Mosaic On A Stick

09/01/2026

Saw this picture posted on the MMG feed. There in the background is Tracie's piece she submitted (red arrow).

09/01/2026

So far, of the new shapes, the peace dove has been the most popular: 3 cut, 3 sold. Had they been pigeons, they would not have been in the shop long enough to soil a statue.

Is one of these on anyone's immediate wish list, so that I have an idea of how many more I may need to cut with the next batch?

For that matter, if anyone is looking for custom cut shapes beyond those already offered, contact the shop with some specs and we'll see what we can accommodate.

08/31/2026

More of a discussion thread, what is the most recent tip/trick/hack/technique that you've learned while working on your mosaic art?

As a super simple illustration, a woman came in to the Stick the other day who was having a very difficult time cutting the ceramic tile. As a new mosaicist, she had not yet internalized that she didn't need to cut the tile across the full length of the nipper blade. A quick tutorial that she only needed to use ~ 1/4" of the blade (6mm for potential Canadians) to get the desired cut with much less effort.

But that was a very simple technique adjustment for a rank beginner. What new things have our more seasoned readers recently added to their technique toolboxes?

08/31/2026

In a couple of weeks, the staff from the Stick, and other random individuals within earshot, will start to discuss the themes for the 2027 shows. The goal of determining the shows a year out was to provide advance notice to mosaic artists (such as the readers here) to plan and produce mosaics for one or more shows. That goal was achieved in some measure and we'd like to keep building on it.

Below is the list of suggestions originally assembled for the 2026 shows. Four of those were selected for the 2026 themes (Happiness, Childhood, Fantasy and Hope). If you have some other suggestions for upcoming themes you'd like to see included for consideration, please comment with your suggestions.

a. Spirituality
b. Resistance
c. Fantasy
d. Hope
e. Community
f. Family
g. Change
h. Childhood
i. Growth
j. Health
k. Happiness
m. Travel
n. Time

08/28/2026

The Fantasy themed show closes in a little under a month (Sept 26). After that is the Hope Show, the final show for 2026.

Submission time frame: September 29 - October 6
Show Opens: Saturday October 10
Show Closes: January 2, 2028
Submission retrieval time frame: January 2 - January 9, 2026

So plenty of time to work on new pieces for the show.

For folks that may need a little assist on ideas of how to represent Hope, the Interwebz have provided a list of the following items which have some cultural or historic links to Hope:

Animals: Butterfly, hummingbird, cardinal, dragonfly, rooster, baby animals, starfish, albatross, ladybugs, fireflies

Plants: Sprouts, sunflower, acorn, birch tree, spring flowers, 4-leaf clover

Objects: Anchor, horseshoe, lighthouse, 8-pointed star, fish hook

Biblical: Dove, olive branch, rainbow, cross, Ichthys

Ancient: Elpis, phoenix, unicorn, candle, lotus flower

Chinese: Koi, Chinese Phoenix, qilin (Chimera), paper lanterns, Ginkgo tree

After looking at this list, one could get an added step ahead as a number of these already have pre-cut out wediboard forms one could work from.

08/28/2026

With the MN State Fair in full swing, attempts to get to the Stick may run into some challenges when traveling North or South on Snelling Ave. You may want to take your best route to another N/S route and then make the final leg to the Stick traveling East or West on either Thomas or LaFond.

If you do make the trip, you won't be disappointed. There will be ample personal space at the worktables. Plenty of elbow room. No one arbitrarily stopping right in front of you. Nor strollers rolling across your feet or into your ankles. ;)

08/19/2026

Spaces are still open for upcoming classes-

The Mosaic Mandala class (Saturday Aug 22)

The Mosaic Table class (Saturday Aug 29, Sun Aug 30, Mon Sept 7)

Call the store to register at least 2 business days prior to beginning of class.

Also, the next show at the Stick has a theme of 'Hope'. Part of the proceeds of any sales from the show will be donated to the ACLU.

08/02/2026

New items at the Stick, pre-cut wedi board shapes suitable for outdoor use.

07/15/2026

The Stick getting a little attention in the media
https://www.southwestvoices.news/stories/artists-create-public-art-for-healing-environments,170098?

Local artists are using their work as a tool for many victims, witnesses, and community members who may need healing following Operation Metro Surge. These artists include Ken Rivera, Lori Greene, …

07/13/2026

Just nicked this from a friend who had shared it from another group.

TBH...now I wonder if one could do a functioning QR code with mosaic tiles?

For those unfamiliar, garum is a brewed fish sauce/paste in a number of classical cultures.

Per the Googles...
"If you want to experience the modern equivalent of garum today, you can try Colatura di Alici, an amber-colored anchovy drippings sauce still produced on Italy's Amalfi Coast using ancient Roman methods."