We are all a mosaic in the making

 I’m beyond blessed and thankful for the amount of posting on social media I receive and grateful for each and everyone who attended the fabulous party at Rosario’s Restaurant.

Happiness to me is a mosaic composed of a thousand little pieces, if I separate each glass piece which separately and by themselves have little or no value, but once each piece is  united with each other, my art will  form a handmade, unique design Just like friends , We all connect with all the joys and complications of life we have. We  are all mosaics,  piece by piece glued together.

Most   of my  friends are swirling  in colors, we all have a different background and last night at the party we all came together to celebrate and have a good time.

Just like a Mosaic.

My age

January 13,2023

64 yrs old.

My Birthday is the Friday the 13!And-the first breath I take, the opening of my eyes, I feel I received a gift from God to live another day in this world.

Life. One day at a time.

How it happened so quickly, I will never understand. Now I'm singing the Beatles song "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?" believe that happiness may come from how you deal with the past rather than how you prepare for the future. How you reconcile the sadnesses, the losses and the regrets with the triumphs, the joys and the achievements in our life and find happiness in our life. I suppose the secret is to treat everything as a positive experience. We learn, we grow, we understand more.

Life is mysterious in these ways; one day we are young the next day, we are in our 60s, seeing that life is filled with more question marks. Age brings a kind when one believed that there will always be more time, more opportunities to do.

Life is more precious these days, "Just one word of advice, 64 comes before you know it, so live each day like it's your last."

Mujeres Gonzalez Art

 My name is Dolores Gonzalez-Jarvis 

My business name is  Mujeres Gonzalez Art is very special, because when I’m creating my sister and my mother are with me in spirit both past away decades ago.

 I am a self-taught pique assiette (broken from plates and stain glass) mosaic artist. I create unique mosaic art and home décor from found objects. 

I was born and raised in the gulf coast of Texas, in the tiny town of Robstown. Whether wallpapering a room, sewing clothing for my children or gardening, I always had the urge to create. 

After raising a family and pursuing a career in social work, I discovered the craft of mosaic and object collage. Having always been a scavenger of sorts, I started to collect dinnerware, mirrors and stain glass to repurpose in my mosaic art. I have a passion for color, texture and pattern - as seen in my work and home.

I adore shopping at flea markets and thrift stores. It is in that search for the perfect object that my mosaic/collage inspiration begins. When I discover a discarded treasure that I can re-work into something beautiful, my spirit soars. 

Mosaic art is a beautiful art form, provoking emotions, inspiration, contemplation, and 

Particularly exciting is seeing your finished art. The addition of grouting, cleaning, and polishing combines to enhance the design and compliment the piece.

Challenging…For me, it is how I will work with the ‘flow’ of the design, how I will cut each piece of glass, and placement so that the art has movement.

Each piece of art has a unique feel to it. It is one-of-a-kind. Art brings warmth, humanity, character, and inspiration into spaces, whether it be your home, office, or commercial entity. Purchasing beautiful things enhances the atmosphere in all living spaces.

My current offering includes Mosaic/Glass on Glass mosaic all  one-of-a -kind pieces by hand in my home studio in Corpus Christi, Texas.

November feelings

I write this open letter with so much ?? Of what ? Don’t know I’m sad, frustrated, teary eye, mad..
This times of the year is very depressing for me
Nov 22, 2004— my brother’s Dennis death,
Nov 24, 2008- my first grandson Miguel death
    It seems like I’m on  roller coaster of emotions this time of how in the moment. 
And now that 17 yrs  has passed since My brother Dennis died, and 13 yrs for my grandson , I still don’t know the answer to any of  questions I have of those  days . And more importantly, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that many years.  It still feels so raw and heart-wrenching, like it was only last week.
I can still remember every part of those days it happened. It comes back to me every single day, in points when I least expect it. I might be cooking, painting,  My breath turns short and sharp, and the  shock hits me all over again. That’s the thing about  sudden death; you never get over the shock. I know they are gone. I tell myself over and over, I think that sense of disbelief and shock is what allows me to function, to survive. My insides hurt all over.. And I’m still here having to learn how to live with that empty feeling 
But losing a sibling- grandchild brings more than just grief. It changes you entirely.
I am a completely different person now.  Every day I am trying my absolute hardest to face the day, smile and carry on being the bubbly and energetic person I was before. Each day, each hour, will be different. But I’m still here, and have to continue trying to be and eventually focusing on what I love and doing more of that everyday.

