Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frames February 2019

Update: Registration now open for February 2019!

This unique online intensive is self-paced with weekly live webinars and private project consultations for extra support along the way. Webinar attendance is not required, but encouraged! The webinars are also recorded and added to the class membership area afterwards, available for students to catch up on and or review.

I began offering this online mosaic class in 2014 and over 100 Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frame students have joined since. Over half have are logging in online (with forever access!) from all around the USA and as far away as New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Canada and Australia!

This class is offered just twice a year and introduces many techniques that will influence the way you create mosaics (and other art forms) forever.

Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Students have sold their beautifully completed mirrors from their websites, art shows and have also received commissions inspired by their class project.

Pricing and the Business of Art is also discussed in the class as a bonus topic! I share my own pricing formulas and advice for selling through consignment, art fairs and commissions.

Students take in the class info at their own pace and attend live webinars for Q&A and project sharing, if possible. The webinars are all recorded and posted to class afterwards for students to access anytime after.

Join us! Fire up your creativity and create your own beautiful Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frame with my guidance.

Registration for the next Online Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frame Class is open. Sign up today and get started on your Inspiration Board, Frame Template, Tesserae Palette and Mosaic Design with the guidance of my 16 page Pre-Workshop Prep Guide, a booklet of colorful information to help you plan and organize your unique art piece.

THE DETAILS

ONLINE SCULPTED MOSAIC MIRROR WORKSHOP

Dates and Details:

–The next session class will kick off on February 5th, 2018 at 12:00 pm noon, CST with the first class webinar, which includes an introduction to Phase One (see an outline of the Five Phases below) and Q&A. A new Phase will be introduced each week for five weeks.

Webinar Dates:
Feb 5th, 12:00 PM CST
Feb 12th, 12:00 PM CST
Feb 26th, 12:00 PM CST
March 5th, 12PM CST

-Beforehand, students will be preparing their designs and frame templates with the guidance of Sharra’s Pre-Workshop Prep Guide, a 16 page, PDF booklet. Students will have pre-workshop consultations with Sharra as well.

–Webinars will be weekly for 1 hour with Sharra. Students will send their questions in before the call.

-The weekly webinars are recorded and posted afterwards so that students can access the call again later which is great for review or catching up if you are not able to be present.

-After registration, students are provided an inspiring Pre-Workshop Prep Guide- a 16 page PDF booklet, guiding them through designing and planning for their mirror frame, narrated with image samples. There is also a clear and extensive Materials & Resources Guide with direct links to all of my recommended products. It is broken down per class phase so that students can gather supplies one week at a time, if desired.

-When the class begins, students will be able to access the class content by logging into the membership area of sharrasmosaicsecrets.com, with the private login and password info that is provided.

-Each Phase is taught through professional and highly detailed video tutorials.

-After the students have had a chance to take in the new phase of class content, they can email questions or ask them live during the live webinar. Sharra answers questions from students during the call-in and shares emailed que stions with the group. Students can also post questions, photos and communicate with Sharra and each other through the secret Facebook group.

-Students have access to the class content forever, including content updates.

Times:
-This online class is completely at your own pace.
-Students have Lifetime Access to the class content.
-The class content is introduced through five Phases, one Phase per week.
-Live Webinars once per week (recorded and posted afterwards to class as well).
-Private Pre-Workshop Project Consultation and Design Coaching with Sharra prior to class (scheduled individually)
-Private Final Workshop Consultation with Sharra (scheduled individually)

Community:
Membership to a vibrant secret Facebook group full of supportive and enthusiastic students from previous workshops.

To Register:
Cost: $950
Lifetime Access

This new intensive class experience is completely focused on my process of creating of a Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frame

In this workshop students will create their own highly customized Sculpted Mirror Frame using the trade secrets and innovative techniques that I’ve fine tuned and mastered since developing them in 2006.

My sculpted mirrors have been exhibited with esteemed shows such as the International Mosaic Art Exhibition, SOFA NY and have been featured in numerous printed and online publications. I am commissioned to create custom mirrors, ranging from $2,500-$12,000 by designers around the country. My work is found in the homes of professional athletes, a Hollywood film producer, an infamous rockstar, an eccentric philanthropist, an art museum founder and many other collectors.

Read more below for an overview of the workshop.

THE PLAN, Where do we start and how does it work?

PRE-WORKSHOP

Pre-Workshop Prep Phase

After Registration, students receive their Pre-Workshop Prep Guide, a 16 page PDF booklet featuring the following topics with colorful images and examples of:

Inspiration Boards
How to focus in on your intention for this specific project by gathering bits of color and design inspiration from the beauty around you.

