Website Updated!

It's been quite a few years since I've had an updated website up and running!  Between getting married, buying a fixer upper home, and raising a beautiful daughter my time to devote to my mosaics has been limited for awhile.  I am finally at a place that I can start to focus more on my art projects and am thrilled to be able to share it through my website, my Facebook page, and my Etsy store.  I am currently working on getting applications in for local art and craft shows this year and will post more as my schedule for the year is set. Looking forward to a wonderful and creative year!

Antique End Tables Given New Life

I found this wonderful pair of end tables at a rummage sale a couple weekends ago and couldn't pass them up for $5 a piece. I loved their shape and the curve to the legs. I knew that they would look great with a little TLC, a new coat of paint, and a mosaic top. One of the tables is now finished. Here is a picture of it just before grouting, next to the untouched one. I love the way the glass turned out - such pretty colors and textures! I may add a layer of resin to the top to protect the glass and give it a perfectly smooth finish.

Kalimba-Kaster Extravaganza

My fiance, Greg, is an extremely talented woodworker with a passion for music. So his latest creation is fitting! The Kalimba-Kaster is what could be described as the love child of a thumb piano and an electric guitar. Greg has made them compatible with standard guitar amps so they can be plugged in for amplification and effects. They are just beautiful and the sound is mesmerizing. Click on the picture to go to Greg's Etsy Shop for more information and pricing.

Shorewood "Butterflies in Flight"

Shorewood, Wisconsin will be showcasing a Public Art Project called "Butterflies in Flight" this summer from June 20th through the August 23rd . Thirty artists were picked to design and decorate large 3 foot by 3 foot fiberglass butterfly forms. I was lucky enough to be included among the artists. My butterfly will be located in front of Allstate Insurance at 4451 Oakland Avenue. Opening day for the display will be June 20th and there will be a chance to meet many of the artists by their butterflies from 11am to 1pm. Stop by if you get the chance. I'm sure the display will be quite beautiful!! Here are some pictures of my butterfly.


My butterfly, "Flight of Fancy", was created using stained glass in shades of purple, green, and blue, mirrored glass, black glass gems, and beaded chain.





At the end of the display there will be an auction held at Hubbard Park Lodge on Sunday, August 30th from 4:40-7:30 p.m. All proceeds from the butterflies will go to the Shorewood Foundation. Visit www.shorewoodwi.com for more information.

Boxer Dog Mosaic Portrait

Here are some work in progress pictures of my latest commissioned project. The 16x20 portrait was made to replicate a photo of a boxer named "Rocky". This mosaic was so much fun to work on. It was created using stained glass on MDF.















How could anyone not love this face? "Rocky" really came to life in this piece against a sky blue background.





I hope to have the opportunity to do more mosaic portraits in the future. I really enjoyed working from a photograph and translating it into glass.

Pedestrian Arts 18th Anniversary Open House

Pedestrian Arts is an art gallery and stained glass studio located at 664 N. Main in downtown Oshkosh, WI. This Saturday, November 8th, they will be having their 18th Anniversary Open House from 12 to 6pm. Herley Mosaics will be there as a featured artist. This will be my first showing at a gallery and I'm very excited to have been invited. The gallery carries a lot of 3D and functional pieces, which is a good match for my mosaic style, as I tend to gravitate to functional mosaics such as clocks, picture frames, and vases. Here is a press release that came out in Friday's Winnebago County's Shopper Advertiser. Stop in and say "hello" if you'll be in the area!

Art on the Marsh Pics

Here are a few pictures of my booth setup at Art on the Marsh. The mahogany closet doors worked really well for hanging some pieces and adding height to the display.

Autumn Art on the Marsh

Herley Mosaics will be at the "Autumn Art on the Marsh" Art Fair in Horicon, Wisconsin this coming Sunday, September 28th. Horicon is about 40 minutes northwest of Milwaukee. The fair is held in Discher Park on the north side of town. I've been working hard to get everything ready to go and plan to bring a wide variety of mosaics in different shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Come by and see me if you'll be in the area!

New Works in Progress

After a week long vacation for a family reunion down in Missouri, I am back and ready to finish up some of my latest projects. This group of items is just about ready to grout with a few finishing touches. I hope to have them listed in my Etsy shop by Sunday!

