It's Show Time ~ Again!!

For my readers who live in the Tallahassee area, I'll be doing one show before Christmas at the DowntownMarket's "Just One More" event on Saturday, December 11.  Here's a copy of the flyer.

Please be sure to visit my booth and, if you mention this blog post, you will receive a 10% discount on any purchases at my booth.

Later this week, I'll be posting a few teaser pictures of some of the items I've been working on.

Refurbishing a Patio Table

As I promised, here is the latest BIG project I did this past summer.

Here is the before photo of our patio table. As you can see, there really isn't anything wrong with it (except that it's really drab). It's still in good shape and looks decent enough. But we had always talked about mosaicing it and decided we wanted to show our team spirit in the process. So, we went with a Seminole head in the center and some type of border that would be decided later (I don't usually wing it when it comes to designs, but I had trouble envisioning anything and just dove right in). This kind of indecision makes me procrastinate more than I should!

Throughout this post I'll show you the steps I took to use stained glass to mosaic my design on this table. The tabletop is a composite wood product which contained a laminate surface on the top and bottom. Since the table had been exposed to the weather for at least 10 years and still showed no sign of wear, warping or swelling, I decided I could mosaic right on the surface. Some people suggested replacing the top with concrete board, but that presented more problems than I was willing to deal with and I just went ahead with my plan.

The first thing I had to do was patch the umbrella hole. I taped a piece of cardboard over the hole on the top of the table and put it top down on the patio. Then I used a spray insulation and filled the hole. My thinking was that I would have a smooth surface on the top after removing the cardboard and would be able to just cut the excess from the bottom.

Actually I thought that was pretty logical thinking until I removed the cardboard from the top. Of course, the insulation stuck to the cardboard and some of the insulation came off. I didn't completely freak out and decided that when I started to mosaic, I would just fill in with thinset. It ended up being a pretty easy fix!!

Here's a picture of my initial pattern. I think the cartoon looks a little childish but in the back of my mind there was some vision there and, most importantly, a border plan. I did enlarge the center medallion a little and really thought I would use this border (more on that later).

I transferred the center "medallion" pattern to the table using carbon paper. It's a little difficult to see in this picture, but you can see the outline of the Seminole head drawn on the table. (Click on the pics to enlarge and see more detail).

Now, it's time to get down and dirty with the real work! I had gathered all my materials: glass, glass cutter, wheeled nippers, thinset, containers for mixing, a jug of water and various and sundry tools that I thought I would need. Oh, and let's not forget the band-aids!!

Here's what I accomplished after my first day of work. Thankfully, I started this project on Labor Day weekend, Mr. Man was working and I had the whole day to myself. I had anticipated getting a little further along, but I was a little slow to start, I guess.

After working with the table at regular height, my back was killing me! I had some bed risers that I use for my tables at shows and put them under the table legs. Worked well, but it still wasn't tall enough. Mr. Man had a great idea to put my folded show table under the risers and it worked perfectly! If you ever decide to do this type of project, be sure you can raise your work surface to a comfortable height. You'll be glad you did!!

I kept going back and forth with using the tweezers and toothpicks. Whatever it takes to get those little pieces perfectly situated!

Here's what I finished the first weekend (with several breaks, a football game and a family get-together). I was quite pleased with my progress so far. I didn't think that was too bad!

Of course, with projects this large, I have trouble just stopping and picking up later. The total project took me 3 weeks and I worked on it in the evenings and weekends every minute I could fit in there. Of course, this meant that I was working in the dark sometimes and since I don't have a real shop to work in, I was outside under the patio (thank goodness for good weather). Although my radio kept me company, it was still a little scary after dark.

Until I started this project, I didn't realize that we had a resident 'possum! Every night about dark-thirty, that little rascal would come sneaking out of the little creek (a/k/a ditch) beside our property and stroll across the lawn. A little freaky the first couple of times I saw him, but I considered him company after a while!!!

