Quick & Easy Mosaics: Innovative Projects & Techniques [Paperback]

Mariarita Macchiavelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1999

“[The book]...opens with a history and techniques, then follows with six projects and dozens of designs, accompanied by photographs and step-by-step directions. For most of the six projects, there is a simple list of generic materials needed. The mosaic furniture stands as examples of craft transformed into art.”—Booklist.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As old as Mesopotamia, mosaics straddle the centuries. Macchiavelli, an Italian crafter, highlights the ease and convenience of this craft (though not its inherent messiness). Similar in style and format to Zaccaria's Stained Glass Crafting (reviewed in Arts and Crafts), this book opens with a history and techniques, then follows with six projects and dozens of designs, accompanied by photographs and step-by-step directions. For most of the six projects, from a terra-cotta bowl to a leaf frame, there is a simple list of generic materials needed. The mosaic furniture stands as an example of craft transformed into art. Barbara Jacobs --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806944757
• ISBN-13: 978-0806944753
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,372,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Sloppy, March 14, 2000

By 

Suzan Germond - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quick & Easy Mosaics: Innovative Projects & Techniques (Hardcover)

While there are some interesting design ideas and patterns, I found the book very amateurish. Most of the projects that the author illustrates how to make, using glass, are poorly put together and look rushed and haphazard. The grouting is messy and left on several glass tiles. The best examples are in the back of the book and are done by professional artists. However, there is no instruction. I would only buy this book as a last resort for inspiration. Definitely not recommeded for a beginner despite the easy projects.

5.0 out of 5 stars It makes you want to try it!, January 22, 2007

By 

a-to-b books "a-to-b books" (Hollywood) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quick & Easy Mosaics: Innovative Projects & Techniques (Paperback)

Unlike the other reviews, I have no experience in this, but I think the author made it look like fun. The paper is nicely coated and shiny, the better to show off the brilliant colors. I liked the naive, country-type patterns in some projects, while other projects were more formal, like the tables. I think this is a good first book!

4.0 out of 5 stars Not very instructive, but nice pictures, April 27, 2002

By 

S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quick & Easy Mosaics: Innovative Projects & Techniques (Hardcover)

I agree with another reviewer that some of the projects shown in this book look rather sloppy, like a beginner's work might look. It seems the author got off easy, providing minimal guidance in equipment and materials, and only giving instructions for 6 simple projects. They include two terra-cotta pieces, a frame (without instructions for attaching a backing), a switchplate, tiny framed "party favor" pictures (worthless in my opinion), covered jar lids, (so-so but easy). The next larger section of the book is filled with photos of finished projects, including little boxes, frames, pots, vases, and tabletops. They are accompanied by brief comments of techniques or materials used to create them, but no instructions. The book finishes with a few pages of line-drawn design patterns, which seem unnecessary since it is easy to see and reproduce the designs by looking at the photos of the finished projects themselves.

The only reason I gave this book a four is for its many photos of projects, and though without instructions, they are for the most part are attractive. I would not recommend it for a beginner, even though the projects are fairly simple, because it is lacking in instruction. Its best use is for browsing and sparking ideas.