| When it comes time to make a mosaic it can be | | | | 3. Then cut out all the pieces making sure to leave |
| difficult to find patterns. There are many web sites | | | | out the felt line. One piece of cut out paper |
| about mosaic art but not many offer patterns for | | | | represents one piece of tile. So here make as many |
| you to replicate. The possibilities are truly endless. | | | | or as few as you want, it is up to you. |
| From geometric designs to replications of animals and | | | | 4. Transfer the cut out piece onto a piece of ceramic |
| nature scenes. | | | | or whatever material you are using. |
| Of course it depends on the size of mosaic you | | | | 5. Now gently cut each piece using your tile nippers. |
| want to make. But what you should keep in mind | | | | 6. Smooth out the edges with a rough sanding paper |
| when making a mosaic and finding patterns is you | | | | or a table top grinder. |
| must keep it simple. Too much detail becomes very | | | | 7. Now using a fiberglass mesh with your photocopied |
| hard to reproduce with pieces of tiles, unless of | | | | image underneath, glue each piece of tile onto the |
| course you are a veteran artist! | | | | mesh. Use a parchment style paper here between |
| I for one am not, and need inspiration when it comes | | | | your photocopied image and your fibreglass mesh, |
| time to reproduce images in a mosaic. One method I | | | | otherwise your pieces will stick to the paper. |
| would like to share with you is very simple. I | | | | 8. Once all your pieces are glued onto the mesh, your |
| discovered that it is very easy to find the perfect | | | | mosaic is ready to install! |
| image in children's coloring books. Most of these | | | | This method has always given me excellent results, |
| pictures are detailed enough to see its representation | | | | given your image is not too big. If you want your |
| yet simple enough to easily reproduce in a mosaic. | | | | mosaic to be larger than 12 by 12 inches you can use |
| Now how do you transfer these images to tiles? | | | | this method but separate it into quadrants, it is easier |
| Just follow this method to transform your images to | | | | this way when it comes time to transfer your mosaic |
| patterns. | | | | to it permanent location. |
| | | | The method using a fibreglass mesh is called the |
| 1. Once you have found that perfect image, outline | | | | double direct method; however you can also use the |
| the image lines with a large felt pen, these lines will | | | | indirect method for this. These methods and more |
| represent your grout lines. If you want larger grout | | | | are a topic by itself and will be covered in another |
| lines use a larger marker. | | | | article. |
| 2. When you finished outlining the image, number | | | | Now all that is left for you to do is install your |
| each section and photocopy the image, you will need | | | | mailbox, sit back and wait for your mail. |
| this photocopy later. | | | | |