CRAFT

FOR
INTERIORS
Apoorva Mehta
PGIDS - Year 1- semester 2

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 INDEX
Sr.No. Contents Page No.
1. Product Design 3-7
Design brief 3
Concept Generation 4
Concept evaluation 5
Concept finalization 5
Process 6
Final product 7
2. Research documentation- 8-11
Mosaic
History 8
Technique 9
Process 10
Current Scenario 11

3. Workshop Documentation- 12-14

Terracotta Pottery
History 12
Properties 12
Techniques 13
Process 14
4. REFERENCING 15 2
 Design Brief-
The product that I am making is wall
accessory which can used as mirror or
normal wall accessory, the craft or
work used for making the product is
mosaic art. Mosaic is an art which is
made of broken pieces of mirror, tiles
or other substances to form a structure
by that pieces on a hard substance. The
expression or concept I am using is
joyful. The total height of frame would
be 25 inches , the budget of the frame
would be Rs2500-3000. The frame
could be used in the living room or
bedroom as a eye catcher of the space
and make it look more aesthetic. Their
would be a inner circle which will have
mirror and the outer side would have
mosaic art on it.

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 Concept Generation

1
The rays of hope comes 2
The above diagram shows with joy.
the joy as the particles from
bigger circle is spreaded all
over.

In the above diagram the

waves shows curves which
3 always go together and
shows happiness.
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 Concept Evaluation & Finalization

1 2 3
Out of the three images I have chosen as the third image because it
portrays the all the designs better and is aesthetically beautiful. In image
third inspiration is taken from all the three images and made on. Shape
chosen is circle as it represents joy more than any shapes which have
sides.

The image forth is the final

design of the frame. The circle
inside is a mirror of 10”
diameter. As it has more
different kind of shapes that are
used in mosaic and has different
colors has their own meaning
of joy

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 PROCESS
Step 1: Start by Sketching a Design Onto a Piece of Paper.

Step 2: cut the ceramic tiles in the shape you want with the
help of machine.

Step 3: Arrange all pieces where you have to place it according

to design and place mirror.

Step 4: Place transparent sticker sheet on the design so that it

can hold it together.

Step 5: On back side stick fiber mesh with rubber adhesive and
let it dry for 24 hours under some heavy wait so that it
can stick properly.

Step 6: Now put the design on plywood with araldite and leave
for 8-10 hour to dry.

Step 7: Remove the transparent sticker sheet.

Step 8: Add black grout on the front so that all the left spaces
fills up and leave it for 2-2.30 hours to dry.

Step 9: clean the grout with dry cloth for first time and then
clean it with sponge. Mosaic is ready.

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THE FINAL PRODUCT

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 HISTORY
The origins of the mosaic art form are very
ancient and date back to the 4th and 3rd
millennium BC where a mosaic decoration
created with small terracotta wedges painted
red, white and black was found in the
Mesopotamian area. These terracotta wedges
were fixed into clay brick wall creating
ornamental motifs and a protective layer.
Between the 17th and 11th century BC mosaics
were already present in Crete and archaic
Greece. The first mosaics were created out of the
necessity to cover pressed dirt pavements in
order to protect them from humidity and make
them cleaner and smoother; later they were also
used to make them decorative. In the 5th century
BC, during the classical period in Greece, mosaics
were widely used passing from geometric and
natural designs of black, white or colored
pebbles, to figurative mosaics.
By the 4th century BC there was a marked
development in the technique and artistry of
mosaics which had rich geometric and
ornamental motifs. In the 1900’s the art of
mosaics was updated especially in architecture
where the mosaics reflected the fashionable
tendencies and styles of modern paintings.

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 TECHNIQUES
There are two main methods:-

1. THE DIRECT METHOD

The direct method is rather simple. The design is sketched
into the mortar and the tiles are pressed directly into the
mortar. A wooden board or level is then used to flatten out
the tiles and create a smooth surface. Finally a layer of grout
is spread over the tiles then wiped off, filling any spaces
between the tiles. This method is optimal for small mosaics
or mosaics involving a fewer, larger, tiles and curved surfaces
such as domes.

