The art of DIY in general is wonderful; and one of the decorative arts that we love most here in Decorating Visita Casas is the construction of mosaic with tiles.
Although you can also make these wonderful works of art called mosaics with glass and all kinds of recycled materials; the use of tiles is definitely a classic that will never go out of style.
Is it hard to believe that you can take all the magic of this art to the house? Did you think it was only for murals? Well; you could not be more mistaken. Get ready to discover a world of decorative alternatives in the following lines with the mosaics and our favorite DIY technique.
DIY in its Maximum Expression – Mosaics at Home!
Getting started in the world of mosaics is not at all costly or complicated, you need certain tools but, in fact the end result is worth much more than anything.
The feeling of having created a work of art is second to none!
And that is precisely each work of mosaic, a piece of art charged with creativity and beautiful emotions. A puzzle in which the whole is much more than the individual sum of its pieces.
Here we will describe the most basic tools you will need and; in addition we will also give you a lot of ideas of where you could use this technique of decoration in your house.
I guarantee that, the moment you finish your first decorative piece of mosaic; you will not be able to stop!
And this branch of the DIY has a wonderful look.
Nothing is wasted when it comes to making mosaics, nothing is garbage, and everything is used!
To the most insignificant fragment of pottery, clay or glass can become the definitive piece of the puzzle that is your most recent work of art. Recycling is wonderful; and making mosaics brings recycling to a new, much higher level.
What do you say if we start then with the tools that you will need?
Tools and materials for making mosaics
– A hammer! Exactly! Making mosaics can also result in a great anti-stress therapy. Create something so beautiful from the pieces of something else is the perfect metaphor of using our broken spirit or heart to create a better version of ourselves.
– Glass cutter. Necessary to work in a more orderly, conscious and professional way the material; not everything is going to be hammering.
– Cutting pliers. Very useful for giving specific shapes to those small pieces.
– Pliers. Very well known in the world of the inputs for the mosaic processors. Even if you do not know how to use it now, do not worry; we will explain them later.
– Cloths.
– White paste.
– Agua plaster. You can also use silicone or any other ceramic adhesive.
Working on the mosaic!
There are many surfaces on which you can work the ceramic pieces for the mosaic, here we will touch several options but, seriously speaking, do not let our ideas limit your creativity!
Once you have practiced enough and feel safe in your work, begin to try everything you can think of; remember that no fragment is considered despicable in the art of making mosaics.
Mosaics in Flowerpots
We could say that the work on the pots can be summed up to put together a free puzzle. The shape is already determined by the dimensions of the pot. Therefore, thinking of a specific figure, if you are starting, could be more frustrating than rewarding if you do not succeed; it is best to leave it all freestyle.
In any case you can take advantage of one or another figure in the ceramic fragments, so you can create beautiful decorative patterns.
Personally I recommend that you also use mirrored fragments, CD’s or even pieces of broken mirror will work great. Can you imagine how beautiful a floral mosaic with mirror petals would look like?
Do not forget that, once the design is set, the real job of sealing comes to place. For this you can use the same mixture that is used in the ceramics of the wall. I recommend that the fragüe for the light mosaics is of a dark color; blue is a great option against this style. Always seek to emphasize your work as much as you can. Once it is dry you should only remove the excess with a damp cloth.
Specific shapes with mosaics
I have already warned you, there will come a time when everything will seem like a blank canvas waiting to be embellished with the art of mosaic. However; one of the best areas for this type of art is in the doors of the antique furniture. The simple frames of the mirrors and those frame like shapes; after all, they are works of art in themselves.
The best way to work designs on surfaces as specific as these is to take measurements very carefully.
What exactly would you add to the cabinet doors?
Once you have managed to answer that question then we are going to a new material that you can use in the creation of mosaics; this is a bit more advanced. Mesh.
When you have already considered the form you will use and even the colors; it’s time to manage the space you have available to do the job. Using a piece of cardboard as a support (in such a case that you do not have a worktable) you will now add two very important things:
– The design on a piece of paper
– Above the design a mesh for mosaic
Like kids who are filling the interior of a figure with the colors that best suit them. It is time for you to add tiles to what will be your mosaic. However, you will not work on paper directly; the work must be done on the mesh.
These pieces are specially designed for the art of mosaic; when arming the figure on it, avoid damaging the final surface, above all to protect it from possible mistakes.
A more symbolic design style, monograms
Monograms are something that has lost importance with the passing of generations. They represent that part of our family heritage that if we do not renew it will be lost in history.
A monogram is the initials of our family name or coat of arms.
How many families do you currently know that have a family crest?
It seems something taken from a television series or a movie, anything but a reality. Those values can be recovered by you! You should only do some research on your family tree.
If, no matter what, you can’t find on internet your inheritance, or better said, your ancestry; do not give up on the idea of having a family crest, there must always be a pioneer!
The best location to place the monogram is at the entrance of the house, at the front door, hidden in the garden and in an important meeting place within the home. The point is that; not all places look good with a mosaic.
So it is your job to visualize the best site to begin what will later become a relic that will pass from generation to generation.
Can you imagine when your great-grandchildren ask where the family crest comes from?
With pride your descendants will say that it was created from a mosaic made by one of their ancestors, you will be remembered as an ancestor; with all the weight and meaning of those words!
Now; do you dare to put into practice the art of mosaics? Innovate; take advantage of the last broken piece and become a story that is worth remembering.
Do-It-Yourself: Tile mosaic
Have some fun and make beautiful creations for your home or for your special loved ones. If you have experience in working with ceramic tiles, you already know what mosaic madness can do. Waiting to get started for the colorful project would be the hardest part. On the other hand, if you are new in this craft, you should not be afraid though it is a little bit hard for first timers, just be excited instead. Prepare yourself to discover the ease and beauty of mosaic tiling.
Seek for the tiling grout where you find other supplies, such as stencils and a scraper or chopstick. Basically, the technique is the same as what you are doing in a large or small project:
1. To start, clean surface and spread the grout. Apply the ceramic tiles and outline them using your scrapper. Tremendously, stencils help when it comes to applying tiles in a particular pattern.
2. Attach your stencil to the project using your tape and draw an outline of the design onto the piece.
3. Remove your stencils. Begin filling in each area with the selected shapes and colors. It is not a big deal if you place one wrong, just remove it, spread the grout back into place and insert the next tile. Do this until the time that the grout begins to harden.
4. Lastly, move to outside of the stenciled areas after filling the drawn places, filling with grout and tile, small sections at a time.
References
Mosaic Maker: A world of creative photo possibilities
Art Lessons : How to Do a Glass Mosaic – YouTube
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