Sous les Etoiles

That's the title of my exhibit! I'm having a show of my mosaics and also fabric collages in May. Opening night is May 4th (7pm) and the show runs until the 29th. Where?
At the Salle des Rancy, 249 rue Vendôme, Lyon, 69003.

It's quite a big space, and I have it all to myself, so I'm including many of my mosaics, large and small. I've made some big fabric trees and moths and I'm busy creating fireflies and some fabric stars too. If you're in Lyon, please stop by, I'd love to see you there!

Easter Eggs

You can find some delicious chocolate in France. Eggs, fritures (tiny chocolates in the shape of fish), chocolate bunnies, hens, bells...dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate.

I sent some chocolate eggs to my niece in the USA. And I sent them in a beautiful hand knit bag that I bought on etsy. It was a sneak attack, when a few people get together and buy from shops with few or no sales, and surprise! All at once they have sales! You must visit this lovely shop, ShamuMakes.etsy.com .



When I received this purse, I was really pleased with the colors, the feel, the size (perfect for seven-year-old Sarah), and I decided to fill it with chocolates, which was a suggestion in the item description! A great idea, isn't it? So I hope you enjoy your chocolates and your bag, Sarah. Happy Easter!

Moths

I know butterflies are the most popular insect, beautiful, colorful, delicate, the symbol of metamorphosis and rebirth. Everyone loves them. They get all the attention...but what about moths? Less colorful, (only sometimes!), scary (to some), annoying (clothes moths), creatures of the night fatally attracted to the flame. The French word is papillon de nuit , night butterfly. The English word comes from the old English moththe, pronounce that!




Being neither an etymologist nor an entomologist, I can go no further than to say that I find these insects esthetically attractive, and perhaps they need a little love too! So take a good look at the next moths that come into your house, attracted to the lights. They are pretty too.

New Supplies

It's time to show you some great recent buys for my upcoming mosaic projects. I found three brightly glazed plates at the second-hand shop yesterday. I only wish they had had a set of each one, the colors are so vibrant. But alas, only one of each. And all for 0.75€. I'll add them to my growing stacks of plates and saucers, but I have the feeling I'm going to break these apart quickly.



I received lots of packages from fellow etsy sellers last week, three of which contained beads and charms. Aren't these beautiful? As I said a few posts ago, I wanted to make butterflies, but there were too many talented artists already making amazing ones...well I'm going to incorporate these charms into my mosaics. Butterflies, but also grasshoppers and beetles! Maybe I will be able to overcome my fear of bugs! These (above) are from lunasilver; stop by her shop and see her gorgeous charms!

Next, from Dragynsfyre, some lovely beads: moons and stars with faces, magic lamps, and little word beads, since I like to add messages to my work. You should visit her shop and see the themed beads, fairy tales, pirates and more!

And I got a bag of milagros from El Sol. I've been wanting to buy some to put in little retablos (retable in English, I think) that I want to make, and these are so nice. There were a lot in the bag, and my kids like them too! I might have to get another bag!

Spring Bird

I've been buying lots of supplies on etsy lately! Beads, charms and some fabric, of course. Friday I received a package from The Designer's Touch, some lovely cotton floral woven decorator fabric! I found it so beautiful that I had to make something right away. I made this little bird brooch!

And spring will be here at the end of the week!

Amazing Butterflies!

I had a vague idea of making butterfly brooches for spring, getting some pretty silks and whipping some up, and then selling them on my etsy shop. Well, I am amazed and somewhat intimidated by the gorgeous butterfly images already available! I've discovered some on the Front Page, and others in a showcase or the gift guides. Hats off to these excellent artists, and I think I'll stick to mosaics and bird pillows for now!

The one above is by Dolan Geiman, one of my favorite artists. This is a panel painting; it's on my favorites list and I may even buy two! They are not only beautiful but also very affordable! This Swallowtail butterfly linocut is by Gwen Ottinger Artworks. I love the black and white, but she also makes colored prints. And since I love everything blue, I also fancy her blue elephant. Go take a look!

This Monarch butterfly brooch is by Edera Jewelry. The artist uses lace-making and needlework techniques along with traditional jewelry making techniques. Look at the intricacy and beauty of this piece! I don't think it gets any better than this!

Another Mini

My latest mini mosaic in my ongoing effort to make affordable pieces of original art. They're really fun to make, and satisfying since I can finish one rather quickly. I tried some brightly colored porcelain plate tesserae this time, and darker grout to set them off. But it's hard to sell art at the moment!