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Confessions of a Glass Addict (and where I get my fix)
If there were a 12-step program for glass collectors (because "hoarder" sounds too judgmental!), I might need to sign up. There's just something irresistible about a vibrantly colored sheet of glass calling my name. This issue, I'm sharing where I find my favorite materials — and why my students secretly benefit from my problem. My Local Dealer I can't say enough good things about Big M Glass in Tacoma. There's always a great variety of colors, brands, and types of glass, an

Barbara Henderson
4 days ago3 min read


The Grouting Step That Scares Every Beginner — And How to Nail It
By the time you're ready to grout, you have hours of time — and possibly a decent amount of money — invested in your piece. So it makes sense that grouting feels terrifying — you're about to smother the whole thing in dark goo. I compare it to going around the dark side of the moon. You lose contact with ground control, and everyone just hopes it comes out okay on the other side. Here's the good news: you don't have to guess. Test before you commit The dry grout test is exact

Barbara Henderson
Apr 22 min read


You Don't Have to Be an Artist to Start. (I Wasn't Either.)
A friend of mine loves to remind me about the drawing class we took together about ten years ago. Apparently I spent the whole time insisting I wasn't creative. I now sell out mosaic classes and have three active commissions. And now I hear it from students in almost every class I teach. Sometimes it's the first thing someone says when they walk in the door. And I get it — signing up for an art class when you don't consider yourself an artist feels like showing up to a 5K wit

Barbara Henderson
Mar 295 min read


What to Expect in Your First Mosaic Art Class
Perhaps you’ve been eyeing a mosaic class for a while now. Maybe a friend took one and came home glowing. Maybe you saw a gazing ball at a garden show and thought “I can make that.” You’re RIGHT — you can! And then the hesitation: “But I’m not artistic.” Or: “I don’t know where to start.” Or: “Maybe I can’t make that.” (You’re WRONG — you can!). Or simply: “What would I be getting into?” Let’s fix that last one right now! Here’s what happens in a Henderson Arts mosaic cla

Barbara Henderson
Mar 176 min read


How I Started Making Mosaics — No Studio Required
Every artist’s story has a beginning. Mine? It started with a pair of nippers from a big-box home store, some scraps of glass (thanks to a friend who had a friend who taught glass art at a local high school), and a stack of empty feta cheese containers. Yes—feta: the gateway dairy to mosaic addiction. My “studio” was tucked next to the elliptical machine and weight bench in the back of our basement, and my storage system was 100% Greek salad chic. Fast forward to today, and

Barbara Henderson
Jul 1, 20251 min read


Unleash Your Creativity with Henderson Arts: Let's Embark on a Mosaic Adventure Together!
I'm Barbara Henderson, the mosaic artist and instructor behind Henderson Arts, and I'm thrilled to invite you on a joyful journey of...

Barbara Henderson
May 21, 20231 min read
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