This is what people said about Mosaic Mania
Courses
Reviews from my course at Rossett Adult Learning, Harrogate July 2023:
- Excellent. I thought the course was pitched just right. The tutor was very gifted at conveying information in a suitable way for teaching adults. To such an extent that I felt the course was ‘led’ rather than taught in that she showed us how to do things in a grown-up way I’ll definitely come back
- Loved it; very generous sharing of knowledge from the artist teacher and happy to say I learned so much I could try the craft on my own now.
- Really enjoyed the course. A wide range of materials provided to choose from and help was also on hand for the trickier parts. Well explained and a lovely atmosphere throughout the day.
- An excellent course. Well prepared and run with professional experience and humour. Ran to time easily and comfortably, which I've not always experienced.
- I enjoyed the challenge of doing something I had never done before. It did not come easy to me and I would not have persevered to complete my mosaic without the encouragement and expert guidance from Frances who was most helpful, patient and professional throughout the day. Thank you!
- Absolutely loved the whole session, well taught my knowledgeable tutor, would love to do more
Reviews from my courses:
A fantastic tutor in all things mosaic, Frances has a wealth of knowledge & years of experience. I did a day’s course making a stepping stone, she was so patient and full of tips and advice. Already started another project and will attend Frances’s workshop on a monthly basic. Highly recommend. - Diane Dec 23
My sister and I recently came to a half day course and just had so much fun! Frances is so enthusiastic, knowledge and encouraging and it's so lovely knowing someone just loves what they do, it makes you love it to. She was really helpful with her advice meaning we both accomplished exactly what we wanted to achieve. Thanks so so much, we would love to come again. - Hayley November 2023
I really enjoyed this course with Frances who I found to be an insightful and helpful tutor. There was an amazing amount of tiles in different textures, colours and shapes, together with templates and other materials. The workshop had a range of Frances's work for examples and inspiration. The setting in the midst of colourful cottage gardens and by the river was extremely pleasant. Thank you, Frances for a wonderful course and day - Nikki, May 2023
I recently attended a 1 Day Workshop run by Frances and was really impressed with the standard of teaching, her infinite patience and the wide variety of materials available to choose from. The size of the group was just right and there was a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout the course of the day. Having chosen my design from one of the many options open to us I felt confident in getting started in spite of being a complete beginner as Frances gave comprehensive instructions which were easy to follow and she was happy to advise on any queries and even lend a hand if needed. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was very pleased with the end result which Frances also taught me how to grout at a separate session which was included in the overall price. All in all, this was a great experience and very reasonably priced for the tuition, materials and time involved and I highly recommend it. - Cheryl, May 2022
I just wanted to thank you so much for your help and advice on the course yesterday. I learnt so much and feel confident enough to embark on my garden project after a practice with maybe a couple of wall hangings. What an adventure it will be! - Ann May 2022
Thank you again for an amazing day yesterday. I can't stop telling people about it and recommending they come for a workshop. I was amazed what I was able to achieve with your support and tuition. Your ability to guide without taking over was spot on and believe me I've been on craft workshops where this doesn't happen! A lovely sense of humour and the super setting made it even better. - Tricia April 2022
Had an amazing day, superb teacher and host, fantastic ideas to choose from, and ‘oh’ the choice of tiles!! Will be going again. - Gill 2020
Thank you so much for a brilliant half day course, it was wonderful to leave the world behind and just concentrate on shiny, colourful things! - Hazel 2020
I had such a brilliant morning and will be booking again when I have designed something to mosaic. Thank you ever so much! - Helen 2019
Did the day course in December to make an outdoor mosaic. Had a great time. Frances was very supportive, offering help and advice where needed and stepping back when she was not needed. All equipment and tools were provided. I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to give mosaic making a go. - Pauline 2019
This was a wonderful day from start to finish! I thoroughly enjoyed learning the art of mosaic and Frances was incredibly supportive and informative, full of encouragement and enthusiasm. The day flew by, with lively chatter amongst the group and much appreciated refreshments, and was over all too quickly. I was really pleased with my mosaic tile and will have lovely memories of a happy and fun day whenever I use it. - Jill 2019
