Splashy!

This is a slideshow of the kitchen back splash that I did. For glass, glue, and grout the cost was around $300. Time wise I would say at least 100 hours with an estimated 30 of just cutting pieces - it's a big kitchen. (Of course I can't really complain because I could have made the pieces bigger.)

Family and neighbors were involved in gluing and grouting spread out over four weekends. One of the reasons I think it turned out so well was that the outlets were mounted under the cabinets so the glass doesn't get interrupted. In case you can't tell in the pictures, it really does kick ass.

Earthy

I really love the brown color of glass from this piece, unfortunately, I haven't been able to find it again.

Measures 26" x 18"

Cement board is pretty handy stuff

So, there are a portion of you guys that don't comment but ask me questions via email or in person. I thought I'd answer one about the materials I use. The glass for the Martian tree mosaic is directly onto cement board. This is the same stuff you would use to tile a floor - you can buy it at Home Depot in 3'x5' sheets and use a utility knife cut to your desired size.

My trick for hanging is to drill two holes through the board and carve a channel for wire or string to lay in. You then feed the wire through and tie the wire off in the back of the mosaic. Because of the channel, you can mosaic right over the top so you basically have a hidden hanging system.

It is a great surface for not a lot of money - I'm a big fan.

My second ever mosaic project

When I started mosaicing about eight years ago (holy cow) I worked with tile before moving mostly to glass. This is the second thing that I ever made. My awesome Dad made the table and I did the mosaic straight onto a piece of plywood that we then dropped in and grouted.

The table is at the lake, hence the fish design (which I got out of a book). I can still remember how cutting the tile into specific sized pieces really hurt my hand because you had to use so much pressure with the tile nippers. I also remember my roommate yelling at me about the tile shards everywhere. She wasn't too happy when I moved to glass.

Disaster Recovery

So, this is my dud of a mosaic. I did the lime green “flow” and the background in the bottom right corner. After finishing that portion of the background I decided that it was just plain ugly. As a result all progress halted for about a year.

My plan for recovery is seen here. I used some scrap glass (read unsightly colors) to fill in the rest of the background and then grouted the whole piece. Phase two of recovery involves putting a new design over the background portion, grouting, and leaving the green flow to be slightly recessed.

We’ll see what happens. Stay tuned.

He's got personality

Chris is nice so no matter what he thinks he'll fake enthusiasm. But come on, I challenge you to find a better looking Martian tree than this one.

I actually think he's pretty cute - in a quirky, happy, goofy, kind of way.


Measures 13" x 15"

A tree limb seems to always be in the way

Here is my Martian tree. This guy is a little tricky because of the constant tight spaces. As a result, he is progressing a little slower than expected.

The delay could also be due to the fact that the weather has been so nice - who wants to be surrounded by glass and glue?

My new BFF Chris

So, I'm making a mosaic for Chris. Now, I know a lot of you are saying, "What, who is this guy, I've been asking for a mosaic for years."

Chris's pathetically empty cube at work has made me pity him, and the key of persuading anyone to act is to tap into emotion. As a result, Chris is getting a small mosaic using these four colors. Design of the mosaic is similar to Grandma's piece with what I would describe as a slightly alien/Martian twist.

Grouting Gurus

We followed up our mosaicing weekend at the lake with a grouting party.





Laura, myself, and Abby grouting Abby's mosaic






Full disclaimer that I am not a Bears fan





Hat tip to Carol for the pictures!

It wasn't love at first sight

I delivered the mosaic and after an initial lukewarm reaction, "Oh yeah, well I like that," Grandma did seem to actually like it.

I base this on the fact that we ended up having to adjust placement on three different pictures before finding the right spot for the mosaic. The right spot ended up being on the wall she faces while sitting in her recliner - a sure sign that she actually wants to see the mosaic. (Although I was worried when she asked me if it was supposed to be a tree - was that not clear?)

Another comment she made, "It's about time I got something new in here - everything is about 40 years old." Gotta love Grandma!

Just needs grout

Grandma's piece is done except for grouting. I don't think it turned out too badly. The plan is to grout this week and then give it to her this weekend.

A mosaicing weekend

My cousin Laura requested a mosaicing lesson so what better place to have it then at the cottage? We set up a cutting glass station amongst the trees, used the deck as our work area, and had sheets of glass spread across the front yard. We got a ton done and I think that Abby and Laura will be able to continue without me - it's all about having the right tools!

