Re-Branding to Byzantine Crafts

We Are Re-Branding...

To Byzantine Crafts.

Why you ask? Well it is quite simple. The art of micro mosaicing first originated in Greece during the Byzantine Era where it was mostly used to depict religious icons and images on a very small scale. Crafts people  then used tiny slivers of glass to make incredible images that were portable so that that their customers could carry them around to use on a day to day basis. 

The craft dies out for many years until it saw a resurrection in Italy during the 1800's. Back then, English nobility going on their Grand Tours of Europe would but the small trinkets to send home to loved ones in a Victorian version of the post card. Other's would collect these trinkets and bring them home to their family and friends as a kind of Victorian photo album.

Micro mosaics are wonderful in that often they are small enough to hold in the hand and portable, meaning you can move them around with you wherever you go.

Daniel Swarovski - creator of Swarovski Crystals, set out to make a diamond equivalent that anyone could own, so that the bling, sparkle and fire of the diamond was available to everyone. I think we can all agree that he did a sterling job of it too and I love making jewellery with Swarovski Crystals for my handmade jewellery shop ~ Basalt Scents.

What has any of this got to do with mosaics in general and micro mosaics in particular.

Byzantine Crafts New Logo

Well here at Byzantine Crafts, I set out to do the same as Daniel Swarovski, in that I really wish to create heirloom pieces that anyone can both afford and have room for in their day to day lives.

Heirloom pieces are one of a kind items that can not only be loved and cherished by the original owner, but can be handed down to future generations, increasing in value as the years go by.  They also make great, unusual gifts for that hard to buy for person in your life! When you purchase one of our mosaics, you know that your piece will be completely unique, Dan (#ByzantineBoy) and I only do one of a kind pieces, and these will have been hand crafted with love (and possibly a few angry works from BB, he is only 11 and is just learning after all... :D ) and will evoke a smile not only on your face, but also in your heart every time you see it.

I am launching our first collection on April the 30th 2020 and this will be called The Garden Days Collection and I am just so excited to show you all the wonderful blanks I was able to get to bring this cheerful sunny collection out for you.

At the same time I am also going to be launching the first in a series of books to teach other people this intriguing craft. If you look at my work and think you could do better, or even, oh my goodness I need to try that, keep your eyes open for the kindle book Glue On My Trousers, by yours truly! 

It needs to be said that even the smallest of the heirloom mosaics take at least five hours to get from design concept to finished item, so whilst we will not be charging the thousands of pounds that mosaic artists who work on a larger scale charge, our prices will reflect the materials, the labour and the love that goes into each piece. 

So this post is really for information purposes, more posts with pictures and other exciting news will follow, so do follow the blog to keep up to date on all of the news forthcoming.

Byzantine Crafts ~ Bringing happiness to the world, one bead at a time.

(That is our new tag line, what do you think?)

If you have ideas for items that you would like custom making using the techniques I employ, please do not hesitate to get in touch in the comment section below!

Nici xxx

Ps, also if you want to stay up to date with developments, come and like my Facebook Page, where I will be sharing new ideas and even new work as it comes along.