLAST to make and it works perfectly in my newly decorated family room. It sits in front of a lovely futon my older son Matthew bought me as a gift (Thank you Hon!) and it's where I sit to do a lot of my copper foiling these days. After I share another of my mosaics I'll be reveling in my favorite mosaic artist in AN ARTIST I ADMIRE! (from afar) Moral of the story....try not to look at your stuff as junk. It may be trash to some but a diamond in the rough to others. Keep it out of our landfills at all costs! (please pretty please) With Gratitude, Laurie B.

SAFE AND SOUND!

I am so THRILLED that this mosaic window made it to it's new home! Just look at the smile on their faces! This is exactly why I create my art. Not only does it warm my heart and spirit to create....I just love it when someone else can enjoy my work.

Thank you to these special buyers, to hubby for building yet another wooden crate for me and to UPS for delivering it safely.

For any "doubting Thomas" out there....yes stained glass does ship safely if you pack it correctly! Even super large and heavy pieces!

I'm sharing photos of the process along with the picture of it's safe arrival!

Wonderful! With gratitude, Laurie B.

MONDAY MOSAIC

Good Monday Morn to my friends!

I had a glorious weekend thanks to the weather here in Central Illinois. Nothing like lots of fresh air and sunshine to recharge your spirit!

I thought I'd share this mosaic with you today. This flower pot was a first for me and I have really enjoyed it.

It was fun to create and I'd love to make more! Takin orders!! Just send me your request!

Next Monday I want to share one of my favorite mosaic artists with you. He's simply brilliant and is my inspiration.

With gratitude, Laurie B.

PS. Tomorrow night is Perseid Meteor Shower Night! Find some big sky and enjoy it!

MOSAIC ON A SERIOUS ROAD TRIP!

oh MAN am I nervous!! My glass applique' antique window was lovely purchased a few days ago and it is on it's way out east! Packed tightly in it's wooden crate, with buffer zones up the wazzo, it is my all-time-favorite Mosaic! I mentioned in my last post that I would be sharing some of the mosaics I've created so I thought it only fitting to start with this beauty...I will miss it dearly. So, I sit....holding my breath....until I find out that UPS has held up ITS end of the bargain by delivering this creation to it's new owner. I asked for a "birthday" photo for my blog once it's arrives so stay tuned! And cross your fingers, toes and light a candle and pray! (Did I mention I get attached to my artwork?) With gratitude, Laurie B.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL RECYCLING MONTH -- SHOP GREEN!

Honor sustainable living!

Hello friends!

Here is yet another RE-use for old windows! My husband found this window in our shed, apparently left by a previous owner. I thought the charm of the frame was undeniable and decided to do a glass mosaic applique' to put it to good use!

So, in honor of Recycling Month I want to challenge each of you to find things to RE-use!!! With gratitude, Laurie

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Good Sunday morning dear friends!

Where have I been hiding??? The past few days I've been tucked away with my glass work. Between mosaics, commissions and inventory, I've spent quite a bit of time with Beauty and The Beast (loving nickname for my grinder pictured here!) Beauty, well, that needs no explaining.

I'm in preparation stages for a mosaic table top using the glass pictured here. God Bless glass nippers! I've also cut, ground and am now foiling new pieces for my inventory.

I've squeezed in an adorable sun catcher that will be donated to the silent auction at the Catholic school my nephew attends. I'm hoping it will bring in some money to help the cause!

I hope all of you are enjoying your weekend. It is STILL nasty weather here....last year at this time I had my spring crops planted already! Honest to Pete! (ummm, who's Pete anyway?) Warmest wishes, Laurie B.