Mi Mama—-Beatrice

My mom has always been a beautiful woman, and then I suddenly had to  face the death of her..I wonder what my journey would be without her ?

Mom’s dying was a new world for me, but I knew dying is only the beginning of our life  

Sharing my experience of all the deaths that have surrounded me has changed me  – in ways I could not have imagined. I don’t take life for granted, I live my life to the fullest, it makes me aware of the value of each day. Looking back over my mother life working at the family grocery store makes me realize how she made me a strong, independent woman.  And while my heart aches and my eyes get watery I thank my mom for all the  knowledge she gave me..

I have been writing about this since 1998.

Here I go again, nearly a 2 decade later, talking about my mom death.

Grief——-Would I ever just get over it?

 

My whole life sort of ended when my mom died.

No one has a choice to go thru grief, you just have to cry in the shower, in your pillow and Pray

My mom isn’t just someone who died. She is someone who lived. Just because my mom isn’t here physically anymore, doesn’t mean she should ever be forgotten about. Just because she isn’t sitting with me at the dinner table, doesn’t mean the stories have to stop. Just because she will never meet some of the peoplE that are now in my life, that doesn’t mean that they won’t get to know her. This day every year just plain sucks. It's a reminder of all of the pain I have been through and a confirmation of the reality that for the rest of my life, this day will mark another year that I have lived without my mom.

The day she dies you’ll start a new life. 

Your new life will be motherless. It will be different than before, in the most painful and heartbreaking way.

Grief is hard work

Grief is hard work. 

 I call my art  “Grief-work”. 

I started a several glass on glass  hearts today to deal with today. 

If you know me I’ve been thru a hard time and staying sane is difficult at times. Even years after a loss, and you hear that a close friend dies, there has been 5 people that I knew ( 3 were my close friends and 2 were husband and father-in-law of a friend). 

I  experience a strong sense of grief when I told about thier passing. My emotion come rolling in-like I’m on a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs, highs and lows, it takes so much time to work through the grieving period. 

In my case I lost several family (10) members that I could not even go thru the stages of grief when  another pass away . 

 It requires more energy to work through than most people expect. It takes a toll on me physically and emotionally. Coping with the loss of someone is one of life’s biggest challenges. 

If you, a motherless daughter, are looking for ideas on how to celebrate your mom on Mother’s Day

 

And no matter how lonely those moments feel and how much we want to feel sorry for ourselves, we have to remember…we are the lucky ones, with angels watching over us and life lessons under our belt that have made us so incredibly unbreakable. 

This year, 2021, Mother’s Day looks very different from previous Mother’s Days. Many people won’t be able to spend time with their moms, take her out to dinner, spoil her with flowers and chocolate, because we are all quarantined during COVID-19. This is sad for families. The pandemic is posing real challenges to everyday life. People are scared, anxious, grieving and we are all feeling uncertain about the future. Nobody knows how long this new way of experiencing life will go on. Personally, I’m living moment to moment and day by day, focusing on positive things and trying not to worry too much while taking the necessary precautions. 

We need to  find time in the day, preferably morning to meditate for at least five minutes. Ideally about twenty minutes feels right for me, but do what you can. Light your favorite scented candle. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed and invite your mother into your space. Breathe. Hold her in your thoughts. Focus on the gratitude you feel for your mother and the gift of life that she gave you. Reflect on some memories you have of her. Let the tears flow if they come. Grief is love, remember.

Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.

 

 A customer asked me how much it cost to make a big mosaic 

I answered him: $ 800 

He said: So expensive for this job?

I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?

