A taste of Turkey: Inside a mosaic lamp making workshop
<p dir="ltr">Do you want to experience a taste of Turkey? Then look no further than this utterly fabulous Art Masterclass. Within seconds of entering the workshop, it already feels like you’ve been transported to Turkey. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The recent workshop I attended was big enough to fit around 30 people, but it also felt quite intimate, with the natural light beaming in through the windows highlighting the colours in each lamp, and the interior covered in Turkish decor including rugs, little trinkets, and handmade ceramic bowls laid out with the mosaic tiles placed neatly on each desk. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The classical renditions of popular songs (including some from the Bridgerton soundtrack) was a nice touch that made the experience feel even more magical. They welcome you and guide you to your seat, where they’ve prepared a workstation that includes a template with all the design choices, mosaic tiles in all shapes and colours, glue and the glass bowl that you will be decorating. </p>
<p dir="ltr">What I liked about this class is that you don’t need any prior experience or artistic skills to create your own lamp. You start off the session by laying your tiles on your desired design that’s printed on the template. The shading on the template helps you determine where the lighter and darker tiles go, and if you’re like me and don’t have any clue where to begin, this definitely helps. You can mix and match the colours and patterns, so no two lamps will look alike. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The next step is to glue the tiles onto the glass bowl. Now, as easy as this sounds, it takes a bit of time and attention to detail to make sure they all fit perfectly and match the design you’ve chosen. Halfway through this process they provide you with Turkish tea and shortbread cookies, which was – no pun intended – a delight. </p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KhnC1TOb034" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">There were two teachers present in the class, and they were both very calm, patient and friendly. They took their time explaining each step, demonstrating what you should do, and answering all of your questions with a warm smile. The pace of their teaching was good, as they gave you enough time to move from one step to the next, with two and half hours to complete the lamp. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The next step was the beading process, which I found to be the messiest step. At this point the glue was stringy and beads were falling all over the place, but my inner child was having the time of her life. So if you do visit with kids or grandkids, don’t be afraid if they do make a mess.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The final step is the plastering process, which you have to do five to six hours later, so the glue sets properly. They gave you the option of bringing it home with a DIY plastering kit, a booklet with instructions, and a video tutorial, or paying an extra $10 to have them do it for you. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I found it sweet that they also give you a free bracelet or keychain as a memento, and this experience was truly unforgettable. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Prices start from $79 for a candle holder (if lamps aren’t your thing) and then vary according to the lamp size and the base you choose. I would recommend the short or tall table lamp, if you’re looking for something that has great value for money. </p>
<p dir="ltr">You should give this workshop a go if you want to challenge your creativity but also spend time with family and friends. Workshops are held in various locations across Australia, and you can book their classes through <a href="https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/">here</a>. Alternatively, if you can’t find a workshop near you, they also have DIY home kits, so you too can join in the fun from home! </p>
