![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TsAA4B_BHzBVhjqzz1daNxV5FCGQ2QEE_VSstG4f76CvpE-ch2b_7tsc2Jk19MOgfD86klXndapTKefXfsWmnB6Q0NnQx-YKQbohWQP7SJzo4HV1H6fwkZLTiRekpy6NE_86Wlqki943/s200/101_1094b.JPG)
I took a break from my book to create two
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy6HkUc07huf5fxnyL-a4JbnTR0Apr899CW9BakwbVuN3PvBSJLh8N2gQs3AvR8dHJDl3yK8H4_HeraBZvJcZpgf2g4G0nXkDzH69AneGdYhinMsMpTTbJOi1pP6s_B7KFzgvI0OaDStD/s200/101_0799+copy.JPG)
mosaics. While in Austin, during the
SAMA conference, one of my favorite mosaic artists,
Martin Cheek, approached me and asked if I'd do a trade with him! Well, I've done so many mosaic trades over the past few years and had decided I wouldn't do any more for awhile because they take time away from my book, but could I pass this up? No way!
Martin wanted a cat so we decided on a cat trade. I already own a
mosaic of a mouse by Martin, which I bought a few years ago, and I was more than happy to add to my Martin Cheek collection! I went on his web site to look at the many
cat mosaics he had already made. When I saw
Skinny Cat, I immediately knew that was the one I wanted! He shipped it to me while I got to work on his mosaic. Blue Cat, which is 8x10", was modeled after our family cat, Raymi, who has appeared in more of my mosaics than I can count! Check out Skinny Cat! I love those wild eyes!
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Then he told me his daughter,
Mollie, really liked my cat mosaics and would I be willing to do a trade with her as well. She makes adorable fused glass jewelry, mostly of animals, including cats, ha. So I said, absolutely!! She's going to make me either a turtle or a cat necklace. See how wonderful they are?! If you want to see more of her jewelry, follow this
link. Spotted Kitten is the mosaic I made for her. It is 4x5".
As for the book, I am currently working on the design for Mosaic #9. I hope to get started cutting glass in the next week and will keep you posted with the progress!!