Mosaic History

 The following information is to give you an idea of what materials I can use in a commissioned piece for you.  

However, after reading some of what I use, I am confident that your imagination will be tickled and you may find yourself intrigued, wondering "can I do that?"  The answer is YES you can! What the mind can conceive, it can achieve!

With that in mind,  I thought it would be beneficial to provide some information should you want to give it a try!  WARNING: Should you attempt a mosaic project as I did, you MAY become addicted, but I highly encourage it! 

 As the art form evolved to what it is today, so many mediums have been integrated.  There is no "rule" .  I have used vitreous tile, smalti,  and stained glass.  Porcelain, ceramic and marble tile can also be used. I like to upcycle so I look for anything as possible material.  Old broken jewelry, buttons, scrabble letters, broken mirrors. I have even asked a salvage yard for shattered tempered glass! If anything gets broken at my house, I don't get too upset.  THAT is mosaic inventory!  If you have something special you would like incorporated into a piece, we can discuss it!

 The primary tools needed are a good pair of nippers!   Picks (like dental picks),  tweezers, glass cutter (for stained glass), adhesives, grids, mesh, gloves and goggles and a variety  of sizes of substrates (see below).  These are basic needs.  A grinder, tile cutter, hammer and hardie are great to have if using certain mediums but not a necessity.  OH, AND a HUGE place to store all the supplies!!   

The first question to answer is where and how will your art be displayed.  Not all backers/substrates or mediums (tiles) are good for outdoors.   Wediboard or hardiboard are the most common.   Wood is also good surface if properly prepared but not recommended for outside.  Old windows, glass pan lids, mirrors, bowling balls, duck decoys, large tiles, glass bottles, rocks, stepping stones, old guitars, wooden chairs, table topmanniquins..... I think you are catching the drift.  If it doesn't move, it deserves to be a mosaic work of art!  

 The first bit of advice I will give if you want to try creating a mosaic is - just do it!  Again, there are no hard set rules.  Equally as important,  join a Facebook mosaic group!  Fellow mosaic artists are the most generous people to offer suggestion, answer questions, give tips and tricks, offer sites for videos and so much more.    And, I am always willing to assist you in any way I can! Just go to Contact Me and send me a message!   MUCH LOVE -- Carol