Holiday Pot Luck & Tessarae Exchange

Wednesday, December 14th Holiday Pot Luck
Our annual holiday pot luck is fast approaching. Trudy Vrchota will be hosting the party this year. Hope to see everyone there.

Trudy's address and directions to her home:
6943 Sand Ridge Road, Eden Prairie, MN
Telephone - 612-865-6323
Directions:
Traveling West on Hwy. 62 (Crosstown), just West of Interstate 494
Turn South (left) on Baker Road (County Rd. 60)
Turn left again at Sand Ridge Road, about 1 1/2 mile

Trudy is planning to serve sliced ham for sandwiches. Please bring a dish, a beverage, or something scrumptious to share.

Also bring a small bag of tessarae for our exchange.

This will also be a good time for collecting 2012 dues.

November Meeting Minutes

Our November meeting was held at Jo Shaddy's home on November 9,  Thanks for the hospitality, Jo.

We had a good exchange of ideas about plans for 2012 along with some action items as summarized below.
1. Gil Gragert was re-elected President for 2012.-- MANY CONGRATULATIONS, GIL!

2. The 2011 Holiday Party will be held at Trudy Vrchota's home on December 14 at 6:30.  This will be a potluck celebration so please bring something tasty to eat or drink.  We will also have our annual tesserae exchange so please bring a small bag of tesserae to exchange at the party.  More details about the party/meeting will be posted well before December 14.

3. 2012 meetings have hosts for the following months.  If anyone would like to host the November meeting, please raise your hand!
--February: Barb Steen
--April: Susan will ask Lori Greene if she would like to host this meeting and if we can change the show date to April (rather than September).  We had a discussion that we are likely to have better participation in the Mosaic on a Stick Show in April rather than September.
--June: Barb Napawocki
--September: Janine Irrrisarri
--November: OPEN
--December Holiday Party: Susan Mathis

4. Our 2012 Summer Show will be in Stillwater and our opening reception is scheduled for the same evening as the Stillwater Main Street Art Crawl kicks off.  The show will be June/July.  -- Gil will be providing more details.

5. September Tile Festival: Guild members would like to participate in this in September 2012.  We will show and sell a variety of 8 X 8's at the Tile Festival at the newly-renovated Swedish Institute.  This is the CALL FOR 8 X 8'S FOR THE FESTIVAL. We'll call our pieces a "Style Sampler" which will showcase the diverse styles of our talented members.  Please bring your 8 X 8 to the February 2012 meeting  (well in advance of the Tile Festival). -- We would also like to display and sell our 8 x 8's at the Stillwater Show.  Judy Sell is the keeper of the existing 8 X 8's so she can bring them to the two shows as well.

6, We need to make arrangements for our 2013 Summer Show NOW!  -- If we do not get space reserved now, it will be impossible to get a venue.  Action Item: Sandy Bartel will contact Hopkins Art Center as well as others (Bloomington, Minnetonka) and she will report her findings at the at our Holiday Party.

7. Mosaic on a Stick is celebrating it's 7th birthday this month.  Happy Birthday, dear "Stick"! Several of you want to be on the email list to receive Mosaic on a Stick's newsletters which broadcast information on special sales, upcoming classes, new products, community projects, etc.  Please contact the store at 651-645-6600 to get your name and email address on the list for newsletters.  Also, please remember that Guild members ALWAYS receive a 10% discount on purchases at the store. Just remind them that you're a member when you check out.

8. Guild members will continue to receive 10% discounts on glass and beads at J. Ring.  However, due to low profit margins on larger items like grinders, we will not receive the discount on those types of items.

9. Community Projects:  There was an exciting exchange of ideas about potential community projects for 2012. Some of the ideas were: aligning with a local nature center and making a piece for them; aligning with a local women's shelter and make an upbeat piece for them; have an electronic auction on "Bidding for Good" to benefit the charity of our choice; partenring with "Free Arts Minnesota" to teach children the art of mosaics. We'll revisit all community art project ideas at our February meeting and make a decision on what to do.  Bring your ideas, please.

10. Haiti Project: The children's hospital in Haiti is ready for installation of our quilt, having painted the lobby walls to complement the colors in the quilt.  Unfortunately, one board member was concerned that Catholic people who bring their children to the clinic will not like the Vodou theme of the quilt.  (96% of the population is Vodou and 4% of the population is Catholic).  All were shocked by the decision - especially Michele Boston who heads up No Time for Poverty.  Michele is looking for an alternative location of the quilt in Haiti.  If  that doesn't work out, we'll look for a home for it in the Twin Cities such as International Market Square would be one possibilty.  We're all disappointed but we will find a place for it.

