Irish Design Week Mosaic Workshop at Eirlume Studio
We recently hosted an Introduction to Mosaic Making workshop at Eirlume Studio in Leitrim as part of Irish Design Week, Ireland’s national celebration of design, organised by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.
Irish Design Week brings together designers, makers and the public to celebrate creativity and explore the role of design in culture, community and innovation. The 2025 theme, “The ties that tie, and the links that link”, was inspired by a quote from Kilkenny Design Workshops founder William H. Walsh, and focuses on connection, across disciplines, generations and borders.
In response to this theme, we titled our workshop Pieces in Place, reflecting both the physical process of mosaic making and the idea of connection through shared creative experience.
The workshop was designed for beginners to mosaic making, focusing on the direct method. Participants learned the core techniques of cutting tiles with tile nippers, gluing tesserae onto plywood panels and grouting their finished mosaics. We also introduced key mosaic principles, including andamento, the technique of creating flow and movement through tile placement, as well as methods for forming smooth curves by tapering tiles.
Participants could choose from a selection of simple designs or create their own, working with a wide range of coloured ceramic tiles. Each person completed a finished mosaic piece to take home at the end of the day.
The workshop had a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of conversation, laughter and creativity. We’re very grateful that this workshop was generously supported by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland, making it accessible to all participants.
For a full list of events taking place during Irish Design Week 2025, visit the Irish Design Week website.
