OUTDOOR ADDRESS SIGNS

One of my first projects was a two sided address sign that could be seen from the road by traffic going both directions. The sign was to be placed on a property at the beach, so I did an ocean image on one side and a sandcastle image on the other side. 
Here's the ocean side:

I used a combination of ceramic tiles, rocks, dishes and shells. Some worked better than others, but we all need to start somewhere - and this was the beginning of my mosaic journey. I grouted it all in white and sealed. My husband helped set the mosaic sign in a wooden frame, anchored into the ground with concrete. Here's a little closer detail:

And here's the sandcastle side:

Thanks for viewing my early beginnings. More to come!

WELCOME TO GOLDEN WILLOW MOSAICS

Hello and Welcome to Golden Willow Mosaics. If you are new to mosaics, artists can use a variety of materials to create mosaic art. When I work on outdoor designs, I normally use a substrate of hardie backer-board, wonder-board or concrete-board which is fastened directly onto a wood sub-surface. I can also work directly on concrete. Once a design is determined, I sketch it onto the substrate with paint. I use a thinset mortar to adhere the tile, pottery or dish pieces to the substrate.

Large designs take a lot of time. It's kind of like putting an enormous puzzle together, but you have to create the pieces as you go. I determine the color, shape, size and movement needed to accomplish the nature of the piece. I learn from each project I do, as there are considerations which need to be made as the art evolves. No two projects are the same. 

A variety of supplies are needed to complete a design. Depending on what the tiles are made of, they don't always break or cut in clean, distinct lines. There are ceramic, porcelain and marble tiles. I also love to use pottery and china dishes in my designs as they add texture, curvature and a reflection unavailable in flat tiles. In doing so, the surface of the design is not smooth or flat. If a design needs to be flat, specific tiles must be purchased to achieve this goal. I chip away at each piece until it "fits" into the design space. Sometimes that is with a tile saw, often it's with nippers. Supplies are heavy and it takes a large supply to create a design. Considerations must be made for where you desire to display a mosaic as it needs to be structurally sound. 

I am not a big consumer. My philosophy is to be a good steward of the earth and reuse whenever possible. By doing so, I am able to do my part in keeping "leftovers" out of our landfills. So whether I get donated broken dishes, leftover tiles or shop at thrift stores or rebuild centers, I consciously make a decision to reuse or repurpose products when I can. To date, I have not purchased any tiles in a retail store.

Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts or ideas. I believe, together we are better.