• 
• 

"It's very relaxing. I feel so happy when I finish a piece," says Sitha Aiyarawong, 23, an engineer at Bombardier Transportation, who hopes to someday open her own handicraft shop to sell her own handmade crafts. Her necklace pieces are currently sold at a friend's store in Siam Square.

The mosaics class takes just one day to complete, so instructor Duangporn Ruangsaeng dispels with a lecture and concentrates on the process of making mosaics. She briefly introduces the types of colourful mosaics and beads that are used in frame decoration along with the equipment used in adornment process.

Then participants get cracking under her watchful eyes.

"I'm surprised there's no theory session. But that's fine because it isn't very difficult," says Larich Chavapong, 23, who works in marketing at DTAC. Even without an introductory lecture, Larich was a bit concerned that she might not be able to finish her design before the class was over. Larich was attending the course to learn a new hobby and make gifts for loved ones.

The mosaic class is held on Saturdays at N Cubed in Lat Phrao Soi 80. N Cubed is a manufacturer and exporter of resin mosaic accessories, crafts items and scrapbooks.

Duangporn, 24, a product designer at N Cubed and a graduate in Visual Arts from Srinakharinwirot University, says the workshops' locations have their pros and cons. "Lat Phrao may not be convenient for commuters, but the materials are readily accessible and students can stay until 5pm to complete their projects."

N Cubed assures participants they will learn enough to develop their craft skills and be able to open their own businesses. Students can expect to pay Bt400 to Bt500 for 45 centimetre x 60 centimetre mirror or frame and be able to sell them for Bt1,500 to Bt2,000 after four to six hours' decoration time.

The Crystaline Mosaics Mirror Course costs Bt1,800 and includes materials, lunch, a snack and instructional printouts. Ten to 20 participants attend each session, which run from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturdays at N Cubed, Lat Phrao Soi 80 (Soi Chantima 22). Call (02) 935-5590 for details. Visit www.crystalinemosaics.com.

 

Rojana Manowalailao

The Nation