Sunday, November 20, 2011

MOSAIC GROUT FOR SALE!

We are now offering our commercial and custom-blended mosaic sanded GROUT in our CALICO SKIES MOSAICS shop on ETSY.


Visit us at http://www.calicoskiesmosaics.etsy.com
The following grout colors are usually in stock:


Charcoal Black               
Green Tea  (discontinued by the manufacturer)
Jet Black                        
Lipstick Red  (discontinued by the manufacturer)
Brite White                    
Mist
Buttercream                  
Navy
Camel                            
Ocean Blue  (discontinued by the manufacturer)
Tropical Seas                
Sand
Chocolate Fudge            
Quarry Red
Dark Jade                      
Shabby Pink
Delorean Gray                
Silver
Earth                             
Vanilla Creme
Glazed Pear                   
Tumbleweed
Navajo White                 
New Adobe
Terra Cotta                    
Aqua

If you need a larger quantity of grout than we have listed we'll be happy to create a custom listing for you in our Etsy shop.
Freddy & Dana




 
 


Monday, June 20, 2011

Mosaics for Dogs!

I am an avid dog lover and it was my great pleasure to complete a mosaic commission this spring for the Tanana Valley Kennel Club in Fairbanks, Alaska!

The commission involved creating trophies for their AKC licensed all-breed dog show held on May 28th, 2011.  The trophies included Best in Show and First Place for the following groups:  Herding, Working, Sporting, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Terrier and Best Junior Handler. 

Many thanks to the officers of TVKC for this wonderful opportunity to once again be a part of the dog show scene.  It certainly brought back many memories!

All trophies were made from MDF shapes that I designed for TVKC, handmade ceramic tiles with relevant show information, commercial ceramic tiles and handcut stained glass.  

Here are the photos!
















And the winner was...a standard poodle who walked away with the Non-Sporting group and Best in Show trophies!  Congratulations to the winner of one of the oldest sporting events in the United States!

(c) Artful Mosaics 2011

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Mosaic Tiles Can Be Anything!

There is one true fact about mosaic tiles...they are definitely in the eye of the beholder!

The list of potential tiles is endless but some examples include:  traditional china and stained glass tiles, commercial ceramic tiles, glass gem cabochons, seaglass, driftwood, polymer clay tiles, jewelry findings, glass beads, glass shapes, 3d objects, half-cups and half-saucers, pebbles, commercial stone tiles, polished gemstones, handmade clay tiles and just about anything else that can be glued down and grouted.

Here are some really cool retro flower power mugs and plates that I found for my next mosaic project.

 

Can you imagine the possibilities with these awesome tiles?  I'm thinking of mosaicing a large lamp base with these tiles.  Yes, I really do want a retro flower power lamp!



Glass shapes!  Try flowers, dogs, cats, ladybugs, whales, dolphins, butterflies...whatever you find appealing.  These are so versatile.  You can either incorporate these into your mosaic projects or attach them to the surface of a mosaic.



Go 3D and try some handmade ceramic tiles!  These are so versatile.  They are waterproof and can used in backsplashes, shower enclosures and other areas where moisture is present.

 
Other items that I have used in my mosaics include wine corks, resin stones and bottle caps (not pictured).

You don't have to spend a fortune to make mosaics!  Go to thrift stores and junkyards...you will be amazed at the many items that you run across that will spark your imagination and creation of a unique mosaic!

Just be sure to use the appropriate base for your mosaic tiles.  Most surfaces work best indoors although there are surfaces that can withstand outdoor temperatures and other weather conditions.

If you have any questions please contact me at:


 
Questions are welcome...let me help you with your next mosaic project!

~Dana