New Mosaic Art

sharrafrank

Mosaic artist, bead whisperer, instructor. Creator of @sharrasshapes ✨Mama x 3 💛

Thank you for all the generous support and love on

Thank you for all the generous support and love on yesterday’s challenging share.💗 I’m glad it’s been helpful to so many. If there are questions and opinions, that’s okay too but my energy is going elsewhere now.☺️💫 Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in the US, wishing safe travels and joyful gatherings to all!🍁

#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaics #sharrafrank #smalti #glassart #contemporarycraft #mixedmediaart #artteacher #mosaicclass #mosaicteacher #creativityfound #createeveryday #dstexture #makersgonnamake #artistsoninstagram #monarchbutterfly #birchtree #mnartist #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #seekinspirecreate #craftsposure #colormehappy

I dread sharing these things but the following mus

I dread sharing these things but the following must be said. I believe that being the best advocate for others starts with ourselves, which can often feel more difficult.

Last week an image of my work was used without my permission by a mosaic supply business, Skeew.

My work was illegally used as a template to create a product which was reproduced and sold for profit. My work was also illegally used and altered in the advertisement for this product and posted across many platforms and sent out in a mass email campaign.

Thankfully I was notified by others and was able to address it.

Skeew has sent a letter of apology to their customers clarifying that the work is mine (part of our resolution) but added the reasons of assuming my work was free to use with terms such as “public domain” and “orphan work”.

My concern now is that a wide audience of mosaic enthusiasts and artists who have received this letter are being misled to believe that these are legal terms to fairly use images of other’s work for inspiration or reproduction. They are not.

Some of you know I am fortunate to have an in-house patent attorney and wow, does that come in handy!

My husband has generously provided some helpful information. Copied below in the comment section is factual, copyright education for artists and others, specifically around the use of images, digital or otherwise. Feel free to share.

I hope this information can prevent this unfortunate situation for others and help artists know what their rights are if they find themselves in one (specifically, artists in the US).

With that, I’m moving on from this and bringing attention back to my current project of focus (progress peek later in my stories today!).

To everyone celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I hope you have a wonderful gathering with loved ones and soak in gratitude for life’s hard lessons and what we can share from them with each other.

Thank you all for the support in my mosaic work, my wild, creative passion and livelihood for the past twenty years. I am so grateful.
🙏🏽🥰💗🦋

#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaicartist #mosaics #sharrafrank #mixedmediaart #mosaicmirror #mosaicframe #mosaicsubstrate

A little in-progress flyover! ❤️✨🦋 This

A little in-progress flyover! ❤️✨🦋

This panel is 3’x5’, a commission for a local residence. It will be installed in an outdoor alcove, visible from the interior spaces of the home as well. I estimate that it will take me 350-400 hours to complete.👌🏽You can find the full design that I created for it in a previous post.☺️

#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaicartist #mosaicartwork #mosaico #minneapolisartist #mnartist #mixedmediaart #contemporarycraft #dsart #abmcrafty #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #doitfortheprocess #glassart #creativityfound #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #creativityeveryday #seekinspirecreate #handmadewithlove #createcultivate #thehandmadeparade #handmadecurator #instagramartist #instaart #craftsposure #contemporarycraft #monarch #contemporarymosaic #textureart

Locals, if you’re feeling spontaneous, I have ro

Locals, if you’re feeling spontaneous, I have room in my @sharrasshapes Mosaic Class tonight (4:30-8:30pm) at the @northrupkingbuilding. There is also space in next Tuesday’s class (10-2pm). Pick your shape, supplies included! No experience needed.

I will be announcing a discount offering to privately booked classes of 3+ students to my newsletter soon. DM for details! Class registration link in bio.💗

#mosaic #mosaicart #sharrafrank #sharrasshapes #mosaicsupplies #mosaicsubstrate #mosaicframe #minneapolisevents #minneapolisart #minneapolisartist #twincitiesmom #twincitiesbloggers #madeinmn #mnart #mnartist #mosaicclass #mosaicworkshop #glassart #beadart #minneapolismn #northrupkingbuilding #neminneapolisartsdistrict

Seeing these trees intersect feels like such a big

Seeing these trees intersect feels like such a big deal!🐌😎🤓 Only 2,040 more square inches left to go on this piece.

