Mosaic workshops
Mosaic and glass fusion classes with Arendse
2011-2012 CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
Sat Oct 22 2011: Mosaic Technique
Mon Oct 24: Add Fusions!
Sat Oct 29: Glass on Glass
Mon Oct 31: Fused Glass Plate Making
Sat Nov 19: Fused Glass Plate Making
Mon Nov 21: Glass on Glass
Sat Nov 26: Add Fusions!
Mon Nov 28: Mosaic Technique
Sat Jan 14 2012: Fused Glass Plate Making
Mon Jan 16: Glass on Glass
Sat Jan 28: Add Fusions!
Mon Jan 30: Mosaic Technique
Sat Feb 18: Glass on Glass
Mon Feb 20: Fused Glass Plate Making
Sat Feb 25: Mosaic Technique
Mon Feb 27: Add Fusions!
Sat Mar 17: Fused Glass Plate Making
Mon Mar 19: Glass on Glass
Sat Mar 24: Add Fusions!
Mon Mar 26: Mosaic Technique
Sat Apr 21: Glass on Glass
Mon Apr 23: Fused Glass Plate Making
Sat Apr 28: Mosaic Technique
Mon Apr 30: Add Fusions!
Sat May 12: Fused Glass Plate Making
Mon May 14: Glass on Glass
Sat May 19: Add Fusions!
Mon May 21: Mosaic Technique
Sat Jun 9: Glass on Glass
Mon Jun 11: Fused Glass Plate Making
Sat Jun 16: Mosaic Technique
Mon Jun 18: Add Fusions!
Book on 2 classes and get the opportunity of making your own smalti. Please see more below.
I, Arendse, will be your tutor and I have taught mosaic classes for the past 6 years. For 2 years I was the teaching assistant of mosaic artist Martin Cheek, helping out on courses in the UK, Italy, Greece, Australia and New Zealand. I have taught summer school at Missenden Abbey in Buckinghamshire and for 3 years I have run weekly classes from my previous location in Ramsgate, Kent.
For student testimonial please see the bottom of this page.
All 1 day workshops run on Saturdays and now also on Mondays from 10.15 am - 5.15 pm with a break for a lovely lunch.
The venue is my private studio in Surrey Quays, London. For the classes I have my own personal range of materials handy but you are encouraged to bring your own.
As the studio is rather small, numbers are limited to 6 course participant per class. This does on the other hand ensure lots of individual attention.
Making mosaics and glassware in a detailed and thorough way is very time consuming but also a very rewarding process that will result in end products giving you lasting pleasure. In other words: the courses are not as much about what you finish on the day but more importantly about what you learn, which will equip you to continue making mosaics and glassware (if you have your own kiln) on your own after you have finished the course.
The tuition is carried out in a friendly and inspiring atmosphere and there is always room for personal tuition; also in what is not scheduled. The key to your learning is you and your progress. Hence I am always happy to look at your portfolio or help and guide you with any other project that you are considering or currently working on.
MOSAIC TECHNIQUE COURSE - course description
For people who may or may not have experience with mosaics that would like to know about Roman laying technique and direct and indirect method.
This course is an inspiring introduction for those who are new to mosaics but also to those who already have some experience. Should you be a novice you can without too much effort or too great a financial investment get to try out mosaic making hands on to see if you like it and it is a craft for you. You may also have been at it for a while but would like to learn about the Roman way of laying the tiles and indirect technique. Or you may ‘just’ need inspiration or an excuse to take a day out and sit down and have some mosaics done.
During this one day workshop, you will be introduced to various materials (mainly Italian smalti, millefiori and Sicis tiles), adhesives, bases and tools relevant to mosaic making. We will go through design considerations peculiar to mosaics, cutting and grouting techniques and hence you will be guided through the creation of your first mosaic or improving your skills on one of the following.
I teach the Roman way of laying the mosaic pieces but you are free to use other techniques. I like high quality and handmade/natural tiles myself; also here you see the Italian influence. You may work in glass, natural stone and mixed media as you please. Please don’t hesitate to bring your own materials. Should the class wish it this is also the course where you can have indirect mosaic demonstrated (on paper or plastic) and you can see how to cast a garden slap.
This 1 day course should enable you to improve your skills and take on more complicated projects on your own on the way into the fascinating, colourful world of mosaics.
Price: £80.00 including lunch but excluding materials. 10% off for returnees.
Material costs start from about £5-10 for a mosaic of 20 x 20 cm in area.
Mosaic technique. Course dates & time:
2011: Sat Oct 22, Mon Nov 28.
2012: Mon Jan 30, Sat Feb 25, Mon Mar 26, Sat Apr 28, Mon May 21, Sat Jun 16.
10.15 am - 5.15 pm.
GLASS ON GLASS COURSE - course description
For people new to or wanting to work glass on glass.
You may or may not have experience with mosaic making already. What this workshop focuses on is mixing the techniques of mosaic with the wonderful translucent quality of stained glass. You will thus be able to decorate lampshades, vases, storm lights and panels allowing the light to shine through your piece without having to deal with all the difficult and poisonous leading of traditional stained glass.
