I started running mosaic workshops in my small studio last summer. The current course is nearly at an end and I am just having a ball with yet another wonderful group of students.
I have a professional training background, so facilitating learning is not new to me, but I am surprised just how much I am enjoying running these courses. Actually, its more than enjoyment. It actually makes me happy.
Here’s what is causing my glee.
- seeing work that didn’t exist come into being, at the hand of people who did not know they could do it and have suddenly discovered they can
- the sheer beauty and variety of the work that emerges
- watching people who have not made something with their hands for a while suddenly start breathing with their creative selves again
- creating new mosaic addicts (key symptoms – hoarding of shiny things; looking with great interest at at kitchen and bathroom tiling; saying “oh, I wonder if I can use that in a mosaic?” before throwing something away!)
- sharing the sheer love of materials – the colour, the reflection, the shiny, the matt, smooth and bumpy – and the feeling of possibility at what these broken pieces of tile and glass can become
- seeing that each student, right from the start, has their own style, their own unique creative hand – and watching that emerge.
I really feel privileged to be facilitating both the love and skill of mosaic and the amazing process of discovering creativity that these classes bring.
My next course starts on 1st June for 6 weeks and there are a couple of places left. If you live in or near South West London and think you might want to join in, contact me or visit my web site for more info – I’d love to have you join us!
Hi, this is great.I always wondered what's the minimum age at which someone can start. how about safety when it comes to children? if you have experience on this, I will love to hear it. thank you and all the best.
Hi, Concetta, Barbara (co-pilot at Kelly-Rae's course) here. How beautiful! Your mosaics, and your teaching (I LOVE the family mosaic idea!). I agree with everything you say, having taught origami in the past. I'd like to start teaching something creative again, but I am still figuring it out (something different from origami). I am confident that following this course together with so many kindred spirits will set a lot of energy in motion.
I don't know why you could not access my blog, would you be so kind to try again and let me know, please? It is the first time it happens and I do not know why. "See" you soon in class!
These classes look like so much fun and how convenient to have the space to host them in your studio! I agree, teaching is so rewarding! I always feel I learn a lot when I teach, it forces you to remember the basics and the why and what's.
Hi – visiting from Amelia. I am going to take a mini mosaic course as I have a piece of furniture I want to decorate. Too bad I live outside of Paris and can't come to you. Your mosaics are beautiful (that I see in the pics here).
Hi everyone, thanks for lovely and kind comments, always so encouraging to read. Barbar, I think its never too young, depending what you use. If you look on the left column and click "Get Creative: making mosaics with children" and go to the oldest post in this series I have written about mosaicing with childre and stuff you can use that's not dangerous and also different projects. I have found a great glass material that's really safe for little ones too and Isabella has made her first grouted mosaic! I hope to post about it next week. cx
when I win the lottery, I'm coming over and taking your course 😉
Those mosaics are impressive! I can imagine how fun it would be to watch that process happen in your students.
Concetta,
I would love to take your class if only I lived in London. I'm glad it's bringing you such happiness.?
Love,
Jenny
ohmigosh.
I happened across you from Amelia's website – i considered taking her summer course but have to save for my big move… to London, England. You see, I am a social worker here in Canada and am restless, so I am hopping ponds and dropping in on London. What a fluke that YOU have social work experience, too! Do you have time to share some experiences with me?
I have loved dabbling in mosaics! popping in from the Flying Lesson e-course; see you there! -Robin
Thanks for popping in co pilots 🙂 will get to return visits soon!
Persephpone – more than happy to share experiences! Email me (see above or link to my wesite for email). x