Creative Garden Mosaics: Dazzling Projects & Innovative Techniques [Paperback]

Jill MacKay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Go beyond the ordinary: these 22 garden-enhancing projects, from pillar planters and shrines to tabletops and flowerpots, all feature the most dazzling designs. Some use ceramic tile and pebbles, others stained glass and colored mirror, and still more showcase shimmering jewels. A richly illustrated section on the fundamental tools, techniques (transferring patterns, cutting shapes, grouting), and materials (tesserae, glass tile) will get beginners started so they can experience the creative pleasure of constructing a variety of eye-catching items. An Onion Dome Birdhouse is a veritable palace, crowned with a gold-leaf dome. Surround a small bed of flowers with a Snake-in-the-Grass Border, made of shining iridescent glass. Or make a Starburst Appliqué, Cascading Planter, Agate Candle Lantern, and others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

At last - a comprehensive coverage of mosaic techniques alongside innovative design ideas all in one book. American mosaicist Jill MacKay devotes a good third of the book to in-depth instructions on tools to use, materials and how to handle them, base materials and structures, all clearly explained and illustrated. Following on are twenty innovative projects to try at home ranging from simple half-day pieces to longer-term projects such as planters, bird baths, tables and shrines. Quirky frogs and beetles, pod planters and plant collars add novelty and appeal to young and old alike. As Jill says in her introduction, mosaicking is an addictive medium and can transform objects from the ordinary to the outstanding. Even plain concrete ornaments from the garden centre are utilised and turned into individual, highly-personal garden decorations. Accompanied throughout with photographs of mosaic works from artists such as Candace Bahouth and Cleo Mussi, alongside a host of US mosaicists, it is an inspirational look at the subject. This is a step above the current plethora of books on this popular subject and well worth a look for all keen mosaicists. - Lucy Watson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jill MacKay is a versatile self-taught craftsperson and designer working in a variety of media, including paint, mosaics, metal, and ceramics. Nationally recognized for her work, MacKay is also a community artist who uses and teaches the arts to help heal and promote well being. She lives in Pittsburgh with her two teenage children and works out of her home studio. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579905994
• ISBN-13: 978-1579905996
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #564,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful outdoor creations!, October 4, 2004

By 

Craigie (St Michaels, MD, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Garden Mosaics: Dazzling Projects & Innovative Techniques (Paperback)

This is a great book for inspiring creative ideas for making outdoor mosaics. Well written, beautifully photographed, the book shows original problem solving techniques not found in other "how-to" mosaic book...particularly in the construction of 3-D objects. Ms MacKay is a talented writer and mosiac artist.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific mosaic book!, June 9, 2004

By 

"witsendmosaic" (Tempe, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Garden Mosaics: Dazzling Projects & Innovative Techniques (Hardcover)

The subtitle of this book is Dazzling Projects and Innovative Techniques and it certainly delivers! It's full of rich, vivid, full color photographs and instructions for interesting and creative projects, most of them 3-D. I was very excited to learn about epoxy putty and how to use it to create curved structures out of backer board or wire. A few of my favorite projects in this book: Snake-In-The-Grass, Gazing Face, and Reflecting Birdbath with View. Your garden will never be the same!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational book for your bookshelf, October 16, 2004

By 

Lena "Lena" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Garden Mosaics: Dazzling Projects & Innovative Techniques (Paperback)

This book is a great read for aspiring mosaic artists and for beginners. The beautiful pictures show what is possible, the text is well written, and the "how-to" part is easy to follow.
This is a book for those who want to venture beyond the commonplace in mosaics.

Lena