Rudolf Nureyev’s Tomb
Rudolf Nureyev’s Tomb
Ever since I began mosaicing I have wanted to visit Rudolf Nureyev’s Tomb.
I saw a photo of it in a Kaffe Fassett book on Mosaicing and it has been on my wish list ever since.
Rudolf Nureyev was a Soviet born Ballet dancer and choreographer.
He was born in Russia in 1938 and defected to the West in 1961 at the age of 23.
He died of AIDS in Paris in 1993 and his funeral was held in the foyer of the Paris Garnier Opera House.
He is buried in the Russian Cemetery in a town on the outskirts of Paris
called St- Genevieve-des-Bois.
It takes about 45 mins to get there by train.
From Paris catch the RER train on the (yellow) C6 St Martin d’Etampes line to St- Genevieve-des- Bois.
We caught the train from the St- Michel Notre Dame station.
From St- Genevieve-des-Bois you catch a 104 bus going to ZI Croix Blanche, stop at Parc Pierre, which is very close to the cemetery. Our bus driver very kindly dropped us off directly at the front.
It’s a really beautiful little cemetery, very quiet and peaceful and we were virtually the only ones there.
Nureyev’s grave features a tomb draped in a mosaic of a Kilm oriental carpet.
It was designed by his friend, Ezio Frigerio, who was the set designer for many of Nureyev’s choreography sets.
The mosaic is predominantly made up of red, gold and blue smalti mosaic tiles.
If you are in Paris, you are interested and you have the time… it’s well worth the visit.
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed and it will certainly be an adventure!
Here’s the link to the cemetery map
It’s open between 8am – 7:30 pm in the Summer and between 8am – 5pm in the Winter
8, rue Léo-Lagrange 91700
Ste-Geneviève-des-Bois
Luna Park Mosaics – Out and About
St Kilda
I was out and about in St Kilda lately and wandered along to the iconic Luna Park
I was delighted to discover the large-scale sculptural mosaic pieces by Pamela Irving entitled
“Dreaming with Open Eyes”
Mosaics Luna Park
Pamela was commissioned to create the work in 2010 in celebration of Luna Park’s 98th birthday.
The work is made up of tile and china pieces and consists of both three dimensional and flat figures.
It is approximately 25 square metres.
Pamela’s mosaic work is located on the Luna Palace Building,
which houses the dodgem cars and arcade games.
The Strathewen Mosaic Letter Boxes and The Beautiful Memorial Tree
Strathewen Mosaic Letter Box
The Strathewen Mosaic Letter Box Project was launched in August 2010 and began three months after the Feb 7 2009 fires which decimated the township of Strathewen. Victoria experienced severe fire weather that day which resulted in a firestorm in which 173 people died. Two of the Major fires were experienced in the Kinglake region and in the Marysville region. Strathewen is near the Kinglake National Park, on Feb 7 2009 23 residents died (from a population of 200) and 80 houses were destroyed.
Marion Oakley, a mosaic artist from Strathewen, provided a space for the people of Strathewen to come together, grieve, talk and construct new mosaic letterboxes. It was important to her that they put some colour back into the blackened landscape. Over time others joined the project from outside the community to also help make mosaic letterboxes and contribute in rebuilding the Strathewen community.
Strathewen is an apple and pear producing area which also hosts some small wineries. It’s not really the kind of place you would pass through to get anywhere and the people who lived there liked that about the place.
The typical letterboxes in the area looked not unlike these ones that I photographed on my way into Strathewen.
I inadvertently disturbed this fella when I stopped to photograph the letterboxes!
Having seen the Mosaic Letterboxes when they were on display after the completion of the project. I was interested to visit Strathewen and see the letterboxes around the community.
Strathewen is still in the process of rebuilding, even though it has been over five years since the fires.
I found these three beauties outside the newly rebuilt Strathewen Primary School
This one was perched up higher on the hill
The devastation of the fires is still apparent in the landscape
And it felt very appropriate to be paying my respects to this area on Anzac Day.
