Couldn't resist!

This is my treat for this month. I couldn't resist it as soon as I saw it. Hand made by 'Kim Smith', I bought this through her Etsy Shop. I know I should be buying presents for other people in in the run up to Christmas but it looks like I've just added myself on my list of people to buy for! Beautiful!

'Green with Envy'

Another one of this weekend's makes! I bought these lovely tiles months ago but haven't managed to sit down and make anything with them until now. The tiles are iridescent, so they have an emerald green base but reflect shades of blue, green, yellow and pink as they catch the light. I've just added the mirror to my Ebay Shop so I'll see what sort of feedback I get. Fingers crossed :)

Absense makes the heart grow fonder!

I can't believe I've been away from my blog for 3 months! At least my excuse is that I've been really busy with my mosaics. At the moment I'm spending ever spare minute I have on my craft - lots of orders have been keeping me busy!

I've had a quite a few commissions this month. These have been requests for other shapes and sizes in some existing designs. The 'Strawberries & Cream' mirror is for a little girl's birthday - hopefully it will look lovely in her newly decorated pink bedroom!

Also taking up my time recently has been painting. No, not canvasses (although I have got one sitting on my desk at the moment with a set of acrylics, reading for when I have a free afternoon on my hands). I've decided to turn one of the bedrooms in to a craft room, as my current set up is a bit of a disaster at the moment! The walls are almost painted and I've decided on a nice feature wall. It involves pink I'm proud to say, so I can see a nice pink mosaic creation emerging at some point to finish the room off. Pictures will follow...!

Experimenting!

I'm pleased to say that they last few weeks have been very busy order-wise, so I've been spending ever spare minute I have in my craft room! In between orders I've been working on some new ideas though, one of which is a house number. This is just a prototype but I'm quite pleased with the results. I've learnt a few things along the way though (which is just what you want to do when you're experimenting!) so when I next get a day or two free I'll be making a few more 'tweeked' versions. Watch this space...

After a quiet June, the last few weeks as been quite constant in terms of orders (yey!). What's even better is that I've had quite a few requests for made to order mirrors. This is always nice for me as I get to experiment a bit more. For example, I've recently finished a mirror using all black, which I haven't done before.

Anyway, here these are a few that I've been working on over the last few weeks...

First MISI Sale!

Sorry, I've not blogged for nearly a month now! Things have been pretty hectic on the order side, teamed up with work (day job!), housework, gardening and the gym! I haven't even been on the internet much which is very unlike me!

I'm thrilled to announce that I made my very first sale on MISI yesterday! This set of coasters will be winging it's way to my first MISI customer very shortly...

In other news... :) Things are progressing very well with the website. My sister has done a FAB job, I'm really pleased. I've having trouble keeping up with her though - I've decided to take all my own pictures and I can't make them quick enough to keep sending her photos! Along with a number of orders I need to make this weekend I also need to get making for the website. Don't think I'll be taking advantage of the weather for some nice bright shots this weekend though!

Right, I've got to get going with these orders. Tata for now!

Coasters - first attempts

I've had mixed reactions to these, but thought I would post some photos here anyway.  It would be useful to continue to get feedback. For now I've listed them in my MISI shop to see how they get on.

I've decided to go back to my craft room and re-think how I'm going to make my coasters.  I'm thinking it's time to experiment with my wheeled cutters, so instead of using sqaure tiles, I'd cut shapes and start experimenting with coloured grout. This is going to be a bit of a jump forward, as so far I've only used the tiles as they are and stuck with either white or grey grout. All of my work has been self taught and I've used my eye for colour to help with my ideas. Now it's time to take it to the next level, so a few books may be required to help me with the techniques.

It would be nice to see the difference and be able to compare the different types of mosaics.  So, for now, these are my coasters....keep following my blog for the future of my mosaics.

Website colour variations

Following yesterday's first draft, I've asked my sister to give me a few more examples of the web page in different colour variations.  

She's emailed me 5 options but out of them all I like these the most.  I'm not good with having to make choices though! 

I quite like the green version and the purple but I'm undecided...the blues quite nice too!  Help please!!!

First peek at my new website!

I am so excited!  My sister is designing a new website for me at the moment. I'm really lucky because my sister is a very talented graphic designer, and has agreed to completely re-design my website for me.  The previous site I had I did myself using a step by step package - it was ok but I wasn't that happy with it and didn't feel it look very professional.  I decided it I needed to step things up a bit a few months ago, so asked for my sister's help.  She's just emailed me the first 'mock up' of my home page...(please click on the picture and it will take you to the full version).  I'd really appreciate your thought / feedback if you don't mind!

M&Ms - Misi and Markets...

I decided to open a Misi Shop a few weeks ago, after hearing quite a lot about the website through the Crafts forum.  I haven't made any sales as yet but I'm really impressed with the site so far.  It's straight forward to use, both as a seller and as a buyer.  So far I've got one person who ♥ my shop, plus five of my items are on people's wish lists. Hopefully I'll make my first sale soon...

In other news...I've sold a couple of mirrors this week, so I'll be busy making them over the bank holiday weekend. I have my first event of the year next week too - it's on at Flea Market at the Folk House on Park Street in Bristol.  If you want to find out more they have a Facebook page which gives you more details on the event and the stall holder. I'm hoping it will be quite busy as it's a popular area for Bristol shoppers. I need to get myself organised - quite a few things I want to make to take with me, plus I need to design and print some flyers to hand out on the day. If you're local to the area, please call in, say hello and have a good look around!  See you there :) 

Loving AMIdesigns!

I just wanted to show off what I've just bought from AMIdesigns, who opened her Misi Shop today.  I've admired Alison's jewellery for ages and as soon as I saw these in her Misi shop I decided I had to have them!  It's nice to treat yourself now and then though isn't it!? 

First attempt at an Oval Mosaic Mirror...

I've been packing a mirror up tonight that a made on comission for a customer.  The design was taken from a round mirror I'd made - the lady emailed me to say she liked the design but wanted it in oval. This is my first attempt at making a mirror in this shape but I'm pleased with the results. 

I'm going to have a go at a few more I think - any suggestions on colours? I was thinking of using black, grey and white is a 'mosaic mix' design.  This colour scheme is popular anyway and I think it would look good in this shape. I could then use it as an example on my new website (coming soon...!) but state that it can be made in other colours?  Any votes on other colours?

Well, here goes, my first post!  I'm Kate, I'm 26 and I love making mosaics.  What started as a gift for a friend has turned in to a range of over 50 designs of mirrors, clocks, coasters, photo frames and candle holders.  At the moment, I sell my work online at the moment through my Ebay shop

I live in Staffordshire with my boyfriend and our border collie Jessie.  I work full time to pay the bills and craft at weekends.  One day I'm hoping to do less of the 'day job' and be able to concentrate more on my crafts.  When that happens I'll be sure to post about it!