Just to say thanks so much Frances what a difference the grouting makes to the mosaics. We really enjoyed our morning with you. - Celia 2019
A complete novice, I went to a half day workshop with Frances and produced this lovely tile. She was really helpful and welcoming, explained everything really fully, and gave loads of advice (as well as drinks and top notch biscuits!). Also, there was an enormous choice of tiles to choose from, so anything is possible! - Rachel 2019
I have attended a couple of Frances's workshops and thoroughly enjoyed them. I had never done this before and Frances is a brilliant teacher. The studio is well equipped and in a lovely setting. I found the experience very absorbing and rewarding and plan to do some more! - Sally 2019
We really enjoyed our day with you recently; thank you so much for all your efforts. We felt that you explained everything really well and that there was just the right amount of help and guidance whilst we learned this new craft. We both went away feeling extremely relaxed and pleased with our achievements. We would highly recommend your workshops to others. - Penny and Vicki 2019
I love making mosaics. The workshops are great and Frances is friendly and very helpful. Everyone’s made welcome.It’s a great way to spend a few hours learning a new skill. You can make all sorts of items from coasters, trays, stepping stones for gardens, mirrors (big and small) plaques, decorative items, jewellery boxes and many more items. 😊 - Alison 2019
The whole mosaic experience is great! Experienced, friendly tutor, great refreshments and company. Altogether an uplifting morning. My favourite activity of the week. Well done Frances! - Lucy 2019
Great afternoon in this class, really good value! - Danielle 2019
Excellent course felt very motivated small group and was able to encourage each other . I was a complete beginner and I have grouted my work which Frances guided me through. I went with my daughter as a mum and daughter day and both of us thoroughly enjoyed it . Workshop placed in a lovely setting overlooking the garden - Daley 2018
I did the half-day workshop and it was a great introduction to mosaic making. Frances is very knowledgeable and encouraging and I'm pleased with my first mosaic creation! Most of our group did the full-day workshop and produced some lovely things (some of us went back a few days later to grout our work) and with hindsight I wish I'd done the full day too. If you fancy spending a few hours doing something creative and relaxing in convivial company, I'd recommend that you give one of Frances' workshops a go. - Caroline 2018
Inspirational day, perfect setting great fun and good company...what more could you ask for? - Annette 2018
A fabulous day in a lovely little studio. Frances was very patient as everyone was a complete novice. The day absolutely flew by and we really enjoyed it. We will be going back again without a doubt because seeing all the examples of what other people have done has made us want another go - Madeleine 2018
I am addicted to mosaic since my first course with Frances a year ago. I received a mosaic gift voucher for my birthday and that was it! The courses are relaxed and fun and every time I have been I have met some lovely people from those who know what they're doing to those like me a complete novice who has never held a pair of tile cutters! If you have no clue about mosaic don't worry because Frances is very patient and explains everything you need to know. The riverbank studio is just that, in a large garden leading down to the river, where on a warm day you can sit and have your sandwiches if you want. I would absolutely recommend France's courses if you want to try something different. - Caroline 2018
I bought a day's course for a friend for her birthday and went along as well. Neither of us are artistic or do creative activities! Frances made us feel very welcome and supplied a good mixture of teaching, encouragement and letting us get on with it. Creating a mosaic is a good way to zen-like state as it turns out; enough to occupy the hands and eyes, but not stressful and at the end of day you have a beautiful object. Frances facilitates this process with kindness and great experience and knowledge. The purpose built studio sits in lovely surroundings above the river and we somehow produced beautiful mosaic tiles and had a lovely restorative day! - Sarah 2017
I would highly recommend a mosaicing course with Frances. Whether your new to mosaicing or have tried it before, Frances knows all the tricks of the trade. Apart from learning how to mosaic you will have a great laugh, make new friends and she makes a great cup of coffee.😁 - Jo 2018
I loved making my mosaic! What a fabulous idea, great fun and so therapeutic! Thank you - Lisa April 2016
I had an absolutely fab day last Sunday and loved creating my tray. I think the course is such good value for money because I expected to enjoy the day but I am absolutely thrilled to have come away with such a usable and beautiful object. Thank you again for your patience and encouragement and endless refreshments. Thanks again for a very lovely day - Jacky 2015
Lovely day. Thank you. Great fun. Great activity for mums and dads and daughters and friends. - Christina 2017
