Crafts and Decorative Arts

Pencil holders, frames, centerpieces, cards, and cakes are just a few of the craft projects constructed from matboard featured in this book by designer Eileen Hull. Learn design and decorating tips on cutting a variety of creative matboard art and craft projects for the home, weddings, holidays, and gifts. Author — Eileen Hull. Paperback. 72 pages. 8½" × 11" (22 cm × 28 cm).

Tap into artist Laurie Mika's passion for mixing it up with polymer clay tiles, beads, found objects, and other embellishments. You'll learn how to create your own unique handmade tiles, both simple and complex. Then paint them, stamp them, bead, and bejewel them to create jewelry, relic boxes, and mosaicons — Mika’s term for iconic pieces that tell stories or pay homage to beloved people and places. 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, and creating molds. Tips for combining handcrafted tiles with traditional mosaic tile, grout alternatives, and more are also covered. This vividly illustrated book also features an extensive techniques section and 18 step-by-step projects designed for all skill levels. Throughout, Mika encourages you to remain open to materials and techniques that you may not have considered before, finding magic and inspiration as you embark on your creative journey. This book is a must for all mixed media, collage, and jewelry artists! Author — Laurie Mika. Paperback. 128 pages. 8½" × 11".

This Paper Mosaics video offers a terrific way to teach elementary-grade students about the wonderful world of mosaics! Art educator Peggy Flores introduces the art of creating mosaics with cut paper shapes. She demonstrates step by step how to make a mosaic portrait, landscapes, and other interesting projects. VHS. 21 minutes.