Niki's Mosaics & Handcrafts Blog

2010-05-31T10:32:00.003-06:00

"People who claim to be absolutely convinced that their stand is the only right one are dangerous. Such conviction is the essence not only of dogmatism, but of its more destructive cousin, fanaticism. It blocks off the user from learning new truth, and it is a dead giveaway of unconscious doubt. The person then has to double his or her protests in order to quiet not only the opposition, but his or her own unconscious doubts as well." Rollo May, The Courage to Create (1975)

The Adventures of Inky

2010-02-07T07:19:00.004-07:00

Inky adopted me last summer. I was resistant, didn't really want a cat...but she wasn't taking no for an answer. I even found her a home down the street, but she still came back to my house. She was small and thin with a loud, demanding meow that would switch to a purr immediately upon a pet on the head. I finally gave her some old kitty food I had and she would wrap around and around my legs, purring with thanks and gratitude, then devour the food. In no time at all, she was in the house. Not afraid of the 3 cat-chasing dogs, she would hold her ground and swat at them.

Inky is half wild. She has doubled in size, healthy and strong. She runs like the wind, scales 6 foot fences, races up trees, and cruises the whole neighborhood, hills, and fields. An excellent hunter, she has brought me birds, snakes and mice - even though she wears a collar with a bell. I cannot keep her in the house - she eats and heads out, only spending the night. She will meow like crazy and jump and climb up to every window until she is let out.

Over the past several months, she has had many adventures. The neighbors have come by with many stories of her coming in their house, being high up their tree, stopping by for snacks and play. The other day a nice neighbor lady brought Inky's pink collar over -she had seen Inky get it caught on a tree limb, but it was a quick release collar and came off. (This neighbor lives at least two blocks away by the river.)

Yesterday the same neighbor brought Inky home. She had rescued her from some boys that were taunting her, throwing things at her in a tree. Then one boy had grabbed Inky and was holding her over his head saying, "Let's see what would happen if I throw her in the river!" This wonderful woman ran out and yelled at them that she was calling the police and they let Inky go and ran. Inky ran right to her (she being one of Inky's friends) and she brought her home to me. I made Inky stay in the rest of the day.

I have become quite fond of this Inky kitty - also known as Squishy by the other part of the neighborhood who didn't know her name. I feel she belongs not to me, but has only chosen to visit, eat and sleep here. She is free, independent, wild... and yet, trusting and loving and friendly. I cannot keep her cooped up inside, yet I worry for her safety out in the world. Maybe she learned yesterday not to trust all people and especially a gang of boys on the prowl for trouble.

Craftroom windowseat

2009-09-14T17:47:00.004-06:00

Cleared out my craftroom/storage room/ junk room this summer. Repainted in Granny Smith Apple green and a blueish-grey. Built floor to almost ceiling shelves (2 ft deep) on each side of window and then built a window seat under the window connecting the two shelving units. Carpenter extraordinaire, Lindsey Stoddart, built the shelves and window seat. I sanded, primed and painted them a bright white. Still getting everything organized on the shelves. But everything is up off the floor! I love my new room!

Leo guarding outside tepee door

2009-08-31T15:22:00.001-06:00

Leo guarding outside tepee door
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

Been spending time in the tepee while I can. Leo, however, prefers to sit just outside the door.

Grand Canyon West Rim Ranch at sunset

2009-08-11T21:44:00.001-06:00

Grand Canyon West Rim Ranch at sunset
Originally uploaded by David Swales

Such a gorgeous sunset with tepees! Love this picture by David Swales.

The largest hot-air balloon gathering in the world,, Chambley, France

2009-08-02T19:12:00.002-06:00

The largest hot-air balloon gathering in the world,, Chambley, France
Originally uploaded by gbatistini

Such a beautiful picture! What a magical experience! Click on the picture to see the original upload to Flickr.

National Folk Festival - Butte America

2009-07-14T16:06:00.006-06:00

"Music, dance, and tradition from across America meet the Big Sky", boasts the title from the 71st National Folk Festival website. A free-entry event, it is difficult to say for sure how many people attended, but estimates range from 100,000 to 125,000 over the 3 day weekend event. The diverse crowd was mostly mellow, happy, and engaged. This is the second year the Festival was held in Butte and it will return for a third next year before relocating to another U.S. city. The first National Folk Festival was presented in 1934, and it is the oldest multicultural festival in the nation.