11. 2012 Field Trip Idea: Suzanne Demueles is interensted in leading a field trip to a church in St. Michael, MN, where there a lot of mosaics in a church there.  Suzanne will keep us advised.

12. We want to have all dues from existing members collected no later than February 1.  Those who attend the December Holiday Party may their dues at that time.  After that, there will be an aggressive email campaign to collect all dues from existing members by February 1.  New members may join at any time during the year.

13. Contact Information:  We all agreed that it would be helpful to have an up-to-date contact list of Guild members. When members pay their dues, they will be asked to provide their email address and phone numbers.  A member needs to take responsiblity to keep the contact list up-to-date.

Barbara Benson Keith

Check out the fabulous video of Barb on you tube.  It was on t.v. on Sunday.  She is an inspiration!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgU0CBMfhAc

November 9th Guild Meeting

November 9 Guild Meeting - See meetings tab for agenda


Guild meeting will be held at Jo Shaddy's house.

Meeting time 6:30-9:00 PM.

From highway 62 heading west from Minneapolis
exit Shady Oak Road (this is the exit just past the 169 exit)
turn left onto Shady Oak Road and go about 1 mile
turn right into Rowland Road (toward Bryant Park) go about 1/2 mile then
turn right into Fallbrook Road then an immediate
turn right onto Dunhill Road (my house is the corner, brick house on the left side on Dunhill) 11896
Agenda: Next Year Planning

September Meeting/Minutes

September 14, 2011

Fall Member's Show -
Mosaic-on-a-Stick
595 North Snelling
Opening Tuesday, Sept. 20
Reception Saturday, Sept. 24, 7-9 PM
Closing Friday, October 14
Pick up work beginning October 15
Note: MOS is closed Sundays and Mondays

During the meeting, members presented their work around the "Animals and Nature" theme, discussing inspiration and techniques.
Members voted on their choice of the work - Janine Irisari won the $50 gift certificate for Mosaic-on-a-Stick

November meeting will be at Jo Shaddy's home, Eden Prairie:
Address will be posted well before that date
Annual planning meeting - come with your hot ideas for 2012

December Holiday Party at Trudy Vrchota's home, Eden Prairie:
Pot Luck
Tessarae exchange

Haiti update:
The clinic is near completion
The location of the mural within the clinic is being decided upon
Lori Greene, Susan Mathis and Connie Cohen

Miscellaneous:
The annual Minnesota Tile Festival will be held at the Midtown Market (rather than the usual Swedish Institute location) on Friday and Saturday (September 16 and 17).
The July Mosaic Garden visit was well attended generating interest in Riana's classes which are fun and physically demanding.
Four openings for Laurel True's October class at Mosaic-on-a-Stick - the class focuses on creating community mosaic projects, etc. - Check w/Lori at MOS
Next year's SAMA conference (February, 2012)is in Lexington, KY

Fall Members Show

Our annual Fall Members Show is fast approaching.

Title:
Animals and Nature Mosaics

Location:
Mosaic-on-a-Stick
595 North Snelling Ave.
St. Paul, MN
651-645-6600

Dates:
Opening - Tuesday, September 20
Closing - Friday, October 14

Reception:
Saturday, September 24, 7-9:00 PM
Refreshments and light food provided

The stick is open:
Tuesday, 10-9:00
Wednesday, 10-4:00
Thursday, 10-9:00
Friday, 10-6:00
Saturday, 10-6:00
Closed Sunday and Monday

September Guild Meeting

September Meeting:
Wednesday, September 14, 6:30-9:30 PM
Mosaic-on-a-Stick
595 North Snelling, St. Paul
651-645-6600
Agenda:
6:30 - Social time
7:00 - Business topics -
September Members Show
November Guild Meeting - Planning for 2012
December Holiday Party
7:45 - Members' presentation of work
9:00 - Balloting for Members' Choice Award
Presentation of $50 gift certificate to winner

September Meeting and Fall Show

Our September 14 Guild Meeting and Fall Members Show is fast approaching and hopefully everyone has had a chance to at least start on their work for the show. The theme this year is Animals and Nature - one that everyone should easily indulge in.

