@ The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

Exciting News!
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, in Oshawa, is selling hard and soft copies of Six Owls and A Party plus my owl note cards, bookmarks and pendants. Their Shop, full of Canadian made creations, is on the main floor and to the left when you enter (in case you were thinking of going:)

Reading for the Love of It, 2016

I have a table (#306) at this years Reading for the Love of It conference promoting and selling my children's book, Six Owls and A Party.

Reading for the Love of It is the largest literacy conference in Canada.

"The goal of the conference is to provide a wide spectrum of speakers

to inspire and provoke thinking about literacy issues, and to promote 

the lifelong love of reading, all at an affordable cost to delegates."

Reading for the Love of It, 2016 Sheraton Centre, Toronto 

Thursday, February 18 (8:15am-4:30pm) and Friday, February 19 (8:15am to 4:00pm)

Mosaicworks, table #306

Come see me @ The Word on The Street Festival

Celebrate Reading at The Word on The Street Toronto Festival's new Harbourfront Centre location. Participate in hundreds of author readings, discussions, and activities, and shop in a market place that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you'll find anywhere. There's plenty to see and do at Canada's largest FREE book and magazine festival!

I'll be at table #KS51 promoting my new children's book, Six Owls and A Party, written and mosaicked by me:)

Sunday September 27, 2015
Toronto's Harbourfront Centre 11:00am-6:00pm
Table #KS51 (TD KidStreet Indoor)

Arts Market, this Thursday

I'll be at Artscape Youngplace, this Thursday night, in their Arts Market...

ARTSCAPE EQUINOX: A COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
March 20 @ 6pm-10pm, 180 Shaw Street
Join us at this family-friendly celebration of the spring, offering inspiration and temptation for our creative season ahead. Visit an open studio, watch or participate in a creative class, tour our gallery exhibitions, browse the arts market, learn about upcoming programs, and mix and mingle with artists and friends.
6 pm – drop-in programming begins; wander the building and explore an array of artistic offerings
6:30 pm – join exhibition curator Heather Nicol  for a special talk and tour of the Hallway Galleries
after 8 pm – join us in the Flex Studios for spring cocktails at our neighbourhood mixer (cash bar), featuring tunes, treats (including kid-friendly snacks) and creative delights

Artscape Youngplace + Mosaicworks = Mosaic Workshop

EXCITING NEWS!
I am offering a Mosaic weekend workshop for beginners and novices. It's all about being inspired and getting creative.
Where: 180 Shaw Street, Artscape Youngplace (Queen West), Room 107.
When: Saturday, February 22, 10:00am-3:30pm to Sunday, February 23, 10:00am- 12:00pm
Cost: $130 (includes supplies, use of tools, base board for project).
Note: Lunch is not included. You can brown bag it or take advantage of The Youngplace Coffee Pub (open every day from 8:00am-5:00pm, located on the mezzanine level). They offer locally- roasted coffee, artisanal soups, salads, sandwiches and baked goods.
To book your spot go here

PLUS

 = Weekend Mosaic Workshop

Here's a little background on how this came about...
While surfing the internet one day I discovered that Artscapse Youngplace offered artists pay-as-you-go access to creative workspaces. The perfect location for a workshop (thought I).
Artscape is a not-for-profit urban development organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities. Founded in 1986, Artscape develops and manages a portfolio of dynamic community assets in Toronto and in the process has helped create some of the city’s most creative and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Artscape Youngplace is located at 180 Shaw Street. It is Queen West’s newest community cultural hub, and at 75,000 square feet the largest building in the Artscape portfolio. After sitting vacant for more than a decade, the century-old former school underwent a $17 million transformation to become the largest cultural institution on Queen Street West (west of Spadina Ave.). Today, it is home to production, rehearsal, exhibition and administrative space for more than 30 artists and organizations, a shared studio program, public gallery space and a café lounge.
Artscape Youngplace + Mosaicworks = Mosaic Workshop!

Getting ready for IDS14

I've been busy getting ready for The Interior Design Show 2014.

Hopefully you'll come and see us. When I say 'us' I mean Me and The Queen of Hearts with The Mona Lisa Smile. She is my big feature this year. Our booth, SN16, is in Studio North.

IDS14 will mark the 12th anniversary of Studio North. Exclusive to IDS, this show-within-a-show was originally introduced to support Canada’s vibrant and independent design scene, featuring ateliers and design-makers from coast to coast. The showcase features 60 Canadian and international designers exhibiting one-off and custom collections of furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles and surface design in a gallery-like installation. Studio North has evolved into one of the most anticipated annual exhibits of CanCon design for design industry, media and a discerning design audience.

