Mosaic Techniques Traditions

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.

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.

“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.

In the past century, exploration and serendipity have uncovered mosaic after mosaic in the Near East—maps, historical images and religious scenes constituting a treasure of new testimony from antiquity. In them, Bowersock finds historical evidence, illustrations of literary and mythological tradition, religious icons, and monuments to civic pride.

An indispensable compendium of essential know-how, inspirational projects, and troubleshooting tips Just like having a mosaic tutor on call 24 hours a day-this book is packed with handy, timesaving tips, trade secrets, templates, projects, and technical knowledge to improve your skills, speed up the learning process, and help you make unique mosaics with a professional finish. Easy-to-follow step-by-step techniques, photography, and illustrations. Professional quick fixes and solutions for commonly encountered problems. Advice on what to buy and how to use the tools and materials-from stained glass to pebbles, shells, and beads. Tips on design-finding ideas, order of work, and adding eye-catching details-as well as handy templates to allow you to create stylish mosaics straight away. Book jacket.

"In this book Peter Fischer traces the achievements of the artist-craftsman in mosaic, from the colored clay pegs arranged in patterns on the pillars of Uruk around 2500 BC up to the present day, discusses the architectural function, and illuminates the religious, social and scientific background which shaped the various forms of the mosaic."--Book jacket.

Demonstrates traditional mosaic patterns and techniques with instructions for sixteen projects inspired by historical sources, covering materials, equipment, cutting, grouting, and sealing.