Moving on to one of the monarchs today! Excited to break out some gold. ✨I’ll share some process vids in the stories!

#piecebypiece #slowart #mosaic #mosaicart #mosaicartist #mosaicartwork #mosaico #minneapolisartist #mnartist #mixedmediaart #contemporarycraft #dsart #abmcrafty #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #birchtree #glassart #creativityfound #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #creativityeveryday #seekinspirecreate #handmadewithlove #createcultivate #thehandmadeparade #handmadecurator #instagramartist #instaart

Little by little a lot gets done.✨ My mantra.

Little by little a lot gets done.✨

My mantra.

Especially helpful when your project is larger than the table. 😅😆

#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaicartist #mosaicartwork #mosaico #minneapolisartist #mnartist #mixedmediaart #contemporarycraft #dsart #abmcrafty #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #birchtree #glassart #creativityfound #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #creativityeveryday #seekinspirecreate #handmadewithlove #createcultivate #thehandmadeparade #handmadecurator #instagramartist #instaart

Who am I anymore.😆 Finally set up this hammer

Who am I anymore.😆

Finally set up this hammer & hardie today after procrastinating for ohh, I don’t know… two years?!

Something about this material and process is intimidating to many mosaic artists. It’s beyond time to look all these silly mental hurdles in the eye.

Between watching a how-to YouTube video, ordering a special $6 1” spade drill bit, hauling this stump inside, running across town to get my drill from the teaching studio, drilling the hole and installing the hardie, it took less than an hour.

I’ll be kicking myself for not starting sooner. There’s a certain ease about this vs using the wheeled cutter. My wrist will thank me!

You can see the whole process of setting up the hammer and hardie in my stories. I’ll save it in a highlight as well. 🍁

Artist, tell me your hammer and hardie and/or creative procrastination triumph stories! ⛏

#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaictools #mosaicartist #mosaico #mosaics #mosaicos #smalti #glassart #dsart #contemporarycraft #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #homeinthestudio #mosaicstudio #hammerandhardie #minneapolisartist #mnartist #mnart #handmadewithlove #instaartist #creativelifehappylife #creativityfound #calledtobecreative #createeveryday #createcultivate #studioscenes #seekinspirecreate #handmadeparade

A piece I finished two years ago vs 20 years ago.✨

I hear, “You’re so talented!” often. How lucky am I to be told such a thing?!

I’m endlessly grateful for the support and encouragement of my work and yet the word “talent” always makes me pause.

I didn’t start this way. Not even close. My first mosaic was made with free scrap tile, a hammer and Elmer’s glue. I wish I had a picture of THAT one!😆

I don’t think anyone would have called that work skilled or talented. And that’s okay! I wasn’t creating for likes or an audience or to even make a career from it.

I was creating to fulfill an innate curiosity and hunger to work with my hands. To make things. Something I had always been drawn to do since being a child.

That lead to 10’s of thousands of hours of practice and making so many terribly awful mosaics (some that only live on in my parent’s home today 😂). I call those years my “tunnel vision of mosaic”. It was all I did during most of my waking hours. That eventually brought the “talent”.

To anyone who relates to my earlier piece and feels discouraged from the polished world of beautifully crafted work that fills our feeds today, remember that these aren’t instant results (although some students in my classes get fast tracked and awfully close!!🥰). The process is still fun in the meantime and it is so gratifying to watch those improvements build in the long haul.

