Last of the Year's Customs

I got the last of my holiday custom orders wrapped up.

I love to get minimal instruction and have the ability to just let it unfold. I was told, "she likes neutral colors and is sophisticated" for this one. . .

I'd love an entire set of the plate I broke apart for the top of this frame.

And for this one, "She loves black and white and some bling and family is everything".

Love the heart.

And this is for a little boy who obviously loves John Deere and as you can see from the upper right hand corner, has the key to his foster family's heart.

Thanks to everyone for supporting me, a Kansas City artist who loves to play with broken dishes.

Custom Christmas

A couple of years ago, a friend commissioned me to make a mosaic box for her husband featuring various comic book characters. This year, she asked me to do some for her brothers.



Jokers buried here and there and lots of bright joker colors.

And another with some Batmans - or is it Batmen?


Either way, these are fun to do and on their way to Denver now.

And I dropped this frame off this morning for Ken's girlfriend, Lisa. He gave me lots of fun stuff to incorporate. Once again, so much fun!!!!

Why I Love Custom Work

I got an email a couple of weeks ago from Cindy, a woman who tripped across my blog and was interested in a custom frame to celebrate she and her boyfriend's first year together. WOW was it fun to make this frame!!!! Below is Cindy striking a pose with it.

So joyful and full of color!!

With some fun customized references . . .

Congrats again and here's to year two!

And I made a fun custom switchplate that went to San Francisco recently for a dog lover.

WOOF!

A Mosaic for Mosaic

I got an email some weeks back from a woman named Amanda Nolen from an organization called Mosaic in Kansas City, Kansas. Mosaic has been around since about 1914 and in Kansas City since 1997. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities. Amanda had tripped across my blog and asked if I would donate a piece for their fist annual fundraiser.

My mother-in-law works for a similar organization in her hometown of Jasper, Alabama, so it was a cause close to my heart. I made a frame and finally got to use this great figurine I've been hoarding for a couple of years now.

It was great to meet Amanda, and the Executive Director, Lana Smith. I hope you'll call me again and good luck with your fundraiser, girls! To donate to Mosaic, please call Amanda at 913-788-8400 x 113.

Spofford Home

Spofford Home, a residential treatment center here in Kansas City for children, has always been near and dear to my heart. This piece will go to them for their Butterfly Gala auction this year.

It's a piece that proves you really CAN put just about anything in a mosaic, including an old spooky print block, an old-fashioned razor . . . .

And an antique lock.

And more fun was had last night at Stuff as Jane and Terry whipped up their fabulous frames. Additional dates for mosaic classes are available! Just call Stuff to register at 816-361-8222 and start creating!!!!

I Heart Norman Bates

I'll be delivering these Halloween plaques to Stuff tomorrow if I can squeeze in the trip.

I got the antique ID badge from Leah at Dreamworld. And the words "Quote the Raven Nevermore" always remind me of Halloween, doesn't all Poe?

I've had these ceramic frozen Charlotte dolls for awhile. The seller I bought them from on Etsy had put a bunch of them in a bag and didn't individually wrap them, so some broke apart. I think they really work here!!

I caught Psycho on TV recently and love it every time I watch.


And finally, a small round "Horror Show".



I love Halloween!

Creativity in Motion

I've blogged many times about how much fun I have teaching mosaic classes. This weekend was no exception!!!

Here are the super talented mother-daughter team of Lori and Aubry.

I love the great combination of colors Lori used on her frame and the way she stacked and combined her pieces.

And how creative is Aubry with the soup mug looking as if it had poured all of this wonderful stuff out on the switch plate that will soon grace her room? I have taught many, many students and each and every time, they are thrilled to get those creative juices flowing and ALWAYS end up loving what they made. There are many dates available; check the Stuff website for more information, or call Casey or Sloane at 816-361-8222 to sign up today!

Shameless Bragging

I blogged a few posts back about this custom frame I made for the fabulous RM Guera co-creator with my husband, Jason Aaron, on Scalped.


I loved the thought that the frame was custom made and traveling all the way to Spain for Guera. How giddy was I to see this email he sent to Jason?

I'm speachless man, goodies, just came, I just dunno what to say...

Thank you & ESPECIALY thanks to Kelly (I got tired of "your wife" phrase)

I was caught TOTALLY off guard with "DAD"...speachless man, really. When I meet her,

I'll kiss her & you can go jump in the lake...

(...) ...just phew...(...)

rmGuéra

How much do I LOVE doing custom work?

Boo!!!

I've been swamped with my new booth at the Mission Road Antique Mall. Please check my other blog, Eccentricities, for pics of all that's going on there. I did manage to knock out a few Halloween mosaics today, including this frame.

I love the doll head. Creepy.

And these round brass tags are cool.

Funky bottle.
And another using some great letters I found on Etsy awhile ago.


These small magnets are fun to do.

I make the ghosts and pumpkins from polymer clay.


I'm also getting ready to send a few things to Frank in Los Gatos, California.


I did this birdhouse a long time ago and just needed to reattach the bird at the top. This was one in a series of four I did that were "bird buildings". This is "Blackbird Bachelor Loft, Chicks Welcome".


I included some race cars and Boulevard Beer bottle tops.



And I want to give a special shout out to my friend Becky in Wisconsin. I met Becky on Etsy a couple of years ago and she has family in Kansas City. Every time her brother drives back to KC, Becky loads him down with boxes of treasures for me from a local thrift store where she works, including these great beads that I used today.

And countless really cool cups, dishes, figurines, and sparklies. Thanks for thinking of me, Becky!!!

And I took a few pics in Brookside today while dropping off my mosaics. The Reading Reptile has the greatest window displays!


And we're big fans of Brookside Toy and Science where they have tons of unusual stuff.