I still had not decided on what to do with all that space between the medallion and the outer edge of the table. I talked about adding a little something to take up all that white space (like "FSU" or a feather or tomahawk in various places), but after I got to this point, I was ready to just get the border glued down and then fill in with white. I toyed with this idea but didn't like using so many colors for the border.

Finally, I decided to go with this border and use white square tiles to fill in.

Here's a work in progress while laying down all that white! I know it looks like a lot of white, but I was surprised at how quickly I got it done.

All the white is finally filled in! Next, I had to scrape off the excess glue and get ready for grout.

I wanted all the white tiles grouted in white and the rest in black. I first taped off the areas that would get white grout (the face, feather and background) so I could apply the black grout. I didn't completely tape off the white background area because I was sure I wouldn't go outside the taping.

This is the scariest part of making a mosaic for me.  I know the black grout will cover all my glass and will look horrible and it will appear there is no return at that point.  But, after using the damp sponge and the glass starts shining through, there is an amazing transformation!  Although I knew better, I didn't wear gloves during this process.  Gloves just feel very clumsy to me and I thought I could just wash off the grout afterwards.  Wrong!!!  It took quite a bit of scrubbing with various soaps to get all that black off my hands and from around my cuticles.  Yuck!  Next time I'll wear gloves.

Here's the table after applying and cleaning the black grout. 

Next, I had to tape off the black areas and get ready for white grout.  This process just can't go fast enough for me at this point.

Of course, my timing is usually a little off.  The evening I was ready to spread the white grout, the "love bugs" showed up.  You can see one of the little buggers at the top right (on the white tiles) in this picture.  For those who don't know, "love bugs" take to the air twice a year in this area (usually May and September) and are a major pain.  In addition to being a menace to car finishes, they are attracted to light colored objects (such as white tiles) and decided to make their flight when I was ready to apply my white grout!



Here's a close up of what happened after I spread the white grout and before I wiped it off.  This was a pretty light season for the love bugs but still was an added distraction during grouting!

Yes, they fly in pairs ~ read more about them here.

Finally, after cleaning all the grout and letting it sit for a few days, I was able to seal the grout and set the table back in its place.



Mr. Man thinks it's a masterpiece (I love my fans!)  I realize that I'm a very inexperienced mosaicist and am extremely critical of my work (I see something wrong w/it everyday), but I'm pretty proud of this accomplishment.

Now, the patio really doesn't do the table justice and I think we'll have to do something about the patio next!!

OMG!!

I can't believe how long it's been since I last published a blog post. I apologize for abandoning my blog and I really, really, will try to be a little more consistent in the future.

Just to bring you up to date, I've haven't been real productive in the broken china treasures business lately. I just haven't had the motivation to really get in gear.....but....I think I may have my mojo back! I've signed up for our local Downtown Market's "Just One More" show that will be held December 11 at the heart of our downtown area. I've decided to make some small victorian inspired stained glass panels, some new and "tried and true" suncatcher designs and then I'll focus on some new jewelry ideas.

During the past year I've been keeping a little "idea book" with me at all times. I thought I would have filled it up by now, but the ideas just aren't coming to me like I thought they would. If you're the creative type and always forget your ideas, I highly recommend using an "idea book". Mine's just a small wire bound notebook that fits in my purse and when I come across something that appeals to me I note it in my little book. It might be a picture from the internet, a necklace I saw someone wear or a dream design I had the previous night. It's a little hodgepodge of ideas that provide some needed inspiration when I get the itch to create!

I'll post pictures shortly of the stained glass and broken china treasures I plan to take to the December show with me. Keep checking back ~ I promise I'll be posting on a more regular basis.

P.S. I made a glass mosaic table this past summer and plan to do a blog post about it. Please come back and visit!!

And the Winner is........

The Fall Business Womens Expo was a lot of fun! I want to thank Dee of Runako Designs for sponsoring. There were over 30 vendors that participated and we had a lot of fun visiting each other, although I didn't have time to get to everyone. I'm sorry, but I'll certainly check out the other shops and blogs this next week.


