Tile Mosaics

[SqueezetheShaman]

any of you do tile mosaics before?? I have been wanting to try it out, and make some pretty stepping stones for my garden, and even a large wall piece, but don't know where to begin. I just got back from michaels and got a bunch of tile pieces, some concrete stuff (or whatever it is called) and the molds. I got a stepping stone size, and a little coater size to try it out for my first time. I don't even know where to begin though, I mean, it sounds easy enough, but how do you get that smooth look between the tiles? do you simply pour in the grout stuff, put the tile where you want and leave it at that?? feel like these are silly questions, it should be simple. But in my experience, even the easiest things would have gone a helluva lot smoother with tips and tricks known prior. anyway, any advice would be great. And if I decide that I am good at this and want to do more, I want to know how to get the concrete cheapest, and how to get the tiles cheaper. I assume I can just go to tile shops and find discounted pieces and smash it up. but anyway....any advice is welcome. anxious to jump into it, but figure i should try to research it a bit first.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

First you glue the tile down with mastic. Then you grout the tile. Make sure you get all the grout off of the tile or it will haze over. Once the grout is dry you can use grout haze remover if you need to but it can be labor intesive depending on how much you need to do.

Tile stores are an exellent place to get tiles that are already broken or cut.
My garage is another place that is full of broken tiles of all sorts.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

Oh, and you'll need a way to cut tile. I have an MK tile saw but you don't have to spend $300. There are a variety of ways to cut tile. You will also need tile nippers. Ask at your hardware store. Their use is pretty slf explanitory.

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

im confused then. the stuff I have is called jet set, and I am under the impression that you are supposed to pour it into the mold, then press the pieces into it, know what I mean? Your way makes sense though, just like laying tile on a floor....

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

Yup, that's another way. I wasn't sure how you were doing it.
Jet set or thin set or whatever is fine. Make sure you read the directions and don't mix more than you can use in 30 min. (or whatever the bag says)

My advice would be to practice on something that doesn't matter. And be sure to 'dry fit' all the tiles before mixing the mortar.

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

well there aren't directions on it, just saysprovides smooth surface to decorate with mosaics paints or stencils. I am thinkin now maybe this is just supposed to be the base, and you do it the way you just said

good grief. crafts are supposed to be fun, this is gonna give me a headache. well I got 2 molds, one large octagon, for a stepping stone, and one little square for a coaster, gonna try it on th elittle one first, so if doin it this way doesn't work, it won't have wasted too much product.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

well there aren't directions on it, just saysprovides smooth surface to decorate with mosaics paints or stencils. I am thinkin now maybe this is just supposed to be the base, and you do it the way you just said

good grief. crafts are supposed to be fun, this is gonna give me a headache. well I got 2 molds, one large octagon, for a stepping stone, and one little square for a coaster, gonna try it on th elittle one first, so if doin it this way doesn't work, it won't have wasted too much product.

Make sure you don't float the tiles in the stuff. You only need a thin coat. Just enough to create suction to hold the tile.
After you set it, gently pull straight up on it. If it comes off easily then you need more mortar. If it feels like metal on a magnet, you're good to go.

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

huh? i am lost.

why are the easiest things the most difficult?

hang on lemme look up a few more sites and see if i see any good how tos.

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/projects/techniques.shtml

perfect, here we go.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

Good luck sweetie

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

thanks!! nick and I went out to dinner a few weeks ago, to one of the really fine restaraunts in orlando, and they had mosaic art up on the walls with price tags of over 10 grand, and I was soooo like "i can do that!!!"

we will see

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

I hope your walls can support it.

Also, if you are planning on being an artist you really need to work on your neurosis before you begin. You must master the attitude before trying to master the craft.

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

lol. you are so funny. what neurosis do you speak of? I am perfectly sane!!

<insert wacky crazy looney smilie here, on your own, since I am too lazy to locate one>

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

That's what I meant, you are too normal. You need to be much more neurotic than you are if you want to be creative

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

wow. that's a first! I hope you are kidding, please don't call me normal, anything but that. I thought we were friends??

 

[Tini]

My wife did some mosaics this weekend. Mixed bag of success - but I like. She did a street number for the wall outside and some table protectors for hot pots.

 

[SqueezetheShaman]

I still haven't done mine. need to just dive in I guess!

 

[Tini]

I agree just dive in and let us know on Monday how it went!