"Music and dance traditions from every part of the nation are on display, performed by the country’s finest traditional artists. Audiences are treated to authentic blues, gospel, polka, cowboy, bluegrass, klezmer, old-time, Cajun, rhythm and blues, mariachi, western swing, zydeco and more. Continuous performances on seven stages celebrate Native American, Celtic, Acadian, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, East Asian, Appalachian, Hispanic, Eastern European, African and Pacific Island cultures."
(http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/2009)

Serria Hall (17 yrs old) on mandolin and her young band, wowed the audience with their tight playing and Allyson Krause type singing and harmonies.

Driftwood horse

2009-07-12T20:24:00.001-06:00

ATT124894
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

Larger than life size and made entirely of driftwood and tree roots.

Wild Horse Island - Flathead Lake, Montana

2009-06-29T14:23:00.006-06:00

Flathead Lake's

Wild Horse Island

I recently had the opportunity to hike the interpretive trail on Wild Horse Island. Accessible only by boat, Wild Horse Island is a primitive 2,000-acre State Park on Flathead Lake. It is the largest island in Flathead Lake and is rich in history. Reportedly, the Salish-Kootenai Indians used the island to pasture their horses and keep them from being stolen by other tribes. Homesteaders tried farming on the island. There are about 35 private lots and cabins along the perimeter of the island, but as the island is now a State park, no more building is allowed.

The island park is noted for its wildlife, which includes up to 250 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, 100 mule deer, birds, waterfowl, bald eagles, osprey and falcons, along with wild horses. The island is a favorite of hikers, boaters and swimmers.

Flathead Lake is one of the 300 largest natural lakes in the world and is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States. Of those large lakes, Flathead is one of the cleanest. Studies at the Flathead Lake Biological Station show that water quality in Flathead Lake is among the best in the world. Due to its massive volume and normally active winds over the surface, Flathead Lake does not freeze over most winters, although the bays often have winter ice cover.

Located in the northwest corner of the state, it is approximately 30 miles long and 16 miles wide, covering 191.5 square miles. Flathead Lake is 30 miles southwest of Glacier National Park and is flanked by two scenic highways, which wind along its curving shoreline.

The lake is bordered on its eastern shore by the Mission Mountains and on the west by the Salish Mountains. The Flathead valley was formed by the glacial damming of the Flathead River and sustains a relatively mild climate for a region located this far north and inland; the Pacific Ocean is almost 400 miles to the west. The mild climate allows for the many cherry orchards that grow on the east shore and produce the famous Flathead Cherries. Vineyards for wine production exist on the west shore. There are also apple, pear and plum orchards around the lake as well as vegetable, hay, honey, nursery tree, Christmas tree, sod/turf and wheat production bordering or near the lake.

Of the 25 fish species most commonly found in the Flathead River-Lake ecosystem, 10 species are native and 15 have been introduced. The native species include redside shiner, peamouth minnow, squawfish minnow, largescale sucker, longnose sucker, sculpin, bull trout, cutthroat trout, pygmy whitefish and mountain whitefish. Lake trout, lake whitefish and yellow perch are the most common nonnatives and have increased in abundance since 1970, whereas native species have declined.

It is also reportedly inhabited by the infamous Flathead Lake Monster.

Wild Horse Island

Tulips2 - spring 09

2009-06-23T11:51:00.001-06:00

Tulips2 - spring 09
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

My tulip garden bloomed in stages this year - and I lost 2 more rose bushes.

2009-03-30-hummingbird-tray

2009-06-18T06:47:00.002-06:00

2009-03-30-hummingbird-try
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

This Hummingbird tray needs to be grouted! But I am having a difficult time deciding what color. Should I just go with gray?

Andrea's Nike video application

2009-06-16T10:55:00.004-06:00

Andrea heard about an internship with Nike that sounds like a fabulous opportunity. But to apply, you had to be fairly technologically competent! The applicant was required to submit a 2 minute video, a sample blog, and pictures. Sounds easy enough? Well, it took a village! Transferring video, stills, narration, etc from other sources all into a seamless 2 minute format - some have pcs, some use Macs - all sorts of new glitches. But she got it done and did a great job and I wish her all the best for her efforts and hope she gets the internship!

