Ep. 114 GROUTING THE CHESTER MOSAIC & THE WILDFLOWERS MOSAIC! & Design transfer to substrates!

Ep. 114 GROUTING CHESTER & THE WILDFLOWERS! Plus design transferred to the Mandala substrates!

This week starts by grouting the pet portrait mosaic of Chester. Using the NO TAPE METHOD with sanded grout, I commence grouting. I start with a light gray for the lighter areas and a soft black for all the rest. The No Tape Method is a way of using two different colors of grout very carefully so they don't contaminate the other areas. With all the bits on this mosaic, the grout brush comes in handy cleaning it up. Then I paint the edges with heavy body acrylic paint in Mars Black. It is so thick I have to water it down a bit so it will go on smoothly.
BONUS: I unbox a package from Mosaic Art Supply with lots of tiles in blue, green and purple for the edges of the mandalas! Fun fact: there is about twice as much edge on Phase II (15 small mosaics) as there was on Phase I (3 big mosaics) with about the same square footage! That might explain why wrapping the edges seemed to take so much longer!
Then I tackle the wildflower mosaic. I am using Weldbond adhesive. It is important to fit in the pieces that are in front before you put in the background. That way, you don't accidentally encroach on the foreground area. I don't get very far before I realize my Leponitt wheeled nippers are just not cooperating. The wheels need to be turned so I have a sharp edge to work with. TIP: If they are as tight as mine, you might benefit from using an oven mitt to pad the allen wrench so it doesn't cut into your hand! Then I get back after it, nipping little bits to fill in around the wildflowers and fence. Finally I place the last piece! YAY! It. is. finished.
Then I work on transferring the printed design to the mandala substates using a ball point pen and transfer paper. Then I go over it with Sharpie so we can see it better. I also make any last minute design changes (mostly little tweeks.)
After the wildflowers mosaic has dried for at least 24 hours, I start grouting with Mapei Keracolor sanded grout in black. This is the same soft black I used on Chester. I spread it with my rubber finishing tool and do an intitial wipe up with paper towels. After it has a chance to cure a bit (about 25 minutes) I come back in with a cotton rag and wipe off the haze. WOW - the orange California poppies are POPPIN'! Then I use a mini metal spatula for detail work. Wherever there is a height difference in the glass, the grout can be scraped from the lower glass to uncover the sparkling glass!
Back to the mandala substrates. I worked on this while watching television and while listening to music. I usually did 2-3 at a time before my hand would get a but tired. Then I would pick it up later.
FINALLY they are all transferred and looking amazing. The next step will be to make sure I have enough glass for each part. I start with process with an easy step - placing the glass rounds to make sure I have the correct number. This also allows me to visualize how they will come together and make a few color decisions. Surprise! These are going to be mainly cool colors, but with a pop of warm colors to give a little bit of flare and individuality. Then I talk about my touchy feely way of deciding on the colors. Blue is the most classic, so any classic mandala design gets blue. Leafy designs get green. Spider webs and paisley are purple of course. This is a fun step!!!!
Time to finish some more edges on the wildflowers and a geometric sample project I made a few months ago. TIP: Latex paint would be much easier to use and easy to clean up. Paint strokes should go along the grain of the wood for a smoother finish. Little tiny touch ups are needed after the paint goes on.
Next, both mosaics are wired. Before you wire, it is very important to make sure your mosaic is right side up!!! I drill little pilot holes, then screw on the D-rings and wire the back. A bigger, heavier mosaic might need a French cleat to hang it or some type of hitch knot on the wire so it doesn't slip out due to the weight. I make the wire as taught as possible. Then I cut the wire and crimp it so it doesn't poke someone.
That's Putting It Together Ep. 114! Thanks for watching! See you next time!

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