anyone into mosaics ???

Hi Calin,

I have found your post just now and even though I don't have much experience in order to give you a professional advise on the matter, I had to reply to you.

First of all we are both from the same country... I am Romanian too, moved to USA 4 years ago. So each time I meet new people from Romania, I have to say Hello, especially that I know very few Romanians since here...

I am graduating Residential Design in less then a week, and for me design started as an old passion, a sleeping monster that I had in me for many years. Finally I have found the strength to pursue my dream and here I am, few years later, with absolutely no regrets, but satisfaction and lot more knowledge in the field...Needless to say great ideas come from those who dare to dream, because those who do not dream will never accomplish anything.

Now to go back to the subject in matter, I am absolutely impressed by your work: original, eclectic, simply beautiful. I strongly recommend you to continue it.

Your idea of applying mosaic on all deco items is great. Art has no limits, and if some finishes, materials or fabrics are originally made for one purpose, does not mean we have to be conservative and not find for them multiple uses... it's all about being creative.

I highly believe that it can work on pretty much everything. I have recently came back from a trip in the Caribbean, and on St. Marteen Island there was this local bar, quite unique in its decor. The bar stools have used same bright island colors of red, orange, blue, green and yellow. The chairs had carved gigantic parrots and exotic flowers on them, and the bar itself had used mosaic tiles in same colors. Seeing your mirror reminded me of that beautiful bar.

If you do not mind my suggestion, as I saw you used cardboard for the back of the mirror, I would recommend the use of wood as base, for resistance, plus adds substance and value to your item. Since the border of the mirror is so wide, the thickness of wood should be substantial.

For supplies, I have little knowledge when it comes to mosaic manufacturers, but I know for a fact there are small local factories where you can go and buy plain ceramic deco pieces, like vases, plates, etc, which you could then decorate if you might have that in mind to use as base for your design.

Another idea: combination of materials, wood + mosaic, glass + mosaic, natural stone + mosaic... the options are unlimited.

When using wood, you could pretty much use any type of wood. Have you thought of recycling? Any old piece of furniture, that can be reused and make something else out of it, could easily turn into an eco-friendly design. I do know Romania is one of the few European countries that is still cutting down trees to sell them through all over Europe, with no thought toward the environment... Sad but true, thus saving our forest should be an alarm bell for all of us. Not to mention that the best vintage design could be obtain by using an old recycled piece.

Eco-friendly, sustainable are just few terms extremely well known and broadcast, used and advertised. This is the new direction, and all design, let it be commercial or residential, is heading strongly towards this direction. Therefore you might want to keep this in mind, and if interested by the idea, advertise it out there.

I know that you have only asked few design ideas about using the mosaic, and here I am giving you advises on how to maybe orient your future possible "business". But you never know in what direction you might head with this. And if you want to expand from just hobby to actually doing this for living (and by the way, many great designers have started their career from a hobby like yours), this could make your product better and special than the competition ("eco-friendly mosaic art deco") Plus interior designers could be a major market for your products, they are always hunting for unique pieces, so in this regard, I have no doubt you can push this idea from hobby to business. The next step would be a website, and all would be ok from there. There would be more international clients than locals. I most certainly can guaranty you that.

Anyhow, hoping that my suggestions were not too many and they would be of any use for future. Best of luck.... And I am looking forward to see more of your wonderful creativity.

Sincerely,

Bianca

Smile

hey bethie. was waiting for a reply to my PMs... this will do!
don't you worry about any competition from me... or maybe we could work together on a join venture...LOL

hey bianca. thanks for all the suggestions. well noted Smile

i am thinking about profitting from this. when... in the future. right now i am creating a few pieces and then we'll see.
a website would definitely make my world larger.
but it's all in the future. right now... i am just hobbying Smile

it's not cardboard you saw. the mirror is made on an MDF board...which is 18mm thick.

ideas could come from anywhere... but romania is still a country where people recycle themselves or just throw things to the garbage. i mean, some people try to re-use stuff they have until it's good for nothing... while some decide to just throw things in the garbage container without thinking this could be of use to someone else.

so... it's hard to find stuff like tables, wardrobe doors... etc..

but i am always looking around for ideas Smile

i will soon come with pics of my 2nd piece Smile

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My pix http://community.webshots.com/user/calinromania