Tesserae - Mosaic Pieces

 

For glass artists mosaics and tesserae are one and the same thing. Tesserae are some small pieces used to create mosaic. These pieces can make a mosaic look great or they can ruin the entire project. To make the bet decision when it comes mosaics you need to know something about the existing kinds of tesserae.

 

Broken China

 

This is probably the best tesserae that you can use to create mosaics. These pieces are called pique assiette which in translation means broken china mosaic. Because it is very easy to acquire this material is very suited for beginners. Broken china pieces can be made from your damaged plates or from antique items that you can buy from a garage sale.

 

However you must be careful when choosing your materials because some china may not be suited for outdoor use. You must find some pieces that are frost proof else it might break if it is to cold outside.

 

The good part about china is that they can be cut into any shape that you want. Some dishes are thick and hard to break. The best way to make those small pieces is by smashing a plate with a hammer.

 

Found Objects

 

These are great tesserae because they are very easy to get. Anything that can be glued is suited, such as paper weights, marbles, dolls, buttons, beads or salt shakers. You will certainly find some of these objects in a junk drawer.

 

It is very important to choose a very good adhesive to glue those items you find. Thin mortar is recommended as it can be used on almost any material. If you choose marbles you need to sand their back so they’ll adhere better.

 

Be careful to the place where you place your completed items. You shouldn’t put beds in water because they can get brittle and break. You just have to be a little careful to avoid ruining your project.

 

Vitreous Glass

 

It is a tesserae that can be found in form of tiles and it is very affordable. Besides, vitreous glass can be found in many different colors. Some colors can be opaque while other transparent. There are a few suppliers name where you can find these tiles. You just have to do a little research over the internet and you’ll get many brand names.

 

Vitreous glass can be found in 4 ways: back mounted on mesh, face mounted on tile tape and on paper and of course loose. Be careful to take the tiles off the mounted surface before using them in mosaics. Tiles can be found in 2 sizes: 3/8’’ and ¾’’ and you can use them in any location including outdoor.

 

The cutting procedure is very simple. You’ll only need some wheel cutters. Always wear protective glasses to avoid getting your eyes hurt by the flying shards.

 

Vitreous glass is rigged so they will stick better. You can choose any type of adhesive you want. However if you choose thin mortar you should mix it with a latex adhesive instead of water. This adhesive strengthens the thin set for holding the material better.