Join Marymaking Designs on Facebook!

Did you know you can find Marymaking Designs on Facebook?

Click here to check out the Fan Page.

Tell your friends, family, cats, dogs, neighbors, etc. too. See you there!

In Him,
Mary
Marymaking Designs

A Belated Happy Easter

Sorry to go MIA for the last week . . . I'm still trying to recover from surgery (although I'm getting better every day), then my laptop crashed yet again and then my grandmother was admitted to ICU, then Hospice and passed away yesterday morning. As sad as it is for my family, the thought of her living her earthly body behind and rejoicing with her loved ones in Heaven brings a smile to my face.

In many ways, I think the days after Easter are more important than the actual day of Easter. Resurrection Day of course is the central focus of Christianity and gives meaning to our faith and beliefs. But what about the days following Easter? When the focus shifts to our actions and how we live out the Resurrection in our daily lives. Is your life any different because Jesus arose from the dead yesterday? What are you doing differently today . . . and tomorrow . . . to ensure that Jesus lives in your life?

Wishing you a wonderful week ~

In Him,
Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

500th Subscriber to my E-Newsletters

I'm celebrating this morning because the 500th subscriber was just added to my email newsletter list! It's so amazing that there are 500 people out there who are interested in my artwork. I'm truly blessed.

Because I'm an overachiever and "a lot" is never enough, my goal is to reach 600 subscribers by the end of the year. 100 new subscribers is a big undertaking so I need your help. Please tell your friends, family, coworkers and/or anybody else who might be interested in my artwork to visit my site and/or blog and sign up for my email newsletter. I really appreciate your help and support. My clients rock!

Have a fabulous day!

In Him ~

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

Website Updates ~ Cross Page & Galleries

A quick note to let y'all know I have updated the Cross page and Cross Galleries pages on my website. My hope is that the pages are cleaner, easier to navigate and easier to understand. The pictures have also been recropped and the lighting adjusted so you can see better images of each mosaic cross. I would love to hear your comments on the layout and design of the pages.

I still plan to add an individual page for each cross to give you more information, the "story behind the cross" and detail images. I will try to add a few each week so be sure to check the site often.

Thanks for checking out the site and I look forward to hearing from you!

In Him ~

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I've been working on updating the Cross Galleries on my website to make the pictures sharper and the pages cleaner and easier to navigate. It's a lot (that's for you Lori!) of work given that there are over 100 mosaic cross images displayed on my site.

But it's also like visiting with old friends in a comfortable, familiar place. Maybe that sounds odd. Let me explain.

I often say, "My crosses are my passion." Clearly, I love everything about creating my crosses (and other artwork too!). I love the symbolism of the cross. I love working with God and my client to create the perfect, unique cross for each client. I love choosing the materials. I love placing the beads, cutting the glass, piecing the design. I even love grouting. And finally, I love the awesome feeling of seeing the design come to fruition.

But it's more than that. Long after they have been sent to the client, each cross remains in my soul. I fondly recall each client I worked with, the give and take that goes with creating each unique design, the story behind each cross, what was happening in my life at the time, the completed cross . . . there are so many happy memories and associations with each mosaic cross I am blessed to create.

My crosses are an amazing, integral part of me. They are my passion. They bring me joy and awe no matter how many times I revisit their pictures. Not in a conceited way . . . but in a way that I know this is what God wants me to do.

May your life be filled with the same kind of passion.

In Him,

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

P.S. The new Cross Galleries on my website should be complete in the next few days. I'll be sure to post and let you know when to check them out!

Just Checking In

Have you been anxiously checking and rechecking my blog? Are you worried I have disappeared? Is anybody out there? LOL!

I have been spending alot of time focusing on my art marketing class and redesigning my website. My current class has been great and I'm really excited not only about all of the great information but about the wonderful artists I've met. I've received a wealth of knowledge and advice and I'm looking forward to putting it all to good use.

You'll also start to notice changes (some subtle, others obvious) on my website. I have a very long list of things to change, add, delete, etc. My hope is to create a tighter, cleaner and easier to navigate site. I also hope to provide better pictures of my artwork. If you have any thoughts on things you'd like to see on the site or other recommendations, please leave me a comment. Heck ~ just leave me a comment and let me know you're out there.

Stay tuned . . .

In Him ~

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

The Angels are here to stay!