During this workshop, you will be introduced to the various materials, adhesives, bases and tools; go through cutting and grouting techniques and in doing so, guide you through your first glass on glass mosaic(s). I provide a small range of glass bases to choose from. If you are to bring your own bases chose something not bevelled. IKEA is excellent for suitable glass bases. Depending on the size of the glass base and the difficulty of your pattern or design, you may be able to finish more than one piece during this workshop.
Price: £80.00 including lunch but excluding materials. 10% off for returnees.
Material costs will start at about £15.00 for a square glass lamp, 10 cm wide and 20 cm high.
Glass on Glass. Course dates & time:
2011: Sat Oct 29, Mon Nov 21.
2012: Mon Jan 16, Sat Feb 18, Mon Mar 19, Sat Apr 21, Mon May 14, Sat Jun 9.
10.15 am - 5.15 pm.
ADD FUSIONS! - course description
For people with mosaic experience who may or may not know about glass fusing and how to cut sheet glass.
You are familiar with the basics of mosaic making and want to create your own unique fused glass pieces to go into your mosaics. To get an idea of what is ment; please have a look at the fusions in my different sea horses.
You will not be making any mosaics on this course unless you really want to; you will be making your own unique mosaic pieces! Working directly onto a kiln shelf approx 30 cm ø you will spend the day preparing your fusions using Bullseye or Moretti glass, glass pens, wire, foil, rods and frits after your choice. The fired finished results will be sent to you in the post within the week after the course. Then you are ready to start mosaicing...!
Price: £80.00 including lunch but excluding materials. 10% off for returnees.
Dichroic glass, the really shimmery stuff used in the various sea horses, is very expensive, but you don’t have to use dichro, there are several cheaper options and you should get a long way with say £15.00.
Add Fusions! Course dates & time:
2011: Mon Oct 24, Sat Nov 26.
2012: Sat Jan 28, Mon Feb 27, Sat Mar 24, Mon Apr 30, Sat May 19, Mon Jun 18.
10.15 am - 5.15 pm.
FUSED GLASS PLATE MAKING - course description
For people who may or may not have experience with glass fusing and the cutting of sheet glass.
Some participants on my Ad fusion! classes thought it was such fun to create fusible pieces for their mosaics that they have been back several times. Some also took an eager interest in my fused and slumped glassware. So I have now made it possible for you to have a go! On this course you will make 1-2 attractive and fully usable glass dishes (max 30 cm diameter or 20x25 cm square) that will be fired and sent to you in the week after the course. While still indulging in the wonderful and vibrant colours of the mosaics it is a much quicker process which is nice for a change.
This class is a glass fusing class where we shall learn some basics about glass fusing and cutting sheet glass with oil cutters. You will work with Bullseye (COE90) or Moretti sheet glass (COE104) and accessories glass such as rods, millefiori, dicro, frits and perhaps glass line pen, wire and foil.
Price: £80.00 including lunch but excluding materials. 10% off for returnees.
Price per square dish/bowl 20x20 cm start at £5.00. A 30 cm diameter dish/bowl is more like £20-30 in materials depending on size, shape, colour and accessories used. You are very welcome to use your own Bullseye or Moretti glass.
Fused glass plate making. Course dates & time:
2011: Mon Oct 31, Sat Nov 19
2012: Sat Jan 14, Mon Feb 20, Sat Mar 17, Mon Apr 23, Sat May 12, Mon Jun 11
10.15 am - 5.15 pm.
MAKE YOUR OWN SMALTI
For people with mosaic, sheet glass cutting and fused glass experience: If you are booked at 2 of the above classes, you will have the opportunity of making your own smalti. You cast a 6 x 18 cm glass slab (approx 0.5 kg) using colours of your choice on one day. I fire it, and the next time you come you cut it into smalti briquettes using an electric tile saw and good old fashioned hammer and hardy... I can have a maximum of 3 persons doing this per course, so please make sure to book this particular activity in advance by letting me know on booking. Price is an extra £15 including the glass.
BOOKING
Please book by sending a cheque through with your contact details and the name and the date of the course you wish to participate on. If a course needs to be canceled it is so much easier admin wise with the cheques. Please note, that when the courses are filling up there is a slight risk that the course you want may already be taken. Please forgive any inconvenience this may cause.
For directions to VIVA mosaics/Arendse on 322 Rope Street, London SE16 7TY, please go to the bottom of the Contact page.
FEED BACK FROM PREVIOUS WEEKLY CLASSES
”Loved every minute, very inspired by everything around. I think I’ve learnt a lot. Arendse is a great teacher and very creative... Love Nikki”
“...the work I´ve achieved so far has been through your great teaching. Many thanks. Love Mandy”
“Thank you for all your charm, tact and excellent advice... You have reawakened my love of glass - I’ll show you my fusings soon... Much love Flavia”
“...Not only have you inspired me; both my girls have loved mosaic and have learnt more about art than at school... Love Nicky”
“Thank you so much for all your advice, encouragement and enthusiasm. It has been such fun making mosaics with you - and inspiring!... Love Bronwen”
“...When I arrived as a complete beginner and rather unorthodox at times, you were always encouraging and so helpful... Love Carol”
Thanks to everyone in the photos. You look great!
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