| Mosaic Guys @ D&D Tile Newsletter |
New Products, Mosaic Tips, Events and More!
May - June 2009 |
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This is the time of year when everything is different and new - longer days, budding trees and blooming flowers. Nature is in full swing, making what was old new again. We've got our own version of trees and flowers - check out our Tree of Life Workshop (it's different!) and new products like millefiori and wedi board flower mosaic bases. If you've been thinking, "It would be great to make a mosaic!", then we've got plenty of what's different and new just for you! Here's what's new and happening with the Mosaic Guys at D & D Tile! |
New Products  
Glass has become the most popular material used by mosaic artists, so we've expanded our glass tile offerings! We're now stocking millefiori (thousand flowers) in a larger color selection, mirror tiles and Smalti. There are so many ways to use these beautiful glass tiles! Use them whole or cut, to cover large areas or for accents - the possibilities are endless! If you haven't used this type of glass, stop by the store and we'll show you how these beautiful tiles can add color and texture to your mosaic projects! |
| Mosaic Workshops May - June
Whether you prefer glass, ceramic or handcrafted tiles, we've got a mosaic workshop just for you! For more information or to reserve your spot, call 602 279 2989. Space is limited and these workshops are filling up fast, so reserve your spot today!   
Open Workshop Special - just $30.00!
8" flower pot, flower or heart cut out
Flexible days and times! Complete a mosaic in just a couple of hours!
Tree of Life Workshop
May 22 and 23
Learn an easy method for creating dimension in your mosaic projects!
Dimensional Aloe Workshop
May 27, 28 and 29 OR
June 11, 12 and 13
Unique process and fun too!
Sicis Butterfly Workshop
June 3 and 4
Learn how to create fine art mosaics with Sicis glass!
Tile Making Workshop
June 20 and 27
This is a great opportunity to learn how ceramic tiles are made and make some of your own for a future mosaic project!
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| PICK A SHAPE, MAKE A MOSAIC!
Want to make a mosaic, but not sure what project to do? We've got the answer: try one of our new mosaic shapes! These fun shapes are cut from Wedi board and make a great indoor or outdoor project. Begin with a Wedi hanger and you've got a mosaic project that's quick, fun and easy. Plus, any one of these would make a great Mother's Day gift! Make it for mom or give her everything she'll need to make it herself. Ceramic or glass tiles work great on these fun shapes. Mosaic a flower, gecko, heart, spiral, star, or circle for a different take on the standard rectangle or square shape. $12.00 - $21.00 |
| OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW!
Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation and we've been thinking that we could use some of that! We're in the process of making some changes to our mosaic showroom. New packaging, new display bins and new products mean a bright and colorful shopping experience for you. And that's not all...we're making it easier to use and shop for SICIS glass tiles...no more soaking tiles off the mesh and more colors to choose from too! Stop by the showroom to see how we've changed! |
| WEBSITE UPDATES
CUSTOMER GALLERY
Be sure to visit our website to see recent additions to our Customer Gallery. We LOVE seeing your mosaic photos, so if you'd like to see your mosaic work in our gallery, send us photos of your past or current mosaic projects. Thanks to Toni for sharing her lively and creative table mosaic with us! | |
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MOSAIC COMMUNITY
SAMA CONFERENCE
Two words best describe the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) conference held March 25 - 29 in San Diego: ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Four days of mosaic workshops, presentations, exhibitions and more. We met many talented and inspiring mosaic artists at our booth in the Vendor Marketplace. Some other highlights:
Mosaic Arts International: Held in the Museum of Man in Balboa Park, an exhibition of some the most talented mosaic artists working today. Visit the SAMA website to see photos of some of these great mosaics or stop by the store to see the exhibition catalog.
Mosaic Arts Salon: Registered participants entered mosaic works smaller than 15" x 15" for auction. More than 100 mosaic works were represented and available for bid. Our own Dave Jarvinen and Yvonne Allen participated in this exciting event which was an incredible opportunity to see a varied and fantastic selection of small-scale mosaic art!
In addition to networking and scholarship opportunities, benefits of SAMA membership include a subscription to the Groutline, the only US publication devoted entirely to mosaic art. For more information, visit the SAMA website.
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Attending a mosaic workshop is a fun and inspiring opportunity to learn new or hone already known mosaic skills. We're interested in knowing what you'd like to learn or which mosaic skills you'd like to develop. Email us with your ideas for future workshops. Your ideas might include projects you'd like to make, materials you'd like to use or techniques you'd like to learn. We look forward to hearing from you! |
| MOSAIC TIP
Grout Basics - Color Choice
Selecting the wrong grout color can cause your well planned and beautiful mosaic to lose its impact or to be just plain boring. Starting with an interesting contrast of tile colors will get you going in the right direction, but the grout color can add to or diminish the effectiveness of your mosaic. It can look too dark, washed out or too fractured. "What grout color should I use?" is one of our most often asked questions! Review our guide for grout color selection tips to get the most impact from your mosaics! | |
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
We look forward to seeing you on the 3rd Thursday of each month for group chats about all things mosaics! Join us anytime from 6pm - 8pm on May 21 and June 18 to share your mosaic stories (the good, the bad or the ugly!), talk about mosaic ideas or ask mosaic design or technique questions. Refreshments and appetizers will be served. Email us to let us know you're coming...this is a great opportunity to have some fun talking about mosaics! |
Grout Demo
To go along with this quarter's Grouting Basics mosaic tip, Color Choices, we'll be holding a grout demo on June 6 at 1:00pm. This is your opportunity to learn from our grouting pro Dave Jarvinen! Your questions about mixing, applying grout, etc. will all be answered in this first time ever free demo event! This is a demonstration only, but you will learn how to add a professional looking grout job to the mosaics you grout at home. Reservations are appreciated, so email or call us at 602 279 2989 to let us know you're coming!
We look forward to seeing you!
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