Artist of the Week- Susan Wechsler

What's your real name? How did you come up with your shop name?

Susan Wechsler. My web designer came up with mosaicsbysusan for my website since Wechsler is so difficult to spell. Now I use it for everything, like a brand name.

What inspired you do create your first mosaic?

I accidentally broke my grandmother’s china plate and could not bear to throw it away. So I made something out of it….

Has mosaic art lead you to any other art forms/been a lead to any other passions?

Actually I began working in wood, met a group of Tramp Artists in NYC, and began using their technique of layer cut-out wood as my base for my mosaics.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I have an angel who guides me through my process and so my inspiration comes from within. I am a very spiritual person and I like to share my insights with others.

Do you have any mosaic daydreams?...... is there one thing that you dream of being able to create someday?

I do have dreams where I am mosaicking my entire world..

Is being an artist your full-time job? What other jobs or hobbies consume your time?

Yes, I am a full time artist. In my spare time I raise 2 boys and help my husband with his restaurant BIMBAMBOO.

Do you have one or two creations that have been favorites?

On my website www.mosaicsbysusan.com, under Shrines, my favorite piece is Mother/Child, it is the piece that is dearest to my heart. I had it sold once, the patron took it home, but I priced it so high, that she ended up buying 2 other pieces instead. I felt if she was willing to pay the price it was hers, luckily it is still mine!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade mosaicsbysusan.etsy.com

Spring is in the Air!

Happy Spring!

The flowers are beginning to bloom, the grass is turning green, and the buds on the trees are starting to open. It must be Spring! Our amazing group of artists have many wonderful Spring pieces they've been working on. Here are just a few. Check out our artists shops by clicking on the piece, or exploring our artist's links on the right side of this blog.

Flowering Moon Designs

IBreak4Glass

Mandolin Mosaics

Callas Mosaics

Greene Girls Studio

Twin Brooks Mosaics

Ocean Kisses

Artist of the Week-CMKSkulptures2

What's your real name? How did you come up with your shop name?

My given name is Carol Charlene Maloy. After I married, I became Carol Maloy Kent. I wanted to keep my maiden name because of my daddy.... he wanted me to have it on my sculptures. So came the name CMKsculptures.

What inspired you do create your first mosaic?

Well, I made mosaic tiles for other mosaic artists so it only made sense for me to being making my own mosaic art.

Has mosaic art lead you to any other art forms/been a lead to any other passions?

Not really. I have always had other passions, like sculpting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, painting, and wood-craft. I did all of these before I found mosaic art .

Where does your inspiration come from?

Everyday things around me: flowers, a love of Victorian style homes.

Do you have any mosaic daydreams?...... is there one thing that you dream of being able to create someday?

I would love to get our old Victorian house remodeled beyond what we have been able to do. I dream about how I would love to see it. So far we are creating a new bedroom and bath/closet combo. I am slowly getting some Victorian style mosaic items done for our home.

Is being an artist your full-time job? What other jobs or hobbies consume your time?

Being an artist is full time for me, while not taking care of our home, yards, and our 3 fur babies. I love gardening, painting, sculpting, and cooking.

Tell us ,briefly, about your family.

I am the middle child of 9 kids: 4 sisters and 4 brothers (2 passed away). My folks are still living. I enjoy my times with my family. It's size is growing each year. I have been happily married to my dear hubby Randy for 29 years. We will celebrate our 30th anniversary in November of this year. We live in sunny Florida in an old Victorian style home.

Do you have one or two creations that have been favorites?

I love my 'For the Birds' birdhouse. It was my all time favorite mosaic piece I have done. My coffee table is my second favorite piece.

To see more of Carol's mosaic work, and her AMAZING handmade tiles, please head over to her Etsy shop!!!!

Etsy Buy Handmade CMKSculptures2

Piece Makers 2nd Mosaic Challenge

The second Piece Maker mosaic challenge is underway, and we're all hoping that this one is as successful as the first one! Our theme this time around is "Summer". So, if you haven't already started your mosaic, start thinking "summer", and get out your glass nippers!

Mosaic Challenge Rules

Due Date for Work in Progress (WIP) pictures and your finished piece is April 30th. Submit pictures to Mandolin by midnight April 30th.

You can not submit a piece that you started prior to the challenge being announced.... all entries must have been made specifically for this challenge.

If you complete your piece earlier than the 30th, you can submit pictures to Mandolin earlier.

No size limitations.

On April 30th, you may post your challenge pictures wherever you want.... to promote your work, the PieceMakers team, and the challenge.

Voting for the winner of the challenge will start here on the blog on May 1st, so be sure to come by and vote!