Mosaic Classes

Glass Shack Studio offers parent-child mosaic classes, private, and group classes for all ages. Class fee is $12.50 per hour which includes the use of glass and tools. The schedule is designed around your needs and wants. So come on over to our quaint Old West Side Mosaic Studio in Ann Arbor and experience a new art form that has been describe as "therapeutic", "relaxing", "inspiring", and "life changing"! One of my aims is to encourage people to continue with mosaics as a lifelong endeavor and I hope to make your visit comfortable, fun, and inspiring! 

If you would like to sign up or have any questions, please call me (Haley) at (734) 904-4663. Looking forward to seeing all of the new mosaics that will be created this year!

Thank you!

What a wonderful 2009 Ann Arbor art fair we had this year! Weather was perfecto and economy seemed on the up and up!

It truly was a pleasure meeting old and new friends this year and I want to thank everyone! How interesting it is to meet such fascinating people like Dr. Richard Tashian who is the "world's leading expert on the structure, function, genetics, & evolution of the carbonic anhydrase gene family"... OMG, not sure that I would understand all of his knowledge, but what a swell human being!! So happy to gain new incites, perspectives, & inspirations like these at the South University art fair. Thanks to many for all of the helpful advice and neat stories that always help in guiding me in my own life- couldn't have asked for a better fair! 

Ann Arbor South University Art Fair 2009

You are cordially invited to come visit my booth at Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair 2009. Fair date will be Wednesday, July 15- Saturday, July 18th. Glass Shack Studio will be located on S. University Street between Forest and Washtenaw. Booth # is lucky 13!

Hope to see you there!

Mosaic process- "Direct Method"

People often ask what do I use for the background in  my mosaics? And they also wonder how the glass shards are applied. After much inquiry and hearing various answers regarding what is the best kind of background to use, I have concluded that it is a hard plywood- either an Oak or Birch plywood. These kinds of wood are easily obtainable from your local stores, say like Lowe's. Lowe's will also cut the wood for you.

Here is an image that may help beginner mosaicists see how the process works! This is just one method of applying glass to a surface and it is known as the "direct method". Each shard of glass is applied with Weldbond glue, one shard at a time. The other method would be the "indirect method" which is where you would use like a thin-set mortar and press your glass shards down into it; like a stepping stone type application.

I use the "direct method" as it allows me more time to design my mosaic. 

Feel free to blog any questions you may have about mosaicing! I think you need to sign up to do that- yikes not sure exactly how that works. Let me know if you are having trouble, and I'll try and see about that.

GLASS SHACK STUDIO STUDENT WORKS!!!

Finally, introducing Glass Shack Studio and some of my cherished students and their masterpieces- Yaaaaaay!!! For class information go to www.GlassShackStudio.com

Snapshots of parent-child mosaic class fun!

Kanika's Tree of Life Mosaic!

Kanika's Tree of Life! Kanika came to me wanting to decorate her Grandmother's console table that had been passed down to her. What a super, incredible person I found her to be!! She is so far the speediest of my students and one whom I learned a lot from. Because of her, I am now making mosaics on a larger scale. Thank you for the inspiration and conversations that are hard to come by!!

More Mosaics from Prized Students!

Hard at work!

Prized Mosaic Students!

Jean is taking a class with her daughter. Here's introducing her daughter's fabulous mermaid! Wow, the little ones seem to top them all! 

Prized Mosaic Students!

Eight year-olds, can you believe it?!

Here is one of Kirsten's daughter's many works. It is very surprising to me how she whips her mosaics together, while having very definite ideas at the same time. She is not interested in her mother or me giving her any kinds of ideas what so ever!

This little mosaicer is an avid designer of dresses and creates them out of magazines, twigs, leaves, clay, glass, and anything she can get her hands on.

This prized piece is entitled, "Three Ladies Dancing Under the Moon".

Middle school student's Gecko mosaic!

This is a a middle school student's mosaic of a gecko- beautiful color scheme and patterns. I'm always amazed at how fast the younger students work- they don't hold back on anything! 

Yuka's grapes!

A dear sweet person in this world, and a kind friend! Thanks for all of the fun and all of your help along the way Yuka! Beautiful colors and patterns!!

