Colorado Mountain College Mosaic Workshop 2nd Class

It's official, I have introduced another group of unsuspecting victims to mosaic.  They have quickly aquired the illness and are moving in on addiction!  The first two classes have really been about learning the materials and how to use the nippers.  Here they are, hard at work.  I have also included pictures of their projects, you can check back in to see how they progress. 

Miss Enchantment

'Miss Enchantment'- I must have had this combination of china plates laid out for over a week as I compared different beads and tiles to use. I tried seafoam green, gray, ivory, white; even pink. Then, as if by divine intervention, I dropped a black bead in the mix while experimenting with another combination. The china 'popped'. I tried to even talk myself out of it, black? But it just worked, it was right. I am thrilled with the result. While the dress is elegant, the china really gets the attention.

I do also have to admit that I have been influenced by Natalie Portman's performance in Black Swan.  The tiles at the neckline are definately as a result of seeing Natalie's spectacular costume as the Black Swan.  While I feel that I have a small handle on creating ruffles with the china, feathers still elude me.

'Miss Enchantment' will be available at the Artist Project NY, Pier 92, March 17-20.

New York, NY

Miss Royale

Allow me to introduce 'Miss Royale'. She is made of china, seafoam green tiles and white jade beads. After creating 'Miss Soleil' this summer (blue and white china with yellow tile), I have been interested in working with more contrasting colors. While this seafoam green is not a splashy color, it is not white or ivory!

The china has little dainty flowers in pink, yellow and blue with green leaves. The edge of the china is an ivory and the inside is pure white. 'Miss Royale' is currently available from

E.S. Lawrence Gallery in Aspen, CO.

Miss Victoria 2

Introducing 'Miss Victoria 2'. Miss Victoria is 22 inches tall and 12 inches wide at the bottom of her skirt. She is created out of Syracuse China pattern Victoria. You may recall that 'Miss Avalon' was also created out of Syracuse China. I really, really like their china. I did some research this past summer to find out about purchasing their china direct from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, Syracuse China was sold a few years ago and the patterns are no longer in production. When we vacation in Upstate NY, I do often times come across Syracuse China. Now I feel a little more guilty breaking this china, knowing that it is no longer being made!

The shape of this china is Federal, meaning that it has sort of a fluted edge with a gold rim. I hesitated to call her 'Miss Victoria 2' as I have already done a 'Miss Victoria', but since it was the name of the china pattern and it is also in pinks, as in the original 'Miss Victoria', it seemed appropriate.

I love the rose detail on this piece, it is a beautiful, rich, deep pink. 'Miss Victoria 2' is heading over to E.S. Lawrence Gallery in Aspen later this week.

And then there were 5.....

Several months ago, a client contacted me about using her mother's china in a sculpture for herself and her sister-in-law.  I completed two sculptures using the china.  Fortunately, when these two pieces were complete, there was still enough china to create 3 more smaller sculptures!  I have just now finished these and they are with the shipper off to their new homes.  These will be gifted to my client's daughter and her 2 nieces.  What a wonderful way to remember someone special.





Kodak Theater Stairway in Smalti.....

On a recent trip to Los Angeles, we had the opportunity to visit Hollywood.  We were complete tourists and did all the things tourists do.  The kids put their hands in the hand prints at Grahmen's Chinese Theater, we took photos of the famous Hollywood sign and we visited the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards are handed out.  How appropriate that the stairs leading to the theater are created in red smalti- just like the red carpet!  Mixed in with the red smalti are gold pieces, as in Oscar's favorite color.  What a wonderful way to commemorate the highest honor in acting with the best tile in the world!  So beautiful.... 

Commission Completed 2

This piece is the second commission sculpture I completed for a client using her mother's china.  You can scroll down inside this blog to see photographs of the first piece.  I love how the two are completely different, yet, using the same materials.  In this piece I used 2 rows of glass beads at the neckline, I have never done this before.  I like the effect and will likely use this idea again.   Let me know what you think about the two pieces and how I used the china.......