Terrazzo

Terrazzo is a material made from chips of stone, glass or coloured plaster set into a smooth base and sanded back to show off a speckled pattern. You've probably walked across it in old buildings and scrolled past it on every interiors feed going. As a craft, it means casting your own terrazzo pieces by hand, and it's far easier than it looks.

The name is Italian for terrace. The style grew out of the thrifty old habit of pressing leftover marble chips into floors and grinding them smooth. Upcycling, long before it had a name.

First, the chips. Coloured plaster or resin is poured thin, left to set and then snapped into little jagged shards. These chips, also called aggregate, are the stars of the show.

Then the base. Mix a fine powder with water until it's silky, add a dash of pigment for a coloured background if you like, and fold in your chips. Pour the lot into a mould, give it a gentle tap to chase out the air bubbles and leave it to harden.

Finally, the reveal. Pop your piece out of the mould and sand the surface to uncover the chips hiding just underneath. It's oddly soothing, and every piece comes out one of a kind.

Anything you can cast in a mould. Coasters, trinket dishes, plant pots, tea light holders, jewellery trays and small sculptures are all terrazzo classics, and they make a handmade gift that looks shop-bought (in the best way).

The colour is all yours. Go full rainbow on a white base, keep it moody with charcoal and cream, or pick one colour in lots of shades for a soft pastel look. There are no wrong answers, only strong opinions.

Absolutely. No art skills needed, just a willingness to get a bit dusty. Your Activity Leader demos each step before you try it, so you're never guessing. The waiting is the hardest part, and the moment the chips appear under your sandpaper is a proper "wait, I made that?" feeling.

Something you don't mind getting splashed or dusty, with sleeves you can push up. Plaster and pigment can irritate skin and eyes, so keep your hands away from your face while you work and wash them afterwards. Tie back long hair too.

You might also like Kintsugi Pottery, Wabi-Sabi Pottery and Lino Printing.

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