Bring as many pieces as you desire to the September 14 meeting; whatever can be accomodated will be hung in the show (with at least one piece from each member). Remember too that you may enter one piece in the "Members' Choice" selection of that evening. The winner of the "Members' Choice" award will receive a $50 gift certificate for Mosaic-on-a-Stick. You must be present to win.

Wednesday, September 14 Guild Meeting, 6:30-9:30:
Mosaic-on-a-Stick
595 North Snelling, St. Paul
There will be the usual social time followed by a short business meeting;
Followed by each member presenting their work;
Followed by the balloting for the "Members' Choice Award"

Fall Member's Show at:
Mosaic-on-a-Stick
595 North Snelling, St. Paul
Show dates : Tuesday, September 20 - October 14, 2011
Reception: Saturday, September 24, 7-9:00 PM
Following the show, members should pick up their work October 15 or soon thereafter.

I will post a meeting agenda shortly before the date. Anyone wishing to offer a topic should respond to this posting.

Community Butterfly Project

Eve Lynch has a great community project underway with a theme of Butterflies.  If you want to participate, e-mail Eve (due in 2 weeks but they are small) or just follow the progress here:  http://butterfly-project.blogspot.com/

Barb Steen Invitation - Edina Art Center

Please join me: Barbara Steen
EdinaArtCenter.com

Refreshments Provided
Please rsvp to: barbarasteen@hotmail.com

Thursday, July 28, 2011 4:00 - 7:00 pm

Minnesota Mosaic Guild Annual Members' Show
See the exciting variety of mosaic styles.

Location: Edina Art Center
4701 West 64th Street
Edina, MN 55435
952/903-5780

Our Delightful Visit to the Mosaic Garden

Oh my!  We had a delightful visit to the Mosaic Garden.  Maybe the Vodou deity in charge of weather was happy with us as we had cool and breezy weather.  If was very nice.  There was so much to see.  I could just stand in one place and do a 360 and see wonderful things everywhere!  There were statues and mosaics and flowers and more mosaics and more statues and more flowers.  There was the coolest studio I've ever seen, a well-appointed outhouse, nice dogs who were afraid of Claire (Micah's little dog), a beautiful home with a porch to die for.  There were even chickens from France!  And then there was Wouterina (Riana). 
She is a wonderful lady.    Now I have to go back and take a class.

I'm posting a few of my favorite photos.  There must have been at least a thousand photos taken amongst us so I'd love to see some of you post your favorites.

September 14 Guild Meeting

The September 14, 2011 Guild meeting will be held at Mosaic-on-a-Stick, 595 North Snelling, St. Paul (651)645-6600). Meeting time 6:30-9:30 PM.
This meeting will be our kick-off for our annual Fall Members Show that will be exhibited at Mosaic-on-a-Stick. Setting up the show may begin that evening, but full setup will take place later with an announcement of show and reception dates.
This will be a casual social meeting (just a little business to begin with), giving each member a chance to talk about their work and present it in the competition.
The theme for this year's show is Animals and Nature, and there will be a $50 gift certificate prize (to Mosaic-on-a-Stick) for the members choice award. Members may bring more than one art work for the show, but you must designate which work is in the competition. Members must be present to be eligible to win.
Hope to see everyone there.

