Mixed-Media Mosaics: Techniques and Projects Using Polymer Clay Tiles, Beads & Other Embellishments (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Great crossover potential--introduces a fresh creative medium and process for mixed-media, collage, assemblage, polymer clay and mosaic tile artists.

Project variety--along with more familiar surfaces (like tables and mirrors), mosaic work is introduced in refreshingly new formats, such as jewelry and shrines.

Features an extensive techniques section and 18 step-by-step demos designed to be accessible to all skill levels.

Mixed Media Mosaics uses polymer-clay, mosaic-tile work as a new and exciting platform for mixed-media/collage artists. Readers will learn to craft highly textural and vividly colored icons, boxes, tables, items of personal adornment and more, using a combination of manufactured tiles and handmade tiles. Techniques for creating the tiles include painting and glazing, stamping, embedding items like beads and buttons, mixing pigments and mica powders with clay, adding metallic leaf, creating molds, combining the handcrafted tiles with traditional mosaic tile, grout alternatives and more. In addition to learning techniques for making their own tiles, readers will discover helpful processes for working inspiration (such as an homage to a loved one or a memorable getaway) into their tile-work, using personalization techniques such as stamping words or adding personal ephemera and found objects.

About the Author

Laurie Mika’s work employs her unique handmade tiles with mosaics, beads and jewelry to create “contemporary icons” (a blend of Byzantine art, Illuminated Manuscripts and Mexican folk art). Laurie was published in the premier issue of Expressions magazine and has had work published in Somerset Studio, Somerset Wedding 2, Haute Handbags and Somerset Gallery 5, as well as the books 400 Polymer Clay Designs (Lark, 2004: 1579904602), New Techniques for Wearable Art (Quarry, 2004: 1592530753) and JoAnn Locktov’s Mosaic Art and Style: Designs for Living Environments (Quarry, 2005: 1592531458). Mika has also appeared on HGTV’s Crafters Coast to Coast and the DIY network’s Craft Lab, and has taught workshops at Artfest in Port Townsend, Washington, Art Unraveled in Phoenix, Arizona, and Art and Soul in Dallas. She will also be teaching at Art and Soul in Portland in 2006 and at Hacienda Mosaico in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, in 2007.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (July 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581809832
• ISBN-13: 978-1581809831
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,410 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Mosaic
  #17 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Ceramics
  #34 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Mixed Media

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever, Concise, Colourful Clay , July 25, 2007

By	R. Eberhard "Eclectic Studio" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful book for people of all ages and backgrounds. Polymer artisits will have a lot of fun gaining inspiration or completing one of the many projects contained in this publication. Laurie starts out with a clear outline of how to make the tiles, both in Polymer and glass cutting, tools required etc. She broadens your scope by wonderful step by step instructions on how to add glamour - trying paints, micas, gilding, stamps,Image transfers, beads and so forth. Each project from Boxes and Tables throught to Pendants and Pins - each tackles a new technique and the excellent photos make it almost impossible to make a mistake. A small but rich gallery of her work which is a veritable explosion of colour complete this worthwhile addition to your library shelf.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful mosaic of techniques and photos - Gorgeous photos! , June 25, 2007

By	A. Huff "Amy Huff" (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was lucky enough to take a class with Laurie Mika not too long ago and she's just as generous in sharing her techniques and tips in her book as she was in class. She doesn't hold anything back and is truly giving of her art and herself in this book. Laurie walks you through the entire process with the photos and written descriptions but also provides several inspiration points and gallery pieces throughout the book that helped give me insight into her as an artist and provided my own inspiration and insight to what I wanted to create. I love this book and have been making tiles since I got it!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED THIS BOOK!-even though it wasn't about what I thought., September 22, 2007

By	Llynn A. Huntley "my own place" (usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered this book, even though I am not a "mosaic" person. The projects on the cover just looked so intriging and the title lead me to think that this would be a book about incorporating lots of different objects into mosaics- I think it was the 'and other embellishments' part. Since I do collage and mixed media art, I though this might be a new field to explore.
The book does NOT teach you about incorporating objects into mosaics (although there are a few things other than tiles in some of the projects), but it does tell you how this artist makes mosaics using clay tiles she makes herself with rubber stamps. And she does such a wonderful job of teaching you how to do this,too, that I am already getting my supplies together to try this, although I am also not a (polymer)"clay" person! She includes lots of tips-usually things you wouldn't think about until you run into a problem, the photos are clear and stepped out for each project, and the projects themselves are beautiful.
The projects also are set up so that you can immediately see how you could change them or make something completely different, using the same techniques.
If you enjoy collage, mosaics, rubber stamps and/or polymer clay, this book could lead you in a new direction.