Thanks for a lovely day last Sunday. I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot - I've got even more ideas to get on with now - Caroline 2017
Thank you for giving Hannah and I a lovely experience yesterday, we thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent making our mosaics! Thank you also for making the experience very relaxing and fun! - Lynn and Hannah 2016
It began with a beginners day course and now I'm hooked. Working in Frances's studio in the garden by the river is the perfect way to create your own mosaic designs. Her tuition is excellent and helps point you in the right direction with her vast experience - Louise 2017
Frances is a terrific mosaic artist and has that rare ability to coax the creative streak out of absolutely everyone who attends her courses. She also creates a fun, nurturing environment and nothing is too much trouble for her. Having been on one of her beginner's courses and having thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, with lots of other lovely newbies, I am now an enthusiastic convert to mosaicking! - Jane 2016
I started as a complete novice on a Sunday course and it was excellent. Frances is very good at what she does - a fab mosaic artist, a great teacher and good company. I would recommend her mosaic courses to anyone, whatever level they are at. Her studio is a perfect place to get creative in the company of an interesting mix of people - Becca 2016
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Schools and Community Projects
We commissioned Frances to work with our students to produce a large mosaic to hang in reception. Every class in school chose a motif that represented them (and these were very random) We wanted a rainbow and a mini bus in the mix to represent the fact that we made it through COVID and that we have raised money to buy 3 new mini busses for school. Frances rose to the challenge and pulled together a design that reflected everyone in the school. The design was complex and challenging.
Frances came into school and worked with every class and student. They came in small groups and all thoroughly engaged with Frances and the activity (none of them wanted to leave when their time was up) The result is outstanding and as a school we feel that it is part of us all, everyone is represented. So thank you Frances for your friendliness, your professionalism, your skill and your endless patience. We are more than thrilled with the finished result. The whole experience has been wonderful and we have already recommended Frances to another school. Thank you so very much!
Teacher, Oakworth Park Special School, near Pontefract
Frances was brilliant to work with on the Mosaic project for our Cookridge House development in Leeds. Despite the project being pulled from pillar-to-post due to Covid19, lockdowns and extra precautions, she was extremely flexible and accommodating with the LightHouse School in how and when the sessions would run, which ultimately made the project such a success.
She was able to take the students ideas, and create three superb mosaics designs, along with then guiding the students through the creation phase to arrive at three beautiful pieces that are now visible in the communal entranceway lobby of the scheme for all our residents to enjoy.
I cannot thank Frances enough, and without a hesitation would recommend working with her
– Development Manager for Stonewater (Housing Association)
What a fantastic and worthwhile mosaic project!
We contacted Frances to help us design and make a mosaic for a Remembrance garden for our very much loved colleague who sadly passed away.
Frances was really helpful throughout the project, advising us and involving the children at every stage. Frances encouraged the whole school to come up with design ideas and worked with these ideas to create a beautiful design!
All of the children that were involved with the project thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Frances was great with the children and helped them take ownership of their project.
The mosaic is fabulous, has been much admired and is a fitting tribute to our dear colleague.
I wouldn't hesitate to work with Frances again and would thoroughly recommend Frances to any other school wanting to undertake a mosaic project.
- Year 5 Teacher Rossett Acre Primary School, Harrogate
Sitwell Infant School are celebrating our 60th birthday this year and we wanted to have a keepsake from this year which all the children could be a part of. After seeing Frances' website and chatting to through emails, we decided to go ahead with our plans. From the initial chats, Frances was fantastic. She wanted the children's ideas to be incorporated into the design so that the finished article reflected what they think about our school. The children's ideas were sent off and Frances' design really encapsulated lots of what the children wanted to include. Frances was brilliant when working with the children. She explained the 'how to' in a really easy way for them to understand and they loved learning this new skill! All children were involved just as we planned and the finished piece is absolutely wonderful! We are more than thrilled with it. So much so, we have just commissioned Frances to complete some further work for us in school. Thank you so much Frances, it has been a pleasure working with you.
