tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12635601882397594712024-03-14T02:01:54.067-04:00The Mosaic ObsessionCarol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-18501970962805206492009-09-23T00:04:00.006-04:002009-09-23T00:39:59.361-04:00The LionThis is going to be a 12" x 14" mosaic of a lion. I went to Kinko's & had them blow up a pic I liked. For some reason the person made it more orange than the original pic but I took it anyway. I tape the pic behind the glass & am attempting to make it look like the lion. Now these are some really small pieces. I had to use tweezers to put the pieces on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3744416591_f644e1a1c1_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3744416591_f644e1a1c1_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I just about finished with the face. I changed around the eyes a bit & tried to get the shadows of his face. This was a real challenge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3760921414_c965573851_o.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 460px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3760921414_c965573851_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Now for the fun part. The mane! So far I've only used wheeled nippers. The ears I had to cut & use the grinder on. I have a tutorial on how I made the cuts for the mane in another tutorial on the blog under wheeled nippers. Very easy to do & fast! You just make your cuts & start tilting the pieces the direction you want the hair to to. You lay them down kind of alternating laying one piece down & the piece next to it you lay not directly beside it but halfway from where the first piece starts. Before you know it it looks like hair & it's finished.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3829134182_a2e74a2757_o.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 567px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3829134182_a2e74a2757_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Mane is finished & put in the background. I had in mind a more red sky but didn't have the glass. I wanted the gray part to look like a rock. But I'm not happy with it & will pull it off & just put the sky in. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/3840760166_5466721f71_o.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 521px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/3840760166_5466721f71_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I made some minor adjustments I wasn't happy with. Here is the king of the jungle in all his glory grouted & framed. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPplBBGLzInnBdpInCkBSnyNW7vuKX8tbBRJbsAFCBWQpVeNjD7PhI_kP3zxjYhdxzXiq6uV0_nFPSyPIN7GMJ2mCB5t1Oi7O4eb7Tp7FIjJobKMh-EhkwM70hMrBGFgFs8GNwSL9fXs8/s1600-h/lion_Glastar.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPplBBGLzInnBdpInCkBSnyNW7vuKX8tbBRJbsAFCBWQpVeNjD7PhI_kP3zxjYhdxzXiq6uV0_nFPSyPIN7GMJ2mCB5t1Oi7O4eb7Tp7FIjJobKMh-EhkwM70hMrBGFgFs8GNwSL9fXs8/s400/lion_Glastar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384513341487595922" /></a><br /><br />This is a special lion & is a gift for a very dear friend that is a missionary in South Africa. It was just hand delivered this week & they absolutely loved the lion.Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-10095443928173095842009-04-10T23:56:00.018-04:002009-04-11T01:28:28.776-04:00Tempered Glass & Polymer Clay MirrorThis project once underway gets done in one sitting. I am playing with the placement of the polymer clay tiles and laying out the background paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwW0ScDlF2rJDDLIxjPWbWSqU-fesMidWsEELlzH04KaAapYq8jPPkN2MCodWpQT5qKtt1D-9DyCZcrnns9iZ6cozBunDkpsolD8DNpVn5D9404EvDxIDXy36csryfnECHTg1zA9pLBw/s1600-h/blog9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwW0ScDlF2rJDDLIxjPWbWSqU-fesMidWsEELlzH04KaAapYq8jPPkN2MCodWpQT5qKtt1D-9DyCZcrnns9iZ6cozBunDkpsolD8DNpVn5D9404EvDxIDXy36csryfnECHTg1zA9pLBw/s400/blog9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323287176355205154" /></a><br /><br />I painted the mirror edge and frame edge prior to gluing the pc (polymer clay) tiles down with Mac glue. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRFP65J5mRb80MCIFbkrSX_du7H9XFHkJCdxJQ7eakIk4zHJaSyGRRMqFArCXai7-q23xHryyKK5C4MexBW7a4QVNafH6XI2AIgiju_PHyMtJryegx7kCKlI60C6P86t6WREx9AZRSLo/s1600-h/blog1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRFP65J5mRb80MCIFbkrSX_du7H9XFHkJCdxJQ7eakIk4zHJaSyGRRMqFArCXai7-q23xHryyKK5C4MexBW7a4QVNafH6XI2AIgiju_PHyMtJryegx7kCKlI60C6P86t6WREx9AZRSLo/s400/blog1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323278428873780786" /></a><br /><br />Begin by applying the background paper using a two part epoxy. I spread the epoxy evenly and thoroughly before placing the paper, then smooth it out to ensure contact. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TD0UVb-7WvPcWNviJigBdjkpre6B5uzmoNspyecubvqybrPajfhv01aNawewXqzec7Tk6MrlT4e4w6H8nXNb6y-f4EtcVBtjYaj6CtY08FHQYn4D26KqsTRJ3Yl9siZyoOwgTVmx1Qc/s1600-h/blog2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TD0UVb-7WvPcWNviJigBdjkpre6B5uzmoNspyecubvqybrPajfhv01aNawewXqzec7Tk6MrlT4e4w6H8nXNb6y-f4EtcVBtjYaj6CtY08FHQYn4D26KqsTRJ3Yl9siZyoOwgTVmx1Qc/s400/blog2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323279351375327970" /></a><br /><br />Work your way around the now papered background with the tempered glass. I brushed the epoxy on top of the paper. It did darken the red to a deeper shade but it still worked. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGsgDS0_Ax9hMOFHOhyphenhyphenc9XwovR1iIPgYKWJg6ku1xvykXAnBD2im63TNpKXSKzwJsdqzRSlRJ4Kb_qMnZxhgb32LBG-qr9U2vvFHhMo7s-XYB2Di7J_rwPMFJUyxtRnDUZSMdTMB8RDs/s1600-h/blog4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGsgDS0_Ax9hMOFHOhyphenhyphenc9XwovR1iIPgYKWJg6ku1xvykXAnBD2im63TNpKXSKzwJsdqzRSlRJ4Kb_qMnZxhgb32LBG-qr9U2vvFHhMo7s-XYB2Di7J_rwPMFJUyxtRnDUZSMdTMB8RDs/s400/blog4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323280878984834018" /></a><br /><br />All the tempered glass is in place and let it dry overnight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xJHKjDDWRKIW8HNHk3jmzGEHJXgrWju_9xB9KcApCYRxtTsxLixERvFlOwGh7HNi53pyW3oB8-7qVXS8q01mK3ItQeatgR_icDeZwZFKgh4RZ5tmW4kIZbLYa0Mtwy01NEzeQWd9b0I/s1600-h/blog5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xJHKjDDWRKIW8HNHk3jmzGEHJXgrWju_9xB9KcApCYRxtTsxLixERvFlOwGh7HNi53pyW3oB8-7qVXS8q01mK3ItQeatgR_icDeZwZFKgh4RZ5tmW4kIZbLYa0Mtwy01NEzeQWd9b0I/s400/blog5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323281820992004242" /></a><br /><br />The mirror is now grouted. Prepare a mixture of gel medium, acrylic paints and mica powders to apply to the grey grout. Gel medium is available in art stores and Michael's, etc. I am using Liquitex Acrylic Gel Medium. I believe gel medium is normally used to extend the life of your paint so it doesn't dry as quickly. In this instance it makes a more even application of the paint and mica powders and is more workable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2jccP8oB8jPf2HD1hTt4BWB05ViDtV0mMHYueaqDvYb2g4lcU8wEavwL3lQi4hw9UOTTUwaFrxB6VhF9tt4N49g8ZoR6mtaE3A9xzVobPZByrm4DKG9EqT1MHCopH8wpyDWPO8xtBCc/s1600-h/blog6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2jccP8oB8jPf2HD1hTt4BWB05ViDtV0mMHYueaqDvYb2g4lcU8wEavwL3lQi4hw9UOTTUwaFrxB6VhF9tt4N49g8ZoR6mtaE3A9xzVobPZByrm4DKG9EqT1MHCopH8wpyDWPO8xtBCc/s400/blog6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323284106152667426" /></a><br /><br />I am using two colors, cardinal and gold as this is a USC mirror, to treat the grout and give it some bling. I just paint it on the grout lines, then rub it off. Sometimes it needs a damp paper towel to get it off the glass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLgpzBvZpFrZ2R9Vk4BAwpI90CSrB82v2HxvhEJ-BYCcVa2uWnD8EpwSi9krT2p-IvEoFbID33-4bgkXcJH0Z8rl1zWAfV5_z1nc44_UH-BAwPHkOFG2_cOSOwaNAKrXHB5Iu6VdZZIc/s1600-h/blog7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLgpzBvZpFrZ2R9Vk4BAwpI90CSrB82v2HxvhEJ-BYCcVa2uWnD8EpwSi9krT2p-IvEoFbID33-4bgkXcJH0Z8rl1zWAfV5_z1nc44_UH-BAwPHkOFG2_cOSOwaNAKrXHB5Iu6VdZZIc/s400/blog7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323285126584227858" /></a><br /><br />All cleaned up and just waiting to be sealed. This project was made with tempered glass, Ikea mirror, polymer clay tiles with metal embellishments, and red foil leaf.