The Art of Mosaic!

Mosaic art is one of my favorites. I've bought several items that I've used to decorate with and can't wait to get the time to try it myself. I had one wall in my stairwell that was just a big blank. Whatever I put there didn't look right but it definitely needed something. I found a beautiful stepping stone with roses in burgundy and yellow tones. It's a large stone, about 20 inches across, that I hung there. Then I found a swag of silk roses in the same colors which is shaped like a half moon that I placed along the left side arching up to the top. It looks great there. It adds enough color for a dark spot and everyone always comments on it when they go upstairs. I was pretty proud of myself for that one.

Anyway here's a few articles on mosaic's. The first is on the history, I always like to learn where something originated from. The second is on supplies and the third is a project for a table. If you make the table, let me know how it turns out. I'm hoping to do one this summer.

Mosaic Decor: in With the Old

It is said that history repeats itself--A truism from fashion to auto design. It seems that what was once in vogue will eventually return to popularity. How many times have you heard someone say “Don’t throw that out, it will be ‘in’ again in ten years.” Admit it most of you have a few choice items hanging in your closet, with the faint hope that the Dynasty or Miami Vice look will meander its way back into the mainstream.

We see the same trends in commercial and residential architecture and décor. Arched facades, tapestries, pillars and columns, are all reminiscent of styles that have repeated themselves from times of antiquity.

So what’s next? Perhaps we need look no further for inspiration than, say, the 4th century BC—and the advent of mosaic art. When we hear the word mosaic, many of us think of small square tiles, often used in bathrooms and typically installed in monochromatic sheets. True mosaic art couldn’t be more different.

Originally ancient artists formed their mosaics from water-smoothed pebbles, then from non-symmetrical pieces such as broken pottery and other scrap material. The mosaic would be a picture, perhaps a landscape, or mythological event. Churches throughout Europe incorporate intricate mosaics in their ceilings, walls, columns and floors depicting biblical events.

No one can say exactly when or precisely where the art of mosaic was born, but there is evidence of this form regaining popularity throughout the ages by various civilizations. The Greeks developed the first school for mosaic artisans. Originally created to decorate floors, the Romans took the popularity of the art to new heights using mosaics to decorate their walls. Archaeological evidence in Pompeii suggests that even common people would have simple mosaics adorning the walls of their homes. Over the centuries mosaics have experienced renewed popularity time and time again.

Far from little bathroom tiles, today’s incarnation of mosaics are the works of art so valued in previous ages. Intricate pictures and designs in motifs from ancient to contemporary genres, the mosaic can make a unique addition to almost any décor.

Dean Avey, owner of Artisan Mosaics in Toronto, Canada, points out that mosaic can find their way into almost every room of your home, as floor or wall coverings. His gallery displays a wide variety of mosaics, in various sizes and shapes. “All made meticulously by hand,” boasts Avey. Artisan carries a wide range of mosaic sizes that can be used in small applications such as the centrepiece of a kitchen backsplash on up to mammoth mosaic carpets with the look and feel of an Oriental rug. Most of Artisan’s mosaics are made from tiny, hand-cut pieces of marble, in a variety of textures. According to Avey, tumbled marble and slate mosaics are currently in vogue, as well as highly polished almost seamless patterns that are reminiscent of Italian wood inlay.

The practicality of ceramic tile, and its ever-increasing array of colour and texture choices, makes it popular with home and business owners. The status of hardwood flooring, for its warmth and richness, is also at a peak. Setting mosaic medallions or ‘emblemata’ within your tiles or hardwood is certain to set your choice of floor covering apart.

Mosaic carpets offer the rich beauty of a Persian rug in formal areas and foyers, with the practicality of stone for durability and ease of cleaning. The mosaic carpet has the added safety benefit of being set flush with the floor—particularly valuable in high traffic areas, and in spaces where accessibility is important.

Beautiful and practical, the mosaic is ideal for walls in kitchens and baths. No need for rooms that require frequent clean-ups to look clinical or utilitarian. Mosaics will add warmth and charm to these spaces where typically little art is found. Outdoors mosaics can be used in swimming pools and fountains, or as the centrepiece of a porch or patio.

Commercial applications are limitless. Restaurants and hotels, business foyers, and elegant restrooms; all will welcome the air of distinction mosaic art can bring to their décor. “Custom insignias will be popular with businesses, clubs and institutions,” says Avey, whose company will custom order a mosaic of your crest, coat of arms, or business logo.

The revival of mosaics means authentic art will find its way into less conventional spaces, like floors and patios, bathrooms and kitchens, as well as in commercial applications; a welcome opportunity for professional decorators, home and business owners. So once again, it is in with the old, the really, really old…

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:

Vin is a freelance writer based in Toronto. Thanks to www.artisanmosaics.ca

Great Sources For
Your Mosaic Supplies

By A.Caxton

If you're looking for a new outlet for your creative juices, consider taking up the art of the mosaics. It can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend your time, and at the end of it you'll have a piece of art that you can display proudly, or gift to friends.

Beginning Mosaic Artists
If you're a beginner, you don't want to start out with a project that is too complicated. As with any new craft or skill, if you try something too ambitious to begin with, you'll soon become frustrated and give up the craft altogether. No, you need to learn to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you run.

With the mosaic, this is easy, because it's possible to purchase beginner's sets which include everything you need to create a lovely piece or art, something that will look quite nice but won't tax your skills unduly.

The most important skill for a mosaic artist, for example, is the cutting of the small pieces of tile or glass, which you'll need for certain areas of your work. You'll use a pair of nippers especially designed for the task, but care must be taken to cut the thin material carefully, or it will shatter. So it'll take a bit of practice to learn how to do that properly.