He answers me: $ 300  maximum... That's a pretty simple job right? !"

- For $ 300  I invite you to do it yourself.

- But.... I don't know how to.

- For $300  I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $500 , you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want

- It seemed right to him and he agreed.

- But to get started: you need tools and TIME and the design, Broken dinner plates, tile, a broad, adhesive, grout, tile nippers, a mixing bowl , towels, sponges, plastic table cover etc...

- But I don't have all these equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.

- Well then for another $225 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.

- Okay, he says.

- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work

- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.

- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.

- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up my tasks.

- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.

- That is? What is this?"

- Bureaucratic, tax, vat, security, insurance, fuel etc.

- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!

- Do you have them? You can do it to me before?"

- Okay!

- I'll make you all the material you need. Truck loading is done Monday evening or Tuesday morning you'll have to come by 6 loading the truck. Don't forget to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time

- At 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I used to getting up later.

...

- You know, I've been thinking. Y ' all better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the $800. 

If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.

 

When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:

- Knowledge

- Experience

- Study

- Tools

- Services

- Time to go

- punctuality

- Accountability

- Professionalism

- Accuracy

- Guaranteed

- Patents

- Sacrifices

- Safety and security

- Payment of tax obligations

 

No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.

Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.

 

Don't forget to account for your materials: tile, adhesive, grout, sponges/rags, wear and tear on your nippers, grinder, mixer etc.  All the stuff that you bought to be able to create should be considered/prorated.  You can either charge by the hour or square foot, but be sure to consider the intricacy of the design as more/smaller tessera will take longer to design and assemble that larger ones.  If you are cutting up dishes, you may spend significant time cutting, nipping and grinding to get the perfect piece, which takes longer 

than just laying out standard, ready-made tiles and trimming a few.

 

 

 

 

 

Having a rough Day

 None of us are strangers to the “rough day.” Sometimes it happens because everything’s going okay but we’re not feeling well, mentally or physically. Sometimes it happens because nothing is going okay. And sometimes it happens because nothing is going okay and we don’t feel well, physically or mentally.

Recently, I had one of those nothing’s-going-okay-and-I-don’t-feel-well days.

I woke up feeling awful because I’d had trouble sleeping  the night before—a not uncommon occurrence due to my ongoing insomnia and and other issues . I started stumbling gathering my items to go finish a project, dropping this and that! Got everything I needed and then I had to put gas, could not find my debit card snd  only had $10. I started to put the wrong gas into my suv quickly changed it to premium gas! Arrived at the place to finish my project I added to much water to the  package  of grout I packed only to find I left the big bag of grout at home, then the paint was open. Could not to anything right this morning .

I found myself getting increasingly cranky. Let’s just say there was a lot of grumbling and complaining going on in my mind.

I packed up and came home!!!! I figured a wasted day 

It came to me why? It’s the time if the year that my brother Dennis Nov 22 my grandson Miguel Nov  24 passed away  

My frame of mind had me taking an already rough day and then making it worse by turning myself into a victim as if the world was against me 

First thing I thought “Be nice to yourself.”

Second, re-prioritize your day.

I’m putting  aside anything that isn’t essential to my health and safety. A lot of people don't realize this is an option.

I’m always thinking I had to do every single thing I’d planned to do on a particular day. Most of us are conditioned to always be productive and take care of business immediately, but sometimes it's better to put things aside for another day. 

So, re-prioritizing can be a crucial step in being nice to yourself.

so I’m going to treat  myself a great dinner and then lay down on the bed for a while and do nothing but listen to my music while looking at a new mosaic book I have. 

My wish for all of you is that right now, no matter what kind of day you're having, you begin to treat yourself as kindly as you treat the people you love the most in your life.

This is my dad 

Cruz Gonzalez Jr.

My dad taught me that, in many ways, failure was a mindset. I came to learn that no matter the obstacle or the critics in my way, If I set my mind to it, I could do it. Being a woman or being of a certain social class or being any classification at all was never deemed as a valid reason to back down from my goals. My dad taught me to ignore ceilings and strive for my personal version of accomplishment as he did. 

