themissingpiece.it is a contemporary mosaic atelier/studio located at via Molin Nuovo 37/7, in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Here, I create handcrafted objects with a timeless soul, enriched by the prestige of traditional artistic mosaic techniques.
Marble, pebbles, natural stone, smalti, colored and transparent glass, Orsoni gold leaf mosaic, and Venetian murrine, from the world -famous island of Murano, each element is meticulously hand-cut using a glass cutter or the traditional martellina e tagliolo (hammer and hardie). These materials converge to create decorative panels for private and corporate clients, interior design accents, fashion accessories, and fine art pieces crafted in precious metals. My work stands as a balance between yesterday and tomorrow: a fusion of culture, history, originality, and innovation at the service of imagination.
My primary inspiration is the rediscovery of traditional techniques to transform mosaic, an ancient craft, into a contemporary art form that reveals its inherent magic of light, texture, surface and color. It is a daily experiment in craftsmanship and innovation, bringing a millennial art into the modern era.
The art of innovation
Since the beginning of my journey, I have embraced experimentation. I create innovative products where the mosaic is featured as a precious detail, seamlessly integrated into materials such as stone, wood, plexiglass, or silver. This approach requires grace and mastery to achieve a standard of absolute excellence. My atelier is defined by original ideas, studied down to the smallest detail to satisfy every desire. I work closely with my clients to design highly personalized and unique bespoke pieces.
A timeless vision
In my works, I seek to combine the traditional heritage and historical culture of the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli with an innovative approach to this art, aligning creativity with contemporary design to create pieces of timeless beauty. This personal research allows me to offer an artistic mosaic that is fresh and accessible, yet sophisticated: lightweight, vibrant, and elegant, often characterized by a refined monochromatic palette.
I invite my clients to experience the creation live, revealing the mastery behind the finished work. The wonder of the creative process is fueled by three core pillars: passion, precision, and patience. These are my allies in the challenge of merging art and design through the interplay of light and color, as I bring each piece to life.
My dream:
My journey into the world of mosaic began with a dream I carried with me since I was fourteen. During a visit to the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli in Spilimbergo, I was mesmerized by the sight of a ceppo—the traditional wooden block where the tagliolo (hardie) is set to cut tesserae with a martellina (hammer). Life took its course, but that fascination never faded. In 2013, as a mother of four young children, I decided it was time to bring that dream out of the drawer. I returned to Spilimbergo to master the art that had captivated me decades before.
For 3 intense and beautiful years, spending eight hours a day, Monday to Friday, in a program with mandatory attendance, fueled by dedication, I immersed myself in the traditional techniques of the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli: from the reverse-on-paper (indirect method) invented by Giandomenico Facchina, to the Roman mosaic technique from nearby and famous Aquileia, the Byzantine techniques, culminating in contemporary composition and experimentation.
A minimalist revolution
When I opened my studio in 2016, I immediately sought to translate this ancient language of mosaic into a minimalist, fresh, and captivating aesthetic connecting it to the world of interior design to offer works with a fresh and contemporary vibe.
My philosophy is simple: “essential and elegant: a little, in the right place.”
I create decorative accents, bespoke panels for private clients, corporate logos and unconventional graphics with an innovative, visually light execution where the mosaic, all cut by hand, is a refined detail. Precious fancy and bright 24K colored gold leaf mosaic, river pebbles, and Venetian murrine, as well as smalti, colored, and transparent glass, blend harmoniously into a sober and linear design without overwhelming the entire surface. This represents a harmonious integration within sleek, linear designs, a “small revolution” that blends the precision of modern CNC milling technology with the soul of high-end traditional mosaic techniques and fine Italian craftsmanship.
Innovation beyond the hammer
While I honor tradition, my signature lies in bold experimentation and innovation. I often choose to cut 24K gold leaf mosaic and smalti with a glass cutter rather than the traditional hammer. This allows me to create larger-than-ordinary “macro-tesserae” that highlight the natural veins and brilliance of the material. By daring to go beyond the square tile, I explore triangles, hexagons, and free forms.
This passion is perhaps in my blood: in my toolbox, I still keep the glass cutter that belonged to my great-grandfather, who crafted stained glass windows for churches in Germany. Though his factory was impacted by WWII, the legacy of that craftsmanship lives on through my hands today.
Where history meets the contemporary
I love rediscovering ancient techniques and traditional materials, such as the pebble mosaics (pebble-dash) which date back to ancient Greece from the 4th and 5th centuries BC, to journey back in time to the very origins of mosaic art and modernize them, bringing two worlds together: the ancient and the modern. Through contemporary lens I reimagine them for the modern world. I deeply enjoy experimenting and pairing these traditional river pebbles with unconventional materials to create corporate logos or jewelry with a slightly “rock” “rock-and-roll” soul. Innovating is a small revolution, and introducing alternative materials into the mix of tesserae lends a contemporary flavor to my creations: every custom logo thus becomes a unique story of self-expression.
Out of collaborations with long-standing local master artisans, I have developed my exclusive collections of jewelry and accessories in silver, leather, and stone, born one by one. They reflect my desire to offer unique pieces, such as bespoke pendants and earrings, silver belts, cufflinks, paperweights, and silver and leather bookmarks. since these can be laser-customized with a wide choice of graphics, colors, and materials. Every piece is a unique story.
The power of the hands
I personally oversee every stage of production: from the initial graphic concept and material selection to the hand-cutting of each element and the final, meticulous assembly.
My work is driven by a fascination with the power of the hands and the enduring value of craftsmanship. With passion, patience, and precision, and a touch of audacity, I create contemporary mosaics that are elegant, light, and timeless. Each piece is crafted with care, love, and an unwavering eye for detail.
