My Ocean Awareness Project...A river of trash

The design for my mosaic began with the idea of how all of this trash travels to the ocean. 

I grouped the plastics into color groups first and then into a flowing river pattern.  Trash can travel hundreds of miles from inland cities.  This is something that I think most people don't even think about as they toss something into the gutter.

I had originally used white at the end of my river, but as you can see in the next photo I left it out. I'm saving the white plastics along with any others I gather for future mosaics.

My favorite part of the river is the broken sunglasses. By using my "signature eyes" behind the lenses I think it adds a bit of whimsy...which if you know me...I love!

The background will be filled with various shades of blue tessarae to make up my ocean. I'm currently waiting for a custom ceramic piece to arrive for the "Save Our Oceans".  I can't wait to get back to work on it!

Breaking Free...the finished piece

"Breaking Free" is my own personal mosaic that I made during the summer as my life took a major turn.  Each piece of tessarae has a story behind it and the "marriage" of all the broken bits join together to become one piece of art that now hangs in my studio. As a mosaic artist I'm used to putting things together in a new way...so  now I will work on putting the broken pieces of my life back together and like mosaic art I hope it will be beautiful :)

My Ocean Awareness Project...Where Does All This Plastic Come From?

When you live near the beach I think it's only natural that you take an interest in keeping it clean. I always deposit my trash , and will even pick up trash around me that was left by others.  But in the last few years I've begun to notice a larger amount of trash on the beach. Where does all this trash come from? There can't be that many litterbugs out there?

Last January after a intense week of rainstorms in Southern California I took a walk with my 12 year-old son down to Doheny Beach to check out the damage. We were amazed at how much trash ended up on the sand. Gigantic piles of wood....a big mess to deal with I'm sure but it's a natural element.

 We enjoyed the creative souls that had came before us and left their masterpieces.

 As we looked closer into the wood piles we saw bright and colorful things....plastic toys, sunglasses, balls.
I noticed some broken yellow sunglasses and picked them up. This is when I had the idea to use this trash to create a mosaic. We spent the rest of our time collecting brightly colored plastic to use as my tessarae. I think most people who live inland don't realize how far trash can travel and how much damage it can do to our oceans sea life.  I'm hoping that my finished project will open eyes to this problem.  I'll be updating my blog as I create my mosaic.

Vintage finds

While trolling for plates I often come across some really cool vintage things that I can't pass up.  These fun, funky finds are now offered in my Etsy shop, enjoy!

Vintage Green Mushroom Salt and Pepper Shakers

Vintage Brass Candlesticks

Vintage Yellow Tulip Art on Wood Block

Vintage Mkiasa Coffee Mugs

Eco Artist Extraordinaire Mary Anne Enriquez

Mary Anne Enriquez aka Urban Woodswalker is an amazing artist that I admire.  Her passion for the environment and her creative mind unite to turn what others would consider trash into unique and beautiful  jewelry, art, and fashion.

 She recently entered and won the Grand Prize for the "Save My Oceans Upcycle Contest"  with her Upcycled Fused Plastic Bag Coat. She worked tirelessly for one month cutting and fusing plastic bags together to create the coat. 

                                   This IS Globalization Trash Chaos Vessel

Mary Anne has found a way to de-clutter her countertops from the endless barrage of junk mail. Using recycled magazines and junk mail, she created a "trash chaos vessel". It's now a beautiful and useful piece of art.  

Aluminum cans become her beads for this unique one-of-a-kind necklace. You can find more of her jewelry in her Etsy shop Urban Woodswalker. To view the gallery of her portfolio visit her Flickr page, you'll be amazed at how beautiful trash can become! 

B.Y.O.B. No Excuses!

Plastic Sucks Reusable Shopping Bag by Bonesbags on Etsy

I have to admit that when I decided to make the switch over from using plastic grocery bags to bringing my own it took awhile to get into the habit. I would forget to put them in the car...or walk into the store and remember as I was in the checkout line. We do get spoiled with the convenience of the store taking care of this need But who pays the price?

