About

Mosaic stepping stones are a great addition to any garden and will last a lifetime if you understand the principles of creating mosaic for the outside.  In this class, we create a 12” stepping stone using tile, broken ceramics, glass tile, and glass gems to create a colorful and fun addition to your garden.  We will learn about the different materials that can go outside, the adhesives that are used, and techniques and tricks to create long lasting outdoor mosaic.  The skills learned included breaking plates and other household ceramics, breaking high fired ceramics, and how to deal with mosaic materials of different heights.   Sessions 1 and 2 involve designing the mosaic and adhering the mosaic to the base.  In session 3, we grout and complete the project.

Material Fee $35, paid to the BARN Glass Studio the first day of class.

Instructor: Gillian Allard

Gillian Allard first fell in love with mosaics in Barcelona’s Park Güell after seeing the work of Anton Gaudi. Her first art pieces were stepping stones. She then progressed to furniture and signs. Most of her work is inspired by discarded or broken dishes that become one-of-a-kind functional pieces for the garden and home.  In addition to china, pottery and stoneware, a variety of glass tile and gems, broken tile and found objects are incorporated into her designs.  The breaking of the ceramics is organic and random in nature and one of her goals is to capture that energy.  Recreating memories reusing materials are an important part of her mosaic work.  When someone gives me a broken dish and I can give it back to them recreated and ready to function again, I have united the best elements of this art form.