Intuitive Malmischiato 1.0 with Rachel Sager

Build Your Own Custom Filati Library

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Intuitive Malmischiato is a revolutionary technique that blends the mystery of classical Italian micro mosaic making with the innovation of the contemporary mosaic movement of the here and now. Malmischiato, which translates from the Italian, to badly mixed, or poorly mixed gives the artist infinite power to mix color inside very small pieces of tesserae.
This is the first course at Mosaic Arts Online to teach the making of filati, the long, thin, threads of glass that become the smallest increment that a mosaic tesserae can be. Join Rachel Sager as she leads you down the rabbit hole of flamework, which simply means heating smalti with a torch until it becomes viscous and pliable.

One of the constraints built into the medium of mosaic has always been that the pieces of things, whether they be stone or glass or ceramic, are inert. Color mixing in our medium has been and is normally achieved, within the composition by placement of tesserae. This placement creates the illusion of color shading and color mixing to the eye. With Intuitive Malmischiato, you be able to transcend this limitation.

This color mixing is achieved by changing the very nature of smalti through fire with a simple and easy to use torch. You will learn tips and tricks of torch etiquette and safety. I will lead you through the steps of flamework, which simply means melting and manipulating glass with the torch.

In this modern world, we don’t need fire, but we are instinctually attracted to it. This course will tap into your fire memory and help you to turn that attraction into art. You will learn how to intuitively pull the long threads to create your own filati and malmischiato.

If you don’t have access to a torch, this course can still be a great introduction to working with filati and I will share with you how to cut, lay, and create micro mosaic with apoxie sculpt.

The flame work part of this course and process should be conducted outside or in a highly ventilated area. Do not do indoors in an enclosed space.


I know I’m pretty late to this party, but Rachel, what kind of magic is this?! From my very first pull, I knew I would become addicted. This technique takes creativity to another level. I love your clear, concise instruction and the intuitive nature of this work. Can’t wait to explore and create. Thank you Rachel and Tami…

Magda Z.

"Watched this class twice while waiting for my supplies. Today my husband and I did 7 pulls. Exciting and addicting stuff! I just watched the torch work again for the third time and picked up more tips that I missed the previous times. Rachel is a great teacher! She's got me hooked and I look forward to picking it up again tomorrow." Joan L.


"This is my Birthday present! So excited to learn this." Ann T.

Your Instructor


Rachel Sager
Rachel Sager

-- Rachel Sager: Artist. Teacher. Speaker. Writer. Rachel works on the cutting edge of the contemporary mosaic fine art movement—her innovative work has been represented in cities throughout the US and internationally, and has been awarded multiple bests of show in juried exhibitions. Her Marcellus Shale Series stands as a true Pittsburgh success story, and her work is collected with passion by private clients and corporations all over the world. Rachel’s commitment to the classical language of mosaic paired with her intuitive andamento style has shaped a strong voice in the mosaic world. She brings these classical techniques home to the “here and now” of the present American mosaic movement. Rachel proudly hails from the foothills of Appalachia and passionately preserves her storytelling, hillbilly roots as she weaves the colorful tales of family, nature, self-reliance, humor, and the legacy of coal through the lens of mosaic. Whether she is digging into the earth of her native Pennsylvania or traveling the world as a teacher and speaker, her mission to “build the line” in mosaic continues to inspire new generations of mosaicists. http://www.rachelsagermosaics.com


Course Curriculum


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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.

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