I have long admired the creativity of Dimitra Colomvakou, mosaic artist and founder of Mosaic Arts Greece. Whenever I am in Sparta, I stop by her studio and purchase unique and beautiful gifts for my family.

Dimitra’s studio is on Kostantinou Palaiologou 132 in Sparta. It is a delightful outdoor oasis of beauty, nature and peace in the midst of the city. Located in the vicinity of Ancient Sparta and the statue of Leonidas, its cool, leafy canopy and sparkling artifacts beckon both tourists and natives to step inside.

In 2019, I wrote a post about Dimitra, her studio and her work. Ever since my first visit, I have wanted to take a workshop. Today, I did. Dimitra had materials ready for me when I arrived. She is a patient and caring person, and she both assisted and instructed me.

Although Dimitra teaches and works in many mediums, she recommended that, as a first-timer, I start with a pebble mosaic. After looking at several patterns, I chose one that resembles ocean waves. Dimitra used carbon paper to trace a pattern on a white backdrop composed of fiberglass mesh.

Mosaics can be created on any surface: stone, wood, glass, metal, marble; and she works on them all. Specific glues and adhesives are used on specific surfaces. Because my base was fiberglass, we used “thin set,” a type of mortar-based adhesive used in tile work. Dimitra colored the adhesive to blend with the stones I would use. She started with black, putting the adhesive in a pastic bag and cutting a corner so it could be manipulated, like adding piping to decorate a cake.

And then the creative process began. Dimitra instructed me on how to “pipe” the adhesive onto the pattern. I then used tweezers to grab pebbles and set them into the adhesive. Yes, every pebble was chosen for its size, shape and color, and carefully placed onto the pattern!

To say I was hyper-focused is not an understatement. As a quilter, I have learned to use shades of color and texture to add interest to projects so I did this pattern a bit differently than others. I added spots of color throughout the wave, rather than making it monochromatic.

For three hours, I chose every stone and decided which color and shape to put into the pattern. The time passed so quickly that I didn’t even stop to take a drink of water!

Although seeing a work in progress gives you an idea of how it will look, I was truly surprised to see the finished product. I like it! The tiny pieces of colored stone, which I carefully placed around the dark ones, were picked up by the terra-cotta borders and caused the waves to “pop.”

Trying something new is one of the joys of life. Every experience adds to our personal mosaic and enhances our creative perspective.

Dimitra’s studio is a must-see, and must-do, for anyone visiting Sparta. The gifts you bring home, and the ones you may make, will be unlike any you would purchase in a tourist shop. Follow her Mosaic Arts Greece website, Facebook page and Instagram which display her products that can be ordered online and shipped anywhere.

Thank you, Dimitra, for a Magical Mosaic Morning!