Crazy quilt frame

2009-06-12T14:59:00.002-06:00

DSCF0019
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

I will be at the Missoula Saturday Market this Saturday, June 13 along with Marla Holt who will be selling her wonderful handmade soaps made with goat milk.

2009-06-05T22:24:00.005-06:00

LEAFY SPURGE IS THE SCOURGE!!!

Why Leafy Spurge spreads so easily and is so difficult to eradicate.

1) Leafy spurge is an aggressive, deep-rooted perennial herb
2) Reproduces from seed - prolific spreader
3) Reproduces from numerous vegetative buds along its extensive vertical and horizontal root systems
4) Seeds are dispersed by ants, birds, grazing animals, humans, and water
5) Germination of leafy spurge seed can occur throughout the growing season
6) The roots of leafy spurge can reach a depth of 15 feet
7) The plant possesses both sexual and asexual reproduction
8) It is adaptable to any soil types
9) Most aggressive under dry conditions where competition from native plants is reduced
10) Usurps available water and nutrients and exudes plant toxins that prevent the growth of other plants underneath it.
11) The root system contains a large nutrient reserve that can sustain the plant for years
12) Cultivation, mowing, and pulling produces new plants
13) Pieces of root can survive two or three hours of drying in the hot sun.
14) Pieces of roots as small as 0.5 inch long and 0.1 inch diameter will produce new roots.
15) Seeds can remain dormant up to 5 years

Missoula Saturday Market

2009-06-05T20:42:00.003-06:00

click for larger view
DSCF0049
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

I will be selling mosaics at this week's Saturday Market. First one for me this year. Come by!

Tepee Raising 2009

2009-05-24T19:42:00.005-06:00

We raised the tepee today and I have made a PowerPoint of the pictures. Trying to see if I can link it or load it here. ("This is a test") I can up load a picture or a movie, but not a PowerPoint?

Lynsey and friends - Cape Town, SA

2009-05-21T18:32:00.004-06:00

Lynsey (2nd from left) and friends
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

I loved this picture when I saw it as it shows the internationality of Lynsey's friends - all beautiful women from all over the world.

My daughter Lynsey (second from left) has lived in four African countries - first was Ghana where they spoke English and she was the first American to attend their University. Next, she moved to Rwanda where she experienced firsthand the aftermath of the terrible conflict there just years earlier. The main language was French which Lynsey took in high school and also was a foreign exchange student to France her Senior year. After graduating college, she got a job in Mozambique - language Portuguese. She loved Mozambique, but not so much the job. For the past two years she has been living in Cape Town, South Africa - she will soon have her Masters degree. She has a fondness for Cape Town and may stay and work on her PhD. WE MISS HER! But know she is destined for great things!!

Green Business Practices for Dummies

2009-05-10T04:10:00.002-06:00

Green Business Practices for Dummies
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

My dear friend, Lisa Swallow, has published her booK, Green Business Practices for Dummies! A very successful book signing was held at the local Fact & Fiction Bookstore. Lisa provided food, wine, and music and there was a large turnout. Great book for learning the basics of Sustainability practices for business.

"Green Business Practices For Dummies provides readers with the information they need to reduce the environmental impact of the business with out reducing their bottom line. The practical and expert advice and tips presented in this title benefits business owners at all levels, from large corporations to small, family-run stores."

http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Green-Business-Practices-For-Dummies.productCd-0470393394.html

moose mosaic

2009-05-07T23:35:00.001-06:00

moose mosaic
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

A large bull moose raises his head after taking a long drink of water. Birds fly overhead, the sun is high and the sky is clear with a lone puffy cloud. Cattails stand tall in the foreground and purple mountains rise up in the background.

This was my first commissioned mosaic piece. I just found this picture of it. The client's only request was that she wanted a moose, as she collected everything moose. She was very pleased with it and said she especially enjoys how the light reflects off the glass.

This reminds me that I want to do more "scenic" type mosaics. There are so many directions one can go with mosaics!

