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

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.

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.