{"product_id":"2940015934304","title":"Getting Started in Mosaics: An Illustrated eBook for Beginners - The mosaic technique is not difficult to master, and it requires only a few basic tools and materials. Mosaics can be purely decorative or entirely functional works of art.","description":"SNEAK PEAK:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTable of Contents\u003cbr\u003eGetting Started in Mosaics............................................................. 3\u003cbr\u003eMosaic Materials............................................................................. 5\u003cbr\u003eMosaic Table Top............................................................................ 7\u003cbr\u003eMosaic Frame................................................................................ 12\u003cbr\u003eMosaic Birdbath............................................................................ 13\u003cbr\u003eMosaic Flowerpot.......................................................................... 16\u003cbr\u003eTips................................................................................................ 18\u003cbr\u003eGetting Started in Mosaics \u003cbr\u003eThe mosaic technique is not difficult to master, and it requires only a few basic tools and materials. Mosaics can be purely decorative or entirely functional works of art. They are created by piecing together small tiles, stones, broken crockery or pottery to create a design.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSetting up the studio\u003cbr\u003eWhether you have a small studio or are intending to work on the kitchen table, you need to make some plans and preparations before you start work. Consider\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ethe size of the area you are working in and the scale of the project you are intending to tackle.\u003cbr\u003eIf you don't have a studio, organize space on a shelf or in a cupboard to store your equipment. Mosaic work can be messy, so cover the table and floor with plastic, old sheets, or anything that can be discarded or washed. Small shards\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eof tiles can be vacuumed up, but when grout dries on carpet or wooden floors it is difficult to remove. \u003cbr\u003eMake sure you have easy access to water. When grouting and cleaning the mosaic, you will need frequent changes of water. If working indoors, make sure you have plenty of light and fresh air. Find a comfortable chair and work at a steady, leisurely pace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTools and equipment\u003cbr\u003eThere are no set rules as to what tools you should use, but most of what you need can be found in hardware stores and tile suppliers, or look around the home for items that may be useful. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTile nippers\u003cbr\u003eThere are several methods of cutting tiles but the easiest is to use a pair of tile nippers. Tile nippers are the most versatile tool in a mosaicist's tool kit and arc the only major investment you will need to make. Tile nippers are available in various sizes and usually differ in quality and price. Tungsten carbide-tipped nippers are a worthwhile investment. Make sure the handles are spring-actioned and try them out first by holding them in your hand to see if they feel comfortable.\u003cbr\u003eRubber squeegee\u003cbr\u003eA rubber squeegee is used to spread the grout into the gaps between the tesserae and to wipe off the excess grout. If you don't want to purchase a rubber squeegee, spread the grout with a trowel or palette knife or, wearing; rubber gloves, use your hands to spread the grout over the surface, pushing it into all the cracks.\u003cbr\u003ePalette knife or trowel \u003cbr\u003eUse a palette knife to spread the tile adhesive directly on the surface or on the back of individual tesserae. A trowel is useful when working on large areas.\u003cbr\u003eSponges and rags\u003cbr\u003eThese are used to wipe off excess grout from the surface of the mosaic and to polish the finished mosaic. \u003cbr\u003eContainers\u003cbr\u003eSave plastic or ice-cream containers and use them for mixing adhesive and grout. Use glass jars or plastic containers to store your tesserae and other mosaic odds and ends.\u003cbr\u003eMiscellaneous\u003cbr\u003eFor drawing designs you'll need paper, ruler and a pencil. If you are choosing your own color scheme, colored pencils or watercolors are useful. Transfer designs onto the surface using carbon paper and a stylus (or blunt pencil). Carbon paper is available in sheets and one side is coated in carbon. It is usually black or blue, but buy white if you want to transfer a design onto a dark surface. A felt-tipped pen is useful for outlining penciled designs for better visibility, and for marking on tiles. Use a compass for drawing circles and a protractor for measuring angles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSafety\u003cbr\u003eWhen working with mosaics you will need rubber gloves, protection for your eyes and a dust mask or respirator. When cutting tiles, even if you only need to cut one or two, always protect your eyes with goggles or glasses. As tiles have a tendency to shatter, wear goggles and cut the tiles at arms' length to prevent small shards flying up into your face. When cutting tiles, wear a mask to prevent inhalation of dust or glass particles.\u003cbr\u003eWear rubber gloves when working with cement or grout, and wear a dust mask when polishing off dry grout or when using solvents.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTO BE CONTINUED... Buy now and enjoy the contents in full!","brand":"S.H.W.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47146431283440,"sku":"2940015934304","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940015934304_p0.jpg?v=1763626802","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940015934304","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}