This blog post is part of a new series called “A Tangible Challenge” where each month I take one in-person class related to something I know nothing about. The goal is to step outside my comfort zone and create something new. I am so excited to share this month’s endeavor: mosaic art. (Read January’s adventure in pottery or February’s adventure in plants here.)
When I decided I wanted to do monthly classes this year, I started researching cool things happening in and around New York City. That’s how I found the Mosaic Art Studio. They have locations all around the world and they specialize in DIY mosaic art workshops, specifically through the artistry of Turkish traditions.
My friend and I signed up for a 2.5 hour class on a quiet Sunday. I made a table lamp and she made a candleholder. The class took place in an unassuming building in midtown Manhattan. We walked in and were greeted by our two lovely teachers and guides for the day. There were two rectangular tables that sat eight people each, making the setting both community focused and intimate.
At our tables were hundreds of glass mosaics and glass beads in dozens of colors. We also had patterns at our seats to mix and match different color combinations and designs. Once we had played a bit with our patterns, we began transferring them to the glass globes.
This seemed like it was going to be hard and at first my brain wanted to reject the concept—how does one glue flat glass pieces onto a rounded globe? Where do the beads fit in? What if I’m not good at it? Oh but isn’t that the point of all this? To try something new? To step out of our comfort zones? To let yourself learn?
I was sitting in between my friend and a woman about our age who we struck up easy conversation with. The three of us moved between silent concentration and casual conversation as we watched our glass globes glow to life in front of us.
About halfway through, the teachers came around with Turkish tea and Turkish delights. I’ll never say no to good tea, good friends, and a good challenge.
At the end of the class, we were free to take our pieces home with instructions on next steps. After 12 hours in my apartment with the glue drying, I was able to go back through and put grout on the glass globe to really seal the deal and reinforce what the glue had done. The grout seeped into the blank spaces between the glass and gave a really nice finished look.
In the case of my globe, it’s part of a lamp that they provided. As I am currently preparing for a housing move, I can’t help but think about how this is going to be one of my favorite pieces in my new home and how I’m never going to stop talking about how I made it.
Overall, the class was a true delight. The people couldn’t have been kinder. The atmosphere couldn’t have been more inviting and relaxing. And I couldn’t have felt more proud leaving with my art piece.
May this serve as your reminder to try something new this week—even if it’s just an alternate route to work or a different go-to breakfast. But bonus points if it includes some delicious tea… and a little light.