Lay a Groundwork of Knowledge With Books
Before you even start out on your project, you'll want to get a book on mosaic art from your library or local bookstore, and read through the portions that explain how to do everything, from choosing a design, cutting your tile, mixing your grout, and so on.

There are plenty of sources on the web for the mosaic enthusiast. Sites that sell supplies to the mosaic artist will usually have instruction pages for the beginner, and by visiting these sites you'll also see all of the tools available to you.

Even if you want to start on a beginning project, you'll still want to get a project of interest, which is why it's best to search the web for vendors who will be able to offer you a wide range of proejcts. Mosaic Mercantile, for example, offers over a dozen kits for the beginner, from keepsake boxes to votives to coasters to mirrors to clocks! And then there are the pre-cut bases you can purchase, in the shape of butterflies, turtles, frogs, etc.

The tools you buy are most important. Don't buy really expensive ones until you know whether or not you want to continue with the hobby. There are two essentials to have, tile nippers and safety glasses. Whenever you are cutting your "tesserae", whether it be glass or tile, you simply must wear your safety glasses. The last thing you want is to lose an eye to a piece of tile. The force applied to the tile by your nippers has the capability of shooting the tile off with great force, so at best it will be very painful, and at worst you could lose an eye.

Although the tiles you get in kits will all be of a uniform size, there will be places on your base where you'll have to cut the tile to fit. This is where you'll need the nippers, which come in many different kinds, such as the "chipper nipper" or the "wheeled nipper." The book that you'll read before you start will explain all about these.

Next is the material - the adhesive - you'll need to affix the tesserae to your form or base. Obviously when you get a kit the adhesive will be included. It will most likely be the Weldbond brand. Any adhesive you get must be safe, non-toxic and quick drying. Should you decide to continue working with mosaics after you finish your first kit, be aware that you can purchase this adhesive in a variety of sizes.

With the kit you'll get an applicator set - small plastic trowels, a spreader and some craft sticks, all to be used in applying the adhesive and grout. You probably won't get a pair of gloves so you'll have to pick those up on your own. It's always a good idea to wear gloves when you're working with any kind of chemical.

In addition to the adhesive, you'll need the grout that goes between the tesserae and sets it off so nicely. Again, with a kit the grout will be included. There are two kinds of grout, sanded and latex, which you'll use depending on the type of mosaic you're creating. You use sanded grout when you're going to have a large spacing between your tiles - sanded grout contains cement and will be very sturdy. The grouts come dyed in a wide variety of colors.

So go out and get a kit today, and create a work of art tomorrow!

About the Author: Andrew Caxton is the editor of http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . For additional information on decoration or mosaic tables subjects have a look at his web.

Source: www.isnare.com

Steps To Creating
A Mosaic Table

By A.Caxton

One of the most colorful forms of art around today is that of the mosaic. You can take the most ordinary item - a glass, a clock, a mirror, a birdbath, and by the application of tile or glass or small stones, turn it into an eye-catching piece of art.

Don't be too ambitious to start with!
If you are new to the world of the mosaic, you do not want to start out with a somewhat advanced project like making a table top. Start out with small projects. You can purchase kits to make coasters, mirrors, votivs and more. By doing so, you'll become accustomed to how to use your applicator tools - the trowel, the spreader, the grout sponge, and the craft sticks. You'll be working both with an adhesive and a grout, so you'll want to get practice in that before you move on to more advanced projects.

And after you've had a bit of practice, it's time to make a tabletop for to fit into your table base. (You don't need to stop there, of course. You can also apply the tile or glass to the base and create an all-in-one piece!)

Step One
First, you'll need to purchase a table base and backing especially designed for a mosaic tabletop, with an inlay into which you can set the mosaic.

Your choice of the backing will depend on where you will keep this table. If it is outside, you'll need to choose a backing that will not warp in the rain or snow. Home improvement stores carry such materials as Hardibacker or Wonderboard, which are recommended. The sturdier the backing the better, as mosaic does get heavy.

Step Two
Take a sheet of plain paper, as large as your tabletop, and on it draw the design that you want to use. Create your design on this piece of paper. Work from the middle towards the edges, and of course place the piece of tile or glass with about 1/8 to 1/2 inch space between them, for the grout. Once you've finished your design - let it "sit" for a few hours. Come back to it when you're fresh, and if you still like it, it's time to do the real thing.

Step Three
Trace your design with a pencil on the tabletop backing. Then, slowly, transfer your design, piece-by-piece, from the piece of paper to the tabletop backing, using the adhesive to fix it into place. Depending on the size of your pieces and the design that you're creating, this process can take a long time, so be patient, and careful. Again, work from the middle outwards. Remember to leave those spaces between the tesserae for the grout!

Step Four
Once you've finished the design, allow everything to dry. (Read the directions on the adhesive to see how long it takes to do so. Then give it an extra hour just to be on the safe side!)

Now you're ready to apply the grout. Mix your grout according to the directions and apply it with your trowel. Use your sponge to wipe the grout off the tops of the mosaic pieces. If you wait until the grout dries to do so, it will be much for difficult to remove it, so don't wait!

Don't start using your table right away! Again, read the directions on the container of grout to know how long you should let the tabletop "set" before you start using it. And if it's an outside table, spray it with a sealer to further protect it.

Then sit back with a cold drink set on a mosaic coaster on your mosaic tabletop, and relax!

About the Author: Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of more blinds resources published at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. A focused website that offers the best articles on mosaic tables and outdoor furniture.

Source: www.isnare.com