Did you know that approximately 1 BILLION seabirds and mammals die per year by ingesting plastic bags? Unfortunately these bags which can catch the air like a balloon can travel for miles and eventually end up in our oceans, lakes and streams all over the world.

Grocery stores are trying to help us by offering their own eco-friendly bags for purchase. I do see some people bringing their own bags, but I don't think the majority of people will until they Ban the Plastic Bags.

It's easier than you think to B.Y.O.B. to the stores! Here's some tips to get you started.

Tip #1 - Look through your closets, you may already have some canvas bags around the house. Throw them in your trunk so they're ready when you need them.

Tip #2 - If you live close to a Trader Joe's, take your bags there for your first time. They will enthusiastically welcome you and your bags and even throw your name into a raffle!

Tip # 3 - Buy a Chico Bag. This was my very first re-usable bag I bought. It cost around $5 but has been worth every penny. I've had this for over 2 years and it's still going strong...small, compact, fits in your purse or clips on your belt...genius!

Tip- # 4- Ignore the rude cashiers that seem annoyed that it takes longer to pack your groceries in your re-usable bag. It may slow up their line, but you are doing a good thing!

My Work In Progress "Breaking Free"

It's a big year of change for me...my heart and soul went into this piece. I'll be adding more chains to my heart...some broken, some still attached. Moving on to the next phase of my life, where my heart will be surrounded with bright happiness, peace and joy! I'll post pics after grouting.

The Grass is Greener...the air is cleaner.

The green green grass of my home has a new garderner...me! I've taken over the chore of mowing the lawn. My first attempt at starting the mower was enough to make me rip all the grass out. Twenty minutes later with sweat dripping down my face I was finally successful and heard the "beast " roar. I eventually would get the technique perfected and be able to start the mower with a single pull. The "beast" could cut grass well, but the noise pollution and air pollution that spewed out really bothered me. That's when my quest to find an eco-friendly replacement began.

Electric mowers seemed to be a good alternative, but the annoyance of the cord seemed to be an issue. I remembered my Mom using a push mower for our yard, did they still make those I wondered?

I researched and found the one I wanted...Scott's Classic Reel Mower. It had great reviews and I watched a 6 min. video of a small woman mowing her lawn. I was sold!

After a simple assembly of the handle...off we went for a test drive. My gas mower had conked out halfway through so now Scott (that's what I call him) had the job of tackling the mohawk that Mr. Rootin'-Tootin'-Pollutin' had left behind. It was now pitch dark but my son and I were determined to get er' done, so under the glow of the cellphone we mowed. I didn't really get a good look at the job Scott did until the morning after. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was cut perfectly and matched the noisy dude's work.

So if you're thinking of finding ways to go green in your life, and you have a small yard...then I highly recommend finding a Scott of your own. It is easy to push, easier to turn, and I just can't get enough of that whirling sound it makes as your push your way along!

Amber Glow

The Seventies was all aglow with Amber...I love to pick up vintage treasures from this era. There's just something warm and fuzzy about this color that makes me feel at home. Could it be that this glass might of been the same glass I drank out of as a child of the 70's and it stirs up old memories for me?

The texture on this glass is amazing and as I thought of all the creative ways you could use a single glass like this to decorate your home, alas my son came up with this one.

A simple votive candle and voila...an amber glow to light up your night!

You can find this vintage treasure in my Etsy shop!

Irene

Meet Irene...my latest eyeball mosaic. She currently sits atop my mantel awaiting adoption. To learn more about her visit my Etsy shop!

A Motherless Mother's Day

You left me far too soon

I wasn't ready to let you go

You'd taught me many things

but there was more for me to know...

When I didn't believe I could do it alone

Your angel wings lifted me high

and wrapped me tight with your soul

and gave me the strength to fly...

And on this Motherless Mother's Day

I will not shed a tear

For you are forever a part of me

a part that will always stay near.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!