Mosaic Info

∙ Customer picks wooden piece that they want to mosaic.

∙ Tools needed—wheeled nippers, Weldbond glue (nothing else will work), rag, colored mosaic glass tiles of the customer’s choice.

        o   Glass and Bead glue will also be necessary for photo mosaics.

1.     Show the customer that the wooden shapes are directional. Meaning, there is usually a hanger built in to the back so one side is the top and one side is the bottom—this is very important when doing Photo Mosaics. 

2.     Show the customer how to use the wheeled nippers so that they can cut the mosaic glass into smaller shapes if they need to.  

3.     Show the customer the “general rule of thumb” when creating a mosaic as to how much space to leave between glass pieces.  The amount of space between tiles is completely up to them, we just want them to be happy with the finished product, so the more space left uncovered by glass tiles will be more space that has grout.  This “rule of thumb” is the width of the glass tiles being used.  So, put down two pieces of glass tiles on the wooden shape and turn a third glass piece on its side in between the two tiles that are laying flat.  That is the normal space left between glass tiles. 

4.     Show the customer how to lay out all of their pieces first by placing them in a pattern on the wooden shape before they begin to glue them down.  Once they are all laid out, use the Weldbond glue to go back and glue each piece down.

5.     When the customer has finished, ask them if they would like the grout to be cream, white, gray or black.  Fill out a “Mosaic Project” card with due date and grout color.

6. We do the grouting!

Quick Spiel:
“Start by choosing your wooden base and tiles. We recommend laying out your design first and keeping in mind that the space between the tiles is where the grout will go - the more space between tiles, the more grout you will see. Then, Use Weldbond or wood glue only to secure the tiles in place. You can cut pieces using wheeled nippers. Once everything’s glued, pick a grout color (white, cream, gray, black). We’ll grout and polish it for you!”

Note: we keep a small selection of basic acrylic colors on hand and you can initiate a "wow" moment by offering something more than our standard white, cream, gray, or black if it seems appropriate.

STEP BY STEP:

Choose a Shape

• Pick from one of our wooden shapes.

• Be sure to check for the built-in hanger on the back, if it has one, so your piece hangs the right way!
  
  

Gather Tools

• Colored mosaic tiles

• Wheeled nippers (if needed)

• Weldbond/wood glue (ONLY use this)

• Optional: Bead glue for photo mosaics
  
  

Cut & Layout

• Use wheeled nippers to trim tiles as needed

• Lay out all glass pieces before gluing

• Leave space between pieces about the width of one tile turned sideways
  
  

Glue Down

• Use Weldbond glue to secure each piece

• Let staff know when you’re done so we can fill out a Mosaic Project card

• Choose your grout color: cream, white, gray, or black

1.     Find the grout base, a tongue depressor, vinyl gloves, a plastic cup, and acrylic paint to achieve the desired color grout (options are white, black, grey, and cream).

Item locations: grout base is in the "mosaic supplies" box with our other supply storage in the kiln room. Then there's a station hanging on the wall to the right of the kitchen counter that has mixing supplies in it. 

2.     Put the grout in the cup (the amount of grout will depend on how much grout area there is).  A standard amount would be 1/4 of the plastic cup, but you can always make more as needed. Then, add tap water, a little at a time, to make a thick paste. Stir with the tongue depressor. 

3.     Next, add approximately a tablespoon of acrylic paint to achieve the desired color. Side note: The paint acts as a binder to keep the grout from chipping and flaking off once it has dried.

4.     Using the tongue depressor, spread the grout (consistency should be like oatmeal or thick paste, not runny) over the top of the mosaic art piece.  You will want it to be as smooth as possible, you may want to use your hands to smooth it over the top of the mosaic art piece.  Be sure to clear off as much grout as possible off the top of the artwork before it dries.  Like most things in life, it is easier to clean while it is wet than once it sets up. 

5.     Let mosaic artwork dry in the kiln room for an hour.  At this point, you can throw the cup with any leftover grout away.  DO NOT RINSE ANYTHING IN THE SINK—GROUT NEVER GOES IN THE SINK—IT WILL ACT LIKE CONCRETE AND SET UP IN THE PIPES.  Just dispose of cup/grout/dirty gloves/tongue depressor in the trash can.

6.     Take a sponge and wet it.  Be sure to wring it out well so it is just damp and not soaking wet.  Wipe the top of the mosaic artwork using the sponge.  During this step, you are trying to smooth the top of the mosaic off so you can be pretty rough with the pressure you use.  You want to get each glass tile clean and the grouted area smooth. 

7.     Let dry in kiln room for an hour.

8.     Using a soft rag, shine each glass tile on the top to get the grout haze off the top of all the glass mosaic tiles.  Shine using a circular motion for best results.

9.     Once the top is clean and dry, paint the sides of the mosaic with acrylic paint that matches the grout color that you have grouted with.  It’s ready to dry for another hour and be placed on the pickup shelf. Pro tip: If for any reason the grout in the grout lines on the top of the mosaic artwork begin to crack, you can take the beveled end of a paint brush and scratch it to get rid of the cracked grout. 

10. Pat yourself on the back because you are awesome!

Supplies Needed

• Grout base

• Acrylic paint (to tint)

• Plastic cup

• Tongue depressor

• Vinyl gloves

• Sponge & soft rag (for cleanup)
  
  

Mix Grout

• Fill ¼ of a cup with grout powder

• Add water slowly to make a thick paste

• Add 1 tablespoon of acrylic paint for color + binding strength

• Stir well
  
  

Apply Grout

• Spread evenly over the glass using tongue depressor or your hand

• Wipe excess off while wet—grout should NOT go in the sink
  
  

Dry & Clean

• Let dry in kiln room for 1 hour

• Wipe again with a damp sponge (firm pressure OK)

• Dry another hour

• Buff with soft rag to remove haze

• Paint the sides of the shape to match grout color

• Add to pickup shelf

• NEVER rinse grout down the sink—it hardens like concrete

• Ware a mask while you mix and use grout --- it is made up of thin particles than can stick to your lungs. 

• Throw away used grout, gloves, stir sticks, and cup.

• Be sure to explain to customers that photo mosaics require extra care and layout planning