Mosaic Beach Blog

Summer hours- change.

Please note that we WILL be open Saturday August 2nd but closed Thursday July 31st.

New poll

Hey guys! Our new mosaic poll is posted. Here are the results of the last one!

How long have you been mosaicking?

1. Just getting ready to start my first project- 23.4%

2. Less than a year- 29.7%

3. 1-2 years- 18.8%

4. 3-5 years- 14.1%

5. 6-9 years- 7.8%

6. 10+ years- 6.3%

Thanks to all who voted!

 

Canada Day Sale

Happy Canada Day! The retail store will be closed from 5pm on Friday until July 2nd, but in the spirit of celebration take 20% off ALL online orders from now until July 1st! At the checkout enter the code CANADA to get your discount! (orders after 5 pm Friday will be shipped July 2nd).

Great Motif book now in stock.

 This follow-up to 1000 Motifs for Crafters brims with patterns to inspire, work from, and expand upon. All types of artists—from stitchers and stencilers to glass painters and mosaicists—will find this colossal collection ideal for their purposes. There are so many themes to choose from, with chapters on animals, the seashore, people, the home, celebrations, foliage, frames, and various countries. And since it’s organized in easy-to-access categories, they’ll find whatever they’re looking for in a flash. A techniques chapter explores such processes as enlarging and transferring motifs; needlepoint, cross-stitch and hand-free embroidery; appliqué, beading, and more! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this beautiful reference is an invaluable addition to your library. Only $19.95
http://www.mosaicbeach.com/catalog/item/1467230/5985989.htm

Mosaic Beach Calendar Contest

OK! Here we go again. Our 2nd annual CANADIAN MOSAIC ART calendar contest will be bigger than ever! With our new supplier we will have great looking heavy cardstock bound calendars for 2009. Enter the contest as often as you wish. It will be independently juried and the top 12 images will be selected. Artists chosen will receive discounts on the bulk purchase of the calendars. Actual print dimension requirements will be provided shortly but are unnecessary at this point. Upload your pictures here and please participate in the process. If you love a photo comment and let us know. This is a specifically CANADIAN event and we will not publish mosaic artists from outside the country. There is NO COST to enter.  So send us your best stuff and spend the summer doing what we all love most. Mosaicking!  The deadline is August 31, 2008 so don't wait.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicbeach/

PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING.

• Name of the mosaic
• Size of the mosaic
• Materials used
• Name of artist
• location of artist.

NOTE: You must join flickr to post. It is a FREE service. Once you join upload your photos to your photostream and then send them to the group listed above. Any problems, just drop us a comment. We are kinda rookies at this too!

 

Wicked Blog

http://torontocraftalert.blogspot.com/

For those of you in the crafty way check out this wicked website. Lots of info on shows and general artsy-fartsy goings-on in the city.

Mosaic Mesh

Finally! Our supplier is offering mosaic mesh in rolls again. Starting next week we will be selling mesh in 3ft x 1ft strips. You can order as many feet as you want and they come uncut. (ie if you order 3 feet of mesh you will get a 3ft x 3 ft strip. Then you can cut them down to the sizes that you need. No more gluing the edges together! woo hoo.  For those of you who are mesh crazy you can even buy the whole roll. Pricing will be determined when it gets here next week. Watch the website for it. www.mosaicbeach.com/mosaictools.html

The start of summer closings.

Hey guys,

Here is an early list of our summer closings. The store WILL be closed for retail in all cases. The store may be open for classes. Please contact me for more details.

Tuesday July 1st-Canada Day

Saturday July 12- Offsite private class

Saturday July 26-Scarborough Outdoor art Show

Thursday July 31-Offsite

Saturday August 16th- teaching at the Orillia Museum-join us

Saturday August 30- Canada Day long weekend.

I will post updates and changes as they happen. Please always check the studio hours before coming to the studio.

Why & how should I seal my grout?

Grout is a cementious product that while strong it is also porous. That means that the grout will stain with any oil or liquid spilled on it. Sealant stops that from happening (yeah!). It also limits mold and mildew production in  moist areas (like shower grout). I always seal pieces that are used (trays, tables or outdoor pieces) but not usually wall hangings or mirrors.

Most grout sealants (including the one we sell) are clear liquids. You simply brush it over the grout lines (for big tiles, small grout lines) or all over the piece if it is a mosaic. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Buff the tiles dry to avoid them becoming hazy. Repeat until the sealant does not penetrate the grout in 5 minutes (could take 3 coats) buffing the tiles in between coats. I would reapply it annually.

Now get sealing!!

"Everything but the kitchen sink" Seminar

The next seminar (and last one until September) is being held Sunday May 25th. Sign up now! There are a few spots left.

http://www.mosaicbeach.com/mosaicseminar.html