2.THE INDIRECT METHOD:-

With the Indirect Method the mosaic is created backwards
like a mirror image. The method involves temporarily fixing
the mosaic pieces to a removable backing which holds the
design together. When completed the whole mosaic is
transferred onto the base.

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Materials needed:
• Sheet of wood
• Colored glass
• Tile adhesive
• Pencil
• Paper
• Marker
• Hammer
• Mosaic tile craft grout
• Sponge
• Grout float
• Paper towel
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Gloves
• Painters tape
PROCESS
Step 1: Start by Sketching a Design Onto a Piece of Paper.
Step 2: Using a Marker, Transfer Your Design Onto the Wood
Step 3: Take Your Tile and Wrap It in a Cloth. Using a Hammer, Break the
Tile.
Step 4: Gather Your Broken Tiles Into Color Categories
Step 5: Glue Each Piece Individually
Step 6: Let Glue Sit for 24 Hours
Step 7: Spread the Grout Using a Grout Float; Press Very Hard to Get in
Between All Cracks and Crevices.
Step 8: Using a Sponge and Water, Lightly Wipe Off Excess Grout. Let Sit
for 24 Hours
Step 9: Spray White Vinegar to Get Grout Dust Off Using a Paper Towel
or Cloth
Step 10: your mosaic is ready.
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Current scenario of product
Mosaic is in a healthy state in the early 21st century, despite a
tendency for it to be thought of as more the work of craftspeople
than artists. Perhaps this is a difficulty in accepting the fact that
mosaics often have a dual function, for example as flooring, and
also because it is a very accessible, non-elitist form of creativity.
Mosaic are used in interiors of the house as well exteriors too.
We get today ready made tiles, backdrops, lamps, vases also. Its
also used in many places to give a heritage look as well as
abstract images and visuals are drawn .The field is rich with new
ideas and approaches, and organizations such as the British
Association for Modern Mosaic and The Society of American
Mosaic Artists exist to promote mosaic.

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 DOCUMENTATION OF CRAFT
WORKSHOP
• History:
Terracotta was first used in the prehistoric times. Paelolithic terracotta figures were fired
in kilns. Bronze and Iron Age artist continued the terracotta tradition, the female fertility
cult figures were discovered at Mohenjo-Daro. The china potters and sculptures have
proved equally skilful with clay. Early Egyptian, minion and Greek culture from around the
Mediterranean reign were al employed in terracotta for figurative works. Terracotta was
quiet popular in sub-Saharan African culture.it was first developed by the nook culture of
Nigeria in 1000 BCE.
• History of pottery in India:
Pottery in India is considered as one of the iconic element of Indian regional art. Essence
of pottery can be seen during Vedic period, Indus valley civilization and also during the
reign of Mughal. During Indus valley civilization, the origin of pottery clay in India, the raw
material that has been used to make pottery. Handmade pottery like bowls utensils,
vessels in different colours like red, orange and brown were available in India. Vedic
pottery is the example of the handmade and unpainted pottery that has been created
during Vedic period, is raw in nature and tangible. These pots were used to store water
during summer. With the rise of pottery culture in India, Indian pots were exported to
different parts of the world. The phase of painted pottery started in India during the era of
Mughal reign. The Muslim rulers encouraged the potters from Persia, central Asia and the
Middle East to come and settle in India.
• Properties of terracotta clay:
The properties of terracotta is that it’s a porous clay that can also be used as glazed or
unglazed.one coat of glaze is needed to make it waterproof. When terracotta is glazed,
bright colours can be easily seen with terracotta’s low firing temperature, approximately
1100 C (2012 F) to 1200 C (2192 F).these low firing temperatures also mean lower energy
costs. The iron content reacting with oxygen during firing, gives the fired body a reddish
colour, through the overall colour varies widely across the shades of yellow, orange, red,
pink or brown. Primitive pieces of terracotta were just left to harden and bake them in the 12
hot sun, while later pieces (before Kiln) were fired in the ashes of open fire.
Techniques:
Modelling:
One of the basic terracotta sculpting technique is modelling on.by using this technique, an artist creates a
sculpture by joining the pieces of clay together.
Sculpting or carving:
The sculpting off technique is the act of carving the clay to remove everything the artist does not intend
to be part of the finished sculpture. After the rough, basic form emerges, the artist uses a different kinds
of tools to give a fine shape to the piece.