June Meeting Summary

June 22, 2011 Meeting
Hosted by Susan Mathis, Woodbury
Susan, Gil, Julie and Nancy shared photos from various travels.
Food, drink and company was pleasant. Walter the friendly feline, as well as Micah's little dog were also good company.
Status of Haiti Project -
All 24 squares are in and ready to hang temporarily at the Edina Art Center Show.
If not done already, in the event that tiles may loosen and be lost in transit to Haiti, please provide extra tessarae in a labeled bag (name and specific square) to Mosaic-on-a-Stick.
The pediatric clinic is expected to be done this fall, ready for the mosaic quilt installation next winter. Susan and Lori (and perhaps Connie Cohen) will install. Others welcome to make the trip.
The clinic project sponsor, "No Time for Poverty", is hosting a thankyou party for volunteers this Saturday. Hope you RSVP'd to go.
Edina Arts Center Show -
Your contract with the Edina Arts Center was due on June 6 for entry in the show.
Drop off artwork Tuesday, June 28, 11AM-7PM, unwrapped and ready to hang, with name, title and price on back.
Guild volunteers have been recruited to check in (Tuesday) and hang work (Wednesday).
Because of the strong response to this show, There may not be room to show all work, but every Guild member will be represented.
Reception Thursday, June 30, 5-8:00 PM. Guild volunteers are bringing some food and resfreshments. No alcohol allowed as it is a public building.
Edina Magazine staff are expected to be on hand for pictures, etc.
Susan Mathis will also take photos.
Art pickup August 4, 9AM-7PM
Garden Tour -
The tour to Riana's Garden is on for July 23rd. 20 people are signed up to date. Plans are to meet at the park-and-ride just off I-94 and Hwy. 95. Directions - Take the Stillwater exit off I-94 and head toward Stillwater. The park-and-ride is on the right just after you go under the I-94 bridge.
Susan will post details again before the event.
Still time for others to sign up; the more, the merrier.
September Meeting at Mosaic-on-a-Stick -
September 14 meeting tentatively includes hanging the fall members show. Bring your work that night following this year's theme, "Animals and Nature". There will be a "Members Choice" award of a $50 gift certificate for Mosaic-on-a-Stick.
This meeting is designed as primarily a social event, but if someone has a topic, please offer to present.
Pot luck that night. Alcohol acceptable/welcome.
A public reception will be planned later in the fall.
Tile Festival this fall -
We have paid to participate this year.
Location changed for this year to the Global Market - the old Sears building on East Lake Street and 10th Avenue South, Mpls.
Danette Polglase will be posting details (dates and times) and recruiting volunteers.
Public Mosaic of Minnesota site -
Julie Reeve suggested that it would be nice to somehow catalog locations of public mosaic art in Minnesota. Julie and other MMG members will continue to explore.
November 9th Meeting -
This is our annual planning meeting for 2012.
Location, Jo Shaddy's home, Eden Prairie
More details as we approach the date.
December 14 Holiday Party -
Being hosted by Trudy Vrchota in Eden Prairie
More details as we approach the date.
2012 Annual Members show, summer-
We have a commitment from the 3Ten Gallery in Stillwater (on Main St.) for a member's show next June/July. Reception date will coincide with a quarterly art crawl in Stillwater.
Always more to come.

Postcards for Edina Show

Evidently, we are running out of postcard for the Edina Arts Center Show. Please bring any excess cards to the June 22 meeting at Susan Mathis' house for redistribution.

Also utilize the electronic card as much as possible when sending out notices.

Thank you.

June Guild Meeting

June 22, 6:00-9:30
Susan Mathis' home
3670 Village Court
Woodbury, MN
651-207-5872
Directions: East on I-94 out of St. Paul; South (right) on Co. Rd. 19 for 3 miles; West (right) on Lake Road less than 1/2 mile; Left at Wedgewood Drive less than 1/2 mile; Left at Village Court. Susan's home is on the right.
6:00 Social Time - Note early start to more completely enjoy Susan's Garden
Appetizers, drinks and misc refreshments (may want to skip dinner)
7:00 Agenda
Haiti Project - Party on June 25
Mosaic Garden tour - Riana's Garden - Beldenville, Wisconsin
Edina Art Center Show - update, reminders
September Meeting on the 14th, Mosaic-on-a-Stick - Bring you work for our annual Fall Members Show.
7:15-9:30 Travel Night Program - Mosaic photos from our travels. Everyone welcome to bring photos in any form. Susan has a multimedia projector to handle flash drives and hooking up laptops. I'm bringing old-fashined prints from a Spain trip.

Mosaic Garden Tour

At our last meeting, we determined that there is strong interest in a Guild tour of Wouterina De Raad's Mosaic Garden in Beldenville, Wisconsin.  I've spoken with Wouterina and she's very excited about the prospect of our visit.  She agreed that July is the best month to come.    We've tentatively scheduled the tour for July 23 at 10:00 AM.  Wouterina wants us to come at this time, as the light gets too flat later in the day.

The garden is located in Beldenville, WI, which is 45 minutes from downtown St. Paul.  As we get closer to the event, we can start communicating about some potential car pooling.  At this time, I need to get an estimated count of how many would participate in the tour.  Wouterina requires ten people minimum.  The cost is $5 per person.  At this time, please let me know if you think you can attend by clicking on the "comment" button below.  I'm also posting a few photos of the garden to give you an idea of what to expect.