Keep going, don’t give up. And never listen to the naysayers! I’ll save those stories for another time...😉💖

#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaicartist #mixedmediaart #minneapolisartist #artistsoninstagram #artoftheday #glassart #beadart #beadwork #artteacher #sharrafrank #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #createrecycleandplay #createeveryday #createdtocreate #artistsupportartists #artistslife #createcultivate #seekinspirecreate #doitfortheprocess #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #dsart #abmcrafty

If you are local to the Minneapolis/St.Paul area,

If you are local to the Minneapolis/St.Paul area, my new in-studio mosaic classes might be the creative retreat you’ve been looking for! I currently have openings in Sunday’s upcoming class. 10-2pm, all supplies included. Small class sizes, lots of room to spread out and professional HEPA grade air purifier humming away! Link in bio to register! Kids 8+ welcome if along with an adult.☺️✨✨✨

#mosaics #mosaicart #mosaicclass #mosaicworkshop #mixedmediaart #minneapolisartist #minneapolisartclass #minneapolisevents #twincitiesblogger #twincitiesevents #twincitiesart #becreative #createeveryday #beinspired #artteachersofinstagram #artworkshop #artclassesforadults

I’m about to begin a commission piece for a beau

I’m about to begin a commission piece for a beautiful local residence here in Minneapolis. This is the design I’ve been working over the last 4-6 weeks. For a big project like this, I like to have a clear map! It will be a 3’x5’ exterior panel, created from Italian smalti (and probably some beads here and there, because I can’t not).🙃

I have some glimpses of the process so far in my stories right now and will continue to share as I go!

#mosaic #mosaicart #mixedmedia #minneapolisartist #mosaicartist #smaltiglass #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #happyart #inspiredbynature #minnesotanature #woodlandcreatures #procreate #maketsgonnamake #creativityfound #glassart #madebyhand #contemporarycraft #dsart #livecolorfully #createeveryday #sharrafrank

I’ve been tidying up my home studio today to get

I’ve been tidying up my home studio today to get ready for an exciting project. This is what I’m working towards! Fresh energy, clear surfaces… and floors that don’t crunch under each step. 🧹✨

Mosaic artists, do you sweep up right after you work or wait for it to get crunchy? 🙃😂

📸 @slowroadphoto @audreynicolephotography

#mosaic #mosaicart #mixedmediaart #minneapolisartist #crafttherainbow #contemporarycraft #searchwandercollect #creativecorner #artistspace #artiststudio #creativespace #whereiwork #hyggespace #craftroominspiration #homeinthestudio #studioinspiration #studiovibes #studiospace #artroom #wherewomencreate #sharrafrankstudio #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #abmcrafty

Wrapping up a few little projects to make way for

Wrapping up a few little projects to make way for a big one! I don’t use china in my work often but it’s fun to push its limits when I do.

Locals: join me for an in person class to try this @sharrasshapes bird substrate yourself! So many possibilities! Link in bio for upcoming October classes.
🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃

#mosaic #mosaicart #sharrafrank #sharrasshapes #foundobjectart #contemporarycraft #mosaicclass #mosaicworkshop #minneapolisartist #minneapolisevents #creativityeveryday #mixedmediaart #beadart #beads #creativelifehappylife #creativityfound #seekinspirecreate #handmade #makersgonnamake #craftsposure #artistoninstagram

My darling little hooligans are going back to scho

I’m back with another irregular summer update (s

I’m back with another irregular summer update (someday soon, when school starts, I’ll post consistently again!).

I just took a *major leap of faith* and signed a lease on this beautiful space in the @northrupkingbuilding so that I can offer in-person mosaic classes to the public again, after a five year hiatus!

I have countless treasured memories of my previous NKB studios where I spent nearly 10 years teaching from and met many of my dearest friends.

I’m trusting my instincts now that even in these uncertain times, there’s a great need for shared creativity and artful connection, likely even more so.

I can’t wait to support and inspire my students in creating their beautiful mosaic work again and provide this healthy outlet. I can already feel the energy humming and hear the chorus of glass nippers cutting away!

I will have a fall schedule out in the coming weeks to my mailing list (link in bio) and in the meantime will be working hard on glamming this space up- painting, assembling furniture, ordering a turbo jet air purifier, organizing glass, beads and stringing allll the twinkle lights.✨✨✨

If you are local to Minneapolis, please drop me a note to let me know of your mosaic class interests! Or if you’ve returned to traveling, what would you like to learn? I’d love to hear what your thoughts are!

Here’s to taking big leaps and deep breaths! 🙃 More soon!

