Mosaics: Essential Techniques And Classic Projects

By Fran Soler

Book Overview

Master the age-old, beautiful craft of mosaic. Begin by selecting the right tools and materials, from the classic rectangular chunks of hand-made Italian glass called "smalti" to found objects like buttons, beads, and pebbles. Plenty of tips are given for setting up and organizing a workspace, and all basic techniques are clearly explained and illustrated in glorious full color. Once you've learned how to cut the pieces for your mosaic and affix them in a design, you're ready to get to work. More than twenty projects will enable you to hone your skills while crafting exquisite decorative items in a variety of styles. Make an elegant Roman swirl mirror frame, a Byzantine box in jewel-like colors, an Aztec serpent wall panel, a geometric tabletop based on Islamic patterns, a dragonfly vase, bright modern candlesticks, and much more. From a hand mirror and a picture frame, to a front door and the ceiling of a room, almost any object can be transformed into a work of art using the versatile technique of mosaic. 128 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 11. NEW IN PAPERBACK

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806963050
• ISBN13: 9780806963051
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Sterling
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 0.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the Best Mosaic Books

This is a basic, but excellent book for beginning and more advanced mosaicists. Every page is colorful, well laid out, and easy to scan for information. Photos of necessary tools, safety equipment and materials are accompanied with good descriptions and/or explanations. There are very good photos showing how to cut and arrange various shapes of tiles. Every project is beautiful, and ranges from easy to very advanced. Easy projects include a sparkly Byzantine box, a pottery piece, pencil box, mirror, frame, wall plaques. Becoming increasingly larger or more complex are a vase, candlesticks, table top, backsplash with mirror, giant wall hangings, covered door and a bathroom ceiling! A notable feature of the book is that several of the designs show a variety of alternate color combinations, which help with the planning of your particular project. This book is very inspiring, and gets the creative juices going.