Below; my booth from IDS10 (the last time I participated in The IDS)

Thank You Pretty Handy Girl!

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to do a guest post on PrettyHandyGirl. Brittany, aka Pretty Handy Girl found her way to my blog via Pinterest:)

Brittany is a creative, handy, DIYer. My kind of woman. Interestingly, through our email exchanges we discovered that we had very similar career paths, from art school for illustration to working as graphic designers. My kind of woman!
Thanks again Brittany (the flowers are for you:) and hello to all the PrettyHandyGirl readers that have stopped by.

Never tire of being noticed

I'm very busy right now, making mirrors, which is always a good thing. It doesn't matter how busy I get I never get tired of my work being noticed.
The other day I came across about.com, interior decorating by Lauren Flanagan. I know it was written in May but it's never too late to say Thank you. Thanks Lauren!



Then today I saw that Bedford Brooks Design started a new blog series that features stores and design finds.
And there I was. Thanks Peter!

Thank you canadianoriginals!

Yesterday mosaicworks was featured on Joyce MacFarlane's blog canadianoriginals. Joyce is a Toronto writer and interior decorator that shares stories about creative Canadians who inspire her.

Thank you Joyce, for 'spreading the word'! It's wonderful to be considered a creative Canadian who inspires. 

Happy Thursday!

Wow! What a day. I haven't even had lunch yet and 2 wonderful things have already happened.
Mosaicworks is featured in styleNorth and my Ruler Mirror is featured in Design*Sponge.
I'm strolling into the weekend and our March Break doing my own little version of the happy dance (it's very subtle). A big thanks to Design*Sponge! And an even bigger thanks (again) to stylenorth!
Now...what to have for lunch?

New photos for my website

On Tuesday we photographed a couple of mirrors for my website. Every time we do this I'm reminded of how much time and effort (lighting, styling etc) goes into a single photograph.
P.S. When I say 'we' I mean me and my (retired?) photographer Dad. I'm very lucky, he's my Handyman too!
Photo 1: Loose Shag, white Photo 2: Tight Shag, dark grey

MOSAICWORKS on CityLine today

Watched CityLine this morning to see my 'Bling Mirror' on their Moroccan themed Valentines show. The set that Sandra Pittana designed was great and my mirror fit right in. It's funny, I was nervous watching the show even though I wasn't actually on it - just my mirror was. It wasn't until later that I realized that 'a piece of me' was on the show which explained said nervousness (glad I cleared that one up).

Watch for MOSAICWORKS on CityLine

I'm very excited to say that Mosaicworks (hopefully the 2 mirrors above) will be on CityLine next Wednesday!
I received an email from a CityLine producer last week asking to borrow one of my mirrors for their Moroccan themed, Valentines day show. Sandra Pittana, who is a contributing guest host on CityLine, was at The Interior Design Show and saw my gold bling mirror (it really is a show stopper).
Yestersay I dropped the 2 mirrors off at the studio and will pick them up this afternoon. The show was shot this morning and airs next Wednesday.
It's funny, along with being super excited about having my work shown on national television I'm also feeling a little...well, it's hard to explain...
I spend many, many hours making these mirrors and in a strange way they become a part of me. Sometimes I find it difficult to sell them, then reality sets in! Taking them down to the Citytv studio was like taking my babies out into the world for the first time. I know that my work is being exposed to a wider audience and that's a great opportunity but at the same time I want to keep them home where they'll be safe?
It sounds like a rather unhealthy attachment to some wood, tiles and beads (lol) doesn't it? What can I say? It is what it is.
The show airs on Citytv's CityLine Wednesday Feb.10th at 9:00am, 2:00pm and 5:00pm.

IDS10. A good show.

It's over and I'm tired. Why? Because I've been talking for 4 days straight! An exhausting task even for a self proclaimed chatmeister like myself. Tired aside I'm very happy with the wonderful response to my work and even happier that I sold some of it.
It's funny, at 6:00pm on Sunday night (shut down time) I was thinking that I wouldn't do the show again next year, then at 8:00pm (long drive home time) I was redesigning next years booth in my head?!!?!

Visit MOSAICWORKS at IDS10

It all starts with an opening night gala called 'The Ultimate'.
It's hard to believe that this will be my 3rd year (and counting) at The IDS and in Studio North.
Studio North was created by the Interior Design Show/IDS seven years ago to showcase emerging and established design talent within Canada. It has since tripled in size and is the place to see many new and exciting, one of a kind works and limited edition collections.
The Mosaicworks booth is #SN-13.