The Peter Avoca Memorial Pavillion at the Strathewen Recreational Reserve was also the site chose for the
Blacksmiths Tree.
The Blacksmiths Tree is an extraordinary piece of community art which was developed as a gift to all of the communities who were impacted by the Feb 7 2009 fires.
The Blacksmiths Tree was erected on February 14, 2014 and was five years in the making. Hundreds of blacksmiths from across 20 countries around the world forged leaves for the tree.
The Blacksmiths Tree is 10 metres high and is made from stainless steal and copper. It looks like a dead, fire affected gum tree and it is very beautiful. It fits perfectly into the landscape which surrounds it.
There is also a memorial park to commemorate the 23 lives lost in Strathewen on Feb 7 2009.
Lest We Forget.
How to Add a Unique Belt Buckle to Your Look
Belt Buckles are a great way to add some personality to your outfit.
Just as jewellery or a scarf can add a finishing touch to an outfit so too can an interesting Belt Buckle.
Elle Macpherson knows how to rock her street style with a belt buckle.
And the same belt buckle can look different on different outfits.
Now I know we don’t all have the same body type as Elle Macpherson but an interesting buckle can add interest to your outfit in a variety of ways. The key is to position your belt buckle so that it is most flattering to your figure.
A belt can be worn low on the hips if you are short waisted, this gives the effect of a longer torso.
If you have an hourglass figure then you should wear your belt at the narrowest part of your waist. 
You could also try putting a belt buckle over a jumper, jacket or coat
If you have a longer Torso you should position your belt buckle so that it sits higher up on your waist and go for a monochromatic look to match what you are wearing (black on black etc.) This will also help to elongate your legs.
If you are petite the Monochromatic look will work for you as well
Whatever your shape you CAN wear a belt buckle.
You just need to know where to position it on your figure to show if off the best.
And don’t think you can’t wear one if you are curvy.
It actually helps to emphasise your amazing curves.
You don’t have to be a cowgirl either (though Sofia Vergara does looks pretty amazing)
A unique buckle can add street cred to your style.
or your man’s..
.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and see how a belt buckle could work for you.
Here are a few I prepared earlier…
My unique, handmade Australian mosaic belt buckles
are available via my website at
www.brokenplatemosaicbeltbuckles.com.au
or brokenplatemosaics.bigcartel.com
Isn’t it time you updated your look?
A little about Broken Plate Mosaic Belt Buckles
I am an Australian artist who is passionate about mosaics. I make Unique Handmade Mosaic Belt buckles and other mosaic jewellery using Antique Bone China. I love mosaics and also enjoy travelling to places to see interesting mosaics which have been made by other artists.
- Mosaic Belt Buckle
If you are interested in a unique, handmade, mosaic belt buckle then check out my online store for all of my latest pieces.
http://brokenplatemosaics.bigcartel.com/
- Mosaic Belt Buckle
You can also visit www.brokenplatemosaics.com.au for more information
- Mosaic Belt Buckle
Or ‘like’ me on facebook – Broken Plate Mosaics.
- Mosaic Belt Buckle
Texas Stop Step Dancing
This is a little of what a Texas Two Step Class looks like.
Along with making my one of a kind mosaic buckles I have been doing a Texas Two Step and Rock n Roll class at the Coburg RSL on a Thursday evening. It’s so much fun! Margaret is an amazing teacher and people pay as they go – it’s only $10 per class. If you like country music and have a bit of rhythm it’s a fun way to learn.
If you want to know more just drop in to the Coburg RSL, 323 Sydney Rd Coburg on a Thursday evening. Very New Beginners start at 6.40pm, Beginners at 7pm and a more Advanced class at 8pm.
My Unique, One of a Kind, Handmade, Mosaic Belt Buckles
So.. apart from remaking my mosaic table (see earlier post)
visiting mosaics around the place
Mosaic Steps in Rio, Brazil
and enjoying photographing other peoples mosaics.
I also make mosaic belt buckles out of Antique Bone China plates.
