In a world of mass production, I feel it is important to offer unique, handmade pieces created from a healthy balance of new and recycled materials.
A little bit about my start in mosaics…
Ever make one “small” decision and end up embarking on an unexpected journey? If so, you are not alone!
During a six-month period in 2019, my family experienced life-changing events; the unexpected passing of my dad, the joyful celebrations of marriage for my children and the exciting purchase of a small fixer-upper in order to downsize. In the midst of all, and during the start of another year teaching first grade, my good friend, Jenni, and I signed up on a whim for a mosaic class. As a person who LOVES a good puzzle, I figured the aspect of finding the right fit for small glass pieces (aka tesserae) might be right up my alley.
And, I was right!
In the days which followed, I couldn’t stop thinking about the experience and wondering whether making mosaics could become a new venture. Joe, my husband, was encouraging…possibly to put an end to my verbal musings…and suggested I purchase materials and set up a work space.
Within weeks, the denim damselfly LLC was formed…I spent the next 8 months making mosaics in one of our spare bedrooms while “helping” fix up the new house. Less than a year after my whim of a class, we moved into our new house. Hooray! And, boohoo. Our new home had no spare bedrooms, no spare corner, no spare space where glass work could be separate from our living areas. So, for the time being, all of the mosaic making came to a halt.
I kept busy on the house, teaching and becoming “Nana” to two sweet boys! (You can probably guess my favorite way to spend extra time.) I wondered, during this time of no workspace, if creating mosaics was really going to be “my thing”. After all, my break from this form of puzzle had lasted longer than my initial run. I worried, if the studio ( Joe’s fancy word) we were adding next to the garage would need to be repurposed. What if mosaic work had lost its charm?
**SPOILER ALERT**
The “studio” was completed in the spring of 2022. I am happy to report I jumped right back in to making mosaic art. And guess what? I still love it!
A little bit about my materials…
What do I use for my mosaic pieces tesserae?
The vast majority of tesserae in my mosaics come from the scrap glass bins at the Kokomo Opalescent Glass (KOG), located a short drive from my home. This cool company has a rich history, dating back to 1888 AND is the site of my first mosaic piece!
I LOVE using millefiori and order batches of these delights from Wit’sEnd Mosaic. Millefiori is a type of ornamental glasswork created by fusing glass of various colors and diameters, typically in such a way as to form a pattern when the bundle is cut and displayed in cross section.
Along with occasional decoupaged paper embellishments, odds and ends make up the remainder of my tesserae. I have a keen eye for items which can be upcycled into my art, such as old scabble tiles, broken jewelry beads and charms. I have even managed to work in old copper wire as well as “vintage” bits from our property’s original shed. The previous owners were not big into removing burn-pile or old structure salvage remnants so there is still a treasure trove of possibilities scattered in the side and back yard, although I have yet to figure out how to incorporate the old outhouse…
What do I use for my mosaic backers substrates?
Primarily my substrates are glass (artwork in frames) or wood (frames, birdhouses, boxes, drawers and more). For many of my smaller pieces I use ceramic tiles or Skeewbackers (lightweight board constructed of waterproof polystyrene core and membrane).
What do I use for my adhesives adhesives? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Weldbond Glue - Great for indoor work with opaque tesserae, including opalescent glass. (Unless indicated, works are for indoor display.)
Thinset - Best for work with cathedral glass or other transparent tesserae.
What do damselflies and denim have to do with mosaics?
Well, nothing, but at the same time, everything.
I wanted the name of my company to reflect my views and values in regard to this new endeavor. Plus, I am an alliteration nut.
damselfly: symbolizing transformation and growth
denim: symbolizing individualism, informality and respect for hard work