Design Possibilities
Considering the direction of this specific project, will it be “Sweet & Simple”, “Earthy & Organic”, focus on a “Theme & Symbol” or highlight a “Message or Mantra”?

Frame Silhouettes
What shape do you want your frame to take on? Long and lean, round and curvy, geometric, representational, architectural? Consider the possibilities!

Surface Designs
Create a series of surface designs (or doodles, if that approach is less intimidating!) over your chosen frame silhouette.

Paper Templates
Create a life size template of your final design.

Tesserae Palettes
Curate a collection of mosaic materials (your tesserae), inspired by your inspiration board, embracing the colors, textures and design theme that you are planning to use.

Tesserae Resources
My suggestions of places online to find these treasures for your unique creation.

Planning Edges
My students know this: Edges are always first. I explain why and how to plan for them.

Accent & Pattern Building Tesserae
Recommendations of specific materials to use for the foreground of your design.

Background & Filler Tesserae
Recommendations of specific materials to use for the background of your design.

Pre-Workshop Consultation with Sharra
A 30 minute private meeting reviewing your project plans. Before our meeting, you send in images of your prep work, questions you have and anything thing else you’d like. I spend 30 mins reviewing this info before our meeting so that I can be best prepared and efficient with my suggestions during our call. I will make specific recommendations on the materials and approach to your project.

Additional PDF resources are included with the Workshop Prep, such as:

Tools & Supplies Checklist:

Breaks down into each Phase, the supplies students will need.

Supplies & Quicklinks:

Lists has been created for each Phase of the class (five total) of everything you’d possibly need and a link to an example online where you can then purchase the item directly.

Week by Week Overview:

A detailed outline of the class agenda and a detailed overview of topics that will be covered.

Timeline & Schedule:

Breaks down when new each new Phase will be introduced and the webinar schedule.

PHASE ONE: FRAME BUILDING

In PHASE ONE, FRAME BUILDING, we learn:

How to Design and Transfer a Template

Use your template, which has been planned in advance during the Pre-Workshop Prep Phase.

Substrate Options
Optimal materials to build the frame with and what materials to avoid.

How to use a Jigsaw
What to look for in a jigsaw, why use a jigsaw vs other saws and safety.

How to Construct a Custom Lightweight Frame
Create a customized frame in any shape or size within 60-90 minutes.

Hanging Hardware Options
Simple, easy and clean hardware and what to use for large, heavy frames and panels.

How to Insert Hanging Hardware
Create a professional, finished look with this approach.

How to Add (amazingly strong!) Curls and Extensions
Create dramatic shapes by adding sculpted elements coming off of the frame.

PHASE TWO: SCULPTING

In PHASE TWO, SCULPTING, we learn about my personal experiments and discoveries of adding sculpted Volume and Dimension and how to apply that to our frames.

I share how in 2006, I was commissioned to create my first ever sculpted mosaic mirror frame. I spent 100’s of hours on this piece and I share all about the roller coaster of trials and errors of this first big sculpted project.

Also covered:

The Benefits of the Materials Recommended

I share the specific ingredients and how to use them with success. I also share which products I avoid.

How to Add Volume to the Surface

Add the Wow Factor to any two dimensional surface with this method. It is applicable to mirror frames and other surfaces as well.

How to Reinforce Curls & Extenders of the Frame

Add so much strength (but not bulk!) to the delicate sculpted elements extending off the frame that you can literally pick your frame up by them!

How to Add Sculpted Elements

Add other Three Dimensional accents to the frame.

*Phase One and Two can be realistically completed within a couple days time at the Online Student’s own pace.

PHASE THREE: MOSAIC MAGIC

In PHASE THREE, MOSAIC MAGIC, we learn how to begin and complete the mosaic process. This is where all our hard work begins to sparkle- literally!

In this segment of the class we cover:

Mosaic Planning, Designing & Creating
How to map out your design, prepare your glass, tile and beads and where to start adhering them with intention and focus.

Design Inspiration
How to approach and use inspiration from the beauty around us in our work in effective ways.

Edges First
We begin with a simple goal of completing our frame’s edges. I explain why this is so important and is the best place to start.

Background/Foreground Design
How to bring out your mosaic design and also use your background space in a complimentary and pleasing way.

Varying Heights/ Levels in Surface
How to navigate the tricky spots in a surface with different heights and also use tesserae of different thicknesses on the same surface.

Beads
How to best use beads with glass, tile and more.

