A very interesting book and it helped me decide it is probably not a hobby for me! However, if you want to try making your own mosaiics, I would certainly recommend it to you.

Make Your Own Mosaics by Helen Miles is a great resource for anyone looking to venture into the world of mosaics. I will add, though, this book is a bit more comprehensive than I was looking for in a beginner's instructional book.

The author has included a great deal of history on mosaic development as well as photos of museum quality pieces that left me feeling somewhat intimidated to give it a try. Many of the projects are larger in size and detailed in ways that a beginner may feel overwhelmed. I did enjoy reading over instructions for a house number project and may revisit this book at a later time when my comfort level has increased.
Also, noteworthy and a highlight for me, is a Beach Walk Mosaic project that uses found and recycled materials resulting in the most glorious piece and maybe just the project to get my toes wet.

Many thanks to Pen & Sword, White Owl and Netgalley for this ARC (all opinions expressed in this review are authentically mine).

Make Your Own Mosaics is a tutorial guide with templates for mosaic projects by Helen Miles. Due out 30th May 2023 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a well written and logically arranged teach-yourself course for beginning to quite advanced mosaic technique. The author (a mosaic artist & teacher) puts together an accessible and graphically appealing set of learning materials. The book is arranged in chapters from a surprisingly concise and comprehensive historical background, through materials, cutting and gluing techniques, and a well ordered historical perspective for techniques. The theory chapters are followed by 8 project tutorials. Each tutorial includes introduction and explanations for the project, supplies lists, step-by-step directions and -many- photographs. Photos are clear and without hands or tools figleafing the action shots.

The book has the feel of a well arranged and led workshop/retreat with a gifted teacher. I can imagine Ms. Miles is a worthwhile and engaging learning resource. For the folks who can't take a class or workshop in person, this book could be an acceptable substitute.

The resource/links guide in the back of the book with stockists is slanted toward readers in the UK, but most (if not all) of the supplies can be found online for readers elsewhere in the world.

Five stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, home studio, makers groups, and similar.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Great book - I have done some mosaics in my time, and I found this book covers a lot of information - much of the information is very useful and not seen in other books. Great photos and a little history to start with, but the best are the lovely projects, and how to create them to look both professional and fun.
Really like this book, modern ideas and easy to follow instructions.Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DRC

Just what I was looking for- a book on mosaics. It actually solved the issue of what to do to a table own, but want a new look for! It's abit advanced for what I want to accomplish, but a fascinating read with lots of great art for inspiration. I Enjoyed this book, but will be looking for books that show me HOW to begin my journey in mosaics!
Great book for those interested in mosaic art.

Make Your Own Mosaics: Ancient Techniques to Contemporary Art is an information, ideas and instruction book all in one. The pictures and photography are wonderful and so inspiring. It looks at historical mosaics right through to modern contemporary design. Information on tools, techniques and step by step instructions for each project are included. The structure of the book is easy to follow and the writing is clear and easy to understand. Overall this is a brilliant book, just browsing through will fill you with inspiration.

I am absolutely fascinated with mosaics. It might possibly be one of my favorite art mediums. The history and images depicted in the beginning of this book was fascinating. I From Mesopotamia to ancient Rome, Turkey and beyond they are all so unique and stunning - including Mexico and their use of turquoise. Mosaics are not culturally specific and are prevalent everywhere using various types of material. Various types of shapes and how to cut... I loved every detail of this book. It was easy to follow and I loved it.

Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book. I absolutely loved it. I can't wait to put this to use.

Make Your Own Mosaics is both a history of mosaics and a comprehensive instructional manual. It draws on techniques from the old masters to create modern day art works. Many photos of not only the art itself, but also tools, techniques, and step by step instructions for creating or preparing your own mounting surfaces and mosaic art using different mosaic media illustrate this book. The author communicates information in a straightforward and clear tone with contributes to a overall sense of being able to get started with this craft quickly and confidently.

WOW! This book was WAY more in depth than I was expecting. I had thought this would just be teaching you to use those cheap stick-on little glass/plastic tiles you can get in the arts and craft section and a bunch of stencils for you to follow.. I was very wrong!

This is the real deal - with power tools and everything. Teaching you how to cut stones, apply grout, and about the history of mosaics.

I've picked up this book for curiosity. While it's improbable that I begin a new hobby as I work with many media and subjects already but I've found this volume very informative and as far as I can judge, complete. It's very practical, introduces to materials and techniques, from antique to modern, provides step by step tutorials, is rich in illustrations. If you are interested and dedicate time and effort, this book surely is an excellent guide.

This small volume has an amazing amount of information for would-be mosaic artists, including detail on materials, tools, techniques, and planning out your work. We start with a chapter on mosaics in the ancient world, and the author notes that for thousands of years, humans have felt the call to collect, arrange, and make beautiful things from a variety of media ranging from found objects to professionally made tiles. She reaches back to the ancients for wisdom on planning your mosaic and applying time-honored techniques. The end of the book has several chapters with step by step instructions on sample projects.

Two things set this book apart from some other how-to art books. First, the design and photography are gorgeous, with lots of detailed closeups of techniques and examples of traditional and contemporary mosaics. It is not for the casual hobbyist, but for someone who wants to take this process seriously and create beautiful art.

Thanks to the publisher, Pen and Sword, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a helpful book for getting started with mosaics I did a little mosaic workshop last summer and it gave me a taste for this art, and this book is really useful for helping me carry on with it.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for letting e access this book in exchange for my feedback.

This is a thorough book for those who want to get serious about doing mosaics. I had hoped it would have directions for the casual crafter who wants to inexpensively create things like stepping stones and garden pots with the kids. There are a couple of projects like that but this is really for someone wanting to do it “right “ with proper tools, materials and techniques. I had hoped for more projects and inspiration but the book does excel at showing detailed steps and addressing issues you may not even think of. I appreciated the projects based on replicating and learning from historical pieces. There are interesting examples of work by modern artists too.

I read a temporary digital arc of this book for review.

I don’t need any more hobbies but making your own mosaics sounds like a wonderful craft to pick up! Imagine the possibilities, for decorating your own house and later further down the line, even making some to sell.. This book looks like a good one to pick up to learn some basic techniques and designs with step by step instructions accompanied by photographs.. Some of the projects are really appealing They would look stunning in any setting.

4 stars for me.

This is such a thorough guide to mosaic making and there's far more to it than I had initially thought! I've read the overview and equipment, health and safety and preparation in readiness for starting my own projects. This book has given me the impetus to start on something over the winter months and I look forward to referring back to the book as I go along. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my early copy, the illustrations look fabulous and this is going to be stunning in print!