Mosaics anyone?

gcpommom · June 2009

I was wondering if anyone here does mosaicing? I did---before my dx---and am just getting back into it....I didn't really feel like doing anything during my tx. But yesterday I felt the excitement of starting a new project, I was so happy!

Anyway, if anyone else does mosaics, we could share pics, ideas, tips....one problem I have now is that since I developed a PE during tx, I am now on coumadin, and am very nervous about cutting myself.

I am getting ready to start a table for my DD. Here is a pic of the design I will use. I am for the first time mosaicing onto mesh, then will thinset it onto the table. It is a bar/cafe height table, 36" round.

tablenew.jpg picture by gcpommom40

tabletopnew.jpg picture by gcpommom40

So maybe others out there are mosaicers, too?

gcpommom · June 2009

Here are other things I mosaiced. I haven't done too many yet. I started with my coffee table, which was just a bamboo frame with no top:

Table with crazy couch by you.

then I made this vase, it is my favorite piece so far:

Handle wrapped, done! by you.

oops, made this box before the vase:

Box grouted by you.

Box top grouted by you.

then I made a little table, used plates for this:

TABLETOP.jpg image by gcpommom40 table1.jpg image by gcpommom40

then I made this for my DD for her birthday, was my last project before dx:

groutbox.jpg picture by gcpommom40 groutbleedlid.jpg picture by gcpommom40

London-Virginia · June 2009

These look lovely!

Once I have sorted out how to upload photos, would you like a few copies of mosaics at ancient sites? I have some lovely greek and also italian ones of dolphines and nice things.

gcpommom · June 2009

London Virginia: thanks! yes, feel free to upload any pics, there are so many beautiful mosaics out there, and it always amazes me how long mosaics have been around, way back to ancient times!

Judy

sschmidt · June 2009

I just started learning mosaics. I took two workshops from the most wonderful couple in Grover Beach...right next to Pismo Beach. I completed my second workshop last weekend. I made a beautiful ruffled mushroom. I would like to learn how to cast my own. Make cement molds. Any ideas on books/sites for learning how to do that?

XX Shirley

gcpommom · June 2009

Shirley: I've never made concrete molds....I was trying to find info on it last month, however, and was having difficulty finding anything online. I'm sorry I can't help you on that. It is nice that you have taken classes, I know some women who go to Mexico for classes, they learn all sorts of unusual thing.....I couldn't afford classes, so I am self-taught, and learning as I go. I go to a couple of different mosaic websites where the women are very helpful:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/stainedglass/

http://www.mosaicandstainedglass.org/forums/index.php?action=forum

I'd love for you to post some pics of your work!

Judy

LavenderNLace · June 2009

These are absolutely gorgeous! I love the rose/flower. Do you sell your work?

Tabbygirl521 · June 2009

Your work is beautiful! I've wanted to try this but so far have been a little nervous about it. Thank you for the links you provided - I need to kick myself in the butt and give it a try. I have 2 bathroom counters I'd love to transform.

Did it take you long before you could produce work of this quality? They're stunning!

gcpommom · June 2009

Lavender: Thank you....I haven't sold any yet, haven't tried really, but I hope to some day when I get really good at it. There is a woman on the website I posted who mosaics cow skulls for a local art gallery...they send her the skulls....sounds gross, but they look amazing when she is done:

cowhead.jpg picture by gcpommom40 mosaic by Crystal Thomas Mosaics

My favorite mosaicist on the board also sells her work, has gallery shows, etc.:

mosaiclin.jpg mosiac by lin schorr picture by gcpommom40 mosaic by Lin Schorr

Tabbygirl: Thanks, you should try, it is really fun and challenging, and when you grout your final piece, and wipe it clean, wow! It's a great feeling to think "I made this"! Honestly, when you go to the other website links I posted you will see that I am not that good yet! There are some amazing women doing some amazing pieces there!

My inspiration to mosaic really plummeted during this whole BC thing. Haven't had the desire to do it. But all of a sudden, I am excited about mosaicing again!

Here's a tip: supplies can get expensive. I shopped ebay for tools, and Craigslist has been the best place to score tiles and even stained glass. Garage sales are great for some supplies, but mostly good for items to mosaic, and plates (which I've only used once so far). I got my wet saw on Craigslist, too. I NEVER in my life thought I would be comfortable using a wet saw, but it turns out I'm quite good at it. Mostly, though, I use nippers.

Judy

Jorf · July 2009

I don't do mosaics but have been known to help out my husband on his. I have a tradition of finding the last piece on some of the bigger pieces.

http://rmarkey.blue-fox.com/mosaics.html - he and I did "tree of life" together and I did the lower right fish in "fish". The dancers were made on mesh in his studio (this is where I find the last pieces) and cut into 4-5 sections. Then 4-5 of us put them up on the wall. They are really beautiful reflecting the sky outside of the tunnel and cars going by.

http://rmarkey.blue-fox.com/sculpture/emergence1.jpg and http://rmarkey.blue-fox.com/sculpture/emergence3.jpg - this is a piece he did in honor of my cancer. The sphere is ferrocement with smalti and the outer section is broken mirror on steel.

http://rmarkey.blue-fox.com/sculpture/chesterwood.jpg - this is a photoshopped picture of the 4 pieces of this installation. The orange/red is smalti on ferrocement and it's a really remarkable piece.

http://rmarkey.blue-fox.com/sculpture/Sax.jpg - the picture of this isn't great. It's spectacular because it is smalti. The shape is, again, ferrocement.

gcpommom · July 2009

Hi Jorf:

Your husband's work is amazing and beautiful....I really love the tree of life, and the saxophone is just beautiful! I've never used smalti since it is too expensive for my budget

I found it helpful when you described the dancers made on mesh; I am just now starting a tabletop that is large, and will be mosaicing on mesh for the first time, and I will need to cut it into workable sections...was trying to figure out how to go about that....I guess I glue it to the mesh first, then cut it apart, then piece it together as I mortar onto the tabletop.

"emergence" is just amazing, by the way; it really evokes a lot of feelings when I look at it. I wish I had even a little bit of the talent and artistic vision your DH has.

Judy

Jorf · July 2009

Bob does the mosaic on the mesh and then cuts it in sections to take to the site where it will be hung. He takes the sections and, between two pieces of plywood, flips them over and then uses a bit of thin-set or something just to hold the pieces onto the mesh for moving them around. If you just lift the mesh/tile sections without some sort of "glue" the tiles will fall off.

Go back to his site and check out the "climber" he did that we put up last week. It's broken tile except for the green in the shoes and the orange in the hair tie, which are smalti and the wedding ring, which is mirror. Very cool.

Yeah, he's a pretty talented guy. Drives me crazy - he's really good at everything he tries on the creative front.

Mosaics anyone?

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