04 Marzo 2011

Materials for Mosaic

The most important characteristic of a material to suit the mosaic is its durability in color and cutting, so that, once installed, will always remain as it has been realized.
The used materials are mostly those of rocky provenance (marble, stones, pebbles, pottery) and those from vitreous provenance (enamel, glass gems, murrine, artistic and mirrored glass), but the imagination can suggest many others (recycled materials, metals, shells ..).
In ancient times, for example, were used: lapis lazuli, mother of pearl, shells and hard stones, pieces of baked clay polychrome (Mesopotamia), blacks and white pebbles or polychrome (Macedonia and Greece) in addition to an endless variety of marble, creating a mosaics that have come down to us in good condition.

Posted by Gloria Conte at 11:00 AMTop

04 Marzo 2011

Information and advice for the purchase of materials:

The firm Orsoni in Venice produces enamels and glass tiles with gold and silver; Bisazza, Trend and Sicis produce glass tiles for industrial mosaic; In the internet site www.hobbyland.it/ita/shop/search/ you can buy murrine; If you want to experiment with the marble, a piece of advice may be going to a marble worker and ask if they can give you some scraps of their work; and to experiment with the glasses of stained glass, some small pieces of the processing waste can be given by the laboratories that produce beautiful stained glass windows (they are small enough pieces, but should be cut even further!)

Posted by Gloria Conte at 11:00 AMTop

04 Marzo 2011

Mosaic techniques

The choice of technique with which to make the mosaic depends on many factors (effect to be achieved, job size, existence of a precise plan to play ...).
The techniques are mostly of two types: direct and indirect
The direct method consists of applying the tiles directly on the binder (cement or glue) with the "straight" toward us. This method has the advantage of seeing how work will look once it will be finished and bring out the pieces of gold and silver. .. and it is also the technique I use mainly during my work. I can thus play with the inclination and thickness of the card, playing with the light – what I like very much!
The indirect technique is realized in several phases: First you make the plan of the mosaic to be carried out on a sheet of paper at real dimension. The tiles are glued directly on the paper with a water-soluble glue *, backward, ie with the right of the card face down. Then you lay out the cement on the site where you have chosen to place the mosaic and glue the paper toward you. When the cement has dried, the water-soluble glue has to be wet with a brush and rub until it comes off completely. Eventually, you putty the work . This technique is suitable to create a flat surface, ideal for floors and walls.
Recipe for water-soluble glue called "glue of flour"
1kg flour
1 tablespoon of honey
Half a tablespoon of cream for hands
1 liter and a half of water
The water should be added slowly, stirring until you get a homogeneous mixture, that is cooked slowly and in a water bath for 45 minutes, stirring constantly, never bring to the boil.
When the glue has cooled, the mixture should have a consistency similar to mayonnaise.
It should be applied with a brush on paper in a quite thin layer.
You can keep for a few days in the refrigerator in an airtight jar.

Posted by Gloria Conte at 11:00 AMTop

04 Marzo 2011

My mosaic

... the mind does not think and hands are moving and looking for the colors and creating drawings that just before I did not know they might exist;

Precise and detailed processing make frames and small mirrors precious and it is also suitable for large mirror with great visual impact.

Posted by Gloria Conte at 11:00 AMTop