Create A Shrine Substrate with Tami Macala

Learn how to make an exterior grade substrate

   Watch Promo   Enroll in Course

Have you been looking for a unique and creative project for your mosaic art work? Have you looked for a substrate that is functional, weather proof, and can be created over and over again? If you answered yes, we have the project for YOU!

Tami Macala will teach you how to create her unique Shrine Substrate. Many people have asked Tami how she creates the shrines that hang in her home or that she gives as gifts. Now she will share that process with you at Mosaic Arts Online.

Tami will take you step-by-step through how to create an exterior grade shrine substrate using a limited amount of tools and materials.

Tami will share her foolproof method for creating these unique substrates, and once you have learned her techniques you will be able to apply them to any shape you like.

She will start with how to cut the Wedi board with both a blade and jigsaw (you can choose) and then how to construct the shrine shape. Next she will share her favorite tips and tricks for sticking the alkali resistant fiberglass mesh onto the board. Lastly, she will demonstrate how to successfully apply the thin set over the mesh. There is a bonus section as well!

Creating shrines became a creative and fun way for Tami to make gift giving easy and personal. Many of Tami’s close friends and family have a shrine in their home to light a candle on, place a flower or offering on the shrine shelf.

You too can create a Shrine Substrate for adding your mosaic art. There is a PDF with the suggested tools, materials, and resources for this course.

Shrine Substrate
Tami's Shrine Substrate. Tami does not teach how to mosaic the shrine in this course.


"Great, great, great education Tami! Thank you for this course, I learned so much." Corrine M.

Your Instructor


Tami Macala
Tami Macala

Tami Macala, founder and owner of Mosaic Arts Online and Create Arts Online, has always had her hand in art. She started out at eleven years old as an oil painter, winning awards throughout Southern California. With a fashion and textile design degree, Tami began a twenty-year career in the movie and television industry as a costumer, dressing leading actors and actresses. Not feeling completely fulfilled as a costumer and the long hours, Tami found a new passion in mosaic art and in true fashion, became a self-taught mosaic artist while continuing her successful career in the entertainment world.

In 2000, Tami started her first company, All Cracked Up Mosaics, creating personal and custom-designed mosaic art commissions for clients all over the US.

In 2009, Tami began teaching mosaic art. She founded her second business, The Santa Barbara School of Mosaic Art, teaching her favorite art medium. There, she brought in world-renowned mosaic artists to teach her students, creating a hub of learning and inspiration.

In 2015, Tami retired from the entertainment industry and founded her latest companies, Mosaic Arts Online and Create Arts Online. Tami and her husband, Jerry, now produce online courses with some of the most sought-after artists in mosaic, mixed media, and fine art.



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 14 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!