| When deciding what materials to use in your | | | | Found objects: Many found objects can be |
| mosaic, there are a number of practical | | | | incorporated into a mosaic if you wish --Â |
| things to take into account: Are the | | | | metal, plastic, stone, even teeth! --Â if |
| materials suitable for where the mosaic will | | | | they are stuck down firmly. |
| be placed or used? For example, if the mosaic | | | | |
| will go out of doors, will the materials | | | | Backing materials If you browse through books |
| survive frost and rain? If the mosaic will go | | | | or web sites you'll see that virtually any |
| under foot, will the materials stand up to | | | | object can be mosaicked. The most commonly |
| wear and tear? Will the materials will give | | | | used backing is wood. This should be of a |
| you a flat surface, if this is needed? How | | | | kind that will not warp, for example a fibre |
| much of the materials will you need and how | | | | board (such as MDF) or plywood. If it will go |
| much will they cost? Notes on various | | | | out of doors, an exterior grade wood should |
| materials: Crockery: Often cheap (or free) to | | | | be chosen. The back of a tile can be used |
| get. | | | | very successfully as a mosaic base, as it is |
| | | | porous and gives very good adhesion. |
| Can be quirky, fun and evocative | | | | |
| ("memoryware"). Can be difficult to get flat | | | | It is usual to prepare wooden surfaces by |
| surfaces, or a lot the same. May be damaged | | | | priming and scoring them. Priming involves |
| by frost. The material of choice for pique | | | | painting on a coat of diluted PVA glue (about |
| assiette style. | | | | one part glue to 5-10 parts water). This |
| | | | seals the surface, meaning that glue and |
| Household tiles: Can be fairly cheap, | | | | grout will not dry too quickly. Scoring lines |
| particularly if you can get offcuts or | | | | with a craft knife or Stanley knife makes the |
| spares. Second-hand tiles stripped off walls | | | | surface rougher, giving a better grip. |
| usually have adhesive on the back, which is a | | | | |
| problem to clean off. Vary a lot in quality, | | | | Adhesives Choice of adhesive is important. |
| thickness and ease of cutting between | | | | For most purposes, PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate) |
| different types. May be damaged by frost. | | | | glue is ideal (also known as "white craft |
| | | | glue"). This is widely available. |
| Vitreous glass: (right) More expensive. | | | | |
| | | | Generally the most cost-effective way of |
| Wide range of colours available. Flat | | | | buying it is in quantity from a builders' |
| surface. Suitable for outdoor projects. | | | | merchant. It is fairly quick drying (within |
| | | | several hours), moderately water-resistant |
| Can be tricky to learn to cut and shape. | | | | when dry, and relatively low hazard. |
| | | | |
| Smalti: Expensive. Wide range of colours | | | | Household tile adhesive: Good "grab" for 3-D |
| available. Classical appearance. | | | | projects. Useful where the tesserae are not |
| | | | flat, as it can fill the space behind. |
| Glass: Stained glass comes in a range of | | | | Generally relatively low hazard. |
| colours. Cost depends on source - scrap glass | | | | |
| relatively cheap, may vary in thickness. Can | | | | Epoxy resin: Very strong. Fast setting |
| be used outdoors. Backing and adhesives must | | | | versions available. Good for non-porous |
| be chosen with care, as may be visible | | | | contacts e.g. with metal, or where quick |
| through glass. Mirror glass can be very | | | | repairs needed. High hazard, not pleasant to |
| effective. | | | | use. |
| | | | |
| Shells: Cheap. Fun to collect. | | | | Bathroom sealant: Very effective for |
| | | | ceramic-to-ceramic bonds. High "grab", so |
| Frost-hardy. Too porous to be grouted in the | | | | good for 3-D work. Can work out relatively |
| normal way, as they will stain. | | | | costly. |
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