Antique Plate but soon to become a Mosaic Belt Buckle
I hunt around in Antique markets and usually find a plate which has lost its cup and is looking for a new home and a new life. It’s like a ‘make over’ for Antique China Plates
Mosaic Belt Buckle Romanesque 299
So many old plates have been sitting in the back of a cupboard collecting dust so I turn them into a little piece of wearable art.
Old Country Roses Plate
The ‘Old Country Roses’ plate is one of my favourites. I actually have a set at home.. but it does make the most wonderful Mosaic Belt Buckle!
Mosaic Belt Buckle Romanesque 301
This is it’s cousin ‘Moonlight Roses’
Moonlight Roses
It makes a great buckle too.
Mosaic Belt Buckle Statuesque 178
The advantage with using the Bone China to make my Mosaic Belt Buckles is that it has such a beautiful lustre. Quality China makes quality pieces. It’s as simple as that.
Mosaic Belt Buckle
When we were living in Canada I found an Antique Store which had heaps of plates from the Estate of an Old Lady who had covered her walls in them. Friends would bring her plates to hang if they had broken the cup. They said if you’d stacked them on top of each other they would’ve been as tall as the Calgary Tower, which is 191 metres (626 feet) tall! That’s a lot of plates! For me it was like walking into Disneyland…
Art Deco Plate soon to become a Mosaic Belt Buckle
There were some funky Art Deco plates which made some amazing Mosaic Belt Buckles.
Mosaic Belt Buckle Romanesque 300
I might make one or two buckles from a plate depending where the pattern is on the plate and how useable it is. Interestingly the most beautiful plate doesn’t always make the most beautiful buckle and conversely a ‘less beautiful’ plate can make an amazing buckle.
These buckles were all made from the same plate.
Mosaic Belt Buckle Romanesque 164. This one is Sold.
Mosaic Belt Buckle Arabesque 169
Mosaic Belt Buckle Statuesque 131. This one is Sold.
I just used different parts of the plate to create three completely different mosaic belt buckles.
I love making my One-of-a-kind mosaic belt buckles. I also really enjoy the relationship I have with the people who buy my mosaic belt buckles. They often come back to visit, wearing their buckle and tell me the places they have been to with their buckle.
Mosaic Belt Buckle Statuesque 166
I get to create my buckles and then send them out into the world. They have been bought and sent to Canada, the U.S, England and Australia so far.
Mosaic Belt Buckle Arabesque 271
There are four types of mosaic belt buckles..
Burlesque .. is big and bold
Mosaic Belt Buckle Burlesque 41
Arabesque .. is smaller and more refined
Mosaic Belt Buckle Arabesque 336
Statuesque … has a squarer edge and is often fairly contemporary
Mosaic Belt Buckle Statuesque 140
and Romanesque .. is my favourite. She is modern and not afraid to be noticed.
Mosaic Belt Buckle Romanesque 265
If you have one of my buckles. Let me know. I’d love to know where it’s been.
If you are interested in buying one of my mosaic belt buckles they are available at brokenplatemosaics.bigcartel.com or check out my website at
Escadaria Selaron
Having missed the amazing mosaic steps when I was in San Francisco… I was not planning on making the same mistake on my recent trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Escadaria Selaron (Steps Selaron) are the work of a Chilean born artist, Jorge Selaron, who, in 1990, began renovating the dilapidated steps that ran along the front of his house. He initially used pieces of blue, green and yellow tiles because these are the colours of the Brazilian flag..
Initially he used whatever materials he could find from construction sites and piles of urban waste from the streets of Rio – tiles, mirror etc.. Gradually he began to add his own original pieces (depicting a pregnant African woman) and the colour red because, he claimed, “there are certain colours, particularly red, that bring joy wherever they are.”
People began to hear about his steps and to bring tiles for him to use from different parts of the world…
Slowly the steps transformed into a whimsical mosaic cascade. No sooner was one section finished that he would begin work on another section, constantly changing it so that it was an ever evolving piece of art.
