To get started with mosaics, you will need various materials and specific tools to cut, assemble and fix the mosaic pieces. Céramicafé Geneviève offers you a list of the basic materials needed to get started:
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Mosaic shards: These are the pieces of material that will make up your mosaic. They can be made of glass, ceramic, marble, stone, or other materials. You can buy them as pre-cut tiles or cut them yourself.
- Base surface: This is the support on which you will create your mosaic. This can be wood, cardboard, cement, glass, plastic, a flower pot or any other solid material. To start, we recommend a flat surface.
- Glue: A glue that is suitable for the chosen shards and your base surface is required. It must be sufficiently adhesive to hold the shards in place, but note that it is the joint that will truly and permanently fix your mosaic. The glue must also be designed to withstand temperature variations if your mosaic is intended to be installed outdoors.
- Mosaic Nippers: A mosaic nipper is an essential tool for cutting shards into pieces of the desired shape and size. There are different nippers for which there are different brands and qualities:
- The wheel clamp is one of the most commonly used in mosaic. It is equipped with a small steel wheel that allows you to cut shards by applying light pressure. Wheel clamps are versatile and allow for precise cuts.
- The Japanese pliers (tiler's pliers) have steel jaws which allows you to cut shards by applying slightly more pressure than with wheeled pliers. These pliers also allow for more random cutting.
- Safety glasses: Cutting causes splinters and projections, which can be sharp. It is therefore recommended to wear safety glasses to avoid injuries.
- Joint: Once you have glued all the shards, you will need to fill the spaces between the pieces with special mosaic joint. This adds stability to the mosaic and improves its appearance. Joints come in different colors. Also remember to choose your joint according to the use you want to give to your ceramic (interior/exterior, water-repellent, etc.).
- Grout tools (optional): You may need tools to smooth and shape the grout, such as a rubber spatula. Grouting, especially on small areas, can also be done directly with your finger (remember to wear gloves if your grout is colored).
- Damp sponges or cloths: To clean the mosaic surface and remove excess glue and grout.
- Templates or drawings: You can use templates or drawings as a guide to create your mosaic. They will help you arrange the shards to form the desired pattern.
- Workspace: Prepare a well-lit, well-ventilated and protected workspace, as the mosaic process can be dusty and requires some organization, which will take several hours or even days. A little patience is indeed useful for this creative art. 😊
