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Instructor: Laurie Mika

Laurie Mika's unique style is back combining three different components into a finished project in the trifecta of mixed media classes. This is a technique-driven, jam-packed two day class to create a beautiful polymer clay mosaic lid treasure box. A variety of tile making techniques will be covered that include painting, stamping, gold leafing, embedding, layering and transferring. Instructor will also provide techniques and suggestions for painting and altering your box. There is also a small tin niche from Mexico that we will paint and collage and this will be incorporated into the mosaic on top.

Aside from being decorative and providing a bit of Mexican folk art influence to this project, the tin niche will serve a function as it will hold an embedded heart pendant. This pendant will be created using a heart bezel that will supplied along with the niche and the box as part of the kit fee. In the end you will leave class with a gorgeous treasure box with a beautiful heart pendant that can be worn and then displayed on your box.

$25.00 materials fee includes, box, Mexican tin niche and bezel

Student Supply List

5-6 small packages of either Premo or Sculpey III polymer clay-assorted colors to include a color in the red family for your heart pendant (if you like!) Make sure the clay is somewhat soft by pressing your thumb into it, if it feels rock hard, don't buy it! Please pre-condition clay prior to class by kneading it until soft and then rolling into a ball and storing in a baggie.

1 small package of white/ivory clay (for stamping and transfers)

Rolling Pin or even PVC pipe works

A few small tubes of acrylic paint to paint the box, for a Mexican inspired palette think of oranges, purples, turquoise and my favorite color quinacridone nickle azo gold!!!

A few paintbrushes to include a one-inch brush and a fine detail brush

Black Staz-On Ink pad

Doo-dads to embed in clay like charms, buttons, beads, found objects, Milagros, jewelry parts, watch parts, metal findings, wings, crowns, page pebbles. ALSO bring a few tiny little bits and pieces to use in your heart bezel and on your niche See photo for ideas.

A small bag of glass mosaic tiles - IMA has tons to choose from

OPTIONAL - Collage images to use in the niche and perhaps on inside of box if there is time. I will be bringing a few sheets to share.

Metal leaf - a limited amount will be available to share.

Institute of Mosaic Art  |  Oakland, California  |  info@instituteofmosaicart.com  |  510.437.9899  |  Copyright © 2010 Institute of Mosaic Art. All rights reserved.
Masthead: Left and Right: Mosaic Detail by Laurel True, Middle: Mosaic by Amy Neiman