My mosaic angel ornaments have been so popular at Christmas time and I've had several requests to offer them all year . . . so I am! There's a new Angels page on my website where you can get more info and details on how to place your order. Here are a few more pictures that didn't fit onto the website:

Three Classic Angels





Three Classic Angels With Designs



A few Personalized Angels:


And ~ of course ~ the Charity Angels (proceeds go to the applicable charity):



I so enjoy creating these angels and watching their little personalities come to life as I add their hair, face, wings and robe. They are so sweet and fun. I'm sure you have several people in your life who need their very own guardian angel. : )

In Him ~

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

Just Rambling

It looks like I already broke my New Year's Resolution to post a new entry 3 times a week. I can't believe it's already been a week. Time flies . . . or something like that. I am going to recommit though ~ 3 times a week. Be sure to check back. And if I'm not posting regularly, please post a comment to me and tell me to get on it!

In business news ~ I'm really excited about the art marketing classes I'm starting on Wednesday. The classes have been at the top of my wish list for awhile now. I'm taking them through this website . . . Art Biz Coach. The topic of the first class is: Exhibiting Your Art. It's a topic I actually know very little about and need to know alot about. I will also be taking Getting Organized (goodness knows I need to regroup and reorganize after the Holidays!) and Promoting Your Art. I'll give y'all updates along the way!

As always ~ I'm working on alot of new pieces. My local art league's show is mid-February and I plan to enter several pieces. I am also steadily working on client commissions. I feel so blessed to work with such wonderful clients who ask me to create unique and meaningful artwork. It brings me so much joy.

That's it for today. Check back with me on Wednesday to see if I keep my resolution. HA!

In Him,

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

Still Alive!

Wow ~ I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last blogged. Sorry~ I promise to be more consistent in the new year (one of those resolutions I'm going to work on!) but I've been super busy with (1) Christmas orders; (2) my sweet son's 4th birthday; and (3) Jesus' birthday. December is always an overwhelming combination of stress, awe, beauty and fun.

I want to thank everybody for your support in 2006 . . . whether you ordered something, commented on my artwork or just looked at the website and/or blog . . . Thank You! Marymaking Designs had an amazing year and I'm looking forward to another great year in 2007. I have lots of great ideas swimming in my head (the Muses seem to be working overtime right now!) . . . . be sure to stay tuned!

Wishing you a blessed and joyful 2007 ~

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

Holiday Orders

I have always been so blessed to receive tons of Christmas orders and this year is no exception. I am BUSY, busy, BUSY . . . and did I say busy?! WOW!

It's a good thing . . . except it means that I'm pretty much at the end of the orders I can accept and still guarantee Christmas delivery. What does that mean for you? A few things:

1. If you are thinking of giving a mosaic cross, picture frame, etc. as a Christmas gift, please contact me immediately and I'll see what I can do. I am very sorry but I can not accept anymore orders for large crosses or detailed artwork. Email me at marymakingdesigns@verizon.net RIGHT NOW!!!

2. I can still take a few additional orders for Mosaic Angel Ornaments. They really do make a sweet gift or gift topper for pretty much every person on your list. It's a gift that can be enjoyed for years to come. Visit the Christmas 2006 page of my website for more info.

3. You can still order any of my Mosaic Notecard Sets. I have a special set for Christmas as well as my beautiful cross set and charity sets. Vist the Mosaic Notecard page of my website for more info. (The Christmas Notecards are perfect for Thank You notes!!!)

4. Can't figure out what to give somebody? Give them a Marymaking Designs' Gift Certificate and let them choose what they would like. Visit the Christmas 2006 page of my website for more info.

5. I also have a good selection of artwork (mosaic crosses, angel ornaments, etc.) that is ready to ship immediately. Visit the Available Artwork page of my website for more info.

Thank you so much for your support and understanding! Wishing you and your family a blessed Holiday Season.

In Him ~

Mary
www.marymakingdesigns.com

P.S. If this is your first visit to my blog, please be sure to read through the previous entries and see pictures of my latest artwork!

Welcome

I've finally decided to join the 21st century and do the blogging thing so . . . welcome to my blog!

For those of you who don't know me ~ I am a mosaic artist . . . and a Christian, a wife, mom to 3 amazing children and a "retired" attorney. But my mosaic artwork is what this blog is all about! I am so blessed to be able to work closely with my clients to create beautiful mosaic crosses, picture frames and other artwork full of symbolism, beauty and meaning. I am excited to share my artwork and the story behind each piece with you.

Here's my original Beaded Daisy Mosaic Cross to whet your appetite:

You can also view my artwork on my website: www.marymakingdesigns.com

Thanks for visiting. Please come back soon ~ I plan to post frequently!

In Him ~

Mary