Lifestyle
T hinking of mosaics, you’re probably going to picture Roman and Greek artworks. But it doesn’t have to be that complicated, as you can even make mosaic art at home. So, if you’re looking for a new hobby, why not give this ancient art a go?
What is a mosaic?
Amosaic is defined as a pattern or picture made of small pieces of stone, glass or ceramic and held in place by plaster.
And throughout history – from the Iron Age to now – they have been used to decorate floors, walls and ceilings, as well as to create decorative ornaments.
Consisting of broken ceramics, historical looters were never that interested in nicking mosaics, which means we have lots of information about what the past looks like. Mosaics have shown us how people dressed, their sporting activities, Gods, rituals, weapons and tools. For example, the Madaba Map in Jordan shows what the Holy Land would have looked like.
You don’t have to travel far to see some beautiful examples – there’s some right here in the UK:
• The Roman Baths, Bath – showcases 2,000 years of Roman history, including the intricate mosaic of the old bath house
• St Paul’s Cathedral, London – mosaics were added to the dome ceilings after Queen Victoria remarked the domes looked dreary in 1891. With glass pieces used to catch the light, many depict the death of Christ.
• Aldborough Roman Site, Yorkshire – this preserved Roman settlement features two original Roman pavements.
So, why not check out these beautiful mosaics for inspiration?
Look for local craft groups on Facebook. They may be able to offer tips and classes!
5 QUESTIONS WITH RhonaFerrierCrafts
Rhona Ferrier runs her small business selling beautiful, decorative mosaics.
Here she shares how she got started, and how you can get involved, too.
• Search for RhonaFerrierCrafts on etsy.com
1. Could you tell us a little more about your business and how you got into mosaic making?
I first started dabbling in mosaics over 20 years ago. I amassed lots of sample ceramic tiles and rather than dispose of them, I smashed them up and made table tops or mirror frames.
I have always had a passion for recycling and upcycling and started to incorporate beach finds, old jewellery and old crockery.
My business really started during lockdown in 2020 as I found myself creating more and more pieces and began to sell at craft fairs and online in my Etsy shop.
2. Can anyone do it?
Yes! I believe anyone can create beautiful and unique art or objects using mosaics.
You’ll need some practical skills too, such as gluing and grouting.
It’s all fun to learn!
When I made my first mosaic, I just had a hammer fo
