Holiday Special on My Book!

Attention mosaic lovers, cat lovers, children's book lovers, Christmas lovers, art lovers! My book The Night Before Christmas is available for $10 through the month of December, so now is the time to buy several copies as you are saving more than 40%! I will also include a couple of printed art cards in your order. If you reside in the U.S. you will also receive free shipping, so how can you say no to that? :)  
Available at www.cbmosaics.com/book
 

 
 

New Kitty Note Cards!

Just in, these cute note cards with my cat Raymi stretching in blissful sleep. The image is a detail from my book, The Night Before Christmas and you can find both the book and the cards on my web site where I offer free shipping to U.S. residents.

If you'd like a great deal on the cards, the printer made an error on the first run and the back of the card is printed upside down. If you don't mind this irregularity, you can buy them for half price in my Etsy Shop. Either way, same sweet kitty!

Happy Holidays!

Pop-Up Mosaic Gallery

I will be showing my stained glass mosaics with two local mosaic artists, Betsy Gallery and Wendy Brewer, at Menelli Trading Company next week! I will also be displaying a couple of my mosaics featured in my book, The Night Before Christmas. The book will be available as well as postcards and notecards. The evening will feature wine by TheSpanishWineGuy.com, hors d'oeuvres and an opportunity to meet the artists and observe the ancient method of mosaic making with traditional tools and materials…and of course the opportunity to purchase the perfect mosaic for yourself or a loved one. Valet will be provided.

 

When: Thursday, Sept. 29, 5:00-7:30 pm

Where:  Menelli Trading Company, 1080 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

 

Hope to see you there!

Book and Postcard Giveaway!

Thank you, readers, for your support and enthusiasm of me, my art, and my book all of these years. This holiday I am giving away a signed copy of my book, The Night Before Christmas, illustrated by me with my stained glass mosaics, and a set of ten postcards with images from the book.

To win, all you have to do is go to my Facebook page, find the Giveaway post (which should be very close to the top of the page) and follow the instructions.  You have up to three chances to win!

The winner will be picked in a random drawing Tuesday morning, Dec. 22 and announced on my Facebook page. If you are in the U.S., I will send the book and postcards with Priority shipping on the 22nd, in hopes that you receive them by Christmas Eve! Outside the U.S. are welcome to participate as well - it will just take a bit longer to get to you if you win. :)

Thank you for once again sharing my book, of which I am very proud, and GOOD LUCK!

xo Christine

Postcards of Christmas Mosaics

Postcards of two images from my book, The Night Before Christmas, are available in my Etsy shop, here. They are blank on the back for your personal Christmas greetings. :)

 

Featured on Folt Bolt

My book was featured on the colorful and inspirational blog of Folt Bolt, which features "amazing artworks from all around the world." Visit their blog here.  Thanks, Folt Bolt!

My Book - Free Priority U.S. Shipping!

It's the holiday season once again and my book, The Night Before Christmas, is an excellent gift, if I do say so myself! I want you to receive your order fast, so I am offering free Priority shipping in the U.S. until the end of December. This offer is only good on my web site so head on over there now to buy in time for Christmas! Books are signed by me and I will gladly personalize them if you let me know in the notes at the time of purchase.

Happy Holidays!



One of the images from the book

Article in Mosaico na Rede Magazine

The third edition of Mosaico na Rede, a magazine published in Brazil, is now available and there is a lovely article in it about me, my art and my book, The Night Before Christmas. I was contacted last year by the editor, Magaly Floriano, who interviewed me and collected several photos of the mosaic illustrations in the book. The magazine is printed on nice, quality paper and includes many other interesting articles and images of beautiful mosaics throughout. It is printed in Portuguese and English. You can purchase a copy here.

Kathy Temean features me on her blog, Writing and Illustrating

Ooh look!  I was interviewed by Kathy Temean for her terrific blog, Writing and Illustrating, which was posted today. Learn a little more about me, my stained glass mosaic illustrations process, and see lots and lots of photos of my art.  You can read it here.

Kathy’s blog is such a great resource for published and unpublished authors and illustrators. She posts information she gets from her interactions with editors and agents in the industry and shares thoughts and techniques of other writers and illustrators in the field. I always look forward to her weekly “Illustrator Saturday” posts, and now I am a feature! Check it out and leave a comment if you wish - we’d love to hear from you.  Thanks so much, Kathy!!

Betsy Bird on Fuse #8

Betsy Bird featured my book on her blog, A Fuse #8 Production, on the School Library Journal's web site, saying it's "one of the most beautiful Christmas children's books I've ever seen."  Read the post here.  Thanks so much, Betsy!

Book Reading at Granada Books

I had a really fun time at Granada Books' Festival of Lights this weekend!  Families arrived in their PJ's and ate popcorn while I read them my book, The Night Before Christmas.  Two of my mosaics hung behind me so I could also tell them about the artwork.  I gave the children postcards of my mosaic reindeer and then Santa Claus showed up! They got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas, and then he had candy and books to give them as they hopped off.  Several of the children showed Santa my postcard and asked him which reindeer were pictured (Dasher and Dancer, he said!)  It was pretty darn cute. 

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast!