#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaicstudio #mosaicclass #mosaicworkshop #mosaicsupplies #minneapolismosaicartist #minneapolisartclass #madeinmn #northrupkingbuilding #northeastminneapolisartsdistrict #artstudio #minnesotamosaic #sharrafrankstudio

I’m back! It’s hard to stay in the studio when

I’m back! It’s hard to stay in the studio when things warm up here in Minnesota!☀️ Now that my garden is up and growing, I’m shifting gears back to glass, beads, porcelain and rhinestones. I knew right away that I wanted to use this charming green vintage China for this project, the rest of the materials followed. ✨
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substrate by @sharrasshapes
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#mosaic #mosaicart #picasettemosaic #foundobjectart #mosaicartist #mixedmediaart #brokenchina #sharrasshapes #madeinminnesota #mnartist #mosaicclass #mosaicworkshop #beads #glassart #beadedjewelry #resinart #calledtobecreative #creativelifehappylife #abmcrafty #creativityfound #birdart

I’ll be notifying my newsletter list tomorrow at

I’ll be notifying my newsletter list tomorrow at 12pm CST with a link to the sale of this new mini collection (link to newsletter signup in bio). I just love how these little treasures catch the light! ✨
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#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaics #beadedjewelry #glassart #mixedmediaart #contemporarymosaic #smalti #contemporarycraft #creativelifehappylife #creativityfound #createeveryday #makersgonnamake #eclecticdecor #birdart #craftsposure #abmlifeiscolorful #dsart #happyart #thehandmadeparade #seekinspirecreate #psimadethis #calledtobecreative #ihavethisthingwithcolor #floralart

Piece by piece, little by little, these birdies ar

Piece by piece, little by little, these birdies are finally on their way into the shop! I’ll be notifying my newsletter soon when the doors open. Sign up for the newsletter in my bio!🌷
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#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaics #beadedart #glassart #mixedmediaart #contemporarymosaic #smalti #contemporarycraft #creativelifehappylife #creativityfound #createeveryday #makersgonnamake #eclecticdecor #birdart #craftsposure #abmlifeiscolorful #dsart #happyart #thehandmadeparade #seekinspirecreate #psimadethis #calledtobecreative #ihavethisthingwithcolor #floralart

The first grouted of the batch. This process alway

The first grouted of the batch. This process always involves a bit of letting go (of what the mosaic was pre-grout) and surrender (to the post-grout transformation) and there’s no turning back...😅 I know, so dramatic! Mosaic artists, can you relate?
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#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaics #beadedart #glassart #mixedmediaart #contemporarymosaic #smalti #contemporarycraft #creativelifehappylife #creativityfound #createeveryday #makersgonnamake #eclecticdecor #birdart #craftsposure #abmlifeiscolorful #dsart #happyart #thehandmadeparade #seekinspirecreate #psimadethis #calledtobecreative #ihavethisthingwithcolor #floralart

Hi Friends, I’ve been MIA here (homeschool, moth

Hi Friends, I’ve been MIA here (homeschool, mothering, aunting, LIFE💖) but finding my mosaic groove again! How are you all? What did I miss? I’ve been settling into my studio and picking back up on these little birds. The flock is almost ready for grout... I can hardly stand their sweetness. ☺️💕🐦🌱
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#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaics #beadedart #glassart #mixedmediaart #contemporarymosaic #smalti #contemporarycraft #creativelifehappylife #creativityfound #createeveryday #makersgonnamake #eclecticdecor #birdart #craftsposure #abmlifeiscolorful #dsart #happyart #thehandmadeparade #seekinspirecreate #psimadethis #calledtobecreative #ihavethisthingwithcolor #floralart

These little birdies are ready for their backgroun

These little birdies are ready for their backgrounds! I’ll be going with my favorite... Italian smalti in pastel blends to give a soft, ethereal feel. I have six of these in the works and they will be available in early March.✨
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#mosaic #mosaicart #mosaics #beadedart #glassart #mixedmediaart #contemporarymosaic #contemporarycraft #creativelifehappylife #creativityfound #createeveryday #makersgonnamake #eclecticdecor #birdart #craftsposure #abmlifeiscolorful #dsart #happyart #thehandmadeparade #seekinspirecreate #psimadethis #calledtobecreative #ihavethisthingwithcolor #floralart

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