Sea Glass Mirror

We recently had the honor of creating a special custom mirror using sea glass collected by the client over many years.

{Click any of the images to enlarge.}

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

The mosaic is created from her favorite pieces from her collection. Rather than filling in the entire frame in glass, Johannah used unglazed porcelain to fill in around the glass. This piece has a lot in common with a similar mirror (below) we made from that client's collection of special ceramic pieces.

If you have a collection of material or items that would make a special mosaic mirror frame, you can order your own mirror in our Etsy shop.

View fullsize

Making a Mosaic Coat Rack

In a post on social media a few months ago, we commented that there are a lot of steps to making a mosaic coat rack. So we thought it would be fun to expand on that and share each and every step along the way!

{Click on any of the images to enlarge.}

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Kyle starts it off by creating molding from reclaimed wood. We use a few different varieties, with walnut and heart pine showing up most often. Kyle gives the frame an oil finish, creates a backer for the mosaic (also from reclaimed material), and passes it on to Johannah.

View fullsize

Johannah's first step is to seal the backer and mark the outline of the frame to make sure the mosaic stays within the frame boundaries.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Next it's time to select and sort the mosaic material. Johannah likes to combine new and reclaimed material in a way that highlights the reclaimed material.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Once the material is sorted, we finally get to the  mosaic!

View fullsize

View fullsize

After the mosaic has had at least a day to dry, we glue it into the frame.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Once it's glued in the frame, Johannah grouts the mosaic. After the grout is dry, it goes back to Kyle to install his hand-forged hooks, then we stamp the back with the Phoenix Handcraft logo and Johannah signs and dates each piece. Kyle attaches hanging hardware, and at long last, it's ready to go!

GROWTH group show

This group show has been such a phenomenal experience! We worked with four other artists to create the work for this show, then installed it in a gallery at Crossroads Art Center. Though we didn't design any of the work collaboratively, it all flows together beautifully. The colors, the styling, the mood... right down to patterns and texture.

{Click on any of the images to enlarge.}

View fullsize

View fullsize

We called our show GROWTH in honor of the new spring and the natural themes and materials in much of the group's work. The show features the work of six artists:

• furniture maker & designer Christina Boy

• ceramic artist Maria Stone

• muralist Emily Herr of Herr Suite

• blacksmith & furniture designer Kyle Lucia of Phoenix Handcraft

• textile artist Emily Nicolaides and

• mosaic artist Johannah Willsey of Phoenix Handcraft.

View fullsize

View fullsize

GROWTH will be up at Crossroads for two more weeks. All the work in the show is for sale. If you are local to Richmond and haven't had a chance to stop by, you have until May 8. This show is best experienced in person, so stop by if you can! Crossroads is open 10-6 M-Sat and 12-4 on Sundays. If you go, let us know what you think!

View fullsize

View fullsize