Mosaics are an accessible medium that provide a creative and innovative way to personalize your home or offer your clients a unique and hand-crafted touch. This hands-on workshop will cover how to integrate artful mosaics to transform any space.

In this class, we will execute  a mural project as a group, utilizing the Zagar method on an exterior wall.  We will learn how to cut and shape pieces of ceramics, glass and mirror as well as the principles of successful design/composition. We will also learn how to use appropriate tools, backer materials, cements and grouts.

Bring descriptions of personal projects that you would like to use mosaics for and we'll explore the virtually limitless possibilities to personalize your home and garden spaces. Students are encouraged to transform trash into treasures so please bring old tile and ceramics, including high fire dishes (not Italian or Mexican), which you may contribute to the group mural project, exchange or save for your own use. Shiny objects work better than dull surfaces.

  • Competency Level: All Levels

Suggested Reading

Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell, North Light Books, Cincinnati, Ohio. Decorating with Mosaics

Marlene Hurley Marshall, Storey Books, Pownell, Vt. Making Bits & Pieces Mosaics, Creative Projects for Home & Garden

Joan Locktov and Leslie Plummer Clagett.  Mosaic Design, A collection of contemporary Artists

Stephanie Kallos. Broken For You

Materials to Bring/Required

  • Bring some leftover high fire tile (not Mexican or Italian which are lowfire), and any other glass, shards, beads, etc.
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection

Materials to Bring/Optional

  • Flat marbles (available at Pier 1 or pet supply stores)
  • Any smooth, non-absorbent objects for mosaics.
  • Pastels or chalk for outline of design
  • Apron or grungy clothes

Course Schedule

  • Saturday AM plan and layout /lunch/
  • Saturday PM cement
  • Sunday AM visuals/dvd/field trip/lunch/
  • Sunday PM grout

Mosaic Design:

Mosaics are an accessible medium that provide a creative and innovative way to personalize your home or offer your clients a unique and hand-crafted touch.  This hands-on workshop will cover how  to intergrate artful mosaics to transform any space.

In this class, we will execute a mural project as a group, utilitzing the Zagar method on an exterior wall.  We will learn how to cut and shape pieces of ceramics, glass and mirror as well as the principles of successful design/composition.  We will also learn how to use appropriate tools, backer materials, cements and grouts.

Bring descriptions of personal projects that you would like to use mosaics for and we'll explore the virtually limitless possibilities to personalize your home and garden spaces.  Students are encouraged to transform trash into treasures so please bring old tile and ceramics, including high fire dishes (not Italian or Mexican), which you may contribute to the group mural project, exchange or save of your own use.  Shiny objects work better than dull surfaces.

Creating Shards:

Tips: Always wear eye protecting goggles. Always cover shards with towel when hammering. Check progress between each impact of hammer.

Use shards no smaller than 1/2 inch, if possible. Sharp corners may be broken off with tileclippers.

Tools: Hammer, tile clippers, towel, shard container, dustpan and broom and bandaids.

Adhesives:

For indoor mosaic: Ceramic Tile Adhesive or Mastic premixed

For outdoor mosaic: Ardex Universal Tile Setting Adhesive: available at Home Depot (dry, must be mixed with water) or quick set adhesive.

Tip: When mixing mastic or grout always add water TO the dry ingredient. Mix to a heavier thanmashed potato consistency, a little crumbly is ok. If adhesive or grout is too thin, it will take longer to "set" and adhere.

Let mixture sit 5 to 10 minutes before using. Stir occasionally to keep mix consistent.

Grouts:

Texture: grouts come in sanded and unsanded . Sanded grout is coarse and cement like in texture. Unsanded is smooth and creamy like caulk in bathroom tiles.

Colors: many colors are available. Two grouts may be mixed to customize color and more thatone color grout may be used in a piece for an accent.

Neutral colors range from white, beiges, grays to black. Home depot has a good selection. Apply darker colors first.

Application of Adhesive

(After your design is laid out)

Tips: PLACE SHARDS AS CLOSE TOGETHER AS POSSIBLE

Two ways to apply adhesive 1/4 to 1/2" thick.

1. Apply to 8 inch area, then apply shards to this area, repeat
2. Apply to each shard with plastic knife

Always wear gloves!!!!

Needs to set 12 to 24 hours before grouting,

or less with quick set adhesive.

Application of Grout

1. Mix grout as per instructions
2. Let sit for ten minutes, then stir
3. With GLOVED hand, apply blob (technical term) to area no larger than 8 inches square, even smaller until you get the hang of it.
4. Rub grout in circular motions into cracks, filling them and covering the shards. Watch out!!! This is when you might cut yourself. You do not need to press really hard. Make sure grout goes up to edges of each shard.
5. Place grout on edges of piece and let it set up, grout may be thinner along the edge.
6. Don't let grout dry completely on shard . Clean excess grout with a scrounge/sponge slightly dampened with water. WEAR GLOVES!!! Clean grout haze with vinegar. Haze may reappear the next day. Repeat vinegar. (use vinegar sparingly, experiment)
7. Use exacto knives, wooden cuticle sticks, and other sharp tools to remove hardened grout.
8. Adding new grout to old. Spray old grout lightly with water, then add according to previous directions.
9. Let set overnight.

 

 

Start Date: June 11, 2011
Closed