Now is the time to announce the winner of the Blue Willow heart pendant.....drum roll, please......

Pearl a/k/a TheBeadingGem is the winner!!! The Blue Willow pendant is on it's way to Canada and I can't wait to see what type of necklace or other embellishment Pearl will add to it.

Check out Pearl and 4 other artists at The Bead Sisterhood and follow her on her blog ~ The Beading Gem's Journal and her trendhunter portfolio.

Thank you to everyone who visited and posted a comment on my blog and, again, congratulations to The Beading Gem.

Fall Business Women Oline Expo - Booth #23

Hello! Welcome to my blog!

I'll start by telling you a little about myself. I'm a legal assistant by day and manic glass and china artist by night (and weekend). I love working with broken china and stained glass creating jewelry, suncatchers, home and desk items and just about anything in glass/china. I've been busy restocking my Etsy shop and will continue to add new items throughout the weekend. I hope you will stop in and enjoy browsing.

In previous posts, I've shared some of my projects and showcased special pieces. I would love for you to become a follower so you can stay updated on future projects and pieces.

I've decided to have a special giveaway for this inaugural expo!

Everyone who leaves a comment on this post by noon (ET) Monday, 9/28, will have a chance to win this Blue Willow heart shaped broken china pendant! The drawing will be held Monday evening (September 28) and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Blue Willow is one of my favorite china patterns to work with and I love how it looks in this heart shaped pattern - also my favorite shape! As you will see in my Etsy shop, I have a variety of patterns and shapes and will also work with you if you would like a special order.

Don't forget, for a chance to win the pendant above, leave a comment here before noon on Monday, 9/28.

After leaving your comment, follow the link above to return to the Expo home and visit the other vendors.

Getting Ready for the Expo!!

Remember, after midnight tonight, we will begin our Fall Business Women Expo sponsored by Runaka Designs and it will end on Sunday. I haven't decided what type of special I'll be having (a discount for my Etsy store or a giveaway) but you can be sure it will be a first for me!! I'll be updating my Etsy shop tonight with new, never before seen items.

Be sure to go to the Girls Night Out blog, visit all the vendors participating in the Expo and leave comments on their blogs. Can't wait to see you!!

Fall Business Women Online Expo - Come Join Us Saturday!!

Runako Designs is graciously sponsoring a Fall Business Women Online Expo this weekend, September 26, for a special online girls night out. Please come by and join us for this exciting event and visit all the special women business owners who are showcased in this expo. Just click on the link above and take a virtual tour of the blogs of all these talented and wonderful women.

Remember visit the expo this weekend and visit all the great vendors! See ya then!

Dragonflies

I've been following the very talented ladies over at the Stained Glass & Mosaics forum on GardenWeb. Take a look here to see what it's all about. There are some very creative people here that have loads of ideas and certainly don't mind sharing their secrets!

One of the ladies was making experimental dragonflies using old silverware spoons for the body. They turned out great so I just had to make one! Friday, on my lunch hour, I went to Goodwill to find the spoons. Dadgummit, somebody already grabbed the best spoons. Hmmm, I'll have to improvise a little, so I bought a couple of knives. The handles have great charm and I'm sure I can cut them. (I was so confident, I bought 2!!)

Mr. Man was working late so I knew I could make these before he got home. I rushed home, ignoring my need to workout (hey, it's Friday after all), and started working. I pulled out my hacksaw and started cutting......and cutting.....and cutting. Thank goodness I have a little contraption that could hold the knives steady for me while I cut....and cut.... and cut!

Finally, two handles are cut off and I used a file (probably not one for metal, but it worked) and smoothed down the cut ends a little.

Now, to pick out the glass for the wings, I think this iridized, textured glass scrap will work great!

This is going well and my timing is working out. Now, I have to find my wing patterns........... how frustrating when you are trying to rush to make a project and you can't find what you need.......

