Beginning Mosaic Artists

If you're a beginner, you don't want to start out with a project that is too complicated. As with any new craft or skill, if you try something too ambitious to begin with, you'll soon become frustrated and give up the craft altogether. No, you need to learn to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you run.

With the mosaic, this is easy, because it's possible to purchase beginner's sets which include everything you need to create a lovely piece or art, something that will look quite nice but won't tax your skills unduly.

The most important skill for a mosaic artist, for example, is the cutting of the small pieces of tile or glass, which you'll need for certain areas of your work. You'll use a pair of nippers especially designed for the task, but care must be taken to cut the thin material carefully, or it will shatter. So it'll take a bit of practice to learn how to do that properly.

Lay a Groundwork of Knowledge With Books

Before you even start out on your project, you'll want to get a book on mosaic art from your library or local bookstore, and read through the portions that explain how to do everything, from choosing a design, cutting your tile, mixing your grout, and so on.

There are plenty of sources on the web for the mosaic enthusiast. Sites that sell supplies to the mosaic artist will usually have instruction pages for the beginner, and by visiting these sites you'll also see all of the tools available to you.

Even if you want to start on a beginning project, you'll still want to get a project of interest, which is why it's best to search the web for vendors who will be able to offer you a wide range of proejcts. Mosaic Mercantile, for example, offers over a dozen kits for the beginner, from keepsake boxes to votives to coasters to mirrors to clocks! And then there are the pre-cut bases you can purchase, in the shape of butterflies, turtles, frogs, etc.

The tools you buy are most important. Don't buy really expensive ones until you know whether or not you want to continue with the hobby. There are two essentials to have, tile nippers and safety glasses. Whenever you are cutting your "tesserae", whether it be glass or tile, you simply must wear your safety glasses. The last thing you want is to lose an eye to a piece of tile. The force applied to the tile by your nippers has the capability of shooting the tile off with great force, so at best it will be very painful, and at worst you could lose an eye.

Although the tiles you get in kits will all be of a uniform size, there will be places on your base where you'll have to cut the tile to fit. This is where you'll need the nippers, which come in many different kinds, such as the "chipper nipper" or the "wheeled nipper." The book that you'll read before you start will explain all about these.

Next is the material - the adhesive - you'll need to affix the tesserae to your form or base. Obviously when you get a kit the adhesive will be included. It will most likely be the Weldbond brand. Any adhesive you get must be safe, non-toxic and quick drying. Should you decide to continue working with mosaics after you finish your first kit, be aware that you can purchase this adhesive in a variety of sizes.

With the kit you'll get an applicator set - small plastic trowels, a spreader and some craft sticks, all to be used in applying the adhesive and grout. You probably won't get a pair of gloves so you'll have to pick those up on your own. It's always a good idea to wear gloves when you're working with any kind of chemical.

In addition to the adhesive, you'll need the grout that goes between the tesserae and sets it off so nicely. Again, with a kit the grout will be included. There are two kinds of grout, sanded and latex, which you'll use depending on the type of mosaic you're creating. You use sanded grout when you're going to have a large spacing between your tiles - sanded grout contains cement and will be very sturdy. The grouts come dyed in a wide variety of colors.

So go out and get a kit today, and create a work of art tomorrow!