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBxKQMYmRpsDeJKYzwq5uQm1daD7ONci2FN3yoSEX5vqiG8srFMqpiSj5tHufYrdlsouLwoIYRas6Ra2vIiDTbtv5zYKZJPakSGlYsHW9RwNw-1tQZWE3Ep2qqzOaaQdiys44grUCh4/s1600-h/blog8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBxKQMYmRpsDeJKYzwq5uQm1daD7ONci2FN3yoSEX5vqiG8srFMqpiSj5tHufYrdlsouLwoIYRas6Ra2vIiDTbtv5zYKZJPakSGlYsHW9RwNw-1tQZWE3Ep2qqzOaaQdiys44grUCh4/s400/blog8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323285821311388626" /></a><br /><br />The epoxy resin gives this piece real depth under the tempered glass. You can also use glitter, ribbon, etc. under the glass too. Here is another piece using glitter & ribbon under the tempered glass. I painted the background in different colors instead of a background paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzMg-4W8KHYjECVn6yFO9E1iArVC7iIACSEDYr9RKqT3FNWqXZmsneDcFXn-Jp3c_r1q8YSeDrY0tgyjS93KwSb3PxMb-8VUfYBQzN7gVekb616YLR5HCBiWCG9fT8k6WsAW9wBE3p9A/s1600-h/blog10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzMg-4W8KHYjECVn6yFO9E1iArVC7iIACSEDYr9RKqT3FNWqXZmsneDcFXn-Jp3c_r1q8YSeDrY0tgyjS93KwSb3PxMb-8VUfYBQzN7gVekb616YLR5HCBiWCG9fT8k6WsAW9wBE3p9A/s400/blog10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323288179996387362" /></a><br /><br />You can follow Donna's work on Flickr by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadonna/">clicking here.</a><br /><br />And our favorite forum to meet other mosaic friends is <a href="http://www.mosaicandstainedglass.org/forums/index.php">Mosaic And Stained Glass</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A word from the author, Donna Post</span><br /><br />I have always been the "crafty" one in the family-I started out with tole painting, then progressed into quilting and knitting. i have always admired mosaics, especially used in the garden, but never thought much about trying it until December 2007. I found a couple on the internet, "Passiflora Mosaics", that offered various classes. It was near a favorite getaway spot my husband and I love to visit, so I thought I'd combine the two! Hubby got to beach comb during the day, I was introduced to mosaics. My first project was a birdbath using ceramic tiles. I was hooked! I returned in early 2008 and used stained glass for the first time and made a mushroom. At this point, I went from hooked to obsessed!!<br /><br />I had been following a couple of forums and was amazed at the freely shared information from really fantastic artists. I had been following the saga of a trade between Susan Crocenzi and Kim Grant. Susan had posted little snippets of a piece she was making for Kim in exchange for her website Kim had developed. The piece was like nothing I'd ever seen before and I knew I HAD to learn to do it. That was my introduction to tempered glass and polymer clay tiles! I found out that Susan lived in California, like me, and that she held classes so sign me up!! I was blessed to be able to go to her cabin in the beautiful woods and learned her method of tempered glass and polymer clay. (and get to hang with Kim, who as luck would have it, was visiting Susan too) <br /><br />Since then, I have loved experimenting with tempered glass and pc. I love the flexibility mixing these mediums provides. I've also moved forward and have been working with creating Styrofoam and concrete substrates. Such fun to be had!!<br /><br />I was so thrilled to be able to attend SAMA this year and the exposure to so many wonderfully creative and sharing artists! I'm filled with ideas and projects and can't wait to get busy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Some of Donna's work</span> <br /><br /><div style="visibility:visible"><embed src="http://flash.picturetrail.com/pflicks/3/spflick.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="ql=2&src1=http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2357/11515154/flicks/1/6951086" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#000000" width="460" height="350" name="photo_peel" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" style="height:350px;width:460px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><p style="whitespace:no-wrap;margin-top:10px;height:24px"><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/misc/counter.fcgi?link=%2FphotoFlick%2Fsamples%2Fpflicks.shtml&cID=924"><img align="left" src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/pflicks/pt.gif" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/misc/counter.fcgi?link=%2FphotoFlick%2Fsamples%2Fpflicks.shtml&cID=925"><img align="left" style="margin-left:5px" src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/static/images/pt2.gif" border="0"></a></p></div>Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-88034886107971093532009-03-30T17:15:00.016-04:002009-04-02T01:02:21.254-04:00Mosaic Portraiture<span style="font-weight: bold;">The making of Christopher</span><br /><br />Gather your supplies:<br />1. Photograph that you want to use for your subject<br />(at least 8x10)<br /><br />2. 11x14 art board (use an art board as opposed to<br />stretched canvas, as stretched canvas will move<br />and possibly detach tesserae from surface).<br /><br />3. Tracing paper<br /><br />4. Transfer paper<br /><br />5. Weldbond glue<br /><br />6. Stained glass, nippers, tweezers, glass cutter,<br />whatever tools you prefer to nip and cut...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 1</span> - Choose your photograph<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn3hFsjwwu3hAHzyqzfy4tfk_jQsuhSU3OlN-2cWpCsOXQ80_UDcn5HYPytZ_9M_VHVzVeTlth2OYxunJ_RrlVFC-NJYiSypsJmkdKd3uD3n1fgiQQIWl9P7_r8Vb02SID5uWfOlYt70/s1600-h/portrait1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn3hFsjwwu3hAHzyqzfy4tfk_jQsuhSU3OlN-2cWpCsOXQ80_UDcn5HYPytZ_9M_VHVzVeTlth2OYxunJ_RrlVFC-NJYiSypsJmkdKd3uD3n1fgiQQIWl9P7_r8Vb02SID5uWfOlYt70/s400/portrait1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319944199233090242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Step 2- Trace outline of photograph onto tracing paper. (this tracing is from another mosaic...I couldn't find the one from “Christopher”)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfZ3cYvk-rtdw-_Y3ahwS3_39Z1Wv6yIeIIghVj4eKi6qtaonhBa4rfLw9daSAgUQp1kjOV0AncWZhsPigt3uce__T98EEz-ZH0J04VJBazjBQZ7drvdtsCpgoMAA7zgx4a1zDc3Dwn0/s1600-h/portrait2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfZ3cYvk-rtdw-_Y3ahwS3_39Z1Wv6yIeIIghVj4eKi6qtaonhBa4rfLw9daSAgUQp1kjOV0AncWZhsPigt3uce__T98EEz-ZH0J04VJBazjBQZ7drvdtsCpgoMAA7zgx4a1zDc3Dwn0/s400/portrait2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319944444481595010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Step 3- Transfer outline onto art board using transfer paper. Tape transfer paper and tracing paper to art board to prevent shifting. Be sure to shade any and all shadows and variations in tones, or value changes. These subtleties are what gives your portrait life!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZAVW9DTn8TK9NKt_hCpRClJ5Ngy6swIZpOaGNXNBTl0kyeTZ7Gzprmq0JHbUWuJFWowzDkxIEpOB3aOaPyq_UcdqXpfWVGP4rEbdgelvzpIk0g8iChsAh_eLp-t0MgQT4owgtCSHIeY/s1600-h/portrait3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZAVW9DTn8TK9NKt_hCpRClJ5Ngy6swIZpOaGNXNBTl0kyeTZ7Gzprmq0JHbUWuJFWowzDkxIEpOB3aOaPyq_UcdqXpfWVGP4rEbdgelvzpIk0g8iChsAh_eLp-t0MgQT4owgtCSHIeY/s400/portrait3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319944710980522434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Begin with the eyes, then the nose, then work outward.