Meet PieceMaker, Ocean Kisses

This is the third interview in our series, Meet the PieceMakers. Read on to learn more about our wonderful PieceMaker member, Ocean Kisses!

What's your real name?

Patsy, but my friends call me Patti and I usually introduce myself as Patti. Only my family call me Patsy.

How long have you been creating mosaics? What was your first piece?

I've been creating mosaics for about 3 years now. Someone gave me a mosaic "kit" with a frame and a small box to mosaic in it. The first piece I did without a kit was a back splash for behind my bathroom sink.

What other art do you do, if any?

I also paint, do stained glass, write, sew, and I play guitar and write music.

"Ocean Scape"

What kind of shows have you been a part of? Have you won any prizes or gotten some kind of cool recognition for any work?

I've never really entered any kind of contest with my mosaic art except with the PieceMakers team and I did get first place once. My paintings have been displayed and sold in galleries.

What would be your dream to mosaic?

I would like to do something large. I'm thinking of cutting out a design in wood...a large design and mosaicing that.

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

I wish I could make a living as an artist but so far that hasn't happened. Until it does I have had a house cleaning business since 1980. I have just opened a new transcription business at home and am training for that so that I can get out of the cleaning business. I also have my vintage shop on etsy http://oceanvintage.etsy.com

Tell us ,briefly, about your family or your daily life or about the area where you live.

I live in Southern California. The city I live in is inland from the beach communities so it is much warmer and mountainous. There is a huge flock of wild parrots that fly over my house every morning, sometimes landing in the tall trees or telephone lines to squawk and play. They hang out for about 20 minutes and then leave. Just before the sun goes down, they fly over again but usually do not stop. I do not have any children. I share my life and my home with a very mellow man, a White German Shepherd, a cat, two doves, and two Cockatiels.

What are some of your favorite things about being part of the PieceMaker group?

This is a great group. It's informal and easy-going. I have enjoyed getting to know all of the members and have found everyone to be happy to share information and lend support. I love that there are themed challenges to make me think outside the box and do artwork I might not have thought to do.

To contact Patti, or see more of her work, click any of the blow pieces in her etsy shop:

Etsy Oceankisses

Meet PieceMaker Artist, Libby Kennedy

The 2nd in our series of Interviews we're calling, "Meet the PieceMakers". Libby is a wonderful artist & an inspiring member of our team.

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

My name is Libby Kennedy. Since I try to create all of my mosaics using recycled items I thought a lotus flower would be a good representative of sorts. The lotus grows from the mud and muck at the bottom ponds and blooms with new life out of that darkness. I get many of my substrates from alleys around my neighborhood and thrift stores. Items people essentially see as garbage, I see as potential to turn into something beautiful.

How long have you been creating mosaics? What was your first piece?

My first mosaic was approximately four years ago, maybe five. We have a pass through window in our kitchen and I wanted to tile that. Not sure if that would be considered mosaic but it led me to use stained glass and mosaic a large mirror that had been in our bedroom. It still hangs in our living room and I love it.

Do you participate in shows? ... or sell your work locally?

All of the shows, save one have been at churches. The first one I did I was so incredibly nervous. I still get jittery but it’s gotten easier as each one comes and goes. In the church I have attended since I was a kid one of my hurricane lamps sits in the sacristy and that’s pretty cool for me to see every week. I am also involved in a small art show around Valentine’s Day with a handful of other artists that I love attending. There is also a local nursery here that has quite a few of my items for sale. It’s neat to go there and see my work hanging around.

What would be your dream to mosaic?

A dream mosaic for me would be a huge window just filled with color. I have made a few small frames with mosaics on the glass itself as opposed to the outside of the frame and some of them I just can’t give up or sell. Seeing the light come through just makes me extremely happy. I would love to be able to pass that feeling on to another.

Is being an artist your full-time job?

I wish being an artist was my full-time job, but perhaps in a few years. I have worked as a medical transcriptionist from home for almost 10 years now. Time flies. I would love to be able to have my own studio and be able to spend the day there. It’s sometimes so hard to stay focused on my ‘real job’ when some cool idea pops into my head. I get so excited when I start working on a new project.

Tell us ,briefly, about your family or your daily life or about the area where you live.

I live in Tucson, Arizona with my two daughters and husband. I pretty much grew up in Tucson and we live in the same neighborhood I spent my days running amok. I do all of my work out in the garage and am almost always joined by our malamute Aspen and kitty Suki. They’re so cute, I love it! Time is certainly limited in the summer as it gets so darned hot here. Perhaps when we hit it big we can put some sort of cooler out there.

I’m so glad I came across the PieceMaker mosaic team. What a fun bunch of kids they are. Such humor and support comes from this team it’s amazing. It seems like I’ve been a part of the team forever but I know it’s only been a short time.


Please visit Libby's Etsy shop by clicking here. :)

Meet PieceMaker Artist, Rayna Clark

We will be highlighting different PieceMaker Artists every week or so. These interviews will prove to be inspiring, some may be funny, some may be down right crazy. :) One thing is for sure... they'll all be a great read. Enjoy this first, of many, PieceMaker interviews to come.

Rayna Clark

My name is Rayna Clark, and I have my etsy shop name Rayna Clark Mosaics because that is pretty much what it is. It is me and my glass nippers creating away whatever strikes my fancy.

I have been creating mosaics and other arts for 12 years now, and I remember making my first piece like it was yesterday. It was a tea cup, and I still have it framed in my studio.

Other than making mosaics, I also enjoy making jewelry, and lotions and bath products.

I have attended many local shows and have started applying my work to the internet where I have met some great people and been introduced to some brilliant artists.

My dream ideal mosaics are the ones that can touch a persons emotions. I get a lot of joy from making pieces that mean something.

Being an artist takes up all of my time, and I have been doing it full time for 2 1/2 years, but have been doing mosaics again for 12 years. I just finally made the leap to give up my day job and stay focused on my art since 2008.

I live in Indiana right now, and it is quite the little artists heaven. Showing your work here and being recognized here is a great reward to me.

I have just recently joined the piecemakers group, and am very happy to be a part of such a great little tight nit community. I enjoy working with all of the artists and staying up to date with all that they are doing in their shops as well.

Thanks so much for taking the time to learn about me and my etsy shop her at piecemakers.



Please visit Rayna's Etsy shop by finding her name under the list of members to the right of this page.