FrogHairs "How to..."

MY BASICS to HELP GET YOU STARTED
The Pattern and Design:

As an inspirational resource, Stained Glass pattern books are a personal favorite because I enjoy abstract and geometric designs. I also can’t resist Mosaic books, and there is a great selection available online. Some tile stores have catalogues and promotional brochures from their tile suppliers, don't be afraid to ask for them or pick a couple up next time you visit one of these stores. I use these to create a scrap book of the designs that inspire me, recycling what’s left of the catalogues and brochures in the blue box. The internet is another great source for patterns and inspiration. To make my own patterns I draw it freehand or trace the pattern onto tracing paper (because you can see through it). Then I flip it over and cover the back of the pattern with charcoal. Flip the sheet over again so it's right side up, and lay the pattern on the base I've chosen for the project. Then I re-trace the pattern onto surface with either a blunt pencil or burnishing tool. I’m left with a charcoal impression of the design to follow as a guide for the project.

Choose The Colour Palette:

		If using TILE, the easiest way is to spread it out all around the base. If the pattern is complex (see the sample wall mirror below) I use pencil crayon to color in photocopies of the pattern until I’m happy with a particular color scheme. In the example at left, the project was an underwater scene on a bamboo tray base.

Selecting a Base:

Old cupboard doors are a favorite, and I get these at my local Habitat for Humanity retail outlet (Re-Store). Builders and home owners who are renovating donate the overstock items knowing that every purchase supports Habitat for Humanity … AND the prices are very low. Of course, every piece I can recycle into a work of art, is one less thing in our landfill. Here are a few example of recycled base materials I have used in past projects.
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		1) Recycled Tables... I picked these tables up at a local hardware store for a steal. It doesn't matter if the tops are chipped, broken or missing because you won't be using them anyway. I then measured the openings and have the plywood (or other base material) custom cut fit.
		2) Recycled Cupboard Door... On a trip to the Habitat for Humanity's retail outlet (ReStore), I snagged this old cupboard door. Sometimes a little sanding is required if a recycled piece is heavily varnished.
		3) Recycled Objects... I discovered a plain ceramic vase that had been tucked away at the house for a very long time and decided to give it a second life with some stone and slate.

Prepare all plywood bases to accept the mosaic "glue" by painting on a 50 / 50 mixture of water and glue and letting it dry thoroughly.

The Direct Method:

		There are a number of methods for Mosaics, but I prefer this one the most … gluing the mosaic materials directly onto the base. It works well for the kind of pieces I prefer to do; mirrors, table tops, trays, vases, and wall art.
Adhesive. PVA or white glue works great onto wood. I usually enquire at the local tile/builder supply store for best adhesive depending on the type of project … they are great advisers. Before grouting, ‘spank’ the piece to make sure all pieces are firmly glued then let it rest overnight before grouting Grouting Instructions for mixing grout are printed on the package. The key is to mix up enough for the size of the project. Don’t stop until the piece is fully grouted. Wait 20 minutes and start wiping off the excess grout with a slightly dampened sponge until the surface is clean. Let it dry for at least 24 hours and then polish with a lint free cloth. Seal if desired. Disposing of left over grout (without getting on a first name basis with my plumber!) You simply cannot just pour left over grout down the drain! It will fill in the pipes and become just as hard as it does on your mosaic projects! When I’m finished grouting, I let the bucket sit for at least 48 hours so the grout settles to the bottom and the water separates to the top. I pour off the water ONLY very slowly and carefully and then leave the bucket of grout under the laundry tub in the studio and forget about it until all moisture completely evaporates. It easily crumbles into a powder and is disposed of it in the trash. If you can’t wait that long, let it dry for at least a couple of days and then scoop it out into plastic bags and dispose of it in the trash. Check if there are any rules or bylaws about disposing of this sort of material in your community. Smashing, cutting and breaking tile. Basic tools for this can be purchased at the local builder supply store, mosaic suppliers or online. For a random broken pattern I wrap the bigger tiles in an old blanket and take great pleasure in smashing them with 2 or 3 good blows with a rubber mallet or hammer … a wonderful stress reliever! If you have a proper tile cutter or sniper, you can create a curve buy using the ... of your tile sniper, and snip-by-snip take away just enough of the tile to create the curve.

A SAMPLE COMPLETED PROJECT:

		I started this wall mirror using a stained glass pattern and adapted it for the materials I had on hand, which included ceramic tile and glass jewels. The base is a cupboard door from the Re-Store. I chose a slate grey grout and my local glass and mirror store custom cut the mirror insert.

Tips for Sourcing Mosaic Materials:

TILE and STONE. Besides the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, I have a few other tips for building a relatively inexpensive inventory of these essentials: Check with local tile stores for their discontinued display boards of discontinued tiles. In most cases they are delighted to give you these since they usually have to pay to dispose of them. Drop in at your local builder supply stores and ask for the odds-n-ends and broken tiles. Sometimes there is a nominal charge for these. Neighbours and friends who are renovating will almost always have bits and pieces, as well as whole tiles, left over. Dollar stores an inexpensive source for bags of river rock and stone … usually found in the floral section. Just don’t be project specific! It can be very frustrating finding exactly what you want, and it isn’t always possible to buy just one tile. Instead think *INVENTORY* and then create your designs and select color palette from what you have on hand. GLASS. Can be ordered online or picked up from a local (i) mosaic art store, (ii) stained glass studio, (iii) art supply store (but this is usually the most expensive way) , or (iv) a local glass warehouse that sells to the public. FOUND ITEMS. Anything goes! Be vigilant because you’ll never know where these may crop up... a broken cup or plate, an unusual stone found during your travels, or even a unique keep sake you've tucked away for a special project.