June Meeting Date Has Been Changed to June 22

I live in a homeowner's association.  All of our driveways and sidewalks are going to be replaced in early June.  There are 44 homes here, so things are going to be a bit chaotic.  During this time, I will have to park my own car one block away at the golf club.  Parking will be challenging and then there will be the problem of getting to my front door as the sidewalk will also be under construction.

Due to all of this, I've gotten approval from Gil to change the date of the June meeting to June 22.  I would like to host the June meeting as some of you have expressed interest in seeing my flower gardens.

The program and agenda remain unchanged: Travel Night and, of course, final discussions about the Edina Art Center Show.  I hope the date change doesn't cause any problems for any of you.  I'm really sorry to do this, but there will just be too many obstacles on June 8.

June 22

Social: 6:30 PM

Meeting: 7:00

3670 Village Court

Woodbury, MN. 55125

Postcards for the Edina Art Center Show

Thanks to Judy Sell,  the postcards for our show at EAC are now printed.  The cards are beautiful!  The mosaic piece on the front of the postcard is by Julie Reeve.         .

Starting this coming Thursday, May 12, the cards will be available for pickup at Mosaic on a Stick. You may use the postcards for invitations.

I've emailed a digital copy of the postcard to members if you would like to send out electronic invitations.

Good News From Haiti!

Lori Greene has been communicating with her contacts in Haiti.  Lori has sent them pictures of the veves that you have all made.  THEY LOVE IT!  Lori said one person was brought to tears when she saw what we are doing for them.  I don't know about you, but this makes me feel really, really good.

I haven't been to Mosaic on a Stick in a couple of weeks, but I know that several of you have been taking your squares in.  I have three here at home - my own, Janine's, and Julie Reeve's second one.  Remember that May 3 is the deadline.  Judy Sell and Gil Gragert have agreed to do two squares so they have special dispensation to turn them in late (but in time for the Edina Art Center Show).  When it's all done, we'll have 24 square feet to install (plus the border).  It's definitely going to make a statement!

The hospital is moving along faster now, so we may be able to install it within the next 6-8 months - or maybe even sooner.  I can't wait!

Regarding the Haiti Project: Members who complete squares for the project should provide extra pieces of tile (especially edge pieces) in the event that tile gets dislodged and lost in transit to Haiti. Bring your extra tile in a baggie with your name on it to Mosaic-on-a-Stick.

Remember to prepare for the June 8 Guild Meeting - Travel Night at Susan Mathis'home. Everyone is invited to bring photos of mosaic work they've come across in their travels. Bring ol-fashioned photos or photos in electronic form, ready to show.

April Meeting Minutes

We met at Judy Sell's house on April 13. - Thanks, Judy.

Sculpture Demo
Judy gave us a demonstration of how to sculpture a bench (or whatever) using the method that Wooterina De Raad teaches.  This entails wrapping the object in wire mesh and then covering it with mortar prior to applying the tesserae.

Haiti Project
Susan updated everyone on th project.  Many projects are done and turned in. Judy and Gil both agreed to do two squares. - This brings the project to 24 squares - 24 square feet. - Phenomenal. - We would like to install the quilt in Haiti in the first quarter of 2012, but it depends on whether the new children's hospital is far enough along in construction by that time.  We'll keep you posted.

Edina Art Center Show
Susan handed out a "poop sheet" for the show which lists the dates to remember as well as facts you need to know about the show.  This sheet will be emailed to all members at a later time. There's no way to attach it to this blog. Judy Sell will be designing the postcards.  Julie Reeve may provide some signage for the Haiti Project once we know what we need.

2012 Show
Susan will help Gil find a venue for our 2012 show.

Concrete Mosaic Sculpture Garden Tour
Members who were present were polled to find out if there's interest in having a special event this summer. The event would be a garden tour of Wouterina De Raad's Concrete Mosaic Garden. Everyone present was very interested in doing this.  The garden is located in Beldenville, WI which is a 45 minute drive from downtown St. Paul.  Susan will contact the garden to see if we can reserve the date of July 16 for our tour.  We must have a minimum of 10 participants for the garden to open for us.

Please Read Before This Week's Meeting

First - can all of you save a few pieces of your tesserae - especially the ones on the edges - put them in a Zip-Lock bag, write your name on the bag and provide it to us to keep with your squares.  The reason for this is that some pieces will most likely fall out when we transport the squares to Haiti.  We'll need the pieces to cut out repair pieces.  Cheryl Anderson has already thought to do that and we all need to do it.  If you're coming to this week's meeting, you can bring your bag of stuff to the meeting and give it to me.-Thanks!