Swirls

How to cut glass and master a key-stoned swirl.

Tips to Ensure Success

Avoiding Pitfalls

I share lots of my own personal challenges that came up in my first ever Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frame and how I navigated my way through them.

PHASE FOUR

In PHASE FOUR, GROUTING AND FINISHING, we learn all about how to finish your Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frame. We go in-depth and cover the following details.

Layering Materials:

Add onto the Existing Mosaic Surface

Why and When to Layer Materials

Best Adhesives for Layering

How to Grout:

Grouting Over Beads

Paint Over Grout

Using Paint as Grout

Coloring Grout

Not Grout at All

Finishing Steps:

Following the “Master Plan for Completion”

Finishing the backside of Frame

Finishing the inner Rim & Mirror Glass

Interior Mirror Glass:

Resources

Fitting the mirror into the Frame

Antiquing Mirror

Polishing/Cleaning

PHASE FIVE: MASTER PLANS

In PHASE FIVE, MASTER PLANS, we wrap up our class by reviewing all that we learned and then create a Master Plan for Completion.

In this final segment of the class, we address:

How To Finish:

Creating and Following you Master Plan

Options for Continued Support:
Final Consult with Sharra to review your project progress and Master Plan.

Private Facebook Group for Sculpted Mirror Students

Monthly Mosaic Group webinar with Sharra

Your Instructor

Sharra Frank

Sharra (share-ah) Frank is an established mosaic artist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her mosaic obsession began in 2000, while still an art student at the University of Minnesota. She worked from her kitchen table, creating small pieces to sell in local flower shops. With each small success her artistic vision grew and so did the scale and intricacy of her work. After making the leap to a private studio she continued creating the intricate, whimsical and inspiring mosaic mirrors and window hangings that are her signature. At the same time, she made the transition to full-time artist and never looked back. Sharra has several large-scale installations and murals throughout the Twin Cities area, has worked with high-end designers and clientele everywhere from Florida to California and has exhibited with the Mosaic Arts International and SOFA NY. She teaches beginning and advanced mosaic classes from her Minneapolis studio, online and around the US with mosaic educational organizations such the Society of American Mosaic Artists, the Institute of Mosaic Art.

View Sharra’s full portfolio of mosaic artwork, commissions and public art at www.sharrafrank.com

HOW IT ALL BEGAN….

In 2006, I was roughly five years into creating mosaics with a portfolio full of exciting pieces that had been featured in competitive juried art shows and high-end retail stores.

I was happily creating works with the same methods and techniques, focusing on exploring new designs and surfaces with each piece. Little did I know that everything about the way I worked was about to change with a single commission.

After teaching a Glass-on-Glass class at a local art center, one of my students asked me to create a mirror for her home, which ended up being the most enchanting home I had ever visited.

Each detail of the house had been customized by an artisan, from the stairway’s iron handrail to the glass blown bathroom sink to the carved stone dock leading out to a lake in the backyard.

The collector had an eye for unique design influenced by the magic of nature. She was an artist herself and requested that the mirror be baroque like, sculpted and full of detail.

She approved a quick sketch, handed over a swatch of fabric to inspire my material choices and was on her way. I was left to figure out exactly how I was going to create the very large, sculpted, three-dimensional frame I had promised. That key element, sculpted, had me stumped.

My mind couldn’t rest. First, WHY had I never thought of going that direction before? And second, HOW in the world was I going to do this? In the end, I successfully brought volume to the surface of my handcrafted frames, taking my mosaic work to the next level and I haven’t looked back since.

I set off for the studio and didn’t come up for air for months on months. I met with other artists, wandered the aisles of art supply stores, researched websites, devoured books and it wasn’t until a spontaneous brainstorm with a high school art teacher who worked with a local puppet and mask theater, happened by my studio during an open studio event that I found the path that lead me to innovative success.

I discovered and experimented with products and recipes that set my creativity on fire.

I rapidly implemented new techniques that were making this vision of a three dimensional, sculpted mosaic mirror, attainable, FUN and a reality.

After that piece, the buzzing source of inspiration created a surge of energy and I cranked out two more sculpted mosaic mirrors (“Tango” and “Chantily Lace”) in just eight weeks (all while working another job!). I was hooked.

Since creating these first Sculpted Mosaic Mirror Frames, I have made dozens more. In preparation for this workshop, I’ve combed through my vault of work-in-progress photos and have been delighted to find so many of my past projects documented. I can’t wait to share them and so much more with you in creating your own.

Let’s get started!