Rating: 
Summary: I wish I could give it 6 stars!
Review: A great book full of wonderful photos and clear simple explanations. I only wish I had found it sooner.
Rating:
Summary: I wish I could give it 6 stars!
Review: A great book full of wonderful photos and clear simple explanations. I only wish I had found it sooner.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb resource for new/intermediate mosaicists
Review: Emma Biggs has used the "Encyclopedia of Mosaic Techniques" to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with us.It doesn't fit the standard (and effective) format for beginner mosaic books (history, gallery, techniques/materials and projects). In fact there are no projects at all. Instead, the book is broken up into different topics. Here are a few selected at random to show how broad the scope of the book is: "Design Sources" (getting inspiration from tropical fish, fabrics, etc), "Colour in Mosaics", "Workshop Setup", "Cutting Techniques", "Borders", "Central Motifs", "Common Mistakes", "Indirect Method on Paper" (one of the many techniques covered), "Finishing and Fixing" (how to get a professional finish), "Gallery" (finished works with an analysis of what makes each one work, eg use of colour, contrast, light effects, realism). Because there are no set projects, this is not the easiest book to start with. Unless you're really confident I would recommend Leslie Dierks' "Making Mosaics" instead. However, once you've tried a few of the step-by-step projects in that (or a similar book), this should be your next purchase. It will teach you to create your own projects instead of following someone else's. The only think I really didn't like about this book is the way the topics were grouped alphabetically instead by theme. I imagine this is the standard for the "Encyclopaedia of..." series, but it doesn't work for me. If you're going through the book sequentially you go from "Double Reverse Method" to "Finishing and Fixing" to "Glass and Silicone" to "Grouting" to "Indirect Method on Paper". I would have preferred to see all the methods grouped, all the material-related topics grouped, all the design-related topics grouped, etc. But this is a fairly minor niggle given the high quality of the book. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Superb resource for new/intermediate mosaicists
Review: Emma Biggs has used the "Encyclopedia of Mosaic Techniques" to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with us. It doesn't fit the standard (and effective) format for beginner mosaic books (history, gallery, techniques/materials and projects). In fact there are no projects at all. Instead, the book is broken up into different topics. Here are a few selected at random to show how broad the scope of the book is: "Design Sources" (getting inspiration from tropical fish, fabrics, etc), "Colour in Mosaics", "Workshop Setup", "Cutting Techniques", "Borders", "Central Motifs", "Common Mistakes", "Indirect Method on Paper" (one of the many techniques covered), "Finishing and Fixing" (how to get a professional finish), "Gallery" (finished works with an analysis of what makes each one work, eg use of colour, contrast, light effects, realism). Because there are no set projects, this is not the easiest book to start with. Unless you're really confident I would recommend Leslie Dierks' "Making Mosaics" instead. However, once you've tried a few of the step-by-step projects in that (or a similar book), this should be your next purchase. It will teach you to create your own projects instead of following someone else's. The only think I really didn't like about this book is the way the topics were grouped alphabetically instead by theme. I imagine this is the standard for the "Encyclopaedia of..." series, but it doesn't work for me. If you're going through the book sequentially you go from "Double Reverse Method" to "Finishing and Fixing" to "Glass and Silicone" to "Grouting" to "Indirect Method on Paper". I would have preferred to see all the methods grouped, all the material-related topics grouped, all the design-related topics grouped, etc. But this is a fairly minor niggle given the high quality of the book. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: First Rate Design and Technical Information!
Review: Even though I am a beginning mosaic artist, I want detailed information about design techniques, materials to use, and errors that are common to the craft. This book fills the bill - it's got first rate design information and provides examples of the discussion topics. The arrangement of the topics in alphabetical order may be something that others find less than desirable, but if you read the entire book before making any judgments, you'll find that this is a non-issue. I'd recommend purchasing this book, especially if you only want to buy one.
Rating:
Summary: no materials
Review: I have been delighted with the book and technniques that the author offers. It has great photos and information well presented BUT it does not give information or addresses for buying the diferent kinds of mosaic tiles available.
Rating:
Summary: First Rate Design and Technical Information!
Review: I rented this book from my library and am now here purchasing it, because I loved it so much. It is a great collection of basics, supplies needed, various techniques, common mistakes, ideas and inspirations, instructions, classic mosaic artworks and lots of colored pictures, (which even have my daughter asking me when we can try to do some mosaics). Hobby store: here we come!
Even if you just want a new addition for your library, its definetly a great buy.
Rating:
Summary: From library rental to wanting to own it !!!
Review: I rented this book from my library and am now here purchasing it, because I loved it so much. It is a great collection of basics, supplies needed, various techniques, common mistakes, ideas and inspirations, instructions, classic mosaic artworks and lots of colored pictures, (which even have my daughter asking me when we can try to do some mosaics). Hobby store: here we come!
Even if you just want a new addition for your library, its definetly a great buy.
Rating:
Summary: The mosaic bible
Review: I think this is an awesome book. I don't like books with projects because I like to design my own projects and don't like to cookie cutter from a book. So, this is fantastic because it reminds even experienced mosaic artists of all the endless possibilities of techiniques and materials. It goes through EVERYTHING!! And if you are reserching a particular techinique or anything it is all listed in the back and you are ready to go. Tons of important info, might be a little overwhelming for the beginner but it is truly my bible. I recommend this book to all my customers!
Rating:
Summary: The BEST book. Look no further
Review: In all seriousness, this is the best mosaic book out there that I have found. It explains materials, techniques and EVERYTHING you need to work on mosaics. Wish I had found this before I bought other books.
| 
