Please start by telling us a little about yourself and your studio.

I am a self-taught mosaic artist living in sunny Florida with my husband of twenty-two years. I have three grown children and seven grandchildren. I have always loved interior design and did my share of home decorating, from faux finishing walls and furniture to sewing all my own bedding. However, it wasn’t until I started experimenting with mosaics that I found my passion.

In my studio you will find mosaic mirrors, frames and other home décor. I love using dishes to make tiles for my pieces because the patterns vary and I find it challenging. I also add fun pieces such as jewelry, beach glass, knobs, beads and any other odds and ends I find.

Recently I started playing with different kinds of tiles and incorporating them together. Many of my modern pieces will have tiles cut from dishes as well as various glass and ceramic tiles giving it a more modern look.

Where did you learn your medium?

My first mosaic project was to cover my bathroom vanity and backsplash. This was done by taking large tiles and wrapping them in a towel and smashing them with a hammer. It was a lot of fun and soon I was covering tables, furniture and anything else I could find. I even did pieces for my friends and family.

One day I decided to try to incorporate some keepsakes I had from my mother-in-law into a mosaic so that I could display all her gorgeous jewelry and china dishes we had accumulated. I thought that a mirror would be a good idea because it gave it a practical side. This is how Memories in Mosaics began and I have continued this concept with many of my mosaics by using jewelry, dishes, and other odds and ends I find.

It has taken years for me to learn what I have about mosaics as you can probably tell by looking at some of my first pieces, but I continue to experiment and challenge myself to keep it fresh. I love to watch the trends and come up with a design that is different than I have ever done before.

How did you come to selling online?

My dentist mentioned that her mother sold her stained glass pieces online and I decided to give it a try. I prefer being able to stay home and not run back and forth to a shop to check my inventory.

 

What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Don’t give up on your dreams. There will be bad days and you may want to give up, but it will pass and things will get better. Keep a positive attitude and try new things to keep your passion alive. If you feel burnout or a lack of creativity just take a break and walk away for a while. Try not to be too hard on yourself and don't take life too seriously.

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