Braw Wee Craft Club added a fun new workshop to our classes in our Glasgow studio this year, the Terrazzo Coaster workshop! But what is it?
Well Jesmonite is a type of resin made up of gypsum, acrylic and water. It was first created by Peter Hawkins, originally a joiner turned concrete technologist, in the early 80s. It is a really versatile two-part system product (powder & a liquid) which when mixed together can be used to cast pieces, and which various pigments and components can be added to to create a range of finishes!
It will also stand the test of time, as it is very durable and resilient.
It has been hugely popular with artists, crafters and designers including prop makers during the creation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
I only discovered Jesmonite at the end of last summer, although I was aware of it had never given it ago until I bought a starter kit and made my first coasters. Since then I've been having lots of fun experimenting with different pigments and moulds, so far I've created coasters, earrings, tea-light holders and have some planter moulds I can't wait to try out once my fractured wrist has healed!
One of the techniques I started with was Terrazzo effect, which you can see loads of on Instagram/ Pinterest. But what is Terrazzo? Well it is an Italian word that literally translate to 'terrace' as it was hugely popular paving used for Italian terraces. To create the Terrazzo appearance in paving, the method consists of taking an aggreated material composed of fragments of glass, stone, marble of different colours to created an interesting pattern when light reflects off the surface.
We recreate this process in the workshop through creating our own colourful fragments using the Jesmonite and colour pigments, before adding it to a plain Jesmonite base allowing it to set, before sanding the surface to reveal the beautiful colours and patterns! Making each piece completely unique!
It is also an eco-friendly craft too due to gypsum occurring naturally and being water-based
It is more eco-friendly due to gypsum being a naturally occurring and plentiful material, and it being water based instead of oil based. It will also stand the test of time, as it is very durable and resilient. You can also minimise waste as leftover materials can be broken down and used to create more unique pieces.
Fancy trying out this fun workshop then visit our Braw Wee Craft Club page!