Selep Imaging Blog: Mosaic Heart Window

Happy Valentines Day!

I created a small mosaic heart window a couple of years ago, using glass on clear glass mosaic techniques.

Valentine Heart window by Jeanne Selep Imaging

Mosaic glass heart window detail, fully lit by the sun

I specially love the mosaic at this time of the year, because the mosaic's appearance changes throughout the day depending on where the sun is and the weather outside.

In the early morning, the low winter sun will hit the window full on creating a fiery sparkle that catches my eye when I walk into the kitchen.

Mosaic glass heart window, afternoon

In the later morning and the rest of the day, the mosaic looks more subdued and the clear shapes are more pronounced. The mosaic is the brightest spot on the wall, because the prisms in the heart concentrate the light.

Mosaic glass heart window, late afternoon

At twilight and early evening the interior lights illuminate the the front more than the back, and the mosaic looks the most colorful.

Mosaic glass heart window

My favorite lighting announces early in the morning that the sun is out with a fiery intensity!

Window in a window

I put the mosaic up in my East facing dining room window after I take down my Christmas decorations. The mosaic window is too small for the space, but at this time of year I don't mind because the window is so cheery.

Evening view of the window

I created the window with found (and purchased) glass items I had collected. The lid of an Avon candy dish forms the main heart. I had 12 gold glass heart shapes, round "glass gems" (red and yellow), Murano glass beads, brown and pink glass beads, pink stained glass, and clear fan shapes cut from a broken glass dish.

Detail of Glass on glass mosaic

Some quick how to information for those interested:

I used clear silicon caulk to glue the glass pieces to the back glass of a deep 3D that originally had 2 pieces of glass. The glass was placed at the back of the frame. Once all the glass objects were attached with a generous amount of the clear caulk, I used white grout to fill in the spaces between the objects.

"Vision is always ahead of execution"

There are many problems with this piece that don't take away from my enjoyment of it, but exist nevertheless.
What I learned! Some "glass gems" were not solid colored glass! Most of my red gems were red paint on clear glass, which came off and scratched when I grouted around them. Also, I didn't check which glass items were translucent, and 12 gold hearts and were not translucent. The Bronze circle beads were also not as translucent as I expected them to be. Crafting is a learning process.