Florida Butterflies 2, 3, and 4, ready to fly

Largest one is 8" across.  All stained glass, on mesh, for a public art display in Fort Myers, Florida, to be installed by Eve Lynch of Kraken Mosaics.  All the butterflies will be grouted with black!  

Space Mosaic - Saturn almost done

Saturn will be a small part of a large mosaic (perhaps 9 feet by 3 feet) that depicts a tiny portion of the universe and will include planets, spiral galaxies, comets, and other heavenly bodies. For inspiration, I visit the Ministry of Space Exploration website and gaze in awe at the magnificent images of outer space.

(a detail pic, a large Austrian crystal with a tail of crystals, located on the far right in the larger pic)




I think this mosaic will be a triptych; I toyed with the idea of triangles but I'm not sure that shape is conducive to outer space. I like the idea of a large circle also. It will probably consist of three equal squares, hung close together side by side.

Space mosaic - WIP 6-11-11

(left-click on image to enlarge and then left-click again to enlarge further)

Here's what I have on mesh and ready to install, an area about 2.5' x 3'. I estimate that I have about half a cow's worth right now, and next I plan to work on the Earth, Mars, Saturn, and a large comet.

To explain how these pieces will be used: A mosaic on mesh can be trimmed into any shape that's needed. Right now these pieces are 12"x12" squares, but the goal is that, after installation, there will be no hint of individual squares, but rather, the mosaic will be blended into one harmonious whole. A mosaic on mesh can be installed on a flat surface, or onto a moderately curved surface, such as the body of a fiberglass cow for the CowParade. I am toying with the idea of several separate pieces, such as a triptych, and what I am really interested in is stretched canvas, in the shape of 3 triangles, each framed with black metal.

Hand-poured stained glass, Swarovski crystals, vintage costume jewelry, glass beads, pearls, 24K plate rims, pique assiette

Glass Tumbling for mosaic project

Today I began tumbling glass for the big outer space mosaic project. I have cut round shapes for planets and ground the edges smooth. I nipped bits of glass and 24K plate rims using Leponitt glass nippers. I loaded one barrel and tumbled the glass for 35 minutes. It came out great, shiny with smooth edges. I was concerned about the iridescent glass and the 24K gold-plated porcelain but it was fine. This first load was a test. I loaded up another barrel and started it, noting the time. I got busy with supper and granddaughters, etc., and suddenly realized that the tumbler had been going for almost an hour. I dropped everything and ran out to rescue the glass. It was still in good shape; the iridescence was still there and so was the gold.

These pieces will be used to mosaic galaxies and nebulas and comet tails. I decided today that I will write a Hubpage giving detailed instructions on how to tumble stained glass. When I publish it, I will come back here and post the link. I am having a great time, putting together all the tess for this large and wonderful project!

Still haven't heard from the CowParade, but if my design is not selected, I will use all these pieces in a large wall hanging with the same theme. So either way, I am anxious to get started!

Mosaic tequila bottle, finished

(Before and after -- click on the photo to enlarge)

Sea Journey with oak frame

I like this better with a frame; it looks more finished now ... (click image to enlarge)

Passion

Passion - framed and ready to hang:  (click to enlarge)

Sea Journey

Completed and ready to hang:  (click to enlarge)

(Note added 3/23/11) Since this photo was taken, I have added an oak frame and will post a new picture when I buy batteries for my camera. 

Sea Journey

Click to enlarge . . . The first photo shows the framed canvas turned over, Wedi installed, mosaic applied onto the Wedi.  I liked working with this canvas because it is unusually deep so I can use all levels of tesserae.  Note the drapery glass.  The blue glass in the upper right is rolled back onto itself, and makes me think of a wave.  The second photo shows the stained glass frame added.  Next I will grout using sand-colored sanded grout. 

March - in like a lamb!

Okay!  March is here.  Yay!  In my last post I complained about the bitter cold weather and how it sapped my creative energy.  Well, after the weather improved, we all came down with the flu, which lasted about ten days.  I started feeling human again yesterday.  So here's a photo of the tequila bottle that I amused myself with while waiting for a bolt of inspiration, and also a photo of a pendant I made for a friend's mother.  There's a story behind this pendant.  Her mother was moving to a smaller place and weeding out stuff.  Her friend had mailed her a tea set from Japan and it arrived with half the pieces broken.  She started to throw it out and my friend said, "Wait, let me have that for Silva; she mosaics."   So we ordered two silver plated pendants from Etsy and I cut a couple of pieces from the tea set.  The pendant she chose was a large square and the image captured in it was a white sacred crane on a chocolate and bronze background.   I didn't get a picture of it.  This is the other one; the one I kept.  The tequila bottle is ready to be grouted.  I am going to wrap a heavy duty textured ribbon around the neck and paint it.