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZic8wp5VmHitxySe9xHrQSUF4Jfcw3pS28kQwSOhyphenhyphena-qG8sSzzvTSgnCH3B_McwSSeqKekr-uKSApbqvvwY_ffCBgy53wlvXd7_AhHvRUqEU-HZymxGfoTBFB4aegkYZ1qRRIbHuazdA/s1600-h/portrait4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZic8wp5VmHitxySe9xHrQSUF4Jfcw3pS28kQwSOhyphenhyphena-qG8sSzzvTSgnCH3B_McwSSeqKekr-uKSApbqvvwY_ffCBgy53wlvXd7_AhHvRUqEU-HZymxGfoTBFB4aegkYZ1qRRIbHuazdA/s400/portrait4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319945097336852434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Don't be afraid to use color! A color wheel is a very useful tool to find out how colors relate to each other, which ones might work together and which ones probably won't.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KfzsMTSn10YR_5WbmI2EQN4kK_cjLQhyeBEXrPSrT_g0Trtkpr2b2t8W0R8_tLe2tppwqooI7ygwLeavDHkYqlaxOQbLwaqiQJjuuz-4hNkRu8zeBeEWaijQesOBHmQ4VmYnFj9EpEc/s1600-h/portrait5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KfzsMTSn10YR_5WbmI2EQN4kK_cjLQhyeBEXrPSrT_g0Trtkpr2b2t8W0R8_tLe2tppwqooI7ygwLeavDHkYqlaxOQbLwaqiQJjuuz-4hNkRu8zeBeEWaijQesOBHmQ4VmYnFj9EpEc/s400/portrait5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319945315878046722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jZnuGLROhbPAIXdmGk-vJXzwrXneHQxzLS1aMwBRhUqdiqfc5my8P9AHDoQHWZc03ecyxnCQXkyztWamqhX8md7bQKgvpIRo5I1DTkpWUQqJF_N4lanDVZSh9jUmc85P9F6-NbWVkyU/s1600-h/portrait6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jZnuGLROhbPAIXdmGk-vJXzwrXneHQxzLS1aMwBRhUqdiqfc5my8P9AHDoQHWZc03ecyxnCQXkyztWamqhX8md7bQKgvpIRo5I1DTkpWUQqJF_N4lanDVZSh9jUmc85P9F6-NbWVkyU/s400/portrait6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319945585404471938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjbq9l-UZJmZa6HQ5i90nTBQdYrCEN_qzgN7XhK4w4RRll43uGKzOXdS25wXtndMyYLpysanWxd_hxhKdTnuxfPGtRrRlcuB8JBgz-EBfDJ0pM7f_ftSn5sauGW_hFkQbBPjwGMEPCN0/s1600-h/portrait7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjbq9l-UZJmZa6HQ5i90nTBQdYrCEN_qzgN7XhK4w4RRll43uGKzOXdS25wXtndMyYLpysanWxd_hxhKdTnuxfPGtRrRlcuB8JBgz-EBfDJ0pM7f_ftSn5sauGW_hFkQbBPjwGMEPCN0/s400/portrait7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319945717135957218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjbq9l-UZJmZa6HQ5i90nTBQdYrCEN_qzgN7XhK4w4RRll43uGKzOXdS25wXtndMyYLpysanWxd_hxhKdTnuxfPGtRrRlcuB8JBgz-EBfDJ0pM7f_ftSn5sauGW_hFkQbBPjwGMEPCN0/s1600-h/portrait7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjbq9l-UZJmZa6HQ5i90nTBQdYrCEN_qzgN7XhK4w4RRll43uGKzOXdS25wXtndMyYLpysanWxd_hxhKdTnuxfPGtRrRlcuB8JBgz-EBfDJ0pM7f_ftSn5sauGW_hFkQbBPjwGMEPCN0/s400/portrait7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319945717135957218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I like to use Van Gogh glass for the background. It is available in a variety of color variations that will complement your portrait.<br /><br />This picture was taken just after grouting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CX6uuel1ajkIbIo4hAKdxoUX8s6M8duZXuVjS5f0xfasHSGw-8a9F2bgvqNT8mM4JwV0UkqAj0z1_Dxeyq4ppWO5_tE4fu1j3tPOYNe8uRprKdmN9wCHXXdSY2XkYPvO6rdczD1nQTk/s1600-h/portrait8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CX6uuel1ajkIbIo4hAKdxoUX8s6M8duZXuVjS5f0xfasHSGw-8a9F2bgvqNT8mM4JwV0UkqAj0z1_Dxeyq4ppWO5_tE4fu1j3tPOYNe8uRprKdmN9wCHXXdSY2XkYPvO6rdczD1nQTk/s400/portrait8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319945894395697170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />About The Author</span><br /><br />Ramona Hovey started working with stained glass about 10 years ago, working in both copper foil and lead came techniques.<br /><br />About 3 years ago I discovered mosaics and it seemed to fit right in with what I wanted to convey to women who are trapped in the horrible cycle of domestic violence and abuse. As I work with broken pieces of pottery, shards of stained glass, or discarded trinkets, I envision the broken lives of people struggling with violence and abuse at the hand of one who claims to love them. As I see these broken, discarded pieces come together to form something beautiful or pleasing to the senses I am reminded of the hope and the promise that is available for those women, children and families, if we will but work to reach them.<br /><br />My hope, is that through my outreach ministry with the S.O.S. Mission at St. Paul's Church in Asheville, NC, I will reach these families and help equip them with the tools necessary to put the pieces of their lives back together to make something beautiful.<br /><br />Here is some of her work.<br /><br /><div style="visibility:visible"><embed src="http://flash.picturetrail.com/pflicks/3/spflick.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="ql=2&src1=http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2357/11515154/flicks/1/6907388" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#000000" width="460" height="350" name="photo_peel" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" style="height:350px;width:460px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><p style="whitespace:no-wrap;margin-top:10px;height:24px"><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/misc/counter.fcgi?link=%2FphotoFlick%2Fsamples%2Fpflicks.shtml&cID=924"><img align="left" src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/pflicks/pt.gif" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/misc/counter.fcgi?link=%2FphotoFlick%2Fsamples%2Fpflicks.shtml&cID=925"><img align="left" style="margin-left:5px" src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/static/images/pt2.gif" border="0"></a></p></div>Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-25934564676214807152009-03-15T22:06:00.012-04:002009-04-02T01:03:21.611-04:00Double Direct Method on MeshThe double direct method on mesh is one method of laying your tessarae onto your substrate. What is great about this is if your substrate is vertical or 3D this really helps. It is easier to keep your pattern & very flexible in that you can install it anywhere, whether it is on a tabletop, kitchen backsplash, or an outside mural. The versatility is tremendous.<br /><br />You will need fiberglass mesh before you begin. It is very important to use fiberglass mesh since it takes much longer for it to deteriorate than other mesh. This is sold in square yard sections or you can get it in a continuous roll - I call it drywall tape. <br /><br />I am using the drywall tape in the roll as this is what I have on hand. Now mine is a little dirty because I used this roll when making cement leaves for a reinforcement between layers of cement and cement is rather messy. But I think it helps in the pictures to see how it works. It is a little sticky so it helps holding the tape to each other. <br /><br /><ul><br /> <li>Layer 1 - Pattern</li><br /><li>Layer 2 - Wax paper or Saran Wrap</li><br /><li>Layer 3 - Mesh </li><br /><li> Layer 4 - Tessarae</li> <br /></ul><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c1OFf_1txwEVpzyqxgjN12WcrQfPZKGHNvJa6XA96RjWkShPRO06Q5aU5X1NxpndX7HrfUtdGpGhyphenhyphenn58S7z_rOZhGH3yqSz_iyCQ7oZ6SDd1IUsE8NWeMXX5w4SloNTx9LuS4ExBjf0/s1600-h/mesh1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c1OFf_1txwEVpzyqxgjN12WcrQfPZKGHNvJa6XA96RjWkShPRO06Q5aU5X1NxpndX7HrfUtdGpGhyphenhyphenn58S7z_rOZhGH3yqSz_iyCQ7oZ6SDd1IUsE8NWeMXX5w4SloNTx9LuS4ExBjf0/s400/mesh1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313606418969321170" /></a> Here is a pic of the different layers. You can use Weldbond to glue your tessarae onto the mesh as well as other glues. I am using Dap Kwik Seal Kitchen & Bath Adhesive Caulk in the clear<br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf_BZI_L4Ua9gO2guZNnRnal7wVWm94SR0WtwVKfNYjpleC4qTIn1bbYu0O3PiO_0Im7i4OoVINfnYwVsiCMrxMpcAfIPQsCEtDbACILK4YrVix5FS3pXa_7oFIg89LZKhAGshJJOwvI/s1600-h/mesh2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf_BZI_L4Ua9gO2guZNnRnal7wVWm94SR0WtwVKfNYjpleC4qTIn1bbYu0O3PiO_0Im7i4OoVINfnYwVsiCMrxMpcAfIPQsCEtDbACILK4YrVix5FS3pXa_7oFIg89LZKhAGshJJOwvI/s400/mesh2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313606672598099298" /></a> Here I am gluing the tessarae down over the pattern and the mesh. My pattern isn't exact - just a rough sketch but since it was retangular in shape I didn't really need it to be exact. The tessarae is some broken dishes. <br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnY3m8UhPBMIO_yDlXL8A54jHY6NPIIWKHStWWPw9HEpobygg028zAiN3kdlJuosAmp-pViBSSYA7luvNRgUz64qcEHELyzGyn7opzICTsVw4tOX_kIOuvCFdaoMGJBhzxXwnrByetx8/s1600-h/mesh3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnY3m8UhPBMIO_yDlXL8A54jHY6NPIIWKHStWWPw9HEpobygg028zAiN3kdlJuosAmp-pViBSSYA7luvNRgUz64qcEHELyzGyn7opzICTsVw4tOX_kIOuvCFdaoMGJBhzxXwnrByetx8/s400/mesh3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313607451039298738" /></a>The finished birdhouse. I'm already thinking of making the roof white. I can take the tessarae off easily when I change my mind.