My dad told me one day he said no one has true friends; you are your only friend.

Now, though, I can appreciate how his words shaped me throughout my life. He taught me early in life to depend on myself for my own happiness and not to look to anyone to tell me what I could or couldn’t be. It is because of him I became a confident, sometimes stubborn woman who doesn’t back down from her version of happiness. It is because of him I simply don’t see limitation

In addition, I, in all honesty, have had a pretty smooth path growing up.

Nonetheless, I am thankful my dad is the dad he was.

Mayan Mosaic Art 

• MAYAN MOSAIC ART 

Mayan is one of the few civilizations that is symbolized by its artists, artworks and unique designs. It has been called the richest of the New World due to the great complexity of its patterns and various art mediums. The Mayans are influenced by conscience and spirituality and have their own special worship for colors.  Many of their designs and figures were made into mosaic artworks.

Here’s my version 

For Sale

Holidays finally over

Holidays finally over

That’s the time at the end of the holidays when the gifts are put away and the grandkids have gone home and I flop on the sofa with a satisfying, “Whew!”

We all know that the past couple of  weeks have exacted an emotional, financial toll. The tree was bursting with lights and sentimental ornaments. Gifts were purchased, then wrapped in a hurry, if y’all know me I’m a last minute shopper. Parties were celebrated with friends.

Things really kicked into gear when the family and friends arrived. 

Don’t think I’m ungrateful. I adore having everyone around. 

My grown sons and daughter-in-laws are wonderful company. I appreciate each of them more than they can ever know. 

And my grandchildren are the center of my life. Their charm and energy give all of us what we need. 

I intentionally don’t decorate so my hubby can do it , Christmas is his favorite holiday.

Even so, the holidays are stressful. My normal routine is disrupted. 

When the holidays are over. I’m ready to pack up everything and put it away till next year. 

and say, “Whew!” So I then can ready for my next adventure in my business.  

Kids mosaic class

I had the pleasure of teaching 3 children the art of mosaic. Ava, Diego and Alexa are my cousin Mary Garcia grandchildren who came to visit for the holiday.
They were very  responsive, had a  inquisitive attitude. I provide plenty of time to create and  explore the joy of learning the art. We had great  conversation about what they wanted to be when they grow up. Alexa states she wanted to be a veterinarian and a mosaic artist!. I gave them all the material and showed them how to start and they took off with it. They had their own ideas and construct their own mosaic.
I’m happy that I expanded their thinking of this art and they now have knowledge of how a mosaic is created.
Melissa Garcia
#mosaic #class

The Textiles of Mexico have a long history.

The making of fibers, cloth and other textile goods has existed in the country since at least 1400 BCE. 

I have a passion for Mexican color, textures and patterns -as seen in my clothes, home and my art.

I wanted to make my dress to represent the Mexican culture I love.

I made my dress from raw silk fabric and I added a beautiful emerald embroidered belt from Oaxaca,Mexico to the top part of the 

dress and I wore a emerald silk rebozo to our Sembradores de Amistad de Corpus Christi Holiday Gala. 

All items from Mexico that I’m wearing are handcrafts and produced by indigenous people, whose communities are concentrated in the center and south of the country in states such as Mexico State, Oaxaca and Chiapas. The textile industry remains important to the economy of Mexico although it has suffered setback due to items made in China and Vietnam. 

Please check TAGS when buying items that look similar to items made in Mexico? 

New year 2018

The ending of a year brings joy and sadness the past several  years have been a struggle, stressful, depressed trying to get out of the depression is difficult…we can’t help but reflect on past journeys, adventures we’ve walked.
A new year means so much to me, new friends, adventures, new ideas for myself to accomplish this year.
A new art-jewelry journey has come up totally  different from what I’m been doing. A restaurant in Dallas-has request several big art pieces for their restaurant that will resemble mayahuel goddess theme, a children’s clothing store in San Antonio will be selling my new children’s jewelry and art collection, another store in San Antonio has picked up my western theme art pieces and hopefully I’m going to start detail painting small furniture pieces. 