MOSAICWORKS in The National Post

More exciting press for Mosaicworks!
Today The National Post ran an article, 'Arren Williams' Style Scout Show & Tell', letting you know what you'll find at this years Interior Design Show which kicks off Thursday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Arren Williams is a freelance stylist, editor and trend reporter who's work has appeared in Canadian House & Home, Style at Home, Flare Magazine, Wish and (of course) The National Post. As well he’s appeared on a slew of HGTV shows and is a regular guest on Citytv’s CityLine covering design and style.
Each year The Interior Design Show invites four to five design teams to create a 'concept space' that reflects their own personal notion of good design, free of client demands. The theme for this years show is the 'ULTIMATE' and Arren is one of the designers that's been asked to create an ultimate space.
Looks like there will be a lot of great finds at this years show.
And thanks for the mention Arren!

MOSAICWORKS in January 2010 Chatelaine

I'm very exciting that Mosaicworks is in The January issue of Chatelaine (pg.98), The Canadian magazine that's been around forever! More then 80 years actually.
'The Chatelaine', as it was first called, debuted in March of 1928. And in Celebrating it's 80th anniversary they've put together a decade-by-decade history of the magazine which includes articles from their archives and a gallery of past covers. Some of the articles from the earliest issues had me shaking my head in disbelief. Like the one titled 'Now that women are considered persons what's ahead?' (Sept.1929). Considered persons?! Or how about the one titled, 'Why I let my wife spoil me', (Jan.1932). What?!! And one of my favourites is from the June 1943 issue titled 'If you must wear pants, here's how'. Hard to believe!!!
I was raised in a family of 4 girls, and am now raising 2 girls. It's hard for me to imagine a world where women weren't considered people, husbands were doted on and wearing pants was frowned upon. Women really have come a long way and it's probably a good thing that some women, myself included, are reminded of this fact from time to time. As well it's probably a good thing to let those responsible 'for paving the way' know just how thankful we are...with that said...
Thank you Gramma (we miss you).
Thank you Mom (I'll call you later).
And thank you Andrea Ford and all the women at Chatelaine.
It's great to be living in a world where women run their own business', wear pants when they want to and know that their daughters can be anything they want to be.
What a great way to start 2010!

MOSAICWORKS on Citytv's Breakfast Television

Samantha Pynn of HGTV's Pure Design was on Citytv's Breakfast Television this morning talking with BT co-host Dina Pugliese about some of the local artists that have been featured on Pure Design.
I was happy to see that my 'Gold Bling' mirror was shown. It's 31" in diameter and made with gold plumbing chain, brass hex nuts, brass flat slot screws, gold acrylic beads & gold crystal rhinestone.
As an Artist I feel very lucky that I get to do what I love to do. That's the easy part. The hard part is getting what I do 'out there' and seen. Marketing and Distribution, not so much something that I love to do. The artist person must shift over to the business person. For many a tricky shift to make. So a little help along the way is always welcome!
Thank you Samantha Pynn (again) and the Pure Design people for making 'the hard part' a whole lot easier!
Check out Julia Black's blog. Julia is the design assistant on Pure Design. Yesterday she wrote a lovely piece called 'artisan appreciation'.
Thank you Julia Black. It's nice to be appreciated and even better to be a part of such a diverse and talented group of Canadian Artists.

MOSAICWORKS on HGTV's Pure Design

On July 31st The Crew of HGTV's Pure Design with Samantha Pynn came to Oshawa to film me and my work for one of their second season episodes. Fast forward almost three months. We watched the episode, called 'Madeleine's bedroom', this afternoon.
Wow! I'm feeling pretty good right now. Happy that I was part of 'Madeleine's wonderful bedroom makeover' and excited that my work was part of a 'Pure Design' episode. Thanks again Samantha and all The Pure Design People.
Link to HGTV here to watch the episode.

Pure Design came to Oshawa

On July 31st the HGTV show Pure Design (www.hgtv.ca/puredesign) came to my home/studio to shoot a segment for one of their second season episodes. It went really well (so the crew told me). Truth be told I was a bit more nervous then I thought I'd be. The Crew arrived at 7:30am, spun their movie magic and were gone by 1:00pm. They were a great group of people - from Portia, the Associate Producer to Carl, the makeup man, to Samantha Pynn, hostess extraordinaire (who made it all look so easy). Thank you Pure Design People, it was a great, one of a kind experience!
The episode is called Madeleine's Bedroom and airs on Tuesday October 20th at 2:00pm(EST) and 9:00pm(EST).