<br /><br />You can either glue or use thin set mortar to place the mesh and tessarae onto your substrate and then grout. <br /><br />What's great about using the mesh, I plan on making different flowers on mesh too. I will then glue all the different flowers & the birdhouse on a big piece of mesh together to make the design complete and then glueing onto the substrate. I'm doing this so I can do placement of everything on the final piece.Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-36377742151266594332009-02-12T01:51:00.004-05:002009-02-12T01:58:37.546-05:00Copper Foiled LeavesCourtesy of Meadel at <a href="http://www.mosaicandstainedglass.org">MASGO</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-P9fsmOAbaw/SYtXq8OcDgI/AAAAAAAAB6o/bW8cRw5_TJg/s512/Tutorial-Copper%20foil%20leaves1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-P9fsmOAbaw/SYtXq8OcDgI/AAAAAAAAB6o/bW8cRw5_TJg/s512/Tutorial-Copper%20foil%20leaves1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-P9fsmOAbaw/SYtXo8SjgNI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/kIaOXVvHGMc/s512/Tutorial-Copper%20foil%20leaves.2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-P9fsmOAbaw/SYtXo8SjgNI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/kIaOXVvHGMc/s512/Tutorial-Copper%20foil%20leaves.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-P9fsmOAbaw/SYtXpcmao-I/AAAAAAAAB6c/dmj3rgZc0Lg/s512/3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-P9fsmOAbaw/SYtXpcmao-I/AAAAAAAAB6c/dmj3rgZc0Lg/s512/3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-91586643109412806452009-01-30T00:22:00.005-05:002009-02-11T14:59:41.925-05:00Tempered Glass (Crash glass)Tempered glass is one of two kinds of safety glass regularly used in applications in which standard glass could pose a potential danger. Tempered glass is four to five times stronger than standard glass and does not break into sharp shards when it fails. Tempered glass is manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling, making it harder than normal glass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3172196057_b0ab0fcf8d_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 418px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3172196057_b0ab0fcf8d_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The brittle nature of tempered glass causes it to shatter into small oval-shaped pebbles when broken. This eliminates the danger of sharp edges. Due to this property, along with its strength, tempered glass is often referred to as safety glass. Notice the thinner TG, 1/8" is more delicate when shattered. Most stained glass is 1/8" and using 1/8" or 3/16" is easier to mosaic with the same heighth.<br /><br />Automobiles use a different type of safety glass for the windshield and tempered glass for the back and side windows. Windshields are made from laminated glass, which sandwiches a sheet of plastic between two panels of glass. When the windshield breaks, the glass panels stick to the plastic film, rather than falling away to possibly injure the driver or other passengers.<br /><br />Tempered glass breaks in a unique way. If any part of the glass fails, the entire panel shatters at once. This distinguishes it from normal glass, which might experience a small crack or localized breakage from an isolated impact.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3172196077_ee0529cca3_o.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 113px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3172196077_ee0529cca3_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This makes it perfect for mosaics! Tempered glass comes in colors - clear, green, bronze, and gray. It also comes in different thicknesses. 1/8", 3/16", & 1/4". Car windows is 1/4" thickness where as shower doors are usually 3/16". You can also buy textured tempered glass. This picture is comparing the thickness of 1/8" & 1/4" TG.<br /><br />There are some online mosaic suppliers that sell tempered glass (tg) but I would look in a phone book for glass companies that manufacture tempered glass. They may have scrap glass you can buy. I did that from a local company and he gave me a discount since it was from a special window a customer didn't buy. You can also try Craig's List.<br /><br />You can paint under TG, add ribbons, pictures, glitter. The sky is the limit. If you do paint your substrate, I would use a sealer before applying the TG and the glue. Mine turned a green color underneath the glass without the sealer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3190560642_5f948242a5_o.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 349px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3190560642_5f948242a5_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Here is a box where I used TG. I painted part of the box with gold acrylic paint & then a clear spray before I glued the TG down.Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-31053024540568191622009-01-17T12:22:00.009-05:002009-02-11T15:00:13.046-05:00Grinding Edges On Glass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCpEGrVCBbMN1TJ3mlUYFQBpjSgS1_itCcZlzPhhk5CaVlqqCkXxpOC-hnenOaIIDvOhEAlRtFtbljEcBM2FIjzTGTHIOjlzBd_rS12APKY5oEq5EOSRSIIyQQpUwHrFtNdvu32dgv4I/s1600-h/Glastar+Griffi.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCpEGrVCBbMN1TJ3mlUYFQBpjSgS1_itCcZlzPhhk5CaVlqqCkXxpOC-hnenOaIIDvOhEAlRtFtbljEcBM2FIjzTGTHIOjlzBd_rS12APKY5oEq5EOSRSIIyQQpUwHrFtNdvu32dgv4I/s320/Glastar+Griffi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292314930353653618" /></a><br />Grinding edges of tiny pieces of glass can be a little tricky. It's easy to grind away your nails, cutting your hands from holding the glass pressing into the grinder, etc. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSrt_6rqKMl0bJvO-XgtxHkXrQtnqT293S7crLrLwC7LF9kCig8flwxToSfJcJl-X9gc9SQ5JMOp9z7fyP6h3zJNyLj9hKr_bxw_KpyuyxjOt9C2pp4Lh7mWxdx3ABvzUPoTpAjNN-DA/s1600-h/Glastar-Griffi3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSrt_6rqKMl0bJvO-XgtxHkXrQtnqT293S7crLrLwC7LF9kCig8flwxToSfJcJl-X9gc9SQ5JMOp9z7fyP6h3zJNyLj9hKr_bxw_KpyuyxjOt9C2pp4Lh7mWxdx3ABvzUPoTpAjNN-DA/s320/Glastar-Griffi3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292315074685530978" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I invested in the Glastar Griffi & highly recommend it. It makes grinding glass so much safer & easier.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What's great about it is you grind while it is sitting on your grinder - perfect angle - and it's under the glass eye shield so your eyes are still protected using the Griffi. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDuAwCVgrOjngMaxu_Iq5iT0bGdZw1N16wCmwEHPgo3S4POfXRVjxkoOZ0EWuSRQRN4yMAZvbIffN-V0xiu-RqiNx9zMsDS8-RHfIRgd_O1U2C_Pa5Pe8dTKEMpv0dM6mQJC4QZC_018/s1600-h/Glastar-Griffi4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDuAwCVgrOjngMaxu_Iq5iT0bGdZw1N16wCmwEHPgo3S4POfXRVjxkoOZ0EWuSRQRN4yMAZvbIffN-V0xiu-RqiNx9zMsDS8-RHfIRgd_O1U2C_Pa5Pe8dTKEMpv0dM6mQJC4QZC_018/s320/Glastar-Griffi4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292315441969129618" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I took a pic with a dime to show you the leaves I am grinding for comparison purposes. The Griffi is also holding one of the leaves with no problem. It is perfect for grinding your glass, no matter what the size! The glass pieces do not go flying anywhere. The Griffi holds onto the glass no matter what the size.<br /><br />Here is a photo using the leaves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmf3-3lV49eWZur66L2IH5m6LDzmUUdUUtvYIHotyPqvRp_acEG8r_XfWcvsDSDDRAjNZns8WkINTZ9TbwsJ2Ck1YUi17ajeQE1f4bl0vV3slnnGCAcHfUItNu8poEl-KTTJvTZAlVMo/s1600-h/SA_giraffe.