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Beginner's Guide to Making Mosaics - 16 Easy-to-Make Projects for Any Space
by Delphine Lescuyer
Fox Chapel Publishing
ISBN 978-1-4971-0017-6
Published 2019 - Softcover - 128 pages - $17.99

For the longest time my only experience with mosaic was limited to the tiny blue and white square tiles around friends' swimming pools.  I later came across a table top on the porch of a friend's house and then mosaics in museums.  From the moment I opened this book and saw all sixteen projects, I thought "I can try this!"  And I don't mean the table or the window sill, rather the other fourteen projects appear do-able, at least to this beginner.  Mosaicist Delphine Lescuyer has her own studio in France (since 2001) and is self-taught and she kindly shares her artistic abilities and creations with us in her book.  I was delighted to hear her say that glass plates or old porcelain or tiles or even shells and pebbles can be incorporated into a mosaic. Sounds a lot like the mixed media art I'm getting into without having to buy plates and whatnot.  Firstly, you learn about the tools you'll need, the safety aspect, the cutting techniques and the glues and goop to hold things in place.  I fancy the grouting part the most.  I like the way each project is step by step with accompanying numbered photos so you can see what you're supposed to be doing at any given stage.  I love the Garden Ornaments project, the Garden Light and the Exotic Bird.  These ideas really appeal to me and I can see myself mixing things up and using all sorts of colors, textures and thicknesses, much like mixed media collage.  Some ideas that might appeal or encourage you are coasters, frames, a tray, plant pot, a trivet or an easy paperweight.