An Introduction to Garden Mosaic
Dates: n/a
Location: Elphin by Ullapool
Course Places : n/a
Price : n/a
On this short course you will learn the core skills for making weather-resistant mosaics and will take home at least three works: a large decorative wall plaque, or a small three-dimensional object such as a bird bath and also a simple design onto slate - all designed, cut and grouted by your own fair hands and utterly unique in their character. In addition, you will also make a mosaic-decorated stepping stone.
Jan has been teaching mosaic workshops for almost 20 years now and is a consummate recycler of all sorts of materials, including crockery in all its glorious forms. This is a course for beginners, so she will demonstrate every stage of the process and you will be able to interpret you ideas in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. You will learn a variety of cutting techniques, including how to cut open wine bottles, which will alllow you to convert this glass and ceramics into mosaic art for the garden. And you will leave with the absolutely key knowledge of which materials are suitable for using in an outdoor setting and which will withstand the rigours of the Scottish climate.
We will start the first day by making a reverse method mosaic-decorated stepping stone using ready-shaped mosaic materials which makes it so easy for the beginner. After that, we will look at some of Jan's mosaic work and browse some books and images, as we discuss early ideas for the design of your own, more intricate mosaic works using the direct method of mosaic.
Then we will go through the processes of planning a design, choosing materials and learning how to make the shapes that will carry your design. By the afternoon, you will be deep in your main project, enjoying the calm that comes with a creative atmosphere. By the end of the day you should be in a confident rhythm of your own and may find it difficult to stop!
On the second morning, we continue with our work and you will be amazed at how a second day in a row improves your skill and your speed. Before lunch you will have finished the main project and you will have time to make at least one design onto a slate background. But we will stop glueing at lunchtime, so that we have the afternoon to grout and polish the wall plaques and stepping stone and to discuss the list of equipment and materials that you will need to carry on this craft.
Lunches, refreshments, equipment and materials are provided and included in the price. Please be sure to wear old clothes and old shoes, since making mosaic does involve using glue and grout. This course is aimed at beginners, so no experience of mosaic is required.
This weekend is an excellent introduction, and a good preparation, for the more in-depth five-day course called 3D/2D Garden Mosaics which is held at the same venue.
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Much of the attraction of this area of the country is the wildness it has retained as a result of the limited impact of human habitation. Of course, this means that there are fewer choices of accommodation for the intrepid visitor, but there are still a wide number of options, many of which can be found on the Accommodation links page.
To read about an innovative community partnership approach to preserving and improving this landscape for the benefit of all, have a look at Coigach and Assynt Living Landscapes. To find out about the fascinating geology of this area go to North West Highland Geopark.
