Efthymia Pandousis has patience in spades.
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It's a handy attribute as she sits down before a pile of glass pieces pondering how she'll compile them into a work of art.
The Goulburn mosaic artist has had plenty of practice since taking up the craft some five years ago. Her works are now on display at the Park Cafe, where she helps in the family business on an on-call basis.
They feature colourful peacocks, nature scenes, Greek themes and even a musical note, all the products of a melting pot of experience.
As she explained, it all started when she, her husband and children lived in a 1920s Federation home in Hurstville. Mrs Pandousis started doing lead-lighting with her sister, Sue, to add to features. She was also inspired by her daughter, who had studied to be an art teacher and had a keen appreciation of colour and technique.
"I had a lot of leadlight left over so rather than wasting it, I started doing mosaics," she said.
Now the sisters share a common interest. But two and a half years ago, Mrs Pandousis and her husband retired and packed up their Sydney home and moved to Goulburn for a quieter lifestyle.
Their district farm offers just that and time for deep thought about those little glass pieces and a big 'jigsaw puzzle.'
"It's very time consuming and you need patience," Mrs Pandousis said.
"I can take up to a week to do one work because the pieces have to be cut to size, placed and glued, with a grout in between, just like a tile. Not one piece is the same."
She draws inspiration from her Greek heritage, particularly ancient Greece. Her family came to Australia in 1968.
But the plethora of birds and bees around her property also provide rich fodder.
While her works are on sale at the Park Cafe, Mrs Pandousis stresses she doesn't do it for profit.
"It gives me pleasure," she told The Post.
"I do it for mental stimulation and when people say they love them, that's enough."
Mrs Pandousis said the move to Goulburn was the best decision she ever made, given the lifestyle, family connections and people's friendliness.
"I love Goulburn and I wouldn't live anywhere else," she said.
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