Wonderful day

2009-05-02T21:14:00.001-06:00

butterfly-fish

2009-04-30T19:08:00.001-06:00

butterfly-fish
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

Does it look like a butterfly? Turned the beaded fish on its side and created its mirror image - the result looks like a butterfly to me!

New Etsy Shop - Bookmarks &

2009-04-24T14:07:00.002-06:00

Bookmark
Originally uploaded by sbpoet

My dear friend, Sharon, (sbpoet) has started selling her unique and wonderful bookmarks on Etsy. Soon she will be selling beautiful vintage crystal candlesticks, also. I will be writing more on this soon!
http://sbpoet.etsy.com/

nikimosaic

2009-04-17T09:24:00.000-06:00

Multi mosaic frame

2009-04-17T08:28:00.001-06:00

DSCF0042
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

Just listed on Etsy!!

Three generations

2009-04-13T18:06:00.005-06:00

My mother came to visit after 12 years! We had a wonderful time together visiting, having breakfasts with Andrea and Cory, and going to the play, Buried Child by Sam Shepard. We all really enjoyed the play and afterward met the cast members and a friend took this picture of the three of us. My mom is 80 years old and still young at heart!

Finished mosaic mirror

2009-04-10T15:56:00.004-06:00

Click to see larger image
DSCF0023
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic
"NEW BEGINNINGS"

I recently completed this mirror as a wedding present for a young couple. The bride, a beautiful redhead, loves earth tones and natural colors, so that was my inspiration. I gathered up what I could find in rusty colors of beads, shells, tiles, glass, jewelry, and pottery. Other than that, I didn't really have a plan, and just created it as I went. What fun these are to make!

2009-04-08T21:29:00.001-06:00

Niki's Mosaics etsy shop is up!

2009-04-07T21:29:00.006-06:00

And here it is: Niki's Mosaics & Handrafts at Etsy

Doodle-de-doo

2009-03-31T11:44:00.001-06:00

Doodle-de-doo
Originally uploaded by mosaicmuse

I love this!

Gramma's Student

2009-03-30T11:32:00.005-06:00

Gramma taught me to knit, embroider, and sew at an early age. She believed that kids should never have idle hands! But I always loved these endeavors, although knitting never really took. Gramma must have pumped out 100 afghans in her life time. She knitted every evening.

She also got me out in the garden and had me plant things and dig and transplant like I knew what I was doing, but I didn't, but somehow I did it. Gramma had that way of teaching you things, by asking you to help her and then you just learned.

And I would be so proud as the summer progressed and her gardens were so beautiful and she would always tell everyone - "Niki helped me with this - she did this!" Even tho I had done only a very small part.

As a child I always drew, colored. I made two whole sets of papers dolls - blond haired mom and dad with 3 boys and 3 girls (I think I was influenced by the Brady Bunch) and a dark haired family with 3 boys and 3 girls! I would study the Penney's and Sears catalogs clothes pages and design clothes for all the paper dolls, colored in crayon or colored pencils.

Each family member had several sets of clothes with their names on the back. I also made furniture out of folded paper. I worked on these for hours! The neighbor girl would come over an play with them with me. (Wish I still had them - I remember the day I made the decision to throw them away as I was 'too old' for them now.)

In high school I started making candles and tie-dying everything in sight! My parents even set up a hotplate for me downstairs (unfinished cold basement) so I would leave the kitchen alone! I also made a huge batik with appropriate 60's style flowers. (Gave it to a friend for his van.)

I started making beaded necklaces then - didn't we call them hippie beads? Joined the macrame craze. I loved all my art classes in school, but never thought of myself as one of the "artistic kids". But I wished I was.

I have always needed a creative outlet. I *have* to create. And I have experimented with and enjoyed many types of art and crafts over the many years. I would say I am completely self-taught. Something piques my interest, and I teach myself to do it.

For me, Mosaic work pulls together all the different things I have worked on. And there is so much to still explore in the mosaic medium, I continue to be enthused about it.

I have always been a journal keeper. I have boxes filled with journals; journals filled with writing, drawings, clippings, photos, and wanderings. I tried keeping a blog a few years ago (it's here ) but, without a clear focus, I drifted away from it.

Now, in a different time, with a subject I am immersed in and want to write about, I expect to post here often. So please come back!

First Post

2009-03-24T15:40:00.000-06:00

This is a test post.