ALSO, AT THE MEETING, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE IS DOING WITH THEIR VEVES. PLEASE BRING THEM TO MEETING - FINISHED OR UNFINISHED.

Those who attended the "quilting bee" on Saturday had a lot of fun AND we got to see several veve squares that have been dropped off at Mosaic on a Stick. - See below! Yippee!

Below is Cheryl Anderson's colorful Veve for Kafou. Kafou is the malevolent trickster who diverts humans from their true paths. It's beautiful.

Here is Connie Cohen's Djab. Djabs are personal spirits who belong to a specific person via a magical contract. They perform services such as warding off enemies, increasing one's wealth, etc. Djab is one of my personal favorites. Connie - is the key in the lower right an offering?

This is Beth Karjala's Damballah. He is the great serpent and the symbol of fertility.  He is fond of eggs which is why Beth included an egg in the Veve.  Beth used broken china to make Damballah and it looks great!

Here is Gil's Damballah and Aida Ouedo.  Damballah's wife is the beautiful spirit Aido Ouedo - she is the rainbow!

Here is Trudy Vrchota's Gran Bwa, ruler of the forest and master of herbal remedies.  Trudy included some flowers and foliage as and offering to Gran Bwa.

Here is Gil - looking Presidential, while Julie and Micah create!

Haiti Project Announcements

There are two announcements today.

The Haiti Project Quilting Bee is on as scheduled.  Several of you have indicated that you want to come.  The quilting bee will be on Saturday, April 9, at Mosaic on a Stick.  We'll go from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  Interest has been expressed in a pot luck lunch.  I'll bring enough stuff to make 8 (the number who have signed up) turkey and/or cheese sandwiches.  If any of you would like to bring anything that would compliment our sandwiches, that would be great.  Suggestions are chips, beverages, fruit, cookies, etc.

Submitting your veve.  Someone asked today where they can take their square as they need to turn it in early.  Remember that May 3 is the deadline, but you can bring it in any time before that.  There are already some completed squares at Mosaic on a Stick.  If you prefer, you may bring your piece to next week's meeting to show off (completed or not completed).  You can give it to me to take to Mosaic on a Stick or you may take it yourself anytime between now and May 3.  Remember that The Stick is not open on Mondays.

April Guild Meeting

Location: Judy Sell's home 1104 South 4th Street, Stillwater, MN Telephone 651-430-2593 Directions from Hwy. 36 heading East Turn left (North) at Osgood Avenue, the last stoplight on Hwy. 36 before you go down into the valley In a few blocks, Osgood turns into South 4th St. Watch for Judy's house on the left. Agenda: Haiti Project update, Susan Mathis Edina Art Center Show, Susan Mathis June Guild Meeting, Susan Mathis' home, Mosaic pictures from travels - everyone bring pics Future show possibilities - Mosaic-on-a-Stick; Phipps Center for the Arts (Hudson, Wisc.); ArtReach St. Croix (Stillwater) Riana's Garden field trip - July?

Rachel Arntson's Agwe and a Question

Here is Rachel Arntson's Agwe! Agwe is lord of the sea. He's responsible for successful voyages and safe return to port. Ships and fish are his special symbols.  Offerings to Agwe are taken out to sea and placed in the water so they can sink down to the submerged palace where he resides with his consort, Lasiren.  I like the red sail and the tiny fish in the water.  Thanks, Rachel!

Here's my question.  Please let me know if you are still interested in having the quilting bee. When we set up the Haiti Project, we decided to get together a few weeks after the project started to work on our pieces and see what everyone is working on. The quilting bee is scheduled for next Saturday, April 9, 10:00 to 1:00 at Mosaic on a Stick. Please let me know if you still want to do this.  Cast your vote by clicking on the comment below and sharing your thoughts. Thanks.



Our First Completed Square!

Rumor has it that some of you have your veve squares near completion.  Julie Reeve has completed her first one and she is now working on a second one!  Below is the Ezili Freda flag that Julie has done. Ezili Freda is the goddess of love. Note the use of primary colors!  Also, in order to make some of her shiny stuff even shinier, Julie used Weld-Bond to stick glitter to some gems.  She let that dry and then she bonded the glittered gem to the mesh.

