The Complete Mosaic Handbook: Projects, Techniques, Designs [Hardcover]

Sarah Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

A comprehensive guide to mosaic techniques and design.

Mosaics enhance everyday objects, revive decors and can be long-lasting works of art. Versatile, strong and wonderfully expressive, one of the appeals of mosaic is its ability to defy time.

The Complete Mosaic Handbook is a comprehensive guide to basic and advanced techniques and design of mosaic art. The book includes step-by-step instructions for thirty practical projects for mosaic artists at every level of experience. Each project is conveniently rated by cost, time and difficulty.

Projects range from the simple to the sophisticated and include:

• Place mats and coasters
• Beaded picture frame
• Outdoor planter
• Garden path
• Fruit platter
• Portrait
• Jewelry box
• Glass vase
• House numbers

The projects employ a wide variety of materials from traditional tile, glass and stone to found objects. The text is concise and jargon-free with full color photographs explaining each step. Valuable advice includes tricks of the trade and design tips for avoiding common mistakes.

Also featured is an extensive gallery of mosaic art styles throughout history: Ancient Greece, Byzantium, Renaissance, then on to contemporary styles such as Arts and Crafts.

Easy-to-follow, foolproof and beautifully illustrated, The Complete Mosaic Handbook is as inspiring as it is instructive.

(20050220)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Kelly conveys a potent sense of the majesty and the diversity of mosaic art through history before getting down to basics in this gorgeous and practical craft book that will entice beginners as well as the skilled. A mosaicist herself, the author conducts readers through 30 projects--from small knickknacks to encompassing designs for large spaces--grouping them by skill level: beginner, intermediate, advanced. With each project comes the requisite list of tools, materials, and design hints, most of which Kelly discusses in introductory sections. The open look of the book is an asset; the brilliant photos will draw readers in; and the nicely spaced instructions, accompanied by helpful graphics, are easy to follow. Kelly makes clear that this isn't a craft for people with limited work space or patience. But it is difficult to turn away from this classy volume, which showcases the wonderful possibilities for crafters who want to create decorative objects for their homes or create art for appreciation by a wider world. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Weighty and thorough... designs are both expertly executed and nicely broken down into step-by-step instructions. (Annette McLeod Toronto Sun 20041015)

A step-by-step program for developing the art of mosaic. (Jane Gadd Globe and Mail 20050114)

Express yourself and enhance your decor... create lasting works of art with mosaics. (Bargain Art 20050416)

Start with award winning mosaic artist Sarah Kelly's all-encompassing book. (Joanne Hatherly CanWest News Service 20041212)

Even the most novice of crafters will be tempted... lavish illustrations. (Mary Daniels Chicago Tribune 20041216)

This book is impressive, for both its comprehensiveness and the thoroughness of the directions. (Linda Hutchinson San Gabriel Valley Tribune 20041215)

It's obvious immediately that this book stands apart from the basic beginner's manual... this book offers something for everyone. (Jane Dupuy New Orleans Times-Picayune 20050529)

Holistic approach to learning mosaics. There are sections not only on equipment, techniques and supplies, but on more artistic aspects. (Rebecca Swain Vadnie Orlando Sentinel )

Stunning... Just about every area of these elaborate projects... is covered in minute detail. (Robert Rastelli Newark Star-Ledger )

More than 500 photographs an illustrations will motivate you to create, with step-by-step instructions. (Jenn Houlihan Style at Home )

Gorgeous and practical craft book... It is difficult to turn away from this classy volume. (Stephanie Zvirin Booklist )

If you know nothing about mosaic...[this] is your book. If you know everything about mosaic, this is still your book. (Krys Steansky Norfolk Virginian-Pilot )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552977749
• ISBN-13: 978-1552977743
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Technical Errors, July 9, 2007

By 

Mosaic Artist - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Mosaic Handbook: Projects, Techniques, Designs (Hardcover)

There are so many books 'how-to' books out there on mosaic technique. Some are accurate, clearly based on extensive practical knowledge and experience, and some have very misleading and incorrect information. I'm afraid this book falls in the former category. When an author mentions using Elmers craft glue to create a mosaic or seal a substrate, then I would hesitate to trust any of the other information in the book.

For a proven 'how-to' book on creating mosaics, I would suggest 'Mosaic Techinques and Traditions' by Sonia King or any of the books by Emma Biggs, Tessa Hunkin, or Elaine Goodwin. These are all working mosaic artists and instructors and the techniques they share can be counted on to provide you with a solid foundation in this wonderful art form.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent allrounder, January 10, 2007

By 

Bernstar "bernstar" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Mosaic Handbook: Projects, Techniques, Designs (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book which has a variety of projects that are sorted into difficulty, cost and time levels. THese useful categories help you to decide how you will proceed with projects. The how to parts are easy to follow and the pictures are beautiful. OVerall this is a great book for the beginner to the more advanced mosaicist.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best beginner book., August 27, 2007

By 

shabbydee "shabbydee" (texas country) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Mosaic Handbook: Projects, Techniques, Designs (Hardcover)

After I bought this book, I read the reviews. So I ordered two other books...The Mosaic Artist's Bible and Mosaic Patterns. I by far like the Complete Mosaic book the best for the beginner. It has all the information that would be important for the beginner to know. I like the other two books I ordered, but I will use them after I get started and am into it for awhile. I read The Complete Mosaic Handbook often and get more and more insight how to go about my mosaic projects. So don't pass up this book! It's great for the beginner!