I am about to get busy again.  A friend is having an open house in April called "The Art in Women" and I will have a display table there.  The fifth graders at Bee Cave Elementary will be creating a mosaic bird bath for their butterfly garden and I will be helping with that, starting about the middle of March.  So it's time to shake off the winter doldrums. 

Wedi board - my first time to use it.

I purchased two large pieces of Wedi board from Maryland Mosaics almost a year ago.  I finally got brave enough today to cut out a piece.  I used an Exacto knife and it wasn't too difficult.  The cement coating chips a bit but I am going to seal the edges with thinset anyway so it doesn't matter.  I have come up with a new way to hang the finished piece; first I want to seal the edges and install the Wedi in something else (a secret right now) and then I will take pictures and post detailed instructions (if it works).  I'm excited. 

Wedi is a light-weight substrate that looks like rigid styrofoam covered with mesh and then coated with a thin layer of stuff that looks like cement.  I want to use it because of its light weight.  I can do a large wall hanging without worrying too much about the weight.  So we will see!  I will post an update shortly.

I am nipping plates and bowls for the birdbath and still thinking about the design.  Although I haven't posted much lately, I'm working!  Today I grouted a beautiful pink stained glass and Swarovsky crystal picture frame, and then cut out the Wedi. 

Here's an interesting discussion about Wedi that I participated in last spring:

http://www.thathomesite.com/forums/load/stainedglass/msg1213403330145.html?40

More later.

Mosaic Gazing Ball

(Click on the photo for a larger view)

I just published an article on how I made this mosaic ball:

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-mosaic-a-styrofoam-ball

Across the Universe mosaic guitar

Click on the image and click again to see more detail.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe

This one has it all, mirror tile, vitreous glass tile, costume jewelry, dichroic glass, stained glass, flat glass marbles, leather bolo, dichroic stringers, glass beads. Note the Crab nebula (for my daughter who is a Cancer) and various spiral galaxies.

Conquistador Guitar done

Click on the photo and then click again for a larger view.

Conquistador guitar ready to grout except for strings and tuners

How to mosaic - - see the column on the right

I just discovered the Pages feature on this blog and I'm excited about it! I plan to add instructions and tips often; located at the top of the right-hand column. If you have any question and/or suggestions, please email me: silvahayes at gmail.com

Conquistador Guitar wip, cutting and layout

I have the 24K gold plate rims glued. Everything else is still loose. I wish I had matching orange medallions to place on either side of the axe head but I'm probably going to go with his silver shield on one side. Mingling with the flames will be mottled light and dark blue Bullseye stained glass.


















Here's a photo showing the tool I use to cut the flames, a Toyo oil hand cutter TC-600, available at stained glass shops. I score the glass free-hand, use a Fletcher tool (looks like pliers) (also from stained glass shops) to put pressure on the scored line, and voila the glass pops apart right where I scored it (well, almost always).















If you look closely at the 24K gold plate rims that encircle the face of the guitar, you can see how I nip in an alternating slant instead of a straight cut. This helps to go around the curves.

Conquistador Guitar wip, gathering materials

I start with the theme, the song Conquistador, written and performed by Gary Brooker and Procol Harum. Then I decide on the colors, and next I pick out a few pieces to expand on the theme. I come up with a design, loosely, in my head, and start to cut and glue. I'm thinking axe head, stallion's saddle, angel's wing, silver shield, turquoise and blue, the colors of the sea, contrasting with the dramatic reds and oranges of Spain, all framed by the 24K gold of the plate rim.



Click on the photo and then click again to enlarge.

Monarch butterfly on mesh

This was done some time ago but I'm am posting it here just because. I made this piece (size 3 ft. x 3 ft.) to be the center of a larger installation at the Bee Cave Elementary Butterfly Garden created by Ken Coffelt. It's a magical place, in front of the school but off to one side, with stonework beds and plants that attract butterflies. The medallion in which the Monarch is installed is about 5'x5' and is framed with tiles made by the children who were in fifth grade at that time. I made this at home and transported it to the school in my van on a piece of cardboard and pressed it down into thinset, then grouted and sealed.




©2008, Silva Hayes, Monarch Butterfly

Bumping up photos of mosaic stairs

Completed August 2009. My largest mosaic project so far:

©2009, Silva Hayes, River through the woods

These stair risers are mosaiced onto Plexiglass rectangles with a hole drilled in each end of each one. The risers were installed after all the work was completed. The mosaic is a mixture of stained glass, vintage jewelry, broken plates, and various bits. Little children love to slowly climb them and point out snails, fish, butterflies, dragonflies, and turtles that live near the water.