Handmade Jewlery, Bags, Clothing, Art, Crafts, Craft Ideas, Crafting Blog

Upcycle, recycle, vintage substrates become new art

in Featured Crafters, Handmade, Upcycled on

Growing up in Germany shortly after WWII; watching my parents re-use, re-cycle, re-invent – my involvement in the arts developed very early at about 5 years of age.

Monika Drake

Random Facts About You?

I love tradition and everything old and beautiful
I am a volunteer singer with the symphony chorus, some of my mosaic violins had been purchased for their auctions to benefit the Symphony
My love for my 2 cats is rediculously real, I believe they have personality and really do give back a 1000-fold



What got you started crafting?

Growing up in Germany shortly after WWII; watching my parents re-use, re-cycle, re-invent - my involvement in the arts developed very early at about 5 years of age. Trying to make new candles from candle stumps - melting them on my little doll cooking stove, using simple yarn for candle wicks; (almost burned the house down) clothing my dolls by sewing, crocheting, knitting and cross stitch. Creating clay vases, paint and draw in my family's home in Germany to now creating/working in my home in Florida. My interests and talents have evolved over time. Any type of art has been a constant presence in my life. After all this experimenting with my very diverse talents I have grown into and have a very addictive desire to create MOSAIC, done from precise cut/nipped vintage fine bone china/porcelain plates, paired with stained glass mosaic, vintage jewelry and other tidbits and baubles. My tools are Glass Nippers, Wheeled Cutters, Glue, Grout and Sealer; sometimes paint. I create from my thoughts, feelings and inspirations around me. I reclaim/re-invent unwanted items from various sources and breathe new life/usefulness in them, create functional, fabulous, or whimsy Mosaic Art. Never having attended a class/course for mosaic I can be called self taught. Every new piece I create is a discovery and revelation for me.



What is your source of inspiration?

Keep the landfills a bit smaller....(smile) and make wonderful new art pieces which can be loved another 50 years by recycling.



What have you made recently?

A teapot lamp!





Where do you sell your crafts presently?

Artfire and HandmadeArtists.com

I will start selling locally on March 1st at our Avonlea Antique Mall. I have rented a booth to show my Mosaic Art there



Why are handmade crafts important to you?

It is different, unique, special, one of a kind and always admired by the receiver, buyer. A conversation piece,
which store bought items just cannot compare with
The craftmanship, knowing the creator experienced tremendous joy creating one of their own inspirations.



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