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmf3-3lV49eWZur66L2IH5m6LDzmUUdUUtvYIHotyPqvRp_acEG8r_XfWcvsDSDDRAjNZns8WkINTZ9TbwsJ2Ck1YUi17ajeQE1f4bl0vV3slnnGCAcHfUItNu8poEl-KTTJvTZAlVMo/s400/SA_giraffe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301631669990644434" /></a>Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-20670378082149232912008-11-23T00:21:00.003-05:002008-11-23T00:28:44.233-05:00Curves With Wheeled NippersI used a strip of glass 1 inch wide. That is a nickel for comparison purposes. These are some of the cuts I made. Notice the one on the lower left. I just nip off the upper right corner & will get a cut like the upper left. Most cuts look more or less like the upper right squiggle. Then you can leave as is, nip at angle, or nip to a point. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/3028991420_21c7cb1f9f_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/3028991420_21c7cb1f9f_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I make a cut with the wheeled nippers - it all depends how thick you want <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3028991438_d5cf93180b_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3028991438_d5cf93180b_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is a pic after I use the wheeled nippers. I go in the middle & it comes out curvey Then just continue nipping down the strip. Very easy.<br /><br />Edited to add you can make your strips smaller but if you do wider strips it doesn't cut the whole width of the strip. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/3028991456_962389a4a9_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/3028991456_962389a4a9_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />These cuts are great for making hair & fur. Here is a piece made of my Mom's dog. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbyLOz6DB5dICowTAx80DinIdj4jfFC1zTp1RXLoOWOC5QlxKAbVN4EjW45ex06aGcaAFOGBeCyUrIQAW3VlKRAW05qWrwBF_8wPzXer0PzEnyGEfaDNOJKbS1_wu7LguxxD80KZ_MA8/s1600-h/Beau5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbyLOz6DB5dICowTAx80DinIdj4jfFC1zTp1RXLoOWOC5QlxKAbVN4EjW45ex06aGcaAFOGBeCyUrIQAW3VlKRAW05qWrwBF_8wPzXer0PzEnyGEfaDNOJKbS1_wu7LguxxD80KZ_MA8/s320/Beau5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271720280093683442" /></a>Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-7437614815312730612008-10-15T00:47:00.013-04:002008-10-15T01:20:49.924-04:00Barn Glass on Glass WindowThis is a present for my mother-in-law that I would like to share how I made. <br /><br />I found an old window at a recycle construction material store. I stripped & varnished the frame. I had a pattern I was following blown up at Kinko's & taped it behind the window. I used Mac glue & started gluing the pieces to the window. This was my first glass on glass. 97% of the glass is Youghiogheny glass & the rest is scrap glass. I hope you enjoy the progress of this window in the making. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5r1ZrI5UvtTebFaxFpnNQEUJwt-Bo1_LRzCDipDoO3OmSq2KFGoZGlTSCUa_1M484FV_IX5fMEf9wfiorNe1pmH29qM9HN61ouRBA2mhdLreRrfUiV43NsOO7hCZH8aSbAp4NuHu-cQ/s1600-h/barnGOG3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5r1ZrI5UvtTebFaxFpnNQEUJwt-Bo1_LRzCDipDoO3OmSq2KFGoZGlTSCUa_1M484FV_IX5fMEf9wfiorNe1pmH29qM9HN61ouRBA2mhdLreRrfUiV43NsOO7hCZH8aSbAp4NuHu-cQ/s320/barnGOG3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257239433140111602" /></a>I was working on the preparation of the window, staining, varnishing - I started nipping the leaves so the trees was where I started on this project. I made strips of the green glass & then used wheeled nippers to trim up the leaves. A little bit of grinding to smooth out the shapes. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N79hYTZ8nDRXRFQDQeXNnW_QQjlgBQXxoslJCMPfsW7DWmoocn0nS25mbZ5GsIM-UOdqsjGXXICvHHyFg4ldO-hFUZH4QHTLYUPSEf0wo7JhMm6d8RdmdFmanhnJN0GIq4-2T067SVQ/s1600-h/barnGOG4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N79hYTZ8nDRXRFQDQeXNnW_QQjlgBQXxoslJCMPfsW7DWmoocn0nS25mbZ5GsIM-UOdqsjGXXICvHHyFg4ldO-hFUZH4QHTLYUPSEf0wo7JhMm6d8RdmdFmanhnJN0GIq4-2T067SVQ/s320/barnGOG4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257239629260512482" /></a> I then started on the barn itself. This was the easiest to make. I used my Beetle Bits System to make the strips & then my wheeled nippers to trim all the barn boards. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR89RtCTwuzopAfYdQ73b6axctra5TXIiFu00QN4hA7P1TSJgBOe6XEO7kUtc1ATCkf4YihV_X_0Ha5G9cZjUCXe9XXJGi8_YWEeWcBMpuDD5cVDMFMNBv3VKH4trUV8GDe5Pm1eZByx8/s1600-h/barnGOG10.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR89RtCTwuzopAfYdQ73b6axctra5TXIiFu00QN4hA7P1TSJgBOe6XEO7kUtc1ATCkf4YihV_X_0Ha5G9cZjUCXe9XXJGi8_YWEeWcBMpuDD5cVDMFMNBv3VKH4trUV8GDe5Pm1eZByx8/s320/barnGOG10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257240214984385554" /></a>Then it was basically filling in the background. I sandwiched a pic of a border collie & placed in the road. My inlaws have a border collie named Shelby. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9lv8o4unsvLkf4Z4npTF2p064ir9BdYAUhBzA_LdMrYjJk_mBAfWy817hVQp44JJ-lmXE6LaSCf-7wplPsb84Oplaw8ufAlPyFKaMBhWcbtbCKm3Tc_kZcQ-7dJiMMX_VNAjWm5gua8/s1600-h/barnGOG14.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9lv8o4unsvLkf4Z4npTF2p064ir9BdYAUhBzA_LdMrYjJk_mBAfWy817hVQp44JJ-lmXE6LaSCf-7wplPsb84Oplaw8ufAlPyFKaMBhWcbtbCKm3Tc_kZcQ-7dJiMMX_VNAjWm5gua8/s320/barnGOG14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257240822313064482" /></a>The sky was the last part to be finished. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHGsI1ipGw2R71j220QFkLOzqa8VyylxPcm6pdEhB4QROThyRsY18H4gptJvqiqtYv6pKjWUFJibX8g8toSstNJIWPq5VGWVI0dlpKk7xTKi4BBE-Xqi2Z5fPxLq33gC_9ZTnKMrPb2U/s1600-h/barnGOG18.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHGsI1ipGw2R71j220QFkLOzqa8VyylxPcm6pdEhB4QROThyRsY18H4gptJvqiqtYv6pKjWUFJibX8g8toSstNJIWPq5VGWVI0dlpKk7xTKi4BBE-Xqi2Z5fPxLq33gC_9ZTnKMrPb2U/s320/barnGOG18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257241212343702850" /></a> This is the finished piece grouted. I did a color wash for the sky of a silvery blue & the roof of the barn a copper wash to depict rust. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LPlMeCRQUTyHIPCFgXCLtU1BSVfAU-hmCUvPTO8NoDY6EQN9I7ekVYTUgGR7dtTfmtJHcRWjpd7QwKADQkv95qIzcc5kqOWe5jQeiO5RR6QVAQF2UkQAo61XQv0SZoKojamIf6U2Yzg/s1600-h/barnGOG22.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LPlMeCRQUTyHIPCFgXCLtU1BSVfAU-hmCUvPTO8NoDY6EQN9I7ekVYTUgGR7dtTfmtJHcRWjpd7QwKADQkv95qIzcc5kqOWe5jQeiO5RR6QVAQF2UkQAo61XQv0SZoKojamIf6U2Yzg/s320/barnGOG22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257241579172419954" /></a>Here is the finished piece with the light shining through. The Yough glass just sings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ykBXVnXAxSW-ZkP0GbmqvjrORcn0cPMZRBF9Vcq_ht8E_mZGgUu6VPu5HGa_76dAf5RoR3UCQovNlxJtRmyrFkKH4ZN43bcy32-rRmUholqidtB1fscBdXahk7xDV_1Rv6Kx6Nel4_M/s1600-h/barn-scene.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ykBXVnXAxSW-ZkP0GbmqvjrORcn0cPMZRBF9Vcq_ht8E_mZGgUu6VPu5HGa_76dAf5RoR3UCQovNlxJtRmyrFkKH4ZN43bcy32-rRmUholqidtB1fscBdXahk7xDV_1Rv6Kx6Nel4_M/s320/barn-scene.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257241999634316898" /></a>Here is a pic of the original pattern. I originally wanted fall colors in the trees but I wanted to include cone flowers in the window (mother-in-laws favorite flower) so I had to use green leaves. <br /><br />This pattern was made from a photo taken in the 1940's. What was really awesome is that when the owner seen the finished piece, he said that it is exactly how it looked when his Dad first built the barn - down to the pine trees. I hope you enjoyed seeing this in the making. I sure had fun making it.Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-41785865470762097892008-10-03T00:16:00.004-04:002008-10-03T00:22:14.685-04:00Wedi BoardWedi board (pronounced "weedy") is an ideal substrate for mosaic artists. It consists of styrofoam encased in mesh and cement. This sturdy material is very lightweight and cuts easily with a utility knife (no need for any power tools!). Wedi Panels are about ¼ of the weight of Durock and other cement boards, and ½ the weight of MDF or birch plywood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycofDgq6MmwTngjE0RQwPZQzueQV6KkzWJNKllj0DMvsYHjF0J78PSz6DQzEdJhgNAyEoaUleV0YZ-Bzmhc0zzkplg6qXdYU1lfCPjsT2X2fBFFnxcmqFL6ukRCO2yDdgMRF-KaRlMhM/s1600-h/wedi1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycofDgq6MmwTngjE0RQwPZQzueQV6KkzWJNKllj0DMvsYHjF0J78PSz6DQzEdJhgNAyEoaUleV0YZ-Bzmhc0zzkplg6qXdYU1lfCPjsT2X2fBFFnxcmqFL6ukRCO2yDdgMRF-KaRlMhM/s320/wedi1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252770678758052098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuJtSQP6EoF8pDd3hBVt_qr0f4FrF0JYaELp2K24aEnPtISAT0dyD2_LH8uV69daL9taCPJygXhjXUfDDG-ov8g_K1XY6Ir-PP12WaRwW7z9Z7fITBTXulu9Id6ORekOECKSVeX5mey8/s1600-h/wedi2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuJtSQP6EoF8pDd3hBVt_qr0f4FrF0JYaELp2K24aEnPtISAT0dyD2_LH8uV69daL9taCPJygXhjXUfDDG-ov8g_K1XY6Ir-PP12WaRwW7z9Z7fITBTXulu9Id6ORekOECKSVeX5mey8/s320/wedi2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252770918389445442" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br><br /><br /><br />It is rigid, waterproof, and weatherproof. It does not warp, does not require sealing, and can be used on floors, walls, and as art panels. It is made of a middle core of blue styrofoam with a reinforced polymer modified concrete coating on both sides. The foam core center makes it lightweight. You can use Weldbond, silicone, thinset, Mac glue, etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How To Hang</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW65dQH8_DIeNL9IUIH-D61klVvIa1_9ZZswwMu57sAdzY82wtHZsU1z6FxAfKGgGth7uHbu5a4DN6ONca_lPI-pqxP9HWc1CwQy_6lSeVZSqp7DMcZWXtKG8ef9Ij7JVQW9UGUdoT5c/s1600-h/wedi3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW65dQH8_DIeNL9IUIH-D61klVvIa1_9ZZswwMu57sAdzY82wtHZsU1z6FxAfKGgGth7uHbu5a4DN6ONca_lPI-pqxP9HWc1CwQy_6lSeVZSqp7DMcZWXtKG8ef9Ij7JVQW9UGUdoT5c/s320/wedi3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252772496352390754" /></a>Because of the foam core, washers are required when attempting to screw into or through the panel. Without washers, the screws or nails would go straight through the panel. ‘Wedi Washers’ are specifically made for this purpose. Wedi Washers have four prongs that press easily into the Wedi, with a center hole for an 8 gauge nail or screw. When fully installed, the washer sits about 1/32” above the surface of the Wedi and can be mosaiced over. Standard washers can be used as well. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8prTAaVNi-cy2zKqT-UFdKBZTu_KduE0c-9Haho95imjHbBFgnLNQkfvSTr4e2AsuYLhMUHD5-je4TsHcFieD9ipLVIhsAJe0MglDdJanFvGVQfNxnzTQ5-FwKm0KfRtuzX3x93rhY/s1600-h/wedi4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8prTAaVNi-cy2zKqT-UFdKBZTu_KduE0c-9Haho95imjHbBFgnLNQkfvSTr4e2AsuYLhMUHD5-je4TsHcFieD9ipLVIhsAJe0MglDdJanFvGVQfNxnzTQ5-FwKm0KfRtuzX3x93rhY/s320/wedi4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252773622899511794" /></a>Here's the back of the washer with the picture hook attached. Notice that the cement is cracking a little - that's OK. It's the only way to get the front to lie flat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There is also wall hangers. The plastic piece screws into the wall. You then place the screw on the wedi board & then screw into the plastic piece into the wall. You will mosaic on the board on the wall. <br /><br />Either way, you have to have your hangers in place before you start to mosaic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydzNnSnPFX1MhSVYW8VZtJYOEJI4pWUusXQUBdm7dIUok_Wo7L5GsUvZqIcYdnm6FGXkbxR78TTN-olNARLOxywE5x3W42qBvLhhX4RAij8FtI1UtACYR-SlxbvmrMxx6noiJLH0sap0/s1600-h/How2HangWedi2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydzNnSnPFX1MhSVYW8VZtJYOEJI4pWUusXQUBdm7dIUok_Wo7L5GsUvZqIcYdnm6FGXkbxR78TTN-olNARLOxywE5x3W42qBvLhhX4RAij8FtI1UtACYR-SlxbvmrMxx6noiJLH0sap0/s320/How2HangWedi2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252775246622604018" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Where To Buy</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tileshack.com">www.tileshack.com</a> <br /><a href="http://www.mosaicsmalti.com">www.mosaicsmalti.com</a> <br /><a href="http://www.themosaicway.com">www.themosaicway.com</a> <br /><br />See <a href="http://www.wediusa.com">http://www.wediusa.com/</a> for local distrubutors. I was fortunate in that a supplier was 20 minutes from my home & bought a 3' x 5' sheet of wedi.Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-37003990462286752742008-09-10T12:30:00.005-04:002008-09-13T14:30:25.954-04:00Dry Grout MethodBy Helen Griffin<br /><br />This method is for sanded grout only. The consistency of unsanded does not work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href=" http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2088817287_98b73bf87b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src=" http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2088817287_98b73bf87b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This is a simple wooden over-the-sink shelf that I've mosaiced with tiles. The adhesive used here is plain tile mastic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/2088817433_956b949f57.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/2088817433_956b949f57.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Here are all the supplies you will need from left to right: pool noodle broken into chunks, sanded grout, container for mixing grout, spatula for spreading grout, rubber gloves.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mix your grout to the consistency of peanut butter, and place on your mosaic. Spread with a spatula, hand, or plastic knife to get even coverage on your tiles/tesserae. Working in circles is a good way to get coverage, first clockwise, then counter-clockwise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href=" http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/2088817389_42ed588686.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src=" http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/2088817389_42ed588686.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Once your mosaic is covered well with no empty spots or air holes, sprinkle some loose dry grout on top of the wet grout. It does not need to be an excessive amount. Use image for ratio reference. The dry grout levels out the grout. It helps fill holes and make the surface area uniformed. It also helps with the drying process of the grout itself. It makes the grout dry all at the same level of consistency: nothing too wet, nothing too dry. And yes, it does aide in the cleaning. It does not eliminate the need for the final clean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2088817321_3d93403ba2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2088817321_3d93403ba2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Using a broken piece of pool noodle, start to work in circles; again clockwise, then counter-clockwise motions. I get the noodles from the dollar store, and I use them because:<br />• They don't absorb water, therefore they do not add or take moisture from the grout.<br />• They can be broken into shapes and sizes to suit the piece.<br />• They are cheap.<br />• They are disposable.<br />• They conform to the various heights in my tesserae just like a rag or sponge.<br /><br />All this will take you to your first haze stage. The best thing I like about this method is there is no water to dispose of, and little to no mess. All I do is sweep up what missed the newspaper and I'm done. Easy—and I'm all about easy. This will give your mosaic an even coat of grout. It will eliminate any missed pockets around your tesserae, and it will help clean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/2088817467_2f73e26f7f.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/2088817467_2f73e26f7f.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This is the whole piece once dry grouting has been completed overall.