Pebble mosaic is slowly gaining in popularity with books and workshops springing up across the country. Whether it is the tactile quality of pebbles or the finished work of art, its organic quality appeals to today's more natural tastes. Go to a beach and you will find a diverse range of pebbles depending on the area of the country you are in: elliptical, strip-like, round; striped, muted, vibrant and more. A discerning eye can soon disseminate between them, breaking them down further to differing sizes and thus begins the art of pebble mosaic, with a sharp eye catching a first glimpse of a possible "star" for their design. Maggy Howarth, a well-known and respected pebble mosaicist, has travelled the world researching her art and here successfully collates all her information into an inspiring, informative collection of designs. Lavishly illustrated she covers ancient Italian wall mosaics, the stunning modern geometrics of the Praca do Municipio in Lisbon, Portugal to flowers, animals, birds and fish in all manner of designs, all intermingling to offer ideas for every taste and situation. This is a must for all enthusiasts of the medium, offering both practical and design advice on the subject. - Lucy Watson
