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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:51 am Post subject: anyone into mosaics ??? |
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hello...
i have had this idea for quite some time now.
i wanna start making mosaics... but not the kind you'd lay on the floor or in the bathroom - but rather something with a more artistic value.
i'm thinking mirrors, lampshades, just wall-ables (things to hang on walls) and later on upgrade to more difficult pieces... like tables and chairs and benches for garden, pots and vases.
well... i'm willing to give up my living room for an art studio. also, i need a large table for work and then... of course... the mosaic tiles/tesserae how they are called.
what i'd like to know is if there is anyone here doing mosaics and any guidelines are welcome.
the most difficult part is finding a supplier... as most of the ones i find are in the US, shipping costs a lot. even if the materials are cheaper than here in europe.
i guess i'd like to hear from people with this hobby and already have experience. my questions would come later on...
waiting to hear from you!
CALIN
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Garden-shmarden, Flower-bower... the showyer, the bigger, the exoticker, the better! 
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
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Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 14179
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| Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: |
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Calin there are a few of our members that do decorative mosaic work - Bethie comes to mind immediatly. She has produced some beautiful work. If she doesn't see this post then maybe you could PM her as I'm sure she'll have lots of useful tips for you. 
Check out some of her work here: http://www.gardenstew.com/about4663.html
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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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thanks eileen... will try to reach her
this is a fairly new hobby in romania... well, i don't know anyone doing it... and it's a great way to spend some time...and later on even get rewarded for it.
thanks
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CritterPainter
Awed by Nature
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1448
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| Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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Definitely check out Bethie's blog! And, from grumpy experience, find out all you can about getting the grout the right thickness- if the mix is too thin it will sag down as it dries and then your fancy side-table-top will just look sloppy (pout)
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Mary 
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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bethie
Highly Skillful
Joined: 08 Jun 2006
Location: WestTennessee (Map)
Posts: 1610
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| Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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Cal, I'll be happy to help you.
CritterPainter-Yes,the grout thickness IS of the utmost importance. If it sits awhile and doesn't get to the right consistency before you use it throw it out and mix some more.
Let's all make a mosaic. 
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Ready to Grow?
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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:35 am Post subject: more difficult than i thought |
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hi guys. thanks bethie. also got your PM.
well, i guess getting started is hard. was planning to invest like 1000 bucks and have all kinds of tiles in diff. shapes and colors... like a "whole set" but that i see doesn't make a lot of sense.
i think it's better to just have a few designs, figure out what i need ... and get started.
i will definitely contact u again soon bethie.
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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:35 am Post subject: mirror ready! |
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hello guys. i know it's been a LOONG time.
but. don't have as much time as i;d like for hobbies&stuff!
bought the tiles (thecraftkit.com) from the netherlands, 19mm MDF board (a little thick and heavy but the only one i could find around here... it's like MFD is not used in my town)... so you can imagine i screwed 2x2 x2nail d-rings into the 100x80 cm mirror.
that's 8 screws. i hope it holds!
well... words are redundant!
here it is
i asked bethie already... waiting for her expert answer to my grout color dilemma...
grey (light/medium/dark), brown, black ???
any ideas??? what would u choose???
the whole album with all the steps!!!
http://community.webshots.com/album/572285028BjDtbJ
THANKS
CALIN[/img]
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
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Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 14179
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Are you sure this is your first attempt at mosaics Calin?  I think your work is fantastic. I know nothing about mosaics ans grouting them so I'll let Bethie tell you which colour is best.
Well done!!
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daisybeans
Highly Skillful
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Location: annapolis md
Posts: 1727
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:08 am Post subject: |
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Well, how pretty is that!!! You are really on to something Cal. I hope you can find time to keep going with this new hobby of yours. Your mosaic so just lovely.
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Daisybeans/MaryAnn
"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:42 am Post subject: |
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THANKS guys!
bethie already ... replied
yes... my first... i know... i am good!
kidding!
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Garden-shmarden, Flower-bower... the showyer, the bigger, the exoticker, the better!
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daisybeans
Highly Skillful
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Location: annapolis md
Posts: 1727
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:47 am Post subject: |
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Hey! Claim it, Cal -- you ARE good!
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Daisybeans/MaryAnn
"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
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kuntrygal
Texas Rose
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Texas ~ Zone 8
Posts: 3115
PlantStew: 313 |
| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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Cal that is beautiful. Are you sure this is your first go at mosasic? You did very good.
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Gaylyn ~ 2277 ~ 
'Quitcherbellyaching'
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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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in this life, at least. very first one!
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ShawnDuBois
Just Arrived
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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AQUA REFLECTIONS MOSAIC ( photo / image / picture from ShawnDuBois's Garden )
I love it! And for that being your first stab at mosaics I would say it's pretty spectacular! I have been making mosaics for about 4 years now and am still learning new techniques everyday--mosaics are a lot of fun, even though even a small one may take up to 3 hours to complete.
As far as your grouting question--I mostly use PEWTER colored grout, I will attach a picture of one of my colorful mosaics so you can see PEWTER in a mosaic.
AS a rule of thumb for mosaics:
If you want the individual pieces of glass to stand out boldly--use a DARK GROUT
If you want the whole thing to blend together--use a LIGHT colored grout.
Hope this helped--love your work!
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ShawnDuBois
Just Arrived
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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After looking at more pictures of your mosaic--I am going to have to say you should use BLACK grout--I think it will make this whoel thing POP!!!
POST A PICTURE AFTER YOU GET IT GROUTED!
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