Hi, I’m
Sharra Frank
Welcome to my sparkling mosaic world full of vintage beads, china, glass, whimsical shapes and forgotten treasures!
I have been making mosaics for over 20 years and I never tired of it.
I can work on mosaics all day, everyday and still go to bed thinking about what I want to make next! My “why” is all about helping women get completely hooked like me!
Mosaics have a way of pulling you in.
It starts with the thrill of the hunt: searching for materials, imagining all the ways these little bits and pieces can come together. The textures, the shine, the dimensionality—it’s so tactile and satisfying.
And once your eyes are opened to it, you see potential everywhere. At a thrift store, on a walk, spotting a pebble or a bottle cap on the street. Suddenly, you’re imagining mosaics on flower pots, birdbaths, and tabletops. The wheels just don’t stop turning. It’s hard to describe, but once you feel it, you know.
I can’t wait to help you experience this too!
I declared I’d be an artist “when I grow up” at age 5, but it took me another 15 years to discover mosaics.
As a college art student, a paper collage assignment in a color theory class sparked my interest in mosaics. Suddenly, the mosaic part of my brain lit up and I knew I needed to keep exploring!
Unfortunately, I was a poor art student and couldn’t afford any of the mosaic supplies I saw in a local craft store, so, I called a local tile shop and asked if they had any scraps they were getting rid of. “Sure, come on over,” they said.
I drove right over and someone rolled around the corner with a forklift loaded with boxes and boxes of tile. I packed as much as I could into my car. It was so heavy, I thought the car might bottom out. They said I could come back for more.
Back at home, I hauled everything into my living room, opened a box of plain white 4×4 tiles, smashed them with a hammer, and glued the pieces to my coffee table using Elmer’s glue.
That was my first real mosaic. I used the most basic materials and did everything wrong—but I loved every minute of it.
Being self-taught meant I had to figure things out by trial and error.
Overall, it made me a more intuitive artist, but I made so many ugly pieces in the beginning, many of which ended up in the trash!
A lot of people assume I’ve always been good at mosaics, but that’s far from true. It took years of practice to get where I am now.
Save years of trial and error by joining one of my mosaic classes, online or in my Minneapolis studio! We cover adhesives, tools, beads, glass, china and more!
Ask any mosaic artist about supplies and watch their whole face light up!
I’ve always loved finding ways to give old things new life.
Maybe it’s a thrifted plate with a hidden history or a family heirloom that’s been tucked away for years. Reworking forgotten pieces into art is a way of honoring them.
While using vintage materials is more eco-friendly, that’s just a lovely bonus. For me, it’s about the romance, the mystery, and the magic of giving something old a second life.
I think many women are natural collectors. Like the Little Mermaid who had her prized fork, we treasure the things that don’t make sense to anyone else—but mean everything to us. I have beads and vintage pieces I’ve held onto for over 20 years, still waiting for the right moment to use them. Each time I open a box of vintage French red rhinestones, I feel that little jolt of excitement all over again.
The number 1 question I get asked is “What adhesive do you use?”
20 years ago, in the mosaic world, we were all using runny glues like Elmer’s. Beads would slip and slide, especially on 3D surfaces. It made everything messier and more frustrating.
Then one day, in 2005, I discovered a game-changing adhesive that I still use to this day.
I was working on a massive, over-the-top mirror frame and experimenting with many different materials. I thought this one adhesive, Apoxie Sculpt, might help build volume, but it turned out to be way too dense and sticky.
As I was leaving the studio, I absentmindedly pressed a few beads into it. The next day, they were completely locked in place, as if they were set in stone. I couldn’t believe it! This new adhesive held everything in place and allowed me to work faster and with more control.
When I began using this adhesive in bead mosaics over twenty years ago, it was unheard of in the mosaic world. Through my teaching and courses, I pioneered its use and watched as it became a staple for mosaic artists everywhere. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that what started as my own creative experiment has influenced how thousands of artists now approach their work.
Want to know what my favorite supplies are?
Check out my handy guide and get links to my favorite adhesives, tools and more.
People also wonder where I get my mosaic frames from.
I manufacture and sell them myself!
Locally made in Minnesota. It’s like a coloring-in page for mosaic and they make the process so much easier!
To date, I’ve helped thousands of students worldwide create mosaic artwork over the last 20 years.
I’ve been featured in numerous publications, newspapers, magazines, and television programs. My work has won awards, been selected for juried shows and exhibitions, and showcased by organizations such as the Society of American Mosaic Artists and the American Craft Council. I’ve been honored to teach at national conferences, professional mosaic schools, and have completed many large-scale commissions, including installations at children’s hospitals and the Mayo Clinic.
Want to see how I work?
Check out these videos!