As you complete your squares, please email a digital photo of it to me at mathissl@comcast.net.  I'd like to start posting them on the blog.

Thanks for sending yours, Julie.

Update on Haiti Project and More on Offerings

Great news about our first (I think) community project -- to date, 21 guild members are participating in the Haiti Project!  It's great to see so much interest in and commitment to this project.  We're now making designs available to those of you who want to do two squares.  Julie Reeve is already working on two designs - thanks, Julie! -- Right now there are three designs at Mosaic on a Stick.  If there is a need for more, I'll make more.

Now, more on offerings.  I think some of you are having fun with your offerings.  Last week, I blogged about the offerings for La Siren.  This week, I'll show you examples of offerings to the Gran Bwa and Bawon Samdi.

The Gran Bwa is ruler of the forest and the master of herbal remedies. He  likes offerings that reflect the verdant colors of the forest he inhabits.  Offerings include flowers and leaves.  You can see this in the photo of the an actual Gran Bwa veve below.

The next photo is a veve for Bawon Samdi, guardian of the cemetary and the paramount spirit of the dead. One of his favorite offerings is rum laced with pepper.  You can see that he's holding a bottle of rum.



Introduction to Offerings

Haitian Vodou Lwa (Loa) are given offerings to please them and to gain their favor.  Each Lwa likes specific types of offerings.  In Vodou flags, the offerings are typically integrated into the background of the flag, but sometimes the Lwas are seen holding the offering in their hands.

I'll be sending out a series of blogs on offerings.  Integrating offerings into your specific flag is optional.  Just be prepared to suffer the consequences that the Lwa may wreak on you if you don't provide an offering.  (Some Vodou flags are very busy and there's really no room for offerings.  In that case, the Lwa gives you special dispensation if you don't give an offering.) 

In this blog, I'm focusing on Lasiren, queen of the ocean and patroness of music.  She surfaces from the depths of the sea to bestow favors on her subjects.  Offerings to Lasiren include combs, perfumes, seashells, mirrors, and doves.

Here are a couple images of Lasiren.  I'll be sending out additional blogs of Lwa and their offerings.  Check back often!











Edina Art Center Show Update

I checked with the Edina Art Center today to see if our members may hang glass on glass mosaics in the large window that they have in their gallery.  They said "yes" and that "it would be very impressive" if we did that.

I hope some of you can take some glass on glass pieces to the show!  We'll have a considerable amount of room for hanging pieces, for 3-D pieces, and for hanging glass on glass!

The contract that we have with Edina Art Center stipulates the following:

• All pieces must be for sale.
• Each participant will pay EAC $5 for participating
• If you sell your piece(s), Edina Art Center will receive a 35% commission.

Please figure in the above when you establish your pricing.

The only thing that will not be for sale is the Haiti Project.  Edina Art Center has invited us to display it in it's semi-finished state.  They know that it's going to Haiti.

Beads, colors, lines, and a touch of gold!

I'll be blogging often during the first couple of weeks of our project so please check the blog often. There were lots of good questions yesterday as members picked up their designs.  I want to pass along those questions and answers to everyone as they might be helpful to you. If you have a question, please post it in the comment box of the blog and I'll answer.

First, BEADS!

Beads are used a lot in Vodou flags. I've suggested that you use some beads in your pieces.  Cheryl Anderson commented yesterday that small beads often don't stick well to mesh.  I'm going to try some large beads in my piece and see how they do.  Another material that you can use is GEMS.  Gems fit into the category of "shiny stuff".  Also, as you know, they may be cut in half and set on the cut side in the piece which gives an interesting effect.  Cheryl - thanks for this tidbit!

Now, COLORS!

I've suggested that you emphasize the primary colors in your pieces -- RED, BLUE, AND YELLOW.  Note that the word I used was "emphasize" NOT "use only primary colors".  You may definitely use other colors. I've seen Vodou flags with black, white, purple, and green in them.  You have the freedom to use any color, just emphasize primary colors.  Take look at the Ezili Freda flag below.  There's lots of black, but also lots of red.



Next, LINES.
Some of you have selected flags with narrow lines in them, such as the narrow swirly lines in the flag above.The narrow lines in the cartoons of your flags are lines for you to follow. There's no need for you to try to make them as narrow as they are in the actual flag.  Just follow the lines as you lay your tesserae.

