Add some texture to your piece!

Adding texture to your piece can really add the punch needed to get the oohs and aahs from people. You can add this by using a couple of techniques.

A friend of mine named Cary Huff creates some of the most unique vases that I have ever seen. In the one shown, she uses all of the techniques that I mention below.

1. Use really shiny glass tiles for the foreground image then use matte tiles for the background (or vise versa). If you prefer the vitreous glass like I do, then use Sq Palette for the foreground image and then the MatrixColor Venetian for the background. Your image will basically jump out at the viewer.


2. You could go really dramatic by using a solid crystal glass such as The AfterGlow Series for your main design and do the background with our Fantastix Iridescent tiles. Each type of tile is shiny just in different manners. You will really dazzle the viewer using this technique.


3. Adding texture can also be taken literally. There are some tiles that have texture on them such as many types of stained glass. If you like using stained glass then create your piece as normal. However mix in the same colored glass but use some that has the texture molded into it. Be careful not to overdo it in this case. The texture pieces used in the wrong place can ruin a piece. For instance, if you are doing a face then you may not want to use both texture and flat pieces for the cheeks but rather use the texture pieces for under the eyes or the lips.


4. The last way that I can think of for you to add some pep to your piece is to layer the tiles. Create your piece as you normally would. Once it is dry then glue some tiles or glass gems to the top of your tiles in various locations. After the glue sets up then grout around these addons to smooth out the transition. It creates a breathtaking piece when not overdone.

Always remember to do what is appealing to your own eye and I am sure it will look great when finished!