This Pebble brooch marks the latest collaboration between polymer artist Cynthia Toops and metalsmith Chuck Domitrovich.
Cynthia mixes vertical and horizontal polymer micro mosaics in a beautifully constructed 2.5″ x 2″ x 1/4″ frame that Chuck constructed from sterling silver and brass with a stainless steel pin. Vertical threads of white polymer create the lines on the horizontal mosaic of a pebble.
Keep the size in mind as you zoom in to marvel at the detail. Then turn it over to examine the back with its brass posts that balance the piece, an option for a bail, and spaces for both artists’ signatures. We end the week with an example of remarkable attention to detail and fine collaboration. Have a remarkable weekend.
Though San Francisco's Velvet da Vinci Gallery has closed after 26 years, the gallery maintains an online presence. Cynthia Toops was an early name on the gallery's list of artists. Her polymer micro mosaics still pop up on Velvet da Vinci and on Seattle's Facere Gallery. This Turtle micro mosaic pendant recently…
This small, haunting mosaic brooch by Cynthia Toops kept drawing me back to it. The image is of Sharbat Gula, the Afghan girl whose portrait was featured on the cover of National Geographic in 1985. She became known as the Afghan Mona Lisa and her photograph inspired millions to support…
Does it bug you when you can't quite figure out how a piece was constructed? I am stumped by this pendant/bar/bead from Jana Honnerova and the Czech translation doesn't help. Blended and stamped veneer? Extruded interlocking patterns? Faux mosaic? Silkscreen? What you can clearly understand is that Jana put a lot of…
Chuck’s metalwork is amazing and very clever– my husband and I replaced our traditional wedding rings with his mokume wave ones, real metal mokume. The blending of metals seemed especially significant for wedding rings.
Absolutely beautiful – Cynthia’s mosaic pieces are truly pieces of art and Chuck’s metal work is beautiful! Zooming in to see Cynthia’s work just took my breath away!
Amazing work. It’s only in the close-up one sees the intricacy and geometry of the mosaic. The bail is so perfect for it and so functional. I always enjoy Cynthia’s work.
Christine Damm ,
Chuck’s metalwork is amazing and very clever– my husband and I replaced our traditional wedding rings with his mokume wave ones, real metal mokume. The blending of metals seemed especially significant for wedding rings.
Liz Hall ,
I Just LOVE their work, always a pleasure to see double talent!
susan berkowitz ,
WOW! It really does need the zoom. Amazing detail
Karen ,
Absolutely beautiful – Cynthia’s mosaic pieces are truly pieces of art and Chuck’s metal work is beautiful! Zooming in to see Cynthia’s work just took my breath away!
Sherry Bailey ,
Amazing, as always. (I’m also amazed that Cynthia can still SEE after years of this tiny work!)
Laurie Lee ,
do you check Deviant Art? Lots of good artists is all media- hopefully here is a link to a gallery with some GREAT eye candy!!!
Laurie Lee ,
Rats! left out link!
http://mandarinmoon.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=48
Cynthia Tinapple ,
I’d seen her Etsy site but not this. Thanx!
carissa ,
surreal, beautiful and so very 3-D. what lovely work.
Sabine Spiesser ,
Amazing work. It’s only in the close-up one sees the intricacy and geometry of the mosaic. The bail is so perfect for it and so functional. I always enjoy Cynthia’s work.