Finally, INTEGRATING A TOUCH OF GOLD INTO YOUR PIECE.
Because we'll be using gold mirror glass for the border at the time of installation, we need you to use a touch of gold mirror glass in your piece.  This will help tie the whole piece together.  If you don't have any gold mirror glass at home, Mosaic on a Stick sells small strips of it so you can purchase a small strip when you pick up your pieces. Take a look at the Guede Mazaca flag below.  There's only a small amount of gold.--That works!

That's it for today.  I'll soon be blogging about integrating offerings into your pieces.  This is optional, but you often see it in actual Vodou flags.  Check back soon!



Haiti Project Kick Off

The Haiti Project is about to begin-yeah!  Your packets will be available for pick up starting this Saturday, February 26 at 1:00 PM.  Packets may be picked up at Mosaic-on-a-Stick. (Remember that The Stick is not open on Mondays.)

Each packet will contain the following:

1. Voudou (also spelled Voodoo) Flag design.
2. Mesh
3. Instructions
4. Voudou Flag Primer
5. Voudou Flag Glossary
6. Information about the specific Voudou Flag that you've chosen.
7. Minnesota Mosaic Guild Dates to Remember.

I'll also be sending this information out to guild members via email.

Check the blog on an ongoing basis for updates.  I'll also periodically be posting images of actual Voudou Flags on the blog for inspiration. -- Have fun!

February Guild Meeting - Wednesday, February 9th

UPDATE - LOCATION CHANGE - Stacia can't host meeting tomorrow
Janine Irisarri has offered to host the meeting.  Thank you Janine!!!

Directions to Janine’s House:
18075 2nd Ave N
Plymouth, MN 55447
Phone:  763-476-0341



Directions:
Take 394 West to Wayzata/Central Ave N exit
Turn right at top of exit. Go to 3rd Ave North, Turn left.( some landmarks....right before 3rd Ave is an electrical sub station and across the street Gleason Lake Elementary school)

Continue on 3rd Avenue North until road forks bear to the left onto Queensland Lane North.

Take the first left, that's my street....2nd Ave N. My house is the first house on the left on the corner, 18075...however since my mailbox has almost disappeared, the house number is covered!

Wednesday, February 9th
6:30-7:00 Social Time
7:00-7:30 Meeting
7:30-9:30 Sharing our Wee Projects

Meeting Agenda:
Haiti Project

Edina Arts Center Show, June 30-August 3

Coordinated by Susan Mathis - Details by/at April MMG meeting

SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists)

NEMAA (Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association) ad for Art-a-Whirl in May
MMG logo use
Martin Cheek Class at Mosaic-on-a-Stick, Friday-Sunday, March 11-13
Informal presence at MOS March 9 & 10

Future Meetings:
April - Stillwater, outdoor sculpture
June - Travel night at Susan Mathis' home, Woodbury
September - Fall members show, Mosaic-on-a-Stick
November - No topic yet
December - Holiday Party, no venue yet

Laurel True's Haiti Project

Some of you are aware that Laurel True, mosaic artist, has been doing some work in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake.  To read up on her project and how rewarding it's been, click on http://mosaicsandceramics.ning.com/.  This is the CMA (Contemporary Mosaic Artists) website.

I've been completing the design and we'll be kicking off our own Haiti Project in March!  Participating artists will have two months to complete our respective "mosaic quilt squares".  Edina Art Center has invited us to display our Haiti Project squares as a work in progress at our summer show along with an explanation of what it's all about.

I can't wait!

Edina Magazine Article

Edina Magazine will be publishing an article about MMG and our upcoming show at Edina Art Center!  The magazine has been provided with information on the history and mission of MMG as well as a selection of photos of artists and your work.  The magazine has also been provided with a few quotes from some of you about your love of mosaics.  SO - if you haven't started creating your show pieces, get to it!  This is going to be a great show with some good PR in advance.

February 9 Guild Meeting

The February 9, 2011 meeting topic will be "Working Wee".

Members and guests are invited to complete and bring projects of a small scale. The challenge is to work within 3 inch dimensions, either two or three-dimensional. We'll each talk about how we came up with our project ideas; materials used; the challenges and pleasures that surface working that small; some of the tools and techniques we used; and how the challenge has effected our mosaic experience.

The meeting will be held at Stacia Goodman's home, 2724 Chowen Ave. South, Mpls. at the usual 7:00 time, beginning with a 6:30 social time.