"Domestica" mosaic series

It all started with a teapot.

Looking back over some older work, Johannah came across this teapot and thought, "Hmmm. That was fun. Where could this go?" (The most satisfying series are always unplanned journeys.) Remembering a photography project she did a few years ago, she thought a return to the topic of mundane domestic objects might be interesting.


At the time of the earlier project, I was forced by the circumstances of being the primary care-giving parent to two very young children to mostly shoot items around the house. But as the project went on, I found it piqued my feminist interest in domestic objects. Many of these items are kitchenware, associated with the traditional work of women. True, they are mundane, everyday objects. But might it be their very everyday-ness that gives them their power? We need these items, we keep them close to us because of their necessity or utility in our lives. Many of them we come to love, because they were passed down from a great grandmother or because they bake the perfect batch of ginger snap cookies.

So I devoted this series to portraits of individual pieces of kitchenware. Set alone in silhouette, we can admire the shape of the objects, consider their use, appreciate their utility in our lives and yes, even their beauty.

And while I worked, I thought further of other domestic items or happenings we might take for granted. Eventually I couldn't help but associate "taking for granted" and "domestic" with the idea of domestic abuse. I suppose it doesn't hurt that with the political temperature of the nation during the Trump administration, I'm more aware than ever of the changes I want to see, and striving always to do more toward that end. The result in this case is that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the pieces in this series will go to a group like the Virginia Anti-Violence Project for survivors of domestic abuse, especially those in the LGTBQ+ community

"Beautiful Earth" Mosaic Trivets

This small series of trivets double as kitchen artwork. The mosaics are set in our handmade reclaimed wood frames. The frames have a small keyhole hanger in the back, so you can easily move the trivets from the table to the wall and back again! The colors and design of these pieces are inspired by landscapes from the beautiful world around us: ocean, forest, and desert. 

{Click any image to enlarge.}

The photos above show the mosaics in process in the studio. The blue piece is inspired by waves breaking on a sandy beach. The green trivet explores the idea that even nature viewed through a window can help reduce stress. Desert mountains inspired the brown and orange piece.

When we have kitchen art trivets available, you can find them in our main Etsy shop.

 

Introducing: Lucia Metal Studios

Etsy has been such a great online home for us that we've opened a second shop! This one is dedicated to Kyle's small-scale handforged home goods. You can still find collaborations with Johannah, furniture, and many customer favorites in the Phoenix Handcraft Etsy shop. The new shop is metal only, a place for Kyle to experiment with new product ideas and designs.

Here's a peek at some the items you'll find at LUCIA METAL STUDIOS. Stop by and tell us what you think! 

Among the very first new items Kyle created for the shop was a set of drink coasters in forged steel and cork with a forge steel stand. Protect your surfaces from water rings with clean, modern style. Win win! Next came a set of forged stainless steel kebab skewers. The set of skewers includes six different designs, and best of all, they're dishwasher safe!

Meet the new Altamont Bracket! Heavy duty mantle brackets (above) and the lighter duty shelf bracket (below). Traditional rivets and hammer-texturing plus Kyle's classic clean style give this modern bracket a timeless feel.

And that's just the beginning. Kyle is churning out the new ideas and we're regularly updating the shop. Stay tuned for lots more to come!