We also took a field trip and liberated some windows that had been propped up against a fence for a few months. We didn't go in the dark of night, but we were in and out pretty quickly. All in all, a very fun weekend.

I've got a design

Started to mosaic my Grandma's picture. It's a tree with some leaves and is only using four colors. I finished the stem and the leaves are up next. I'm not feeling that motivated, which is why I don't have a picture to share. I'm at a, "it will be okay" stage but who wants to make something that is "okay."

I'm really not a gold frame kind of girl

My Grandma gave me a gold frame from an old picture that she used to have hanging in her living room. She asked me to put a mosaic in it for her. So you appreciate this task, let me tell you about my Grandma:

• It takes her at least six hours to adjust a vase of flowers on the table so they are angled perfectly.

• If she doesn't like something she lets you know - repeatedly.

• Her living room is all pastel and floral.

I asked Grandma what kind of colors or design she would like and she said, "I'll like anything you make." My Grandma is an 87 year-old liar. This is a high pressure situation people! I've been thinking about designs for a few weeks now and have yet to settle on anything. I really don't want to end up with a mosaic that neither of us like.

Moving on from Big Guy

With Big Guy complete I have two projects on the docket.

1. A four pane window that I'm going to attempt to save from a really bad initial design by adding a second layer of glass.

2. My Grandma asked for a mosaic. I love my Grandma but man, I don't want to make her a mosaic to match her pink floral living room. It will take some thought to figure out a design that we can both live with.

All done

Well, here is Big Guy, all dressed and ready for a night out on the town. He is already hanging up in my living room - which was a project in itself considering he weighs in at about 45 pounds.

I'm happy.

Almost there

I woke up at 6 this morning and despite my best efforts could not fall back to sleep. The good news is that I decided since I was up to actually do something productive. So, I finished grouting the last five squares of Big Guy. The frame still has to be painted so I'll hold off on posting a picture at this stage so that he can have a big ta-da moment.

Now I'm off to have a nap.

Marble

Okay, I'm posting this photo of a piece I made years ago because I have yet to finish grouting Big Guy and am feeling like a slacker.

The circles are marble cubes and the background is window glass cut in small squares and laid on edge. It looks really pretty when the light hits.

As an aside, the window glass I used for this piece and for Green Circles was gotten for free. Businesses consider it scrap and usually just throw it in the dumpster. They are more then happy to give it to you instead - no dumpster diving necessary. My normal tile cutter works for creating the small squares.

Big Guy turns black with grout

I am halfway through grouting Big Guy. Here I am with grout all over me in my garage. I didn't have any sponges so had to use old t-shirts to clean off the grout. Since he is so big I didn't have time to finish all of him. I think he is looking pretty good.

Thanks to Matt for taking the photo!

Amazing what the sun can do...

Yellow Spider - Measures 27" x 42"

Put away the glue

I've been slacking for the last week and haven't mosaiced at all. But I am now pleased to announce that all of the pieces are glued on Big Guy. Two steps remain: grouting and painting the frame. Since he is the size of Montana, grouting should take about two hours. All of the glue needs to be super-dry before grouting so he'll be resting for the next week or two.

In the meantime, I've got a piece that I'm trying to salvage from disaster. I'll introduce you to her in the next post - that is unless she takes a turn for the worse and I just have to put her out of her misery.

"I don't have the vision"

My Mom is at my house. I told her she didn't seem that excited about Big Guy and her reply was, "I don't have the vision like you do." When I started to laugh, her follow-up comment was that she can't get excited until they're grouted.

I have a clean slate - I need opinions

Back to working on the last corner of Big Guy - for real this time!

Leave a comment about any suggestions on what color to make the frame - I'll be using black grout.

Rinse and repeat

The pieces of glass that I removed from Big Guy's corner have been cleaned of glue and are ready to be reapplied in a new and improved design.

Here they are in the rinse cycle.

Unfortunately a hand wash and dry was necessary.

In the washing process I got a wicked cut on my foot - long story. I'll spare you the picture of toes and blood since I actually like it when people come to the blog, but man, Big Guy is causing a lot of trouble.

I'm insane

I finished the last corner of Big Guy this weekend (yea!) and then decided that despite the corrective surgery I just wasn't happy with the one corner (not so yea!). The three other corners had a swirl pattern so the non-swirling corner was totally bugging me.

This leads me to the picture. I basically saturated the glue with water and then used a screwdriver to pry up the pieces. I only ended up cutting myself once so that was exciting. The pieces of glass are now soaking in water to get the last bit of glue residue off.