The client wanted me to use thick ceramic tiles left over from his bathroom decoration. He liked the design of another of my mosaics (From the Rising of the Sun). The rest was up to me as long as it ‘had some glittery bits’. Me? Glittery?!
The ceramic tiles given to me were really thick so I used cement adhesive (thinset) to build up the base so I could use coloured mirror (much thinner) within each moon. This was the only non-recycled material used,
I wrapped them in a tea towel and bashed them. Please, please don’t try this unless you are wearing protective goggles and gloves as the shards are sharp.Once you have cracked the bulb open, remove the clear glass disc (mmm…what can we use this for??). Using tile nippers like these…
…or two wheeled cutters like these, carefully cut the shiny material into workable sized tesserae.
You need to break the curve of the glass sufficiently so it doesn’t stick out too much when stuck down. Here’s what you end up with.
If you want to see another use of halogen light bulbs in mosaic, click here and look at my award winning Owl mosaic. It all started one day when I was just about to chuck two light bulbs away and said those immortal words “I wonder if there’s anything I can do with these….”
This is so gorgeous Concetta. I LOVE the use of the halogen bulbs. I have never seen such pretty halogen bulbs here in the US. What a lucky customer you have. Thanks for sharing your process. I am assuming your studio is under lock and key with little ones around.
xo,
dana
What a fab idea – freecycle here i come! Somehow cannot get to sign this beyond anon… sorry
Katy in Crieff
You are so clever Concetta and moons look gorgeous
Kind regards
Dawn Chamberlin
It's gorgeous, and I think the sparkly bits add just the right touch.
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. I love the glitter and so super seeing your process and materials i would never of guessed of, like using the bulb. xxx
Love that you used the smooth edges of the tiles for the moon edges.
Looks Fab!!
Barb
Dearest Concetta, this is awesome!! I love the gilttering! Thanks so much for sharing your process and materials with us!! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
I love seeing your artwork start to finish, it turned out beautiful! Hope all is well in London. 🙂
?Jenny
Lightbulbs! what a great idea. I shall use this, and look for other unlikely materials as well. (Hmm, some of my halogens are looking a little murky …) Thank you!
Thanks all for your kind comments on this recycling project…hope you can find some good creative use for them!
What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.
I remember you talking about these, they look gorgeous- I'm a bit of a sucker for glitter!
x
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