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2088817501_1681a2b8c4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2088817501_1681a2b8c4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Let the mosaic sit to dry overnight, then with a damp sponge or rag clean the residue off your tesserae. Let dry completely (about 24 hours).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href=" http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2088817661_7d04d21399.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src=" http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2088817661_7d04d21399.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I like to have my pieces finished, so I've painted the edge of the shelf black to match my kitchen more. Then I complete the look and protect it by putting on two coats of Polycrylic in a matte finish.<br /><br />I painted the legs and shortened them to suit my sink location. Here is the mosaic shelf complete, and in place.<br /><br /><br />Note: If you're using tesserae with a finish that is delicate, I do not recommend using this method, unless you seal the tesserae first. Otherwise the abrasiveness of the grout will surely remove the delicate finish. This has happened to me, and that is what taught me to seal first, then grout (which fixed the issue).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">About the Artist</span><br /><br />In 1999 my Dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Knowing that sooner or later the need would arise, my husband and I sold our home. We added on to his home and moved in together. My family is Orthodox Jewish, and we live a Shomer Shabbos life. My husband and I are baal teshuva, and it has been a wonderful journey getting here.<br /><br />Mosaics were first introduced to me on the Internet when I was searching for some crafting/art inspiration. The mosaic I came across was incredible looking and had such symmetry. Being the anal perfectionist that I am, it appealed to me right away. And no, I do not recall the mosaic. Figures, huh?<br /><br />Now some two years later this month I still love seeing, and playing with, pieces of pottery, china, glass, and other bits. It is like doing a jigsaw puzzle, but there is no box-top picture to refer to for answers.<br /><div style="visibility:visible"><embed src="http://flash.picturetrail.com/pflicks/3/spflick.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="ql=2&src1=http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2357/11515154/flicks/1/5634438" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#000000" width="300" height="235" name="photo_peel" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" style="height:235px;width:300px" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><p style="whitespace:no-wrap;margin-top:10px;height:24px"><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/misc/counter.fcgi?link=%2FphotoFlick%2Fsamples%2Fpflicks.shtml&cID=924"><img align="left" src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/pflicks/pt.gif" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/misc/counter.fcgi?link=%2FphotoFlick%2Fsamples%2Fpflicks.shtml&cID=925"><img align="left" style="margin-left:5px" src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/static/images/pt2.gif" border="0"></a></p></div>Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-62954882326187878392008-09-06T15:57:00.021-04:002008-09-10T13:00:31.880-04:00Guided Tour Of The Beetle Bits System Part 2Making diamonds & triangles are quick and easy with the Beetle Bits System.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7F0uBy5tqRdl70RQpH92zVua0BgMDYclY3YiksceP5K628qloIT7JWDalFUvH4FE3IEHVZfgC4VoR6dy4vdDPmqPmS2B4mwIPS9sA2Gzup9ccrchC4J7YuW9nadrnqzGUXWyyRG-9tk/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7F0uBy5tqRdl70RQpH92zVua0BgMDYclY3YiksceP5K628qloIT7JWDalFUvH4FE3IEHVZfgC4VoR6dy4vdDPmqPmS2B4mwIPS9sA2Gzup9ccrchC4J7YuW9nadrnqzGUXWyyRG-9tk/s320/Beetle-Bits8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243002042813572834" border="0" /></a>I am using red mirror tile in this tutorial as it is easier to see the score lines.<br /><br />I scored lines 3/4 inches apart and turned the glass and am making 3/4-inch scores again making perfect squares.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiAYxol7HdBQhDysgLTmG8923VCozTD2kwL0-BcdOdQeNPsKwYQ9IuUAG1BPF6NgSmDVB94AklC5A8acOKuulpAsIYLhwIHn_zmGRfNvFURB_cjscfEMlmscfU2Y4tRp24JYj3AKJNrs/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiAYxol7HdBQhDysgLTmG8923VCozTD2kwL0-BcdOdQeNPsKwYQ9IuUAG1BPF6NgSmDVB94AklC5A8acOKuulpAsIYLhwIHn_zmGRfNvFURB_cjscfEMlmscfU2Y4tRp24JYj3AKJNrs/s320/Beetle-Bits11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243006845376483698" border="0" /></a>Turn your compass to 45 degrees and set your tadpole in place.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn_q9qFDMdTeFZUbztXbs1FyjCfgpSsE9HdHg1q73GmDe22RZDXkwyHItRp7Rag6CEcOV5dqLfDEPVeUwwfJDBH7oimgyfq1unnBHm1I7pPAhTRaIPGEE_eZars_McefR2zfSO8cGxWc/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn_q9qFDMdTeFZUbztXbs1FyjCfgpSsE9HdHg1q73GmDe22RZDXkwyHItRp7Rag6CEcOV5dqLfDEPVeUwwfJDBH7oimgyfq1unnBHm1I7pPAhTRaIPGEE_eZars_McefR2zfSO8cGxWc/s320/Beetle-Bits11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243001606140729058" border="0" /></a>I use the edge of the glass on the left side to measure when moving the glass. I eyeball with the little yellow arrow on the Flying Beetle Cutter the center of the first square and make my score.<br /><br />Continue scoring every 3/4 inches.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99251q10_V3zhxx5PPPKmaBKvIk4OOHhb2ZjToT0wW1fE3o4_lL_1liZBE0Tm0nT1weMByWLb4IQFZNmdMXX36rexg3i5l5JjyyBCaqM4EoPVZ6MvNaBdJfv4o_IOzdBDJf_ijDBJppA/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99251q10_V3zhxx5PPPKmaBKvIk4OOHhb2ZjToT0wW1fE3o4_lL_1liZBE0Tm0nT1weMByWLb4IQFZNmdMXX36rexg3i5l5JjyyBCaqM4EoPVZ6MvNaBdJfv4o_IOzdBDJf_ijDBJppA/s320/Beetle-Bits12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243007777190640322" border="0" /></a>All that's left is running the glass.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3icGxTDQZQw0DMgr2_Hoycs9OxXn9c3ECFu2k9hKAPB3eJROhbP26Rj_HNnW6R51k2L8MW-g42xK81-Lgob2i_M4p9-Skq_aRBJwpDvgWuA9aDKQnqHds28Aq3kRpC5ybG7Sd1NQ1Yu0/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3icGxTDQZQw0DMgr2_Hoycs9OxXn9c3ECFu2k9hKAPB3eJROhbP26Rj_HNnW6R51k2L8MW-g42xK81-Lgob2i_M4p9-Skq_aRBJwpDvgWuA9aDKQnqHds28Aq3kRpC5ybG7Sd1NQ1Yu0/s320/Beetle-Bits10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243008108960262050" border="0" /></a>Diamonds are just as easy.<br /><br />I set your tadpoles up so they are at 60 degrees on either side of the compass.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-Xun7UDbjOBMWl9JfqGNye-Q15-7TNsSYxKVmz-8tmjZFZ-B9s5H3ghNp75KTRVQBJB2lwMdsd5idq0-h2fUmAJ6-w-iOOrNEcRAvjgtBW2tW_lT5Ch90DoI82UcE32rxBqmY7RSbus/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-Xun7UDbjOBMWl9JfqGNye-Q15-7TNsSYxKVmz-8tmjZFZ-B9s5H3ghNp75KTRVQBJB2lwMdsd5idq0-h2fUmAJ6-w-iOOrNEcRAvjgtBW2tW_lT5Ch90DoI82UcE32rxBqmY7RSbus/s320/Beetle-Bits13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243008881118264082" border="0" /></a>I set the bar in one of the tadpoles and score my glass to the desired size of my diamonds. In this tutorial I am making 3/4-inch diamonds.<br /><br />I lift the bar to the other tadpole and score every 3/4-inch here as well.<br /><br />Look at those pretty diamonds!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz8EUbXGl8GcP70b6q7oivBR3jL_qBib3rSYPSrWjdMMz0i7oEqpUbzj4QzyCAQ6-E9Ax3CqkkO43TvQTsfdPRfIo3QsK1_bVe6IU5SKmq8qPcOd9gpcftq1m09eVfe1MzUXKhM8Z82o/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz8EUbXGl8GcP70b6q7oivBR3jL_qBib3rSYPSrWjdMMz0i7oEqpUbzj4QzyCAQ6-E9Ax3CqkkO43TvQTsfdPRfIo3QsK1_bVe6IU5SKmq8qPcOd9gpcftq1m09eVfe1MzUXKhM8Z82o/s320/Beetle-Bits15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243010257645691106" border="0" /></a> You can also make triangles from diamonds(and from squares). Set your bar so that it is straight at 90 degrees on your compass. I just eyeball the middle of a diamond with the yellow arrow on the Flying Beetle cutter and score the glass.