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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some people are extremely controlled and methodical and
follow directions to use pieces of the same thickness.
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.
E again---concentrating. You really have to think small areas with this sort of projects, or
...go with a pattern and stick to it, long as those pieces don't run out!
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.
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.
I started with these sort of flower mandalay type shapes.
The leaves are toward the bottom. I worked with glass pieces surrounding my focal points.
Loved all the vintage dishes worked into shapes. There is some transferware here.
I'm pretty freeform and work with however my pieces break.
This circle has mostly iridescent glass---which should show up brilliant with sunlight.
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.
on the other side more blue and white.
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...
This made quite a mess in the kitchen but went very fast. Roughly 30 min, from mixing to the end.
After the grout is totally set, I will go back and scrub the surface clean with a scrubby.
Now to spray the base, that will be another day, if we ever get Spring.
Thanks always for visiting.
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Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle
I will be sharing at these fine Parties!
