Quick & Easy Mosaics: Innovative Projects & Techniques

Rating:
Summary: Not very instructive, but nice pictures
Review: I agree with another reviewer that some of the projects shown in this book look rather sloppy, like a beginner's work might look. It seems the author got off easy, providing minimal guidance in equipment and materials, and only giving instructions for 6 simple projects. They include two terra-cotta pieces, a frame (without instructions for attaching a backing), a switchplate, tiny framed "party favor" pictures (worthless in my opinion), covered jar lids, (so-so but easy). The next larger section of the book is filled with photos of finished projects, including little boxes, frames, pots, vases, and tabletops. They are accompanied by brief comments of techniques or materials used to create them, but no instructions. The book finishes with a few pages of line-drawn design patterns, which seem unnecessary since it is easy to see and reproduce the designs by looking at the photos of the finished projects themselves.

The only reason I gave this book a four is for its many photos of projects, and though without instructions, they are for the most part are attractive. I would not recommend it for a beginner, even though the projects are fairly simple, because it is lacking in instruction. Its best use is for browsing and sparking ideas.

Rating:
Summary: Quick and Sloppy
Review: While there are some interesting design ideas and patterns, I found the book very amateurish. Most of the projects that the author illustrates how to make, using glass, are poorly put together and look rushed and haphazard. The grouting is messy and left on several glass tiles. The best examples are in the back of the book and are done by professional artists. However, there is no instruction. I would only buy this book as a last resort for inspiration. Definitely not recommeded for a beginner despite the easy projects.