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaksap4fyxqefiKtcUdRl-P3hHHt7oVFENoEPMe95PusAGyIUgLS4eXU-sZqsw2JOsMmv_zKS_lVCZbCVNp6n_ZZuHTNNdwatXEGwKOL-KSRjLM63s4XfOShTFNEgAAQZj3Z3ni-4O0Vg/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaksap4fyxqefiKtcUdRl-P3hHHt7oVFENoEPMe95PusAGyIUgLS4eXU-sZqsw2JOsMmv_zKS_lVCZbCVNp6n_ZZuHTNNdwatXEGwKOL-KSRjLM63s4XfOShTFNEgAAQZj3Z3ni-4O0Vg/s320/Beetle-Bits16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243010715130993922" border="0" /></a>Here you have triangles made from squares at the top of the picture.<br />You can see diamonds and triangles made from diamonds in the center of the picture.<br /><br />Beetle Bits was made for mosaics. It's easy, quick, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to make it work!Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-69007369923459474842008-08-30T17:30:00.021-04:002008-09-03T08:21:15.183-04:00Guided Tour Of The Beetle Bits Cutting System<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrkB5fPhX2Ij0fsE06tzq4-YyfGJpDTmiu84lGUEryyBA4N_icB9MigY_KMC7jVUFOYZXOoC2EHhnu5CiQjdtO1TuhxBmWSWvk-oTNBWFrGr46hsVEuXnZUEdyeIFsmOShd4w3aVLFVk/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits-System.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrkB5fPhX2Ij0fsE06tzq4-YyfGJpDTmiu84lGUEryyBA4N_icB9MigY_KMC7jVUFOYZXOoC2EHhnu5CiQjdtO1TuhxBmWSWvk-oTNBWFrGr46hsVEuXnZUEdyeIFsmOShd4w3aVLFVk/s320/Beetle-Bits-System.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240426403539419874" border="0" /></a>Here is a picture of my Beetle Bits System. I also have the Cutter's Mate, and I have them both on the waffle grids. I am using two of the Creator's stained glass rulers. I like having the glass up against the rulers for the Cutter's Mate as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj1PtyAzoK-IasoOld0nZtwUq82lDGJXBePLioR1stkPuwTPsai67c3OIIFflaRwyp52RdQE8wYUZm49IBvCyQGQD0EPwPCelHmBImGd76YONdr8J3eExlvAY05Mmev7k-ZuI9fxX_0w/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits-System2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj1PtyAzoK-IasoOld0nZtwUq82lDGJXBePLioR1stkPuwTPsai67c3OIIFflaRwyp52RdQE8wYUZm49IBvCyQGQD0EPwPCelHmBImGd76YONdr8J3eExlvAY05Mmev7k-ZuI9fxX_0w/s320/Beetle-Bits-System2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240426841252231874" border="0" /></a>The way mine is set up, the Beetle Bits does not start at "0", but that doesn't really matter. I have my ruler marked where the cutting line is - it is aligned with the yellow arrow on the Flying Beetle Cutter. I place my glass right at that line. (This is a different color of glass because the original picture did not turn out right.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xYH12S8kD_mS-ZuTMRfTvbU38csSy9bxA9_eoZFYc3mKxgN19CSkFh-5R722ZZdRzIqDSVrRdMBDnFycaJ5B5SzoFgVqhX_pfBjB4bRJF-f2S02JYEyML05vkeurFmM9YgrI4wOdhM0/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits-System3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xYH12S8kD_mS-ZuTMRfTvbU38csSy9bxA9_eoZFYc3mKxgN19CSkFh-5R722ZZdRzIqDSVrRdMBDnFycaJ5B5SzoFgVqhX_pfBjB4bRJF-f2S02JYEyML05vkeurFmM9YgrI4wOdhM0/s320/Beetle-Bits-System3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240452140130541314" border="0" /></a>For this tutorial, I'm making 5/8" squares, so I count over 5/8, and then move the glass over to that notch on the ruler. I lightly press down on the Flying Beetle cutter and push upward until the whole sheet of glass is scored. If you like sliding the Flying Beetle cutter down the bar, start at the top of the glass, press down on the cutter, and slide the bar down.<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kGZ7KYJUfO9z0QEiBTSE216vn3qO9VENkryERDEQxpb1tjaVEXnpbxl9aJndEM3aLwD4XVKOES0rrL7GZHJjM-I6GlgHxUsaFVB30Y3JfCfmsgMhCTx_PXu53sfu1hBIBG1-OJuOs3U/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits-System4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kGZ7KYJUfO9z0QEiBTSE216vn3qO9VENkryERDEQxpb1tjaVEXnpbxl9aJndEM3aLwD4XVKOES0rrL7GZHJjM-I6GlgHxUsaFVB30Y3JfCfmsgMhCTx_PXu53sfu1hBIBG1-OJuOs3U/s320/Beetle-Bits-System4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240451876108747010" border="0" /></a>I plan on cutting a full sheet, so I continue down the ruler sliding the glass, scoring with the Flying Beetle cutter until I run out of glass. The first arrow on the left is where the actual score line will be. The second arrow is a scored line. The other four arrows indicate where I will be sliding the glass next and scoring. </p><p>I then flip the glass over, turn it 90 degrees, and score that side of the glass as described above. I flip the glass because it is not good for your cutter to crisscross over a previous score. The cutter won't last very long if you do. (For thick glass or mirror glass it is unavoidable, and all scores have to be made on the same side of the glass.) </p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0bPywxF-Jf1jQAXqZ3qVDlFIvZxPFJLLDKQrqDKYejSEJY61Rl5QlJN43iU0GLG0hUP-Hl5hmS_4sxQU_kBQnn7IjcoSbNn0FnBejK-PB3kyj9f5zZ8ygrGSBPIu9TY1AkvHf0bD7Kg/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits-System5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0bPywxF-Jf1jQAXqZ3qVDlFIvZxPFJLLDKQrqDKYejSEJY61Rl5QlJN43iU0GLG0hUP-Hl5hmS_4sxQU_kBQnn7IjcoSbNn0FnBejK-PB3kyj9f5zZ8ygrGSBPIu9TY1AkvHf0bD7Kg/s320/Beetle-Bits-System5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240428267153830818" border="0" /></a>When running the scores, run (break) the glass in half, down the middle. Then you take each half and run (break) the glass in half again. You keep halving the glass until you are down to two pieces. By halving the glass each time you break, you are keeping even pressure on either side of your running pliers, which will give you cleaner breaks.<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJriX-wKrKccXFUpEA8DmaHuSnKYv73Y4ixZkMD-BjB2F2SeVre9cXJYIjUvHRjMX-rep6O6O0lXuYkqzKJDy4UyNbjFQP7tfo_DPU75i66-T2s-nPSS3hv1TebO-DSJekW4G3uK18kU/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits-System6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJriX-wKrKccXFUpEA8DmaHuSnKYv73Y4ixZkMD-BjB2F2SeVre9cXJYIjUvHRjMX-rep6O6O0lXuYkqzKJDy4UyNbjFQP7tfo_DPU75i66-T2s-nPSS3hv1TebO-DSJekW4G3uK18kU/s320/Beetle-Bits-System6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240429083372883490" border="0" /></a>In the photo, you can see one bad break. Never said I was a pro.<br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn4G0VtPKr0tqd5FLLTdIyj3FQB131HVWdIlD2tee_4xSh6cf8sWvH5XKqKPWFq1S_pJP3bkaekR6PyA3qlT3JhZOIHW5lOsAoJVCd7hXPHHSVCgFbjMgu-RdAGdvI0s4n9UtwzoKFrA/s1600-h/Beetle-Bits-System7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn4G0VtPKr0tqd5FLLTdIyj3FQB131HVWdIlD2tee_4xSh6cf8sWvH5XKqKPWFq1S_pJP3bkaekR6PyA3qlT3JhZOIHW5lOsAoJVCd7hXPHHSVCgFbjMgu-RdAGdvI0s4n9UtwzoKFrA/s320/Beetle-Bits-System7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240431140178128562" border="0" /></a>I turn the glass over and continue running the scores on that side of the glass. Again, I break the glass in half, half again, half again, and so on until I'm down to two pieces. Good clean cuts! Nice even squares! The squares will be as accurate as you were measuring against the ruler.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-40332113388231101942008-08-27T00:25:00.003-04:002008-08-27T00:30:43.424-04:00RemodelingRemodeling is almost over. Busy putting everything back in it's place. Lots of tweaking to do, planting grass, etc. I'm anxious to get back to mosaics. Maybe this weekend I can work on something.Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263560188239759471.post-75962167767730917002008-08-17T15:08:00.004-04:002008-08-27T00:59:56.112-04:00WelcomeThis is the beginning of my blog. I love gardening and joined a forum on decorating your garden. Quite a few items were made from mosaics and that is where my mosaic obsession began! I also love stained glass. But I am having a hard time finding someone to take some lessons. I have only had a beginner's class & made a fan light. I took the stained glass class to learn how to score & break the glass but I fell in love with it too.Carol Championhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054479268187174341noreply@blogger.com