Kirsten's "Oooohm" mosaic

Kirsten wins the vote for "Most Enthusiastic Mosaic Student"- hands down! She has been taking mosaic classes along with her wonderfully talented and young fashionista daughter for 3 years now! Thank you for making classes so enchanting and fun!! 

Star mosaic from Kazuyo

Star mosaic from Kazuyo. Check out her etsy shop at www.prettybags.etsy.com where she specializes in making beautiful beaded purses, belts, and jewelry!

www.GlassShackStudio.com

Stay tuned for more student works; many are in progress- can't wait to post them!!

Pink Iridescent Shards

mjmosaics.etsy.com used these pink iridescent shards in her oh so cute picture frame!

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION- THANK YOU!

Thank you to all of my etsy customers who have come to me mostly for shards, questions, or a good 'ole chat. All have voiced inspiration in making their mosaics! Here's introducing mjmosiacs.etsy.com- quite clever!

By mjmosiacs.etsy.com

Picture frame holds 3 6" x 4" photos. The stamps and polymer tiles she used come from GreeneGoddess.etsy.com- very cool!

www.shinyshards.etsy.com

www.shinyshards.etsy.com

Here you will find an up and coming mosaic artist who will soon make her debut at SoWa (www.southendopenmarket.com) market art show in Boston, Massachusetts; it is held each Sunday from mid-May through October. She has lots of work in the making and it has been interesting for me to see each new evolving piece! She has more mosaic pieces in her shop ranging from humorous yoga-themed poses, fluffy rescue dogs, springtime scenes, seascape scenes, mirrors and more. Wishing her the very best at the SoWa show in Boston!!

 

www.hoopsandloops.etsy.com

www.hoopsandloops.etsy.com

Hoops made this darling little tree and told me how excited she was when she finished it. Always, people walk away with a sense of accomplishment. I do remember that feeling after my first piece. Never stopped making them since! What a darling little tree! She then went on to make this beautiful flower, so Zen-like in it's simplicity- love it!

In Hoop's shop you will find ornate jewelry and also, really cool hoola-hoops for you avid hoolaers. Thanks to her unusually talented daughter, Hoops has designed all sorts of hoola-hoops. She will customize them for you too!

NEW SPRING ARRIVAL GLASS SHARDS FOR MOSAICS!

Hey crafters, come check out some of the best supplies on etsy! Team ESST (Etsy Supply Street Team) is hosting another APRIL SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA from April 2nd- April 5th! Here you will find great deals on all sorts of supplies!

http://glassshack.etsy.com will be offering 1 set of 100+ Youghiogheny shards with any order!

Check out Glass Shack Studio's beautiful spring arrivals like these fantastic "poppy" shards- definitely my personal favorite!

VISIT: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6102925 for Team Etsy's APRIL SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA  for wonderful supply needs!

ETSY SUPPLY STREET TEAM ON http://BlockheadRadioLive.com, TONIGHT, MARCH 24 AT 8PM EST

Hey all of you crafters out there, here's a chance to come and find out what ETSY SUPPLY STREET TEAM is all about! Members of this etsy team are being interviewed TONIGHT, MARCH 24, 2009 at 8pm EST live on:

 http://BlockheadRadioLive.com

Check out our wonderful team leader's etsy shop:

http://CarDonCreativeDesign.etsy.com

here you will find an endless supply of beads, from pearls to pendants! And such items as this:

Visit http://EtsySupplyStreetTeam.etsy.com to find all sorts of supplies for your crafting needs as well as the artists behind these supplies!

Iridescent Shards for Mosaics

These are my personal favorites! I love the iridescent hues and how they enhance any mosaic art work! Visit http://glassshack.etsy.com for more!

Etsy Supply Street Team Shopping Extravaganza this weekend!

Come check out Team ESST (Etsy Supply Street Team) where you will find some great deals on crafting supplies this weekend!

I am participating in the March Shopping Extravaganza sponsored by Team ESST from Thursday, March 5 - Sunday, March 8. 

Visit: http://etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6067724 for great supply finds for your crafting needs! 

I'll be offering 1 free set of 100 glass shards, your choice, with any order. As well, free shipping on orders $50.- and over! Extravaganza will end on Sunday.

"Hungry Giraffes"

Media: stained glass mosaic on Oak

Size: 8.4" x 24"

Price: $775.00

haley@glassshackstudio.com

Added extras: grouts contains a beautiful glitter that gives a sort of pearlized effect.