Mosaics takes small tiles or pieces of glass and makes them into a finished art form. It involves breaking tile or glass into small, fractured pieces and assembling those pieces onto an object. The shards are placed together and held or adhered with glue. A finishing step is to grout the piece so the surface has a flat, even appearance. The cement-like grout closes in any spaces between the tiles.
What Can Someone Decorate With Mosaics?
Mosaic tiles and glass pieces may be applied to wood frames, terra cotta pots, table top surfaces, edges of tables and chairs (as a border), serving trays, stepping stones, borders around clocks, and even to mailboxes.
Things to keep in mind are that the object must be heavy enough to withstand the added weight of tiles or glass as well as the grouting material. If it is too flimsy, the weight will collapse the object.
Likewise, objects must have smooth outer edges, whether metallic, clay, or wooden in nature. The smooth edge allows the glue to adhere properly and for the pieces of broken tile and glass to lay flat on the object. If the mosaic layer is not even, the grout will not lay flat/evenly either. This could lead to mosaics cracking, chipping, falling off, or the objects having a less than desirable finished look.
If the object is to stay outdoors, the object must be waterproof and/or rust resistant, as the product cannot be retreated or cleaned after the tiles are glued in place. Using a waterproof spray after the grout has dried may help, but one must read the directions with the tile, glass, and grout to make sure the waterproofing material will not ruin or discolor the color of the finished mosaic project or otherwise compromise its integrity.
What Ways Can Mosaics Be Made?
Mosaic work can use some types of glass, or more commonly, tile. The artwork comes from shattering the glass or tile and then putting the pieces together. This process is done by eaving some space between each tile, just as a person would do when laying floor tiling, bathtub tiling, or kitchen backsplashes. The grout fills in the gaps.
Shattering the tile can be messy, and if one does not do it properly, dangerous. Some mosaic kits provide latex gloves and caution to use eye protection as well. Nippers are a type of scissor or clipper used for breaking tile (there are different nippers for glass as well). Another option is to use a plastic bag, place the tile or glass inside (only a few pieces at a time), and close the bag. With the bag closed, one can pound on the bag with a small hammer or mallet. This creates the same fracturing as the nippers.
The main step is to break the tile or glass in random, unpredictable manners. At that point, it is up to an individual how many colors of tile or glass to use and whether the mosaic lay will include certain patterns (like diamond shapes, circles, geometric design) or be placed with no repetition of design, pattern, or color.
In closing, mosaics are a great way to decorate one's home and outdoor property. Furniture, pots, frames, and other decorative pieces may be adorned with colorful mosaics. This is mainly an adult activity, requiring some protective steps. Most importantly, please follow the rules and suggestions that come in the project packets, direction manuals, and the like for the grout, the tiles, and whatever tools you use on the tile and glass.
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