Found materials are taking the craft world by storm because the creative potential is tremendous. Contemporary mosaic artists--who continue to expand the limits of construction and materials--can benefit greatly from this movement toward reuse. Even the mosaic neophytes among us can explore the myriad possibilities of these new materials with this fabulous guide. Learn everything you need to get started in the world of found art mosaics, from materials, glass, ceramics, natural materials, grouts, surfaces, sealants, safety gear, and more. The 27 projects here--including the Buttons & Pebbles Vase, Glittering Jewels Belt Buckle, and Recycled Bathtub Garden Planter--each reuse and repurpose objects differently, as the found object may be the surface, the tesserae, or both.
“Of greatest use to beginners. The dozen projects will introduce first-time mosaicists to the art without...frustration.”—Booklist “You’ll never look at a shard of glass in the same way again.”—Glass Craftsman Innovative techniques, in tandem with striking and original designs, will make you revel in the creative pleasure of fashioning beautiful mosaics. An overview covers four basic mosaic methods: pique assiette, which uses fragments from plates, mugs, and pictures; direct (just lay it down and glue); indirect, where the work is done on a temporary surface before being cemented; and three dimensional applications. Magically transform everyday objects into art by replacing a standard kitchen counter with one covered in fragments of stone, glass, and pottery, or turning a simple lamp into a finely crafted sculpture. For additional inspiration, 50 artists provide invaluable hints and tricks of the trade.
Imagine beautiful mosaic pieces with tiles that you easily create yourself! Mixed-Media Mosaics offers a fresh, new approach to a traditional art form. By making your own tiles from polymer clay, you control the size, shape, color and even the texture, resulting in beautiful finished pieces that include tabletops, boxes, jewelry and shrines. In addition to learning traditional tiling techniques such as working with grout and cutting glass tile, you'll also explore creative options for personalizing tiles: • Discover the magic of mica powders and the regal look they can give to mosaics • Learn quick and easy ways of adding paint to handcrafted and commercial tile • See how easy it is to create molds and cast your own relief tiles • Find ways to add personal meaning to your work with the addition of text tiles • Experiment with the addition of beads, jewelry and other embellishments by embedding them right into the tile! Whether you'd like to complete a mosaic tabletop for your patio, a jewelry box as a special gift, or simply experiment with jewelry, you'll find the inspiration you seek in Mixed-Media Mosaics. Start creating your custom mosaic pieces today.
"Step into the imaginative and inventive world of mosaics with Elizabeth Atkins-Hood and Joy Bell. The authors' enthusiasm for mosaics comes through in every word as they show you how to create rich and fabulous mosaic art from tiles, glass, plates, paper, ornaments, photographs, jewellery, pebbles, polymer clay and found objects."--Publisher's description.
Bits and pieces, pique assiette, memoryware -- there are many names for this unique folk art technique that has flourished for centuries around the world. Mosaic art, revered for its intricacy and beauty, can now be made by anyone with the simple methods found in Making Bits & Pieces Mosaics. Marshall's easy-to-follow techniques make it fun for readers to transform everyday items into one-of-a-kind works of art by attaching broken dishes, ceramics, jewelry, and glass to a wide range of surfaces. With clear, step-by-step directions and inspiring photographs, crafters can create fabulous projects of their own, including flower pots and vases, lamps, fireplace mantels, bird baths and bird houses, plant stands, garden tables, walkways, and more!
Use brilliantly colored, beautiful tiles to craft stunning mosaic projects--even if you've never tried this age-old technique before. Sixteen creative projects, arranged in order of increasing difficulty, enable you to learn the various techniques and methods of working. Start by making a trivet using standard size tiles in a limited palette, and when you are ready to try cutting tiles, work on an eye-catching picture frame. Experiment with the "reverse method" while making a table top, and incorporate found objects into a flying bird design. The final projects in the collection focus on techniques that seem complicated but are actually simple, such as casting a slab for a garden and making waterproof items like a birdbath. All the necessary information is fully explained, including choosing tiles, surfaces, and adhesives cutting tiles, applying glue, the direct and reverse methods of mosaic, casting, grouting, laying tiles, and cleaning and finishing.
In this book, Liz James offers a comprehensive history of wall mosaics produced in the European and Islamic middle ages. Taking into account a wide range of issues, including style and iconography, technique and material, and function and patronage, she examines mosaics within their historical context. She asks why the mosaic was such a popular medium and considers how mosaics work as historical 'documents' that tell us about attitudes and beliefs in the medieval world. The book is divided into two part. Part I explores the technical aspects of mosaics, including glass production, labour and materials, and costs. In Part II, James provides a chronological history of mosaics, charting the low and high points of mosaic art up until its abrupt end in the late middle ages. Written in a clear and engaging style, her book will serve as an essential resource for scholars and students of medieval mosaics.
This visually arresting volume showcases mosaics from all corners of the globe and teaches the skills needed to produce 15 beautiful pieces of your own.
An exciting new slant on one of today’s most popular crafts, featuring 40 creative mosaic projects—patterns and templates included—using traditional materials in innovative ways. A gallery from around the world illustrates the possibilities. “A wealth of playful and imaginative materials.”—ForeWord Magazine.