So a year ago---yes, a year---I took a CRAFT mosaics class with my friend E.
I did a lengthy post on it, then, lost it---somehow. Disgusted, I went on to
do something else. Cleaning my folders, I found these photos all ready to go.
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Here is our instructor, Lisa Tolbert (left) from Mosaic Whimsies setting up for the huge class.
I know this is a long post, so bear with me.
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A greenhouse was the perfect place to do this kind of messy class.
This was in March 2016. We had 60 degrees when we went in, and then a rainstorm, then hail (not fun in a greenhouse) and finally snow in the three hours we were there---just an average spring day in Chicagoland.
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Well, here is the OLD bowling balls, all ready for us to choose from. Yes bowling balls to become
mosaic gazing balls for your garden. A great REDO and GREEN project, everything used would normally end up in a landfill. All your chipped dishware and trinkets, reused.
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Lisa had a few of her gorgeous pieces on display to inspire us. These were glass on glass windows.
She teaches many classes and travels all over Chicagoland and N. Indiana.
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Her shabby chic pieces are always a favorite at local shows. Don't you love the pearls worked in.
She does custom work for people. Check out her website.
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She had trays upon trays of scrap pottery, glass, baubles---
plus we all brought some things of our own to use.
I think there were 18-20 people in this class.
We each used a dollar store tray to pick out our pieces.
It is surprising how many pieces it takes to cover a bowling ball.
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This was a large class for advanced or beginners. Lisa has quite a following. Here you can see the first of many weather changes---we went from HOT, to RAIN, to HAIL, to SLEET, to SNOW
in three hours.
The bowling balls were set hole down on flower pots for ease of working.
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First you cut your pieces into workable sizes. The curved surface provided a few challenges.
E worked with lots of interesting bits and pieces:
jewelry, small figurines, glass, mirrors, game parts, fun stuff.
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Some people are extremely controlled and methodical and
follow directions to use pieces of the same thickness.
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You can't help but get movement in your designs on a round surface. Members of the class
were nice enough to let me roam around and take pictures.
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E again---concentrating. You really have to think small areas with this sort of projects, or
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...go with a pattern and stick to it, long as those pieces don't run out!
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Here's Lisa gave technical advise and encouragement.
Mosaics like this are not for the hesitant, because the adhesive can become crusty in no time.
Then, you spend more time scraping stuff off then getting anything done.
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Group shot, to show you how different the bowling balls morphed into gazing balls.
Flowers were a big theme and super for the round shape.
Everyone was encouraged to take home extra pieces to complete the bottom at home.
A quick tutorial on how to grout your piece, was given and after three hours or so--
we were all sent home in the snow.
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I started with these sort of flower mandalay type shapes.
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The leaves are toward the bottom. I worked with glass pieces surrounding my focal points.
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Loved all the vintage dishes worked into shapes. There is some transferware here.
I'm pretty freeform and work with however my pieces break.
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This circle has mostly iridescent glass---which should show up brilliant with sunlight.
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Blue and white----Most of my chipped cracked dishes were blue and white. I used a few low bowl pieces on here, which were great for the round shape.
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on the other side more blue and white.
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I finally found this wire vase late last fall, perfect as a stand for my first Mosaic Garden Ball.
I think this post qualifies for vintage, even though I created something NEW.
Now to mix up some mossy green grout...
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This made quite a mess in the kitchen but went very fast. Roughly 30 min, from mixing to the end.
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After the grout is totally set, I will go back and scrub the surface clean with a scrubby.
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Now to spray the base, that will be another day, if we ever get Spring.
Thanks always for visiting.
I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.
All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.
Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission.
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle
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Sandi
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What a neat class! Miss Lisa is quite talented... and so are you! Love your creation and I bet it will look Fab when you set it out among the flowers (or wherever you plan to display it!) Thanks so much for visiting my Bella Blog and my LuRay post. Enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jillian, I have plans for a birth bath, and some patio tables. When the weather is warmer, it's a great craft to do under the trees. Sandi
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you found these photos, Sandi! I would so love to take a class on mosaics. Yours turned out so pretty and I'll bet you have it in your garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit to my post on my pistachio Bundt cake. I hope your hubby will like it!
Only real trick for mosaics is to have the proper tool for cutting plates etc, not the $10.00 version but a proper rotating disc tile cutter for about $30.00. The rest is imagination, adhesive and grout. Thanks for stopping by, Sandi
DeleteOH WOW.... I absolutely love them... all of them. I would love to make something like that
ReplyDeleteYes, Cherie, they were all gorgeous---and different. Letting people go with their imaginations and no strict rules, works every time. Thanks for stopping by, Sandi
DeleteOh wow, this is amazing. I would love to make something like this. Not sure if there is any classes around where I live but I will check it out. You did some great pieces :) Thanks for stopping by and linking up.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just think doing is the best teaching method. You can get great online tutorials. Thanks, Sandi
DeleteThis sounds like a fun class and your project turned out great!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and for visiting, Sandi
DeleteWould love to try this. Wish I was close to you.
ReplyDeleteCookie, try looking at some online videos, etc. The biggest thing is the cutter. I have used the cheap one---really sucks, and the expensive one which makes life easier. So for a $30.00 investment and a pile of broken dishes, you could make just about anything. Thanks for stopping by, Sandi
DeleteIt's beautiful Sandy! I have a friend that has done a lot of glass projects. She has done a bowling ball and also covered a wooden bird house. They are both darling! Last year she told me how and I covered a birdhouse that I have on a pole out back. Never got around to grouting it and now it's all falling off. Darn! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Thanks so much for your visit!
DeleteYes, the grouting----is the secret and is what makes it weather proof. Another step is to really seal all the wood with a primer, inside and out if possible. I'm on to some small table tops for the front porch as soon as the weather improves. Thanks for stopping by, Sandi
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visit!
DeleteThanks for sharing your post on Dagmar's Home! The new link party is open: http://www.dagmarbleasdale.com/2017/04/dreamcatcher-dagmars-home-link-party-161/
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
DeleteMosaic Love! Great post! How many hours was the class? Your instructor was very organized! It seems it takes me probably more than 15 hours to make a bowling ball, but I don't have pieces ready to go. They are so pretty in the garden.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jeanne. The class was about 3 hours...she was great! We basically did the grouting at home...but she had a video up and she demo'd it also in class. Almost everyone got their ball done, but many people were 'repeat offenders', LOL. I want to try a chair for the garden this spring. Just looking for something that is clean lines! Hugs, and good luck! Sandi
DeleteOh, how pretty! I love it. I know you had fun making it. Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 100 for Spring Crafts and Décor. Pinned.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dee. Mosaics are fun! I have to do some surgery on it this year! Sandi
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