Doll Mosaic Jewelry Box Finished

Well it's only been about 2 months past when I thought I'd be finished, but I've finally made the finishing touches on the jewelry box for my mom. It turned out great - I just love the patterns and textures of the tiles! It was supposed to be a surprise for my mom, but I couldn't help but show her the work in progress pictures. I can't wait to give it to her later tonight...

Goodwill Sign Donated

This mosaic was created for the office that I work in and was donated earlier this year. Goodwill has a great logo with clean lines, so it was a lot of fun to work on!

EMA "For the Birds" Mosaic Challenge

The Etsy Mosaic Artists just finished up with a mosaic birdhouse Challenge this weekend. Everyone was invited to participate and mosaic any type of birdhouse. The challenge ended at midnight EST on Friday. It is now time for everyone to vote on their favorite birdhouse. Visit the EMA blog at www.etsymosaics.blogspot.com and vote for your favorite!

My birdhouse is #23. It was a blast participating in the challenge, but I definitely learned my lesson not to procrastinate getting started next time. I ran into a few road blocks during the process but feel that the birdhouse turned out alright. There were some really amazing birdhouse entries for this challenge - including a couple of tiki huts, a ufo, and a pretty scary Ozzified birdhouse!

Doll Jewelry Box Work in Progress!

I'm so excited about my latest project... it's a gift for my mom! She collects porcelain dolls of all kinds (usually the creepier, the better!) and has a lot of greens and dark browns in her room. I found an adorable little chest of drawers that I am using as a base for a mosaic jewelry box. I have been collecting porcelain dolls to use for parts and found some great plates to cut into mosaic tiles. Take a look at the picture above... the piece should be done within the next week. The doll's hands will function as necklace/bracelet holders. I can't wait to finish it and surprise her with it!!

Spring Fling Sale

The Etsy Mosaic Street Team Spring Fling Sale has begun. I am offering free domestic Priority Mail shipping on any purchase of $30 or more. Also, you will receive a coupon for 10% off your next purchase with any order. The sale began today and lasts through May 30th. Stop in at my Etsy Store this week to take advantage of the sale! I plan to list many new items throughout the week.

I'm a lucky girl!

I decided to share with everyone a few of the many talents of my boyfriend, Greg. He has recently opened up his Etsy site - Dichstudios. Greg has been making and selling bottle stoppers and pens that he turns out of exotic woods and funky acrylics on his wood lathe. He's very passionate about it and this comes through in each and every one of his pieces. Lucky for me, he often tries something new and I get to reap the rewards of his new endeavor. For instance, he has been working on making different types earrings out of beautiful, exotic woods. I now have a collection of three pairs and am hoping that there are many more to come. They are just beautiful and I am now trying to convince him to sell them on Etsy, because I think that others would enjoy them as well. Click on the picture to the left to see the earrings with more detail - they are quite stunning.

In addition to bottle stoppers, pens, and earrings, Greg has made many turned bowls, vessels, bud vases, and more. You can see some of his other creations at his website: www.dichstudios.com

Etsy Mosaic Artists Spring Fling Sale

The EMA (Etsy Mosaic Artists) Street Team is planning a group sale at the end of May. Each artist will decide what their sale will entail for their shop - free shipping, discounts, buy one get one, etc. I'm sure that whatever everyone chooses, there will be some really great deals! When shopping on Etsy, you can search "EMA team" to see participating shops.

I still haven't decided what Herley Mosaics will offer. I'm thinking that I may offer free shipping on anything over $25. In addition, I may come up with some other deals. Check back soon to find out and come see me on Etsy during the sale! I hope to list many new items before sale time as well!

Kitty Mosaics in Progress

Here are a few of my works in progress. These kitties are stylin' with their rhinestone collars! I'm still deciding whether or not to put them in some frames I picked up, or whether to post them on Etsy without. Either way, I hope to get them ready and posted by Friday...

My kitty, Mazzy, is just getting acquainted with them - I'm sure she'll be sad to see them go if they sell!

A new studio space

I finally have a new studio space! For about a year, I had been sharing the basement with Greg's (my boyfriend) woodworking studio. Although it was nice spending time together.... it was way to dark, damp, and cold! I found myself avoiding it at all costs, especially during the winter, which doesn't exactly lend itself to productivity. So we finally agreed that I could take over the extra bedroom, which really seemed like wasted space 95% of the time. Finally, I have a space with a window - natural lighting AND fresh air!!!!! I'm so excited! I do need to decorate the space a bit more though, because I miss the colors of my old studio space....