In Memory of Ben

If you have the time, be sure to check out our Featured Artist section. There are so many terrific artists that we show in this section of our site. They all create tremendous work.

Be sure to click on the link for Ben E. Tobin. Ben's motto was that he could mosaic anything that didn't move. And he could use anything to mosaic with. He created some of the most beautiful pieces on some of the strangest things.

Yesterday I learned that Ben passed away. My heart is very saddened by this news. Ben was a wonderful mosaic artist but an even better friend. He battled an illness for years and finally succombed to its clenches. He will be missed greatly by so many people.

We love you Ben! May your body finally get a chance to rest but let your spirit still inspire us all!

Mosaic Tile Sizes

The definition of mosaic tile is any tesserae that is 2" or smaller. Typically mosaic glass tiles are 2", 1", 3/4", 5/8", 3/8", and 1/2". 2" and 1" tiles are typically crystal glass, 3/4" are usually vitreous and metallic swirl, 5/8" are iridescent, 3/8" are vitreous glass or stained glass, and 1/2" are usually stained glass.

Many people wonder what they can do with such small tiles. For an artist, the possibilities are endless. I rarely use tiles whole. I usually cut them down in some way so I don't have such a symmetric piece or straight edge. I will cut them into fourths, halves, triangles, etc. This also means that an artist can integrate all sorts of tiles into one piece. By cutting them to smaller pieces, you can combine the iridescent with the vitreous or the stained glass with the metallic tiles.

There is another issue that the mosaic artist must face. Some tiles are thicker than others. This is fine if your piece is going on a wall but not okay if it is going on a floor or table top. You really have to have all tiles the same thickness or you will have a wobbly table top.

Most mosaic tiles are 4mm (vitreous, metallic, stained glass, iridescent, our AfterGlow tiles),5mm(some crystal glass), or 8mm(ceramic and crystal glass). Some stained glass is even thinner. If you are working in broken china then you have multiple thicknesses and multiple problems.

However, different tile sizes can offer you much diversity in a piece. Imagine the texture qualities that you will achieve by using the AfterGlow glass with MatrixColor Venetian glass. The smooth versus rough surface will make your crystal glass tiles pop out. Experiment with different tesserae when you can.

Just make sure that you are aware of your tile size and the desired outcome of your project before purchasing tiles. You will have a less frustrating experience this way.

Mosaic Logo Finished!

Well, my part is done at least. It still has to be installed and grouted. I have to say that this was one of the most enjoyable projects I have done. I just hope that the client likes it as much as me!

So to continue on with the steps to completion. Here is how I went about filling in the large starburst. I used whole tiles when I could. I really tried to not use many of the tiny pieces but had to do a lot of fill in because of the shape.

I had some design issues with the center of the large starburst. I had tiles coming in from all directions because of each point being tiled at different angles. I finally decided to just lay the tiles in the center going one direction. I angled it so it has a little more flow when looking at the logo straight on. I ended up with a slight curve to my tile lines that I had to fix and refix to get straight.

After getting all of the cracks filled in, I was ready for the background. I wanted it to be a basic squared off background. No frills so that the starburst would jump out. I chose to use Peacock in full sheets as much as possible. After adhering all of the full and partial sheets, I allowed these to dry overnight. I did this so that I wouldn't pull off the tiles when I soaked the paper off of the tiles.

The next day I used a wet sponge to get the paper off. I then started filling in around the large starburst. This was pretty easy but very time consuming. The edges of each tile are not perfect but I think grout will hide some of the blemishes.

After finishing the entire logo, I had to let it dry overnight. The last thing I had to do was cut this up into workable pieces and shake out all of the shards that were in the grout joints. I had a few tiles pop off so I glued those back on. I then flipped each piece over and pulled off the plastic wrap so that the glue could finish drying. This piece is now ready for delivery. I will post a pic of the installed logo later.

Creating Mosaic Logos

As many of you know, I don't take on many commission jobs. I am way too busy and never like the way my pieces turn out. I was approached by a company at the Tulsa House Beautiful show about doing a custom mosaic of their logo. It is to be 5 foot by 5 foot. I must have been feeling good that day because I told them "Sure, I can do this!"

After picking the 4 colors that would be used: French Violet, Peacock, Bubble, and P921, they gave me their business card that had the logo. My wonderful husband figured out how to blow up the image to the 5 foot by 5 foot size without losing too much of the design to pixels. I did go through and outline the large starburst so I could see it easier through the mesh. Now I am filling in the design by adhering the tiles to the mesh with Weldbond.

I laid out the design on cardboard boxes that I taped (and taped and taped) together. I then taped plastic wrap on the paper and then fiberglass mesh on the plastic. I taped all of this down well. Then I started to work.

I laid the central orbits first starting with the arrows. I tried to use as many whole tiles as possible since this will be placed on a floor. I did the blue first since it was the dominating shape.

Next I worked on the inner starburst. This was done in the French Violet using mostly half tiles cut into triangles. It gives it a nice texture that will be enhanced when the outer starburst is finished. The hardest part of doing this starburst was filling in the center. I was trying to not use anything smaller than a full half tile, so it was a difficult puzzle to complete. There are a couple of larger grout joints but I think it will look good when grouted.