Manipulation:
Manipulation of soft clay is another technique for shaping terracotta sculptures.to use this technique, the
artist pushes, pulls, bends, twists or otherwise move the clay into the desired shape.

Firing and Finishing:

After an artist has completed a terracotta sculpture, finishing touches is added to make the piece a
durable piece of art. Firing is the process of baking a sculpture at a very high temperature.

Through Wheel:
Terracotta is usually made from the fairly coarse, porous type of clay.it is a type of a clay used to produce
terracotta pottery on the potter’s wheel. The potter at a full tilt rotates the wheel with his hands and
gives the ball of clay a shape. The pot or object is thus than left to dry and is kept on a top of combustible
materials and fired. The process is complete only after the pottery has been baked for more than two
hours to ensure that it is too hard, strong and durable.

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Process (learnt during Workshop):
Sculpting:
Terracotta is made from clay and water. Pour the mixture made from the clay and
water in the container, cover it with a lid and shake well. Then, open the lid to allow
the clay access to air, mix well so that there is no bubbles left. Once the clay is properly
mixed, you can start the shaping process.
Take your clay and knead it into a ball until it is smooth. Add water as needed, too little
moisture the clay is hard to knee and will get small cracks. Divide the portions correctly,
roll the clay ball into a long cylinder which would be the bird’s body, a circle for the
face. Use one section to create the shape of the bird, work the clay in your hands and
use one palm to press and shape the body. Take the other section of the clay, roll it into
a cylinder and press into flat circular shape, which will be the wings of the bird. Take
the flat circular clay and carve the shape of wings in it keeping both the clay together
so that both have same size. Make a conical shape out of the clay and stick it on the
head of the bird which will be its beak. And a tail to the back of the birds body and
joint each part carefully by scratching both the parts that needs to be joint and apply
water to them properly so that it won’t break. Add eyes to the face. And finish it by
using wet brush so that all cracks get merged.

Pottery wheel:
The mixed clay is placed in the centre of the wheel.as, the
wheel starts to rotate, and the shape of the mug is
provided in a required form. The shape is provided with the
help of a palm and depth is given with the help of a thumb.
Once the piece is completed than it is cutted out with a
help of a thread. Later, it is kept to dry for 1-2 days.

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 Referencing
1. En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Mosaic. [online] Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosaic [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].

2. My Modern Met. (2019). Learn the Ancient History of

Mosaics and How to Make Your Own Colorful Creation. [online]
Available at: https://mymodernmet.com/how-to-make-a-
mosaic/ [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].

3. Helen Miles Mosaics. (2019). Mosaic Techniques - choosing

the right method.. [online] Available at:
https://helenmilesmosaics.org/mosaic-tutorials/mosaic-
techniques/ [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].

4. Helen Miles Mosaics. (2019). Mosaic Techniques - choosing

the right method.. [online] Available at:
https://helenmilesmosaics.org/mosaic-tutorials/mosaic-
techniques/ [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].

5. Menhem, C. (2019). Mosaic Art Making Its Way Through

Architecture - Mozaico Blog. [online] Mozaico Blog. Available
at: https://blog.mozaico.com/mosaic-art-architecture/
[Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].

6. mazon.com. (2019). [online] Available at:

https://www.amazon.com/Mosaic-Chandelier-Turkish-
Moroccan-Lantern/dp/B014YW4CH6 [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].

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