"Abstract Intersection" by Jennifer Heart.  5" x 12" mosaic.  Using glass tiles, stone, metal files, and screws.  This is a fun piece with metal intersecting glass and pieces of china. Five rusty old files set the framework for the design: a nail, round-headed screws, bolts, a hinge, and other metal bits alongside glass tiles and beads in orange and blue, white stone, and broken china. I have been using 1" thick walnut wood scrap as a substrate for several years. This wood is not necessarily square or even and it may have pencil and paint marks or some remaining bark. This piece of wood has marks on one edge and part of the outside round edge of the tree on the other. Leaving these irregularities adds to the character of the piece. Caution - the files and the corner of the hinge extend over the edge and could be dangerous to children.
 
I embrace reduce/reuse/recycle/repurpose in my personal life and my artwork. I want to see and use things in a new way. Scrap wood with its knots, nail holes, bark, old paint marks, and a myriad of other imperfections is a true treasure not to be tossed aside. Cabinet doors, old cutting boards, old windows, and wooden ceiling fan blades are all perfect palettes.
 
I love the hunt and scraping the bottom of the bin or bucket for that interesting piece of metal of which I have no idea its original purpose, but I see shape, texture, color, and possibility. Miscellaneous metal, rusty old hardware, nuts, bolts, chains, wire, hinges, deadbolts, screws, nails, and washers, Oh my! And then there is stained glass, pottery, tile, China, beads, bobbles, and old jewelry. The possibilities are endless and every piece is unique.