Both my past and future are critical for my creative

The reality is you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it.  You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same again. Nor should you be the same, nor should you want to. .
-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

November... this time of the year Depression starts to come visit me.

I write this open letter with so much ?? Of what ? Don’t know I’m sad, frustrated, teary eye, mad..
This times of the year is very depressing for me
Nov 22, 2004— my brother’s Dennis death,
Nov 24, 2008- my first grandson Miguel death
    It seems like I’m on  roller coaster of emotions this time of the year. 
Grief is a different and unique journey for everyone. We all deal with it the best way we know how in the moment. 
And now that 17 yrs  has passed since My brother Dennis died, and 13 yrs for my grandson , I still don’t know the answer to any of  questions I have of those  days . And more importantly, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that many years.  It still feels so raw and heart-wrenching, like it was only last week.
I can still remember every part of those days it happened. It comes back to me every single day, in points when I least expect it. I might be cooking, painting,  My breath turns short and sharp, and the  shock hits me all over again. That’s the thing about  sudden death; you never get over the shock. I know they are gone. I tell myself over and over, I think that sense of disbelief and shock is what allows me to function, to survive. My insides hurt all over.. And I’m still here having to learn how to live with that empty feeling 
But losing a sibling- grandchild brings more than just grief. It changes you entirely.
I am a completely different person now.  Every day I am trying my absolute hardest to face the day, smile and carry on being the bubbly and energetic person I was before. Each day, each hour, will be different. But I’m still here, and have to continue trying to be and eventually focusing on what I love and doing more of that everyday.

Death / Life

I wrote this last night ... my oldest brother Oscar had a heart attack and was admitted to ICU unit.. he did die but was brought back with the crash cart paddles....He is still in hospital for the next couple of days ..his blood count was dropping ..blood was given and this morning he woke up feeling 50 recent better...I don’t know will happen when he dies ..he does have a damaged heart ..I mean I don’t know how I’m going to handle his death!!
Life goes on. Sometimes it feels tragic to think about, but life really does go on. It’s hard to imagine life without the people we love and how wrong it is that he or she will not be on the sidelines cheering for you as you move through life. They will never be there to comfort me when I need it most.  But life does go on. I wonder what they would be like now, or how they feel of what I’ve accomplished in my life. I carry this sense of wonder with me in everything I do, but it’s my way of keeping them with me while living my life
Anything can happen. Anything happens all of the time.  Life is short, life is scary, and life is beautiful. With all my  losses, I’m seen first hand how life is  short it truly is — how all of it can go away in a split second. Perhaps the greatest gift and struggle yes struggle. I struggle most days to  get thru the day. I’ve try to live my life as fulfilled as I can . Some days it’s beautiful  and fun,  then some days I’m paralyzed. Sometimes knowing how life is to short can feel to real. It makes you feel stuck, anxious, and scared of losing everyone you love.
At times I’m Afraid to pick up the phone, fearful of bad news on the other end. I’ve even found myself trying to beat this game of life, to somehow solve it all and keep the people I love around me
 There is no such thing as closure.
 I existed in a heavy fog. It took years for the pain to fade, for the words “your mom is dead”your dad is dead, your sister is dead, your brother  is dead your grandchild is dead , your other brother is dead to stop pounding in my head—but they did….and when the pounding stoped I heard the words all over again . I feel it more on holidays and anniversaries,
I’ll always wish they were was still here. I’ll always wonder what they  would look like and what they would  be doing if they were still alive
I move on and through.  But my  losses will remain with me for my whole life—just like they were  supposed to.

