Tiles Gone Wild

December 15, 2008
North Light is known for beautiful, colorful, nicely written arts and craft books, and this book, alovely roundup of mosaics how-tos, snugly fits themold. In addition, its a fine companion toGraces previousWild Tiles (2006).A chatty, personalized introduction heads each ofthe 20 mixed-media projects, which range fromabstract- and folk-art inspiredto just plain fun. Buttons, glass, bottle caps, and imagespruned from magazines are but a few of the odds and ends Grace uses toadd color and dimension to everything from a wall hanging to a tabletopto a doormat.A few of the projects are quite simple, but even with Graces introductory section on tools and materials and her clear instructions, most are probably for those with some prior acquaintance withceramics or glass (a few also require a kiln) or with the patience to go slowly as they learn something new.Its hard to resist the color photo illustrations, though, and theenticing projects will call out to crafters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)