- Head Teacher, Sitwell Infant School, Rotherham
Thank you very much far a great project Frances! The children really enjoyed themselves and the finished product looks fantastic. - Head Teacher, Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Leeds
What a worthwhile project! From the moment Frances arrived, inspired and enthusiastic, I knew we were on to a winner! The children were so excited to design the mosaic and the designs were then used in Frances' final design. which gave them real ownership of the piece. The workshops were well run, the children found the experience fascinating and strangely therapeutic! Over the course of the 4 workshops they loved to watch the mosaic grow and change in front of their eyes. - they were amazed at the amount of painstaking work it took, but when the final product arrived at school they AND staff and parents were delighted at the stunning results - so beautiful, delicate intricate and meaningful. Thank you Frances, we hope Ben Rhydding will work with you again.
- Year 6 Teacher, Ben Rhydding Primary School, West Yorkshire
We were delighted to work with Frances Taylor on our mosaic project. Frances was really helpful in guiding us on all aspects of mosaic work and made some helpful suggestions at the design stage. Frances came and worked with the children over two days and really enthused the children with her friendly manner and her obvious love of the mosaic art form. She worked with small groups and explained in detail to each group the process of the creation of the mosaic - she worked with equal confidence with Foundation to Year 6 - adjusting her level of communication with ease.
- Chair of PTA Tadcaster Primary School, North Yorkshire
The children really enjoyed working on the mosaic with you and we appreciate all your time and effort involved in creating such a wonderful piece of art for us
- Head Teacher, Goostrey Primary School, Cheshire
We learnt a new skill. We really enjoyed making the mosaic.
It was lots of fun and we got to choose the designs.
I would like to make another mosaic again.
We would love to do another mosaic project, they all loved it!
- Comments from participants and the manager from LEEP1, a leaning disabled group based in Leeds
Frances has worked with us on several different mosaic projects over a number of years. We love working with Frances! She has a wonderful way with people, staying calm amongst our sometimes chaotic groups, and helping people create lovely pieces of work that they, and we, are proud of.
Our most recent project was a large mosaic about 1mx2m to celebrate 15 years of our work. Frances worked with us on the design, making sure we felt it was a true reflection of our work. The mosaic was started at a community event with over 200 people attending, and participants working on a roll-on, roll-off basis. She then came to work a session with the elderly lunch club, many of whom have mobility and motor skill issues . The final piece was done at the support group for asylum seekers, consisting of a group of about 20 people, with several different languages and many with no English, and the age range from 2 years to about 60. Frances manages to communicate with this range of people and abilities in a friendly and supportive manner and, despite our lack of skill, manages to help us make the mosaic look brilliant! Thanks a million Frances.
- Community Environment Worker, The Anchor Project, Bradford
The artist proved to have brilliant people skills, encouraging regular attendance from our residents. Her friendly easy going manner led to some residents who were not engaging with any of the services on offer here, actively taking part. For one or two of the others it led to them attending for a social reason again building confidences and self worth. Not only did they finish the mosaic they also decorated some plant pots,one of which they have decided will be used to plant a fruit tree in memory of a past resident.
- Manager of Homeless Hostel for men with addiction issues.
The (mosaic) sign looks amazing, everyone's commented on it and we are so pleased that everyone joined in to make it. It was a fantastic group project
- Manager of Care Home for learning disabled adults
Links to Local Papers
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/what-s-on/arts/in-love-with-a-broken-art-1-7047506
https://www.wetherbynews.co.uk/news/school-lays-out-new-look-for-grand-entrance-1-8556075
http://www.gorgeousyorkshire.co.uk/enter-magical-world-mosaic-artist-frances-taylor/
http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/15422772.Pupils_leave_lasting_legacy_at_school_with_new_mosaic/
https://www.batleynews.co.uk/news/mosaics-unveiled-at-cafe-ceremony-1-7157382