There are 250 steps and they are now covered by over 2000 tiles from over 60 countries around the world. The steps have now been featured in a number of ads, magazines and video clips (Snoop Dog and U2). Sadly Selaron was found dead on the steps earlier this year. It’s unknown as to whether he was murdered or if it was suicide. His tribute to the Brazilian people lives on, however, and he will not be forgotten.
Completion of the Table
Ok, so I’ve been really slack!! I left you all hanging in the lurch re the completion of the table! Sorry about that. I DID finish it, despite Melbourne’s Autumn being hotter than Hades (he was the Ancient Greek God of the Under world – did you know that?). Of course, by the time it had cooled down enough to grout it, it was too late in the season to sit around and use it, so it has been marinating in the Winter rains and will be ready to go come Spring!
Here’s a close up so you can see that I really did grout it.
Here it is sitting out amongst the Autumn leaves…
You will be happy to know that we had a lovely afternoon tea to celebrate the completion of the table..
There were raspberry and white chocolate muffins and cups of tea.. I don’t break up ALL of my beautiful china.
There were also still roses flowering in the garden..
(The painting is by a dear friend from Canada – check out her artist page Kari Lehr Art).
So the table was finished and celebrated but
I still haven’t grouted the other pot.
Looks like that will be this coming Summer’s job ( I might even do it in the Spring). I’ll let you know…
In the meantime I’ve been back at it making buckles and necklaces and earings etc.. for the markets..
If you are interested I’ve put the buckles onto the Big Cartel store – brokenplatemosaics.bigcartel.com
Remaking the Mosaic Table…
Ten years ago my trusty partner and I made an outdoor mosaic table. We were living in Perth at the time and bought all of the wall tiles from various tile stores around Perth. The table was designed using the Sacred Geometry symbol called ‘The Flower of Life”. We picked colours which reminded us of the colours of Perth..
We moved back to Melbourne with our marine ply and our tiles and had a wrought iron base made to fit the ply. The table took a year to make and was enjoyed for many an event. Unfortunately the dog ate the cover for the table (don’t ask) so it was open to the elements. This would not have been a major problem.. the marine ply board had been waterproofed but timber swells and shrinks and the grout cracked .. and I should’ve regrouted but I didn’t. Why not? Well, I love mosaicing but I have to say grouting is not my favourite task! Call me crazy but breaking my back and rubbing my fingers raw are not my favourite part about mosaics.. so I just didn’t get around to it. I wasn’t really worried I thought the marine ply would hold out. Unfortunately it didn’t..
And that is why this Summer’s task has been to remake the mosaic table…
A new piece of marine ply was purchased and waterproofed with Bote Coat (an extremely toxic boat waterproofing agent). Two coats were applied. Next we transfered the ‘flower of life’ pattern onto the table and measured up where the border tiles should go.
Hours and hours and hours and hours were spent cutting the grout off all of the old pieces of tile. I cannot tell you how many episodes of ‘Breaking Bad’ I watched as I snicked grout from tiles!!
This is an example of one of the buckets waiting to be snickered. My fingers were covered in bandages from the blisters. Oh it was fun and I kept wondered why I hadn’t just regrouted in the first place!!
Finally the new table was ready for the fun part – gluing…
Slowly, slowly the pattern began to take shape..
First the Border..
Then the leaves..
And so it grew…
And Grew…
And Grew…
It was Hot too.. Under the plastic roofing it was over 36C some days..
But I was on a mission…
There was a week’s break down at the beach and then it was back into it..
And so it came down to the final piece..
And then it was done..
Well, it’s glued at least. And now for the dreaded grouting..
I’ve made a start… But it’s been too hot! Grout needs to be between 5C and 35C and it’s been 27C at 9am!! The weather isn’t looking like cooling down anytime soon and it’s supposed to be Autumn..
I’m just doing it in tiny bits so that the grout doesn’t crack.
Maybe whilst I’m doing the table I’ll get on and grout this pot..
This baby is now in Grade One so I’m thinking maybe I should get on with grouting it.. (the pot not the baby).
I told you I hate grouting..