Whatever who cares

• whatever  who cares     i don't care  i don't give a fuck
i don't know     i don't give a shit
shut up     fuck it   fuck off.  fuck you
not interested   sHut the fuck up
 I don't know.  i don't give a damn   screw it
so what  whatever

I'm 97% sure you don't like me but I'm 100% sure I don't care
nobody cares if you dance well just get up and dance
When someone ask how are you doing , smile and say I'm fine because nobody cares
No one cares their just pretending

You’re not the center of the universe. In fact, no one really cares about you. It’s hard to hear this but true. Sure, you have family and a few great friends. Sometimes they will care, especially when you're going through a rough patch of your life they might help you but nobody gives a shit,  they don't care about you nearly as much as you care about yourself
you're not on top of anybody's mine, nobody cares

You live in a constant state of anxiety  what people are going to say about you The way you dress your hair your shoes do you get a second chance to impress people .? remember  nobody cares
 Nobody cares the way you  dressed what shoes you're wearing what purse you have nobody cares they might be jealous but nobody cares.

If you have been complaining for a long time and it has resulted in little or no support, and repeated requests to drop it and move on, then consider the possibility that this is because "nobody cares" nobody gives a fuck, and whatever how many times have you heard this.?
In the end people are going to judge me
Haha I don't care.

The Significance of a Red Cardinal Sighting

The Significance of a Red Cardinal Sighting
Today started out good , then the depression started to kick in ---thinking about my mother, she's been gone for a long time. I was in bed to rest and Ric came into the bedroom and woke me up to look outside and on the window still was a red cardinal looking into our bedroom...it kept jumping to the glass above the screen and looked like it wanted to come in....
My mom has always been a beautiful
woman and then I suddenly had to face the death of her...I wonder what my journey would be with her!! I don’t take life for granted, I live my life to the fullest... And while my heart aches and my eyes get watery I thank my mom for all the knowledge she gave me..
I looked up google
The Significance of a Red Cardinal Sighting
Messages from Spirit can come in many forms, but the red cardinal has long been held as the most notable spiritual messenger. The male cardinals are certainly hard to ignore with their striking red feathers and melodic yet almost “pay-attention-to-me” chirps. And when they come to you almost insistently trying to gain your attention, it’s likely you’re receiving a message from Spirit.
A Spiritual Messenger
The notion that cardinals are messengers of Spirit exists across many cultures and beliefs.
The cardinal can be associated with many myths and traditions surrounding renewal, good health, happy relationships, monogamy and protection, just to name a few.
If you believe that cardinals are a winged messenger from Spirit, then the next time you see one who is insisting on getting your attention, ask yourself these questions: What or who were you thinking of at that moment? Did you ask for guidance from Spirit or ask for help finding the answer to an important question? Allow your cardinal sightings to bring you a feeling of peace, knowing you are being heard. Let their visits remind you that you are always guided and protected by Spirit. Above all, don’t forget to thank your winged friends and Spirit for their guidance.

Visits from the Other Side

When deceased loved ones want you to know that they’re around, one way they might do that is to send messengers from the animal kingdom: small, brightly-colored bugs, birds and butterflies are not an uncommon choice. Things with wings tend to get our attention, and if you allow yourself to get tuned in, you might even feel who has sent them to you in hopes you’ll receive their message—even if that message is a simple acknowledgement that your loved ones are always around. And if you’re pondering something and asking the Universe for guidance, seeing a cardinal or the like is telling you that you’re being heard and guidance is being offered.

Grieve alone

 Grieve alone. We may have suffered traumatic events that made it impossible for us to have normal emotional functioning. Not only are we then left with unresolved feelings about the losses of parents, siblings, grandchild,  

Many of us suffered the loss of a loved one in a way that was traumatic, or unexpected.

Ive suffered several losses in a short period of time and the mourning process is much more difficult.

I've  suffered for years from depression, patterns of compulsive behavior after the deaths. The depression started after my mothers death and continue and has made it impossible for me to grieve losses .

I continue to tell myself  Whats wrong with you? Why cant you snap out of it and get on with your life? -, Dont grieve.  As we listen to others struggle with their grief, we see that we are not alone. We can begin to identify the factors that cause us to suffer unresolved grief.

 It is normal to suffer pain after a severe loss, but think about suicide is not an option

 

 At the time of the loss, was I told by others, or did I tell myself, to not grieve, or to grieve alone?

 

Original Art -SOLD