WOW! What a GREAT start!! Looks like it's going to be BEAUTIFUL!!
I'm curious about the whole doing it on mesh method...Will you put the thinset (or whatever) on the sheetrock and then just lift the completed mesh piece (looks like it will take more than one person) and smoosh into place? Thanks for the beginning pics...it really helps out us newbies!

Thanks! The process I have in mind is using tinted thinset and smooshing the mesh on with a friend, then placing the ceramic tiles I'm making into their places and around the edges. I'll grout the ceramic tiles with a cake decorating bag to keep it out of the smalti (from my practice piece experience!). I'm leaving gaps between some of the ceramic tiles so I can stick in a few pieces of smalti at the very end.

I used mesh instead of some kind of board because the kitchen is sheet rocked in greenboard.

AND, I'm putting this piece on a piece of butcher paper and drawing the pattern for the tiles, since the mesh lets the line go through to the paper. The clay's shrinkage is about right for a grout space. (I did the shrink test last week)So I just have to decide if I'm going to leave the clay surfaces smooth or press in leaves, etc. from the garden.

That's the plan anyway. We'll see, won't we?

Well, that sounds like quite a project...making your own tiles and all! Good for you! That will be something I want to learn to do in the future...the waaaay future!

That is going to be amazing.........love your design and colors..very soothing....I'me very impressed with you making your own tiles...and planning this out ahead of time...I wish I could plan ahead..........keep the progress posted!!!

I love it! Beautiful.

YOU GO GIRL!!! Hmmm...Hubby is away for the whole month of may....nah, I'm saving my pesos for something better!!!

Love what you are doing. I'm glad you are showing us your process.

Calam - Now you try & behave yourself.

This is PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes please... LOTS OF PICS!! One for every step of the way!!
I love your tiles. Are they made from Smalti? There are so many shades involed and each one looks unique. And I love the clear and mirrored ones. Gotta get me some of those.

Looking forward to lots more pics and explanations of how you did EVERYTHING!!

Looks good so far, and sounds like you have it all worked out. Looking forward to seeing your progress, as this is a big undertaking.

This w/be a real beauty! You obviously know what you're doing. Wish I could afford Smalti, but way too stingy. Also wish I'd been into mosaics when I visited the Murano glass blowers. Amazing place. Anxious to watch your progress.

GO BETTY GO! wow, that's really AWESOME!!!! we will call you smalti QUEEN!

Love your colors ,and the smalti is gorgeous.Never had the nerve to try it myself.Guess smalti is never grouted?Is this a kitchen backsplash?It will be a real beauty.

Betty , I thought i had already replied . Guess not.

It is looking beautiful and I am so anxious to see your progress. I love the tiles and the flowing lines.

Yes Go Betty Go...

I wanted to check and see how your project was going.

Betty, we all LOVE your beginning and want to see an update! Please, please, please!

ah accountability, eh? thanks for asking. It is going well but slllooowww. I prefer working in natural light, and there is only so much of that...and being a teacher, this time of year is a little crazy. PLUS the whole all-house-gut remodel that is still going on.

But excuses aside, this is where it is - (oh, plus I'm working on this pig....;)

I hope you can tell I've done something!!!!

looks like smalti.
Hope I dind't miss anything...ran through the posts!
You won't be grouting this piece.......right?? Smalti isn't
grouted, what are your plans????????

Lookin' Good! Thanks for the update, you sure have a lot on your plate!!!

Your colors are SO vibrant... yet it looks like a peaceful flow. Lovely! Can't wait for to see how it progresses!!!

Beautiful work Betty! love your colors

Thanks yal, Yes lovemosaics, it is smalti, I'll be using tinted thinset and some other tiles around it & inside some larger open spaces. (The cooktop is across the room away from the backsplash)

I've been doing glaze test pieces for those other tiles, and the first few were not good. I thought I wanted glossy but noooo glossy. One of the test pieces coming out of the kiln this week is an aqua and kind of turquoise matte glazes layered up. I'll post them when I'm ready to make a decision. I think a matte surrounding will let all the golds and silvers and iridescents sparkle more.

Can't wait to see this finished. I was never happy with anything I did with smalti. I never could get the pieces as close as you are. Tried to grout once, and that was a disaster!LOL! So.... Just gave up on it all together. It was some pretty expensive trash!LOL!
Your work is Beautiful to say the least.

Can't even imagine working w/smalti - soooooo expensive. This w/be a truly amazing piece of work.

Yes it is expensive, I wouldn't indulge but it is a permanent part of the home I intend to live in the rest of my life, plus I've been gradually accumulating it for years knowing I would do this. That's a big reason it is just a central, well, curvy stripe, and the rest will be ceramic tiles, if I EVER come up with a glaze I like.

the artist who most inspired me leaves gaps in her smalti which shows the painted board underneath, or tints her thinset.

Here is a link that might be useful: Anna Fietta

PHENOMENAL!! That is the word that comes to mind. I simply cannot imagine trying to do something like this.