Searching, searching, searching.....how in the world did I collect so many patterns and why are there so many duplicate copies......certainly there are some dragonfly wings in one of these books......

No time to look anymore, I'll just draw some wings. Off to the computer to see what real dragonfly wings look like. Wow, what a variety of wings! Ok, just choose one pic and draw it, copy it, be sure to mark left side top, left side bottom, right side top, right side bottom ...... time's drawing near.

I rush back out to my shop and cut out the wings, placing them next to the body to envision the final creation:

Hmmm, not bad. Ok, I've already decided I would wrap the wings with U-came to make the process go faster, then solder the U-came to the body. I'm doing ok on time right now.

Great! The wing's wrapped and I take it to the soldering station to see if the solder will stick to the knife handle..........AARRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!

It won't work. Now Mr. Man is home and I'm so frustrated at this point that I just have to put it away. I spend the rest of the evening and all day Saturday trying to come up with some way that I can attach those wings. I've seen it done with wire but I've never used that technique. So, I mull it over in my mind and on Sunday afternoon I finally think I have the patience to work on it again.

Of course, I didn't take anymore pictures of the work in progress due to my previous failure. But, I did work with the wire, was able to finally get the wings attached and soldered a ring on it. All in all, I think the experiment turned out pretty well and I will probably make a few more to see how they sell at my uncoming show the end of October.

Now, I have to get back on track and get those business card holders finished and begin working on more items for the show.

~ til next time!

Make Your Own Personalized Photo Magnets

As promised, here are the instructions for making personalized photo magnets. But first a disclaimer ~ I apologize for the quality of the pictures. Not my best, but I was a little rushed and wanted to get these instructions on the blog promptly.

Ok, first is a list of materials you will need:

1. Glass. I went to the dollar store and purchased the $1 8 x 10 picture frames - with glass (some of these actually have a flimsy plastic for the glass). The glass in these inexpensive frames are usually just the right thickness for this project.

2. Glass cutter and oil. You can use an inexpensive pencil cutter for this project.

3. Cork backed metal ruler.

4. Sharpie marker.

5. Photographs, scrapbook papers, pictures from magazines, old greeting cards, dried flowers, vintage lace, vintage or new wallpaper scraps, etc. - you get the idea. Anything that you may want to put between two pieces of glass.

6. Copper foil. I usually use 1/4" foil. For making a decorative edge, I use 1/2" foil. You can easily find this at a local stained glass shop and sometimes at a hobby shop.

7. Pencil.

8. Adhesive backed magnet sheets.

That's it! Now let's get started.

First, decide what size you want your magnets. The ones I demonstrate are 3" x 2", just because that was most economical size for the magnet sheets I bought. Make them any size you want but if you make them much larger than 3" x 2", they may be too heavy for your magnets.

Using your ruler and Sharpie, mark your horizontal lines and score with your glass cutter along the edge of the ruler. Then turn the glass and mark your vertical lines and score those lines. Using your fingers, snap apart the glass.



Now that you have your glass pieces cut to size, gather your photos and embellishment materials:

Using your glass pieces as patterns, cut out your photos and start embellishing:

To embellish the old photo above with a scalloped edge, use black construction paper and a pair of decorative scrapbook scissors as follows:

After you have your photos embellished, clean your glass using a glass cleaner and dry well. Insert your photos between two pieces of glass and, using a small strip of copper foil, tape the glass together on opposite sides:

Now you're ready to foil! If you don't want a decorative edge, use the 1/4" foil and center the glass on the foil and wrap around the edges of the glass:

For a decorative edge, use the same scrapbook scissors, and trim the edge off the 1/2" wide foil. Cut pieces of the trimmed foil to the same size as each edge and lay the foil on the top edge of the glass then wrap around to adhere the foil to the back of the glass:

After your glass pieces are foiled, burnish the foil by using a smooth sided pencil or your Sharpie to smooth and firmly adhere the foil to all sides of the glass (front, back and edges):

After you have burnished the edges of all the foil, cut your sheet magnet and attach to the back of the glass. There you have it ~ beautiful personalized photo magnets!

