Good idea, but unfortunately, it would still be up to an individual's idea of what is the "right" way, and the "right" material! What works for one, may not for another, and I think that is why art is such an individual thing. But I agree, that the same thing, should be called the same thing!

Hi Jennie,

Agreed that many differ on preferences, but a
basic chart would be super helpful.

I feel so stupid asking the same questions over
and over, still not really feeling as though I
fully understand.

We could always start one here. :-)

Just jump in and do what works for you. If I did it the "right" way I'd never do anything. And if something doesn't work, chalk it up to experience.

Ah, feeling like I'm getting somewhere.
I found Sonia King's Thinset Mortar discussion
as well as eight pages from Mosaic Artists Org.
and Shug Jones.

:-)

I'm all for jumping in, but if I'm going
to make something of size, I want it to turn out
right. Just trying to make certain I have the basics
down before plunging in.

Mistakes along the way are valuable things to learn,
but having a giant mosaic fall off the wall is not
my idea of experience. Just trying to cross the T's and
dot what I's I can.

:-)

KM

Well...
Cementboard, Hardibacker/Hardiboard (same thing),
Wedi board, MDF, Plywood...are all different substrates (or
base layers of a stucture) with their own properties so
IMHO it's important to know what you're dealing with.

I some times take issue with a jump right in mentality...
If the "jumping in" refers to the art itself I'm totally on
board but if it means not allowing for the proper tools
etc. Then sometimes it ends up being less art and more science project...

Ah, Linlee, yes, exactly what I'm talking about.
If I'm not mistaken, Wedi is the stuff with the
styrofoam-ish center and of lighter weight, yes?

:-) KM

Yep

There are a lot of good books out there with step-by-step instructions for indoor and outdoor projects. I learned solely from books without too many screw-ups. Some good ones are Making Mosaics : Designs, Techniques & Projects
by Leslie Dierks, Encyclopedia of Mosaic Techniques by Emma Biggs, and The Complete Book of Mosaics : Materials, Techniques, and Step-by-Step Instructions for over 25 Beautiful Home Accents by Emma Biggs & Tessa Hunkin.

And you can never have too many mosaic boods either! Some good ones for eye candy and inspiration are Mosaic Art and Style: Designs for Living Environments by JoAnn Locktov and Mosaics :Inspiration and Original Projects for Interiors and Exteriors by Kaffe Fassett & Candace Bahouth. Have FUN!!!

There is a lot of good information in the database files over at MAO (mosaicartists.org). Things like glues, substrates, etc. We don't have the ability to compile a database of things here at ivillage so I refer over there when needed.

Climate and name brand availability change around the country and the world. What I consider to be "ok" construction in my climate might be overkill or underkill in another. Mastic tends to be a generic word meaning glue - but some people use the true mastic and others call thinset mastic.

I guess it's all about taking what you like and leaving the rest. And if you truly are worried about a wall sized mosaic falling off a wall - call a tile contractor and find out what he/she uses to put up vertical tile. If it works for them, it will probably work for you.

Try to google "how to mosaic" You'll find lots of sites to check out. Here's one.
Oh, btw, WELCOME!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: How to

I used premixed thinset for a small wall area that I tiled, similar to my counter top and it is rock solid. Got it in a tub at Hd. When it is grouted will post pic.

My "jump in" attitude is probably why I'll always be a hobbyist as opposed to an artist.

Well, my first thought would be for someone to start a blog, and the site pages would be different discussions on various "adhesives," "substrate media," "backerboards," etc. That would seem the simplest, and within the pages, each paragraph could potentially discuss the "on/near/in" water type topics as they apply to different areas of the art. Could also "feature" certain projects (with the person's permission, of course) simply to talk about how it was created...

My 2¢

Well, my first thought would be for someone to start a blog, and the site pages would be different discussions on various "adhesives," "substrate media," "backerboards," etc.

I've worked and volunteered at enough non-profit organizations to know the above statement means YOU get to do the blog!

Kind of like "step forward if you want to volunteer" and the whole group steps back . . . .

I think a wiki would be better, I have set up free ones before. If there is interest I would create it , but only if other people help fill it up with info :D

I think this is what pea was trying to accomplish. Information and links to websites are good. PICTURES should be with permission? thoughts??

Jeff or MM, I 'd be happy to help contribute!

Maria

I was only suggesting a format for said idiot-guide...

...stepping back in a hurry...totally don't have time to actually DO it...sorry.

I agree...pea did have a good start on this...but the information needs to be sterile & objective, I think. By that, I mean that any & all references to "who" and links to the "whos" need to be scrubbed. It is possible to discuss a project objectively without going into personal details.

There did surface an objection to having personal information of ANY sort linked...which is why pea's efforts were eventually (and unfortunately) scrapped.

I think if we can be objective, organized, and ANONYMOUS, that it can work. There are other places to go to 'find' someone. I really think the "personal" aspect needs to be left out.

Shutting up now.

...not saying I will, or can...because it won't happen in a hurry; I just don't have that kind of (immediate) time to devote to a project such as this...

BUT...if I did...

I'd need:

1. Have NO clue where to start this thing online. I don't know a single thing about blogging, but have seen great ones. (Pea, are you out there? Are you remotely interested in taking another stab at this?)
2. Lots of help and proof-reading to make sure the correct information is included, and that it is being written & interpreted correctly (ie: "Idiot-Proof")
3. Patience by the masses. It can't, and wouldn't be an overnight event. It will take many hours of proofing, and editing, and approving of the content BEFORE it gets published.

Ok, off box again.

Pea already had done a bolg on mosaics months ago.
I guess she wanted to do another one, but with links to our personal albums to so she could get more clicks.

BTW: if you check the frequently asked questions on this forum, you'll get a lot of that information.

Here is a link that might be useful: peas blog

Welcome, Wuvie! I know it seems confusing but that is not any different for anything that you are learning with no background knowledge.

And just like when you learned how to use a computer, you learned how to type and save. Each step you learned more and more. Rarely (maybe never)does anyone look at a computer the first time and write a major program.

So my advice is to start with something small and learn, then another thing and learn, another and learn, and then you can finally get to your big project. You can start with a big project but most likely you will learn a lot and then wish you did it differently. So it comes down to how much time and money are you willing to spend in your learning process.

We are willing to help. If you want to ask specific questions to get going.

Many thanks for all of your posts, many thanks!

I am anxious to learn as much as I can while going
along, because I love to write tutorials, provided
I've been there and done it myself.

As I learn, I'm going to try composing a tutorial
for people like myself who know the bare minimum.
I'll be happy to create if you all will help me along
the way. Just your replies alone help to get me
there.

Stay tuned, and again, thanks!

KM

so wuvie...whatcha got planned??? Something like KatG's backsplash?????? Let's hear your plans!

Hi MMQ,

Well, I've been entertaining the idea of a large
mosaic for a while, but haven't had the 'get up and
get with it'. Well, long story short, after I just
finished brownbagging a great deal of wall space
in the halls and back bedroom, I see that I CAN work
full time and finish projects.

Now that I have online support and many resources,
I feel comfortable enough to begin. I want to enlarge
and reproduce a few things I drew years ago. Some is
rather outsider and some is abstract, so it will definitely
be original, LOL.

Hubby has given me the green light to do just about
anything I want to, though I'll pull back on my own
reins. Ha!

:-) KM