Next it was time to do the letters...I had such a hard time with this. I was completely blocked for quite some time. My problem was that the letters are not a full tile wide. They are just under a full tile so I had to shave each tile off using the wheeled cutters. I was very worried because the tiles weren't perfectly smooth or perfectly straight. After seeing many other examples of mosaic letters and speaking with several people about it, I realized that this is how it has to be. The grout will actually smooth these out a lot.

So after working on these letters for what seems an eternity, I finally finished the lettering. I felt like I was carving each tile and I guess I was. I used my grozing pliers to smooth out the edges when I could.

The past couple of days I have been working on the outer starburst. Once again, I am trying to use more full tiles then not. With the angle of the points that was impossible though. So I lined the outside of each point with the full tiles and am filling in the gaps with odd shaped triangles (half pieces). Working around the letters has proved to be the most difficult so far. I am trying to fill in without making it look filled in. I am trying to achieve consistency between each point section. Today, I am going to try to finish as much of the inside as I can.

Project Idea #2 - Funky Picture Frame

We are offering a class this month on how to make a funky picture frame. It is always fun because we don't use typical tesserae. We use everything but the kitchen sink! These make the best gifts because you can personalize your's for the person you are creating it for.

Try using jewelry, buttons, scrapbooking decor, beads, and glass tiles. Here is a quick walk through on how to make a picture frame with pizazz.

Materials Needed:

1 Picture Frame (make sure it has wide framing of at least 2" on all sides)
Liquid Nails
Wheeled Cutters
Scissors
Glass Tiles
Assorted Trinkets
Grout
Gloves
Paper Towels
Toothpicks
Toothbrush

First of all don't spend a lot on a picture frame. We have a store here called Big Lots. They have amazing frames that are perfect for this project. I bought the one that I used for $2. They are sturdy and have the correct framing width. Before starting remove the glass and back of the frame.



Now start gluing the trinkets onto the frame using Liquid Nails. I say this adhesive because you can stand things up on end with little problems with this thick adhesive. For the one that I made, I used earrings and cut off the posts. I then stood them on end to give the ribbon effect. I then used the backs to make "flowers" in spots. After adding on your trinkets (the more the better!), fill in the empty spots with the glass tiles. I used the Aventurine Metallic color Henna on mine so I could keep the overall gold tone of the frame.

Using the Liquid Nails is great for this project but be careful not to use to much. Once this stuff gets on the tops of your pieces it is very difficult to get off even with acetone. Use enough to build a base for your funky pieces but use very little on your glass tiles since they don't require much to stay in place.

Now that you have covered the entire front of the frame, try adding a string of beads to the sides. Plastic ones work just fine. Let your frame set overnight to dry.

Mix your grout as you would for any other mosaic. While it slakes, you might need to tape off some of your items that you don't want grouted. On mine, I covered the elephants with tape since I didn't want it to get any grout in the grooves of each. Remember that it is going to be difficult to get the grout out of some of your areas.

Spread your grout on and work into the grout joints. Take your paper towels and clean off the grout. Use the toothpicks and toothbrush to clean off the funky trinkets that you used until it all nice and shiny!

The grouting is difficult and not actually necessary if you can fill the entire surface with no grout joints. I just prefer the look of a grouted piece.

Some frame ideas:

• Try adding Harley Davidson items for your Harley fan then use Obsidian and Mango Passion AfterGlow tiles.
• Create a breast cancer awareness frame with our Carnation tiles and pink ribbons glued on after grouting.
• Make a memory frame for the grandparents with small toys or special items of your kids. Then fill it with a picture our your child.

Project Idea #1 - Coaster Sets

Everyone needs a coaster...or at least that is what I think! Coasters are those small 4" squares or circles that people can place their drinks on so that the table doesn't get all wet. Like I said...everyone needs a coaster. Actually they need a set of 4!

These are some of the easiest and least expensive projects. Get creative and do a set for yourself or let your kids, nieces, nephews, preschool class, etc. make at least one for a holiday gift.

You will need:

4" ceramic tile - any color
100 Q Tiles - color is up to you
Weldbond
Grout
Gloves
Paper towels
Cork feet or cork sheet

You can tile either side. I usually choose the glazed side so that it will be even on top. Use a dab of Weldbond glue on each tile and set in whatever design you choose. Make sure to leave a small space between tiles for the grout and that you place at border of tiles around each edge. The gap should only be about 1/16" wide.

Allow your tiles to set up for 24 hours. Lay down some newspaper to grout your coaster on. Mix the grout to container specifications. Cover your tiles on your coaster and allow to sit for a few minutes. Wipe grout off with paper towels until all grout it removed and the tiles are shiny.

That is basically it. After you allow your grout to cure for at least 24 hours, seal it with a grout sealant. Place 4 cork "feet" on the bottom of the coaster. You now have a beautiful, handmade creation that makes an awesome gift.

These are perfect for kids because there is no cutting involved. The tiny tiles fit perfectly on the ceramic tile.