These could make great gifts for the holidays, new baby, house warming or "just because". Go around your town and take photographs of landmarks to make house warming gifts, or copy photos of the new baby, from the sonogram to birth, photograph your favorite sports team or use old holidary cards. The ideas are limitless!!

I realize some of the materials for this project may be hard to find. I have been considering putting together a kit with all the materials needed except for the photographs to put between the glass. If you are interested in a kit like this, leave me a comment. Also, please leave me a comment and let me know if this tutorial was helpful.

Make Your Own Broken China Jewelry

Am I crazy?!? I create broken china jewelry and now I'm ready to share my secrets so you can make your own. I'm not crazy. I just know there are so many talented people that want to make their own broken china jewelry but don't know where to start. I now have the solution for you. I've created an e-book that will show you step by step how to make your own jewelry and, you still have time to order the book, create your own pendants or ornaments and cross off those hard to buy for people on your holiday list.

In this book you will learn two different methods of cutting and shaping your china. I'll also show you how to foil, solder and finish your pendants or ornaments. This is such a fun art project and can be very personal. I'm sure you have some old china or know of the china patterns that your grandmothers may have treasured. Some of it may be chipped or cracked and is so precious you can't throw it away but there is nothing else you can do with it. Make it into keepsake jewelry or ornaments!

This e-book contains 36 pages of detailed instruction and almost 100 photographs to guide you. Also, I'm always available by e-mail to answer any questions that may come along.

Go to my Etsy shop here to order your copy ~


Also, I am putting together a great tutorial for making these personalized photo magnets.


Check back soon. I plan to have this tutorial up in a few days.

Fourth of July and Family Reunion!!

I know, I know, I'm late in wishing everyone a happy Fourth of July but I have a very good reason. You see, I've been extremely busy. I'm going to reveal a little something about myself ~ I'm a chronic procrastinator. No, I'm not proud of that, but when you find out what I've been doing, you'll see why I'm so late with my July 4th wishes.

My father's side of the family has a family reunion every Fourth of July (well, we just kinda barge in since my part of the family is really a brother of the person the reunion is named after - but if we know there's gonna be good food and we can somehow get invited, we're there)!

Anyway, this was a special reunion ~ the 100th consecutive year it has been held!!! 100 years!!! Can you believe that?

For such a special occasion, I decided to decorate the closest of my female relatives with special necklaces. That's where the procrastination comes in. I've had the idea rolling around my head for several months. I knew I wanted to make something with pictures, and I knew I wanted a necklace with some embellishments such as beads and a patriotic theme.

These pictures are of my parents, grandparents and great grand parents ~ don't you just love those old, old pictures? I just don't understand why nobody ever smiled way back then?!?

Well, I made a list of my closest female relatives and tallied up the number of necklaces I would need to make ~ a total of 15 (including myself, of course). Whew, so I did some more tallying and when I multiplied the number of photo charms per necklace by the number of necklaces - well, that was pretty ambitious! Especially when there's only 2 weeks before the reunion!! I began gathering my materials, cutting the glass, amassing the pictures I would use and, of course, not allowing myself enough time for any glitches. But, I actually got all the necklaces made, put them in pretty little boxes and even had time to make patriotic tags for each little box.

Here's the front and back of the final product!

Of course, some of the necklaces had different pictures, but you get the general idea. They were a big, big hit!

So, now that the Fourth and the reunion is over (we're still rubbing our pudgy little bellies from all those great homemade goodies), and now that I've had a little rest, I'll start working on my next project(s). I'll be taking new pictures and posting more jewelry in my Etsy shop and I also plan to fine tune my "How to Make Broken China Jewelry" e-book and get it posted. Keep watching here so you'll know when I post the new e-book and jewelry!