Thursday, February 3, 2011

My Mosaic Phase

I got a new computer at work last week. In preparation I did a little "housekeeping" and cleaned out some personal pictures that had ended up there. I ran across these pictures from what I call "my mosaic phase". I think it was 2003. I showed you a little bit of a broken china mosaic in this post last summer. I made the two tables and a flower pot before I got over it.
The inspiration for this table began simply enough. I found the cast iron pedestal at the Salvation Army store. It had a wood top that was covered with stained white Formica but I loved the base. Now THIS would make a patio table the wind couldn't knock over! I thought I would use use a variety of bright colored broken wall tiles in a simple random pattern. Well, who knew you have to buy the tiles in full cases - that's no fun! I started searching the Internet and found a company that sells a huge variety of these tiny tiles in small quantities. Game on!
Did I say random pattern? Did I say small quantities? In my typical fashion, I complicated it and came up with this not-so-random pattern of my own design. A little ambitious for a first time mosaic but that's the way I roll. I ran out of tiles and had to re-order twice. After about two months and an estimated 10,000 individually nipped and grouted one.at.a.time it was finished at long last. Hmm. Now that I think about it, maybe this table is the reason I got over my mosaic phase! I am happy to report it has held up every bit as well as I thought it would and we have been using it pretty much every day for 8 years now. Sometimes covered with snow, always covered with junk and NEVER tipped over by the wind.
I am hooking up with "Show and Tell Friday" over at My Romantic Home so be sure and stop over and check out some great blogs!

9 comments:

Into Vintage said...

This cracks me up - I went through the same phase at about the same time! You really went all the way making that beautiful (and I imagine VERY heavy) table. I did a few flower pots and old window frames before I was tired of sliced-open fingers from broken plates. Kudos to you for finishing your table!

Diane said...

LOVE mosaics!! And one day I would like to do one, but I don't think I could get this ambitious--maybe a small one. But for sure--you are a natural!

Annette said...

Wow...that's stunning! I'm so impressed that you have the patience to do that. You continue to amaze me with the projects you do! :)

Audrey Pettit said...

Wow, what an amazing project! cannot believe that was your first ever mosaic. I can see why maybe this would have gotten you past the mosaic stage in life after all that work! Fabulous work!

My Vintage Mending said...

Wow! I'm so jealous. My mosaic phase consisted of a birdhouse. Look what I could have done. It is stunning. I totally understand getting in too deep...at least you finished. Mine end up back at Salvation Army. The base is gorgeous as well.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Holy Moly! Your beginner mosaic project looks like it belongs in a museum! It is fantastic! I have just finished my first mosaic project and plan to post it to Mosaic Monday tomorow night. It looks like a preschool project compared to yours :)

I am looking forward to perusing many of your posts. Looks like a great place you have here.

Thank you for sopping by my blog and leaving your comment. So nice to meet you!

Kindly, Lorraine

Judi said...

This is a great table. You did a great job and it must have taken some time to get it so very perfect. Love it. And you've been able to keep it outdoors as well..thats good. Did you use a special adhesive or grouting to enable its use outdoors...I've done some mosaic work too. It is fun.
have a great day and thank you for sharing.
Judi

Curtains in My Tree said...

I have been wanting to cover a little table top about 12x12 inches. And have had my broken dishes saved for years LOL never got to it.

You did an excellent job on your table

I am interested in your art book I call it altered art journals etc. I have a couple started also in my studio

Also the Portland expo show is next month March 3-6



Janice

Amanda@RelovedRubbish said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving me such a nice comment about my Paris map bench.
I cannot believe you did this mosaic by hand! It is amazingly perfect and the tiles are so tiny. I love it!