We have the first “after” project from a reader who bought some of the exquisite mosaic from the motherlode of crazy, sexy, unused 1960s mosaic tile discovered and featured from ebay last week. Reader Julia — who owns a fabulous vintage shop in Westerville, Ohio (just north of Columbus) — snapped up a selection of the tile and created this gorgeous coffee table mosaic. Click on through for more photos, more about Julia, and an ebay carousel — there’s still some of this fabulous tile left if you want to make a table of your own. Julia said this took her just four sheets of the tile — a champagne masterpiece on a beer budget! Julia writes:
…I would love for you to feature my table! I do have a shop. It’s a vintage shop mid century 50s, 60s, 70s of course. I also have my work and the work of a few other artists that use vintage or vintage inspired materials. I mainly make t-shirts but dabble in tons of other projects (as you can see) I made this table in one day….(my day off from the shop..haha). It took four sheets of tile.
I would love to make more tables…it was kinda addicting. I brought it to the shop today and I think it will be gone by the end of the week. [She says price is $175.] Here is the shop’s website and facebook page: www.cindalou.org, and here’s our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/agalnamedcindalou
My mom and I opened the shop in 2006…. My dad has jumped on board since retiring. Plus, my dog Henry who is the most famous dog in town.)
I attached a picture of my house. I live in a 1955 California ranch style home..with an ever changing decor. It’s a fun business. I am always finding amazing things!
Thanks so much, Pam….
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Thank you, Julia, for sharing. You sure make good use of your days off — so inspirational. Readers, got an itch, now, to grab some of the remaining 1960s tile and make a table of your own. A tip: Take a look at what Julia has done — she’s staying in essentially one color family, except for a little *pop* of orange. Get some of those “leaves” for sure — there are still some left. Here you go, here are just 10 of the designs (the limit that I can show in this carousel) see instructions below the carousel to get to all the available tile.
Tip to using the ebay carousel: To go to a particular item, click on its photo (NOT on the ebay logo) — then, click on the lime green “View and Bid” box, which will take you to the item on ebay. If you are on an Apple product that cannot read flash, try clicking Mark’s store here.
AND READ THIS: This particular carousel only shows 10 designs. The seller has more — as I write this, I count 43 designs/colors online. To get to these: Once you are on in ebay and looking at one item, go to “See other items”, then type “tile” in the search bar to get to all the stock (as best I can tell – if you’re really intense about seeing everything go through all the seller’s listings in case something is there that is miscategorized.) Disclosure: When you buy anything from these ebay carousels or after you click into ebay here, it nets me a teensy commission.
Thanks to seller Mark for sending me these photos so that I could format and feature them.
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Julia, your table is a-freakin’-mazing, sensational work! Sweet shop and living room too….you do find wonderful ‘stuff’.
Wow only $175….that seems very reasonable, esp. for that artistry & labor. This is inspiring!
Wow! Big, big wow. Fantastic table (house and shop, too). Love the hairpin legs on it. You absolutely must make another one. BTW, I think $175 is a great price for it.
Very cool!! I bought some of his tile for my bathroom, and cant wait to share pics:)
I absolutely love your table Julia! If I lived nearby the table would be SOLD! You are so talented, you inspire me.
That is one of the most beautiful mosaics I have ever seen. Breathtaking.
Beautiful work! I can’t believe you made it that fast, takes me longer than that to plan something.
I’m with ChrisH! I can’t believe you made it that fast and it looks amazing! I have been contemplating getting some tile to do a small area in a recessed bar area I have in my dining room but I just can’t commit! And in the time I’ve been thinking about it, Juia created a piece of usable art!
Yes, wow, can you imagine doing a Hippy House bathroom with a mix of tiles, as Julia has done? *brain explodes at thought*
That would be so cool! Next project my bathroom! (i wish)
That table is fantastic … and worth way more than $175! (You and your mom are quite adorable too!)
Thanks so much! You are too sweet.
Just WOW! The layout is amazing….the sign of true talent and creativity. I could never come up with that! Even if I copied it now, I’m pretty sure mine would end up looking like wilted dandelions or something less identifiable.
Amazing table Julia!
That table made the world better. Perfect. I’ll plan to stop by this shop the next time I head north from Kentucky.
Tell me when you come!
You have inspired me to try and think “outside the box,” Julie! Originally, I’d just (cautiously) bought six sheets of all the same, green/black squares–not knowing what to do with them, and unable to think past “edging” something…I went back just now and added some “leaves” and “petals” (luckily, green colors were still available–I’m still not creative enough to work in a different colorway into a scheme, LOL) to the mix. Now, I need to channel you and see what I can create.
Don’t think about it too much! It will turn out great!
I know these ladies! Their shop is fab, my fiancé and I buy from them regularly. They have a lovely collection of vintage and handmade. Will definitely head over to see the table and their cute doggie.
Brilliant use of some gorgeous vintage tile. Your shop looks divine and I think you could/should consider a side business of making furniture to order. I would buy one in a New York minute! Great price, too!
Amazing! I love those leaf tiles but not as they are on the sheet all scattered and jumbled. The way you have organized them into an organic natural pattern just floats my boat. I think I will get some in the same colorway as the Flintstone tiles I got. This really gives me a creative jolt, and I have just the table that needs a beautiful top.
This blog post made my day. How creative and lovely!
What a great table! I think it’s priced very low, I’d be surprised if it’s still around in a few days. Good work.
Your dog is adorable too! I have two Bostons.
The table turned out beautiful.
This table is “blow my mind amazing”. I’m really, really impressed. Just love it. xo, suzy
Thanks so much everyone for the lovely comments about my table!
It’s beautiful, plus the tile will be durable.
So beautiful – Kudos!
One of those times I’m so happy I live in Central Ohio! If I stopped by, would you give me some ideas about redoing our ugly bathroom back to its 1953 glory? I’ll bring photos…
Amazing! Julia, I’m curious about the table you used. Is this a vintage piece? I have always worried about doing mosaics on a flat table top because I don’t want the mosaic to extend above a natural border. Any suggestions?