Volume VI- Winter 2009
BALANCE…. Seems like a funny focus for an article in a mosaic newsletter….. But the past few months have shown me how important balance is in our lives. Four years ago, I decided that I was worth the time and energy, to become healthy. I went from being a lifelong workaholic, driven artist- entrepreneur to a woman which focused on her health, hired an assistant, and spent quality time at work as well as devoting time to significant others in her non-work related life. Then came this past September, and life seems to have been changing at an ever-increasing rate! As a self-supporting woman, some hard decisions had to be made, and acted upon. I found some old behaviors creeping into my life as well as a few lbs...! AAARGH! I am now six months into chaos, and I realize that absolutely nothing can be gained by revisiting old habits, and balance is truly a life long pursuit. Interestingly enough, this is a principle, which I try to impart to my students, through colour, line, texture, and the nature of different styles of setting. Seems like a recurring theme in life, so I have decided to scale down, (in more ways than one) focus on what is important, health – mind, body, and spirit. Work smart, and hard, though not ALL the Time! And take a few classes with others to expand my creative spirit, as well as nurturing my soul. I would love to hear from you on how you are getting through this difficult time, and how we can learn from each other!
- Dichroic Glass tiles…. when Coatings by Sandberg asked if I could do a sample project with their glass dichroic tiles, it took only a few moments to realize the perfect test project. I was just finishing the design for my “Rainforest Mural”, a project for my own home, where I had used many different products and setting techniques as an experiment (one you would not want to do for a client!) It seemed that the star of my mural…. more on him and the mural itself coming in “Glass Patterns Quarterly” this summer, or on the sample board we created, in “Glass Craftsman’s” upcoming mosaic issue… was elated to have shimmering feathers in the midst of the dark jungle! And shine these feathers do! The way these tiles reflect the light and throw off different colors depending upon the angle from which they are viewed is exceptional. Though, I am a great fan of smalti and their enrobed glass metallics, these tiles produce wonderful results as well at cost savings! They are also “Made in America”, something oh so unusual these days. Though our economy, and the world is a global marketplace today, (rightfully so), I also feel that it is important to acknowledge the contributions that the American Manufacturers and designers have contributed to the glass industry. That being said, (off the pedestal…) we will be offering a 20% discount on Dichroic glass tiles through April..! Just a way of saying Thank You.
