A step by step guide to making a red geraniums mosaic.

Hello everyone,

With Mother's Day on Sunday here in the UK, I have been very busy making mosaic flowers.
This was a rather special commission I received from a customer in America, who wanted me to make a red geranium mosaic in memory of her Mum, who loved them.

So here we go ...

Having done my geranium research on Google images, I make a rough sketch of the pot and the flowers on a piece of exterior plywood.

Then I cut the individual petals, using different depths of tiles and shades of red, to give the mosaic a real 3D tactile effect.

I start sticking the petals on, closely referring to images of geraniums I have found online to make sure I get it as close to real life as possible.

..see how the blooms are coming on!

Now to add some stems and foliage, seeing what shape the leaves are, and the different shades of green.

Next it is the terracotta pot - I love this shape, and I have just the right tile colour and texture to use!

Finally the blue background, reminding us of a Mediterranean sky - then grouting, cleaning, and painting the sides and back to finish it off.

...and there you have it - does it remind you of warm and balmy summer evenings?!

http://folksy.com/items/5818711-Mosaic-terracotta-pot-of-red-geraniums

Felicity x

A new mixed media mosaic from Just Mosaics!

Hello blog friends!

I have really enjoyed making this mixed media mosaic today.

I wanted to make something impressionistic, capturing a mood and atmosphere.
I did not want to use grout, so the spaces between the tiles and the driftwood played a part in the movement of the piece.
I painted the board first in light blue, and then chose the pieces of driftwood which reflected the movement of the waves.
I arranged them on the blue board, stuck them and then varnished them with matt varnish to protect the driftwood.
When all was dry, I chose three shades of blue tile and  snipped wave shapes, and started to fit them in, from light blue to the mid, then darker blue.  It was tricky to accommodate the driftwood shapes, but I'm  really pleased with how it turned out!

It is now up for auction on eBay, if you fancy owning a piece of original mosaic art!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/felicityjustmosaics

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Felicity x

What's on eBay this week from Just Mosaics?

Hello blog friends!

Just a quick note to give you the heads up about what is being auctioned in my eBay shop this week - have a look if you have a mo!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/felicityjustmosaics

Thank you!

Felicityx

A mosaic clown fish commission to share with you..!

Hello blog friends!

Much as I love to make lots of flower mosaics for Mother's Day here in the UK, it has been lovely to make something different today - just thought I would share it with you.

I was commissioned to make this clown fish mosaic for a chap's 50th birthday - yes, he loves them!!  This one doesnt move, but he is wonderfully textural and 3D, and I am rather pleased with him!

Also on my Facebook page, I am running a giveaway for a lovely mosaic vase of tulips.  If you would like to enter - it's free! - do pop over to www.facebook.com/justmosaics.co.uk

Thank you!

Felicity x

Photographing art - a beginner starts her journey!

Hello everyone!

One of the great and challenging things about running your own business is that you have to become a jack of all trades!

So one of my New Year's resolutions was to get better at photographing my work - giving as true as possible representation of what it would be like to have it in your hands.  This is particularly important for my mosaics as they are so 3D and textural.

I didin't want to pay someone to do it for me - for lots of reasons.  Obviously its not cheap as you are paying for a professional's time and equipment, also I often make something and want to post it straight away to see how it goes down - I'm patient with snipping but not quite so with other things!  I basically wanted to learn the skill myself too.

So after a lot of Googling and reading, I set about it and this is how I am getting on.

I already have a camera that is good enough - it takes great pics, is indestructible for holidays and being in the dusty studio and had the settings that most articles recommended for taking photos of art.  It is  Pentax Optio WG-1 - here is the Amazon link to it - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentax-WG-3-Waterproof-Digital-Camera/dp/B00B7JT8GK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394105131&sr=8-2&keywords=pentax+optio+wg-3

Then I needed a mini studio to get good, reliable lighting - Amazon once again came up trumps and I invested in white box with changeable backgrounds, two lights and a camera stand - link to it here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008V645ZG/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I took pictures for you along the way as I gradually set it up, talking to myself along the way - here they are!

The foldable photo box - this one is 50cm x 50cm to accommodate my bigger mosaics - well, that was easy!

Then the two dear little lamps which I had been told get very hot, so be warned!

I wasn't sure what this was for - refer to instructions, Felicity!

Ahhhh...... the tripod stand!

Then setting it up with even natural light ...

Lamps on, white background in (velcroed) and lean mosaic up against something small and heavy (selotape dispenser!) ...

Screw camera onto tripod, get angle as you want it and... action!!

I tried all sorts of camera settings, light positions and so on - making a note of each one, as I knew I would never remember which one was which.  Then I downloaded them onto my computer, made a coffee and had a good look!

Some were awful, most OK, some not bad at all! At the moment, I think my best combo is Flower mode and Auto Macro mode on the camera, and lamps pointing at the mosaic (outside the photo box) - but it's early days!!

Here is the result of my morning's work ....

This is the best pic with my new kit ....

....comparing it to this one, I just snapped, with the same camera but no new kit!

I definitely prefer it, but know I've got a long way to go - am enjoying the journey!

Thanks for reading and any advice from you budding photographers out there, always gratefully received!

Felicity x

My new, better-than-ever, made-over blog about mosaics and beyond..!

Hello everyone,

I have spent so long fiddling around with my new look blog that I have just got to share it will you - the dog isn't that interested!

I wanted to give my mosaic-and-beyond blog a little make over and freshen things up a bit.  Humour me - this is what I've done!
So, new modern font, but not too whacky, a new header photo and title font, lots of exciting new things in the side tabs for you to click on, including my new source of chocolate money - Adsense!
Folksy has a new widget too which shows you my latest work, but, of course there is loads more in my shop for you to have a look at.
I'm not allowed to show you lovely lot any more for some reason, so, my noble band of followers, you are in my thoughts but just not in the side column!
There are a few new colour combos and text size - I'm told these things matter! - up-to-date links, and a lovely shiny new Google+ button, if you should feel so inclined!

Enough, enough - I hear you say - we can see for ourselves, Felicity!

Feedback would be great - go on, do take a mo, and leave me a comment!  My old Dad always used to say, that we are like performing seals and need a fish from time to time!  Thank you!

Now I MUST get back to snipping - laters!

Felicity x

PS If anyone can tell me how I change the titles' font in the side bar I would very grateful - can't spend anymore time on it - aaaarrggghhh!!

An unusual and poignant mosaic commission

Hello blog friends,

I just wanted to share with you an unusual and poignant commission I have just finished.

The mother of a customer sadly died a year ago, and to mark her 1st anniversary, my customer wanted me to make a mosaic of her Mum's favourite flowers - snowdrops - to be near her Mum all year round.

Felicity x

Original mosaics for Mother's Day!

Forgive my little plug, blog friends!

Here in the UK, Mother's Day is on March 30th and my flower mosaics cost the same or even less than a bouquet of flowers - and my mosaics last forever!!

So, do take a look in my Folksy shop and see if anything catches your eye - and if your Mum's (or yours!) favourite flower isn't there, I will do my best to oblige - I love making new mosaics!  As always, I am happy to ship overseas, but it does cost a little more, so perhaps you could send me an email to sort it out.

https://beta.folksy.com/shops/felicityball/collections/102971

I would really appreciate you showing them a bit of Google love and sharing, if you like them!

Thank you and hope to hear from you!

Felicity x