A Candle (Not) In The Wind

Part of the joy of making mosaic objects is the fun of creating the substrate, the surface or object on to which the mosaic tesserae are applied. A recent experiment with concrete moulding produced a couple of pieces which seemed the perfect size and shape for candle holders. On more than one occasion I've been frustrated by candles blowing out necessitating digging around for matches again at inconvenient moments so I decided to give them their own little storm lantern effect using a glass. I wanted something pretty and charming but not twee so used classic blue and white china grouted in white which gives them a clean simple look. Having created them for summer evenings outdoors they work just as well on a winter evening indoors!

Work in Progress

One of the great things about making mosaics is there are so many techniques to use and discover. One of my favourites is to make the mosaic on a mesh base which can then be applied to whatever substrate might suit the piece best. It's a common way of making pieces which are huge works made manageable by being made and transported in sections and it's great for me when I'm shuttling back and forth between the UK and France as I can split the process making in one country and then applying to a base in the other. I've always loved the fairy story of the Frog Prince and thought he'd make a wonderful addition to a garden so here he is sitting on his mesh base ready to be fixed to a substrate and then grouted.