Читать книгу Beginner's Guide to Making Mosaics - Delphine Lescuyer - Страница 6

Materials

There are two basic approaches in decorative mosaics for beginners: you can create from recycled materials, or you can start with materials designed for mosaic art (such as glass and porcelain tiles).

Tesserae

Tesserae is the name given to the decorative materials used to create mosaics; they are often small glass or ceramic tiles. Here are just a few of the many types of tesserae.

Ceramic mosaic tiles

The glazed ceramic tiles shown here are 1" (2.5cm) square, though they can be purchased in other sizes, too. They are an excellent choice for mosaic art. They may not be colored through the entire body of the tile, however, as you can see. You may have to search for and purchase bath tiles to get particular colors or looks.

Porcelain mosaic tiles

The tiles shown here are matte and colored through the body. They come in squares of different sizes, such as 1" (2.5cm), ¾" (2cm), or 9/16" (1.5cm) squares. They are highly wear-resistant (and a little more difficult to cut). They are often used in flooring. They can be smooth on both sides or striated.

Vitreous glass tiles

Vitreous glass tiles come in squares of different sizes, such as 1" (2.5cm) or ¾" (2cm) squares. They are often striated on the back and beveled on the edges, which can make them rather unstable when they are cut into very small pieces. Vitreous glass tiles come in an especially wide range of colors.

As the materials shown here all measure 1/8" (3.5mm) in thickness, they can be mixed together in the creations featured in this book. If your tiles are a different thickness than the ones used in this book, that’s fine; you can always mix tiles of the same thickness.

Other tesserae

Other elements can be used, including mirror, millefiori glass (which comes in rods or cut into disks ), buttons, beads, and more.

Where to buy tesserae?

There are specialized stores that sell tesserae by weight. This allows you to buy exactly the quantity you need in a wide range of colors. You may also find supplies in your local craft stores, though the selection may be more limited (see note on page).

Some home improvement stores sell mosaic tiles in their ceramic tile department. These often come in 12" (30cm) square sheets, glued to a mesh, and can be removed from the mesh. However, these tiles are often thicker and more difficult to cut, with disappointing results. Always check the thickness, which should be around 1/8" (3–4mm) if you want to be able to cut easily. On the other hand, these thicker tiles may work well in a project that includes recycled wall or floor tiles, especially if these thicker tiles are round or have an unusual shape.

Upcycled Materials

Broken plates, old floor tiles, pieces of mirror, chandelier pendants, pebbles, seashells . . . so many little treasures can be used to compose a mosaic.

Using materials that are upcycled requires preparation and a particular way of working. You need to be aware of the varying thicknesses of the tiles and shards and plan your design around the limited quantity of material you have. In general, it’s often a good idea to use recycled materials for creations that can be a bit uneven on the surface, such as a wall mirror or a garden flowerpot, but not for the surface of a functional table or tray, which needs to be very smooth. You should also avoid precise motifs, unless you are sure you have the necessary quantities of tiles to create them.

You may be lucky enough to be able to find offcuts—trash, essentially—of ceramics and tile in your local area, especially if you have some kind of local tile manufacturer. Ask at these companies if they have a disposal plan for their rejected materials and if you might be able to take them off their hands. The goods you find or receive might be in bad condition, requiring patient cleaning or turning out not to serve your purposes. But by being selective, you can find bits to work with, even some really stunning pieces.

You can also visit antique stores, junk sales, garage and yard sales, secondhand shops, and anywhere else where people are getting rid of old plates and ceramics for cheap. You can find some really good deals and pretty pieces this way. Don’t feel bad about potentially smashing a plate that is otherwise still functional; you’re giving it a new lease on life, albeit a very different one than the purpose for which it was designed. On page, there is a project made from old plates just like this.

Backing (Substrates)

Just about any type of backing (substrate) can be used as a base for your mosaic work, except plastic. It is possible to glue a mosaic to metal, but that’s not for beginners, so it won’t be covered in this book. Apart from that, beginner mosaic artists can decorate just about anywhere in the home!

FOR INDOOR MOSAICS

MDF (1)

(Medium-density fiberboard)

For indoor mosaics, the ideal base is MDF (medium-density fiberboard) in ¼" (5mm) thickness. It is a very dense and fairly inexpensive construction material. MDF is used often in this book. You can find it in a variety of shapes in craft stores or have it cut to your specifications at a home improvement store. If you have a basic electric jigsaw at home, you can cut the board to the shape and size you want.

Plywood

You can also use plywood, especially if you will need to screw sturdy attachments to the back of your project for wall mounting.

FOR OUTDOOR MOSAICS

The substrate is especially important for outdoor mosaics.

Tile backer board (2)

Thanks to this innovative product for mosaic artists and tile setters, you can create outdoor decorations and cut them to the shape you want using a simple utility knife. This tile backer board consists of a sheet of polystyrene covered in fiberglass and cement. It comes in a variety of thicknesses and is used in the construction of shower walls and other bathroom fixtures. It can be used for indoor as well as outdoor mosaic projects. Tile backer board can be glued, screwed into, or have a special hook attached (to be attached before starting the mosaic).

Mesh (4)

In many cases, a mesh can be used as a temporary base to hold the mosaic together until it is glued to a wall or other substrate. Made of nylon or fiberglass, mesh is sold by the yard (meter) in stores specializing in mosaics. The mesh comes in two sizes, to be chosen according to the size of the tesserae you will use. The larger mesh is recommended for the projects in this book.

Adhesives

White (PVA) glue

This is your basic white liquid glue that turns transparent when it dries. It is found in craft stores and is also sold as wood glue in home improvement stores.

Thinset mortar

Thinset mortar is used for all outdoor mosaic projects. It comes in ready-to-use paste form in a bucket. This adhesive stains and hardens significantly as it dries. Be sure to clean off any excess residue before it dries.

Grout

Use water-repellent tile grout, either sanded or unsanded, in powder form. It comes in several different shades, so it’s up to you to choose the color for your project. You can also tint it (see the explanations for the Dot Mirror on page) or buy colored grout.

Mix the grout in a well-ventilated area that is suitable for dirty work. Never work in full sun or on a hot day.