Precious Silver

It started as a sketch in a work notebook on a work lunch break. It caused some restless nights. It still needs a little tweeking, but I think it is coming along. Precious Silver

Under Construction

Pink by Canela Ajena Coming up with ideas for a mosaic project is not a problem. I have hundreds of them keeping me awake at night. My dilemma lies instead in something more irritating. I can't let go. I cannot finish my projects, not easily anyways. For tips, I've begun watching YouTube videos again, scrolling…

A Handful of Ceramic and Glass

Earlier last month I came across some thrifty finds that left me with a bounty of ceramic and glass tile as well as broken jewelry. I've spent the beginning of this month working on putting it together. It has put my mind at easy and my posture in particularly painful positions.

Project Back Killer

Early this summer I took an overwhelmed looked at my kitchen and realized I would be forced to repair/renovate it, despite the cost. The original 1977 poorly built kitchen was coming apart fast. Drawers were broken or missing from the the bottom cabinets. The kitchen Formica counter top was not only warped, but also chipping…

Thrifty Finds

This month I turned to Nextdoor and Facebook Market for these gently used or unwanted items. Why thrift? To save money, contribute to a more sustainable world, and to help put money back into the pockets of my local community as we financially suffer through this Covid "economy". It has been an exciting three weeks…

This month’s projects

Last week I moved my mosaic everything from my room to my office. I decluttered my desk first and had someone help me hang a shelf above my desk for my mosaic tile and parts. Then I moved the rest of my mosaic stuff to my desk. My room is now decluttered and cleaner. I…

Project Mosaic Table

I have brainstormed Project Mosaic Table since January 2020 (maybe sooner). I bought the sander in April and earlier this month I finally came across the exact mosaic tile I want to use on it. The mosaic tile isn't made of recycled material, but my table will be refurbished so environmental I hope that counts…

Decluttering My Room and My Mind

Right now I am decluttering my bedroom. Earlier this year, during the beginning of the Covid lockdown I made a deal with myself to return to my love of creating mosaics in addition to other arts. So, I set up a table in the middle of my bedroom. This would help me remember to work…

The perfect reason

Spring 2020by Canela Ajena

Spreading the Mosaic Addiction

Spreading the Mosaic Addiction by Canela Ajena I believe it is part of our human nature to share and teach what brings us passion and joy so that joy can grow and flourish for as long as possible. This week I shared my love for mosaics with my loved ones and guided them through their…

Project Jewelry Day 1

On occasion family or friends will give me their unwanted or broken jewelry, tile, plates and so on for my mosaic art. Today, my favorite walking partner, who I haven't seen in weeks (thanks to Stay-in-place) dropped off a bunch of crafting materials, including: unwanted/broken jewelry and empty wine bottles, at my front door. It…

Earth Day 2020

May wildlife celebrate, new trees grow and humanity finally learn from The Giving Tree and 2020. Heart Tree Mosaic Under Constructionby Canela Ajena

Aging Gracefully

Sold my first kiss for a pretty penny Gave my heart away for a pretty face Learned that making love takes patience And that in growing older there is no grace Found that time made me pleasantly bitter Unconsoled by God’s lethargic problem solving pace Switched my faith again to luck and karma Still, life…

Revelation

My faith occurred, In a peculiar moment, after a time of Religiously cursing all existence All over again. Then you Came along and changed my mind. Lingering with love, and lonely, you Elated my life.

Mosaic Tree: Part 3 Before the Grout

Tree Mosaic by canelaajena I've obsessed over these two mosaic projects (the tree and the bottle in the back) since I started them earlier this week. It's easier now to contiouslsy work on a project since I set up a work place in my bedroom. It isn't ideal for cleanliness, but it's secluded to a…

Dream Catcher: Stay-At-Home

I am not ashamed to admit that I love to color. I love to blend colors, alternate between colored pencils, chalk and colored pens. I can do it for hours. I saw a friend of mine color in a coloring book designed for adults, or skilled children, a couple of years ago when adult coloring…

Mosaic Tree: Tiles 4/6/2020

Most of my mosaic pieces are aquired through friends or family as gifts. Sometimes I collect everyday things to reuse in my mosaics like: broken plates, tile, broken jewelry. However, for my current project I purchased glass tile on sale at Micheal's. I want the opportunity to work with flat even pieces this time just…

Mosaic Tree: Sketch 04/06/2020

And it begins...

The Weeknd

For you mami Her dance, chaotically controlled, is amateur at best, but professional at soul. Randomly between her dance moves, she speaks excitedly, nearly shouts her positive opinion to me about The Weeknd, sings his lyrics, then returns to her half whatever-half choreographed dance just because she can. I cannot help but notice; she is…

Places I Venture

2/29/2020Your tattoosare places I venture often intimately with my finger tip(if I'm conservative). I no longer ask youthe meaning of yourtattoos. Those stories are impressedon to the surface of my soul, like the way you watch me trace the inked details of your skin. I lookto meetyour eyes. Your smilethat smileof want and nowandwe lean…

Getting a little dirty

There is a beauty to mess when it is mixed in with color, time, love and a platform to showcase it on. The process: I love to mosaic. I don't do it as often as I should. I spend more time thinking about what I could do with it then actually applying my ideas. In…

Little things

This is a weed/plant that grows in the grass in the spring. It is unfortunate that the camera couldn't capture its authentic purple hue because it is delightful to see these flowers spread wildly all over my front yard. I will miss them when they are gone. Do you know the name of this plant?

Out of Water

In gasp,of the air...we sharedwithin the span of our daily rituals. My air nowmoribundandstalewithoutyou. I miss you!I missyou.Imissyou Photo by Gabriel P on Pexels.com

Take it Back

 1-1-15 Intoxicated in your safety, I heard myself admit, "I’m in love with you," and I couldn't take it back. You and I both know well,  drunk, I spew the truth. Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

Canela Ajena

Directly translated from English to Spanish the word Canela means cinnamon. The word Ajena is a little more complicated to define. Its definition depends on the context and tone in which it is used. It is also important to remember that in translation from one language to another there are some words that, at times,…

Petals

The summer brings out the mosaic in me and I’m back to breaking glass, plates,etc. My teenage son bought these plates at Goodwill as a Christmas gift for me because he knows my love for breaking and creating things. This is how I’ve decided to use them. Canelaajena

Home

Not long ago I moved from the state I grew up in to somewhere new. This isn’t my first time moving from home but so far it is the most permanent. I fly back home every few months to see family and loved ones and I find myself repeatedly caught between two identities-two worlds: the…

Loneliness

Shattered Loneliness It drags on for daysand sleepless nightsIn emptinessIn silenceIn the greyEngulfing my spiritwith it's frigidand unwelcomingBut all too familiar armsAs I  mourn wilt in the dark cornerof it's embrace, AndIcannotbreathe. I cannot breathe! I can't breathe! Can't breathe Can't.     BREATHE Br  e   a    the

Inspiration

There is a park of mosaic art about 30 to 60 minutes (depending on traffic) from where I live. It isn't very big at all, but if you love art and detail you can spend a couple of hours at this park finding art within art. You need to look at the big picture then…

Commitment issues

If you ask me for my favorite color, breakfast, food, movie, book, author, season, song, number, place, person, and so on you might be frustrated with my answer. I don't have a favorite and even if I do it is only for a short amount of time. I like to dabble in everything, try it…

A Little of This

I'm still project hopping, but now I'm moving on to bigger projects.