Oh yay, I’ve been featured on my favorite children’s literature blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast!  Julie Danielson has posted my detailed process of how I created my book with tons of pictures, most of which I’ve never posted before.  If you’ve ever been curious as to how I did it and what my thoughts were as I made it, please go over and read it on her blog, here!  And stay awhile if you love children’s literature.  She’s been doing it since 2006 and has a wonderful archive of the most interesting interviews and of course, fabulous children’s book art!  Thanks so much, Jules!!

Mrs. Figs' Bookworm with Carol Heyer

I had a great time at the book signing I did with Carol Heyer at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm!  The store is absolutely charming, as are the owner and staff, who were so friendly and welcoming.  I loved the indoor porch reading area, so cozy.

 

I brought one of my mosaics from the book to display, the one that shows the Christmas tree, so when the kids were doing their own paper mosaic Christmas tree, they could see that I also used cut triangle pieces to create mine.

Connie, the owner, read both my book, The Night Before Christmas, and Carol's book, Humphrey's First Christmas.  I am going to have to up my game when I read my book the next time if I want to do as great a job as she did!  She is a born story teller.

I LOVED Carol's book, which I had never read before.  It has humor and heart and the illustrations are so beautiful.  I particularly enjoyed the images of Humphrey and his wonderful expressions.

Thanks so much for hosting me, Mrs. Figs, and I hope to be back again next year!

SAMA Mosaic Summit, Houston

I recently returned from SAMA's annual mosaic summit in Houston, TX where I spent four days attending presentations, dropping in workshops to see what friends were teaching and creating, selling my book at the vendor marketplace, and making new friends!

The first day I hadn't signed up for any workshops, but I was very curious as to what others were doing, so with the permission of the instructors, I popped into several classes to check out what they were up to.  I visited the classes of Carol Shelkin, Laurie Mika, and Marian Shapiro, all wonderfully creative artists and teachers who I highly recommend.

Brownian Bee Press booth

On the second day, the vendor marketplace opened where I sold my book with Barb Keith and her two books in a shared booth.  Barb was also promoting her new book, I Love You to Pieces, which will be available this summer. You can find her books at Brownian Bee Press.  It was so great to meet so many new people this way and to share our love of children's books and mosaic art. 



Dreaming

Marian Shapiro and I at the salon
Photo by Carol Shelkin

That night was the Mosaic Art Salon where attendees display and sell their art.  I created a small piece, 8x9" called "Dreaming," made with Mexican smalti and glass fusions, that sold and is now residing in Mexico City.

Friends at MAI
Photo by Carol Shelkin

Flair Robinson and her MAI piece
Photo by Carol Shelkin

The third day was more marketplace, the start of presentations, and the opening for Mosaic Arts International (MAI), a juried exhibition of member artwork.  Always a good time to hang with friends and ooh and ahh over mosaic art!

The final day of the conference started with some flooding in the vendor marketplace (still not sure how that happened, a broken water valve, I think).  Some booths had to be moved and the marketplace was closed for about 45 minutes so all booths lost some sales.  Our booth was at the back of the market so the water did not reach us. 

More presentations followed, then a raffle and a nice dinner with Carol.  She left early and I finished my dinner alone, the first moment I had to myself in four days.  It was rather nice!  The closing party was next, but I didn't go - utterly exhausted!  I went back to my hotel room to pack and relax and flew home the next morning.



Croutons this big are only in Texas!
Photo by Carol Shelkin

Next year, Philadelphia!  A city I've never been to before and am looking forward to getting to know.  My buddy Carol is on the committee so you know it's going to be good!!  See you there.  :)


My Mosaic Exhibit Starts Tonight!

Tonight is the opening reception for my exhibition of the stained glass mosaics featured in my children's book, The Night Before Christmas.  I'm so excited!!  A lot has happened with the book since its debut and lots more to come.  Read all about it in my special edition newsletter that I just sent out.  Click here.

The mosaics will be on exhibit for the month of December at Granada Books, 1224 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA.

Excellent Book Signing!

Had a great time at my book signing at Chaucer's Bookstore in Santa Barbara last weekend.  Many friends came out to see me (thanks!!) and I met lots of really nice people!  Here's me with my first customer.  :)

Book Signing Chaucer's Bookstore

Book signing coming up this weekend at Chaucer's Bookstore in Santa Barbara, CA, Sunday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.  I will have this mosaic with me to see (and touch!) in person!  The address is 3321 State Street.  Come on by!!

More Details About My Book

I just sent out my newsletter with lots of images and information about my book.  If you haven't subscribed, you can read it HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE.

Raymi in mosaic

Mosaic inspired by this photo of sweetie Raymi

Book Signing A Success!

Very fun, lots of people, music, kids enjoying the mosaic, signing, signing, signing books. I had a great time!

My First Book Signing is Here!

I will be signing copies of my newly released children’s book, The Night Before Christmas, on Friday, November 1, 5-8 p.m. at Curious Cup Bookstore, 5285 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, CA.  I spent more than four years creating the 15 mosaics featured in the classic story written by Clement C. Moore.  The mosaics were made by hand cutting thousands of pieces of stained glass and fitting them together to create the illustrations.  If you are local, or are in town visiting, please come by and see me!