| Author | Content |
whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
December 27, 2007
05:46 PM Post #4332273
| I found a coat rack for 1.00 at the thrift store and used it as my "first project". It has six coat hangers, three brass, three dark, you can only see the dark ones.
My question is how should I finish the outline. Solid or patterned tile? I have solid greens, greens with darker green lines, beige with dark brown lines, and all these have contrasting edges (the edge of bowls, coffee cups, plates I found at the $1 store)
I just don't know how to finish the corners/edges to showcase the middle.
Any Ideas?
Egads then I have to decide on the grout...
I Have Pearl Grey, Black, and White
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whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
December 27, 2007
05:49 PM Post #4332282
| Here is a closer view I am just learning how to use the camera/comp too. 
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oldmudhouse
Las Cruces, NM
(Zone 8a)
December 27, 2007
05:59 PM Post #4332304
| whozzat08, I'm new at this too, but boy that is a fabulous first project! Your pattern is lovely and I think you've done a great job with the breaking/shaping/fitting of the mosaic pieces too. It's going to be wonderful.
If I'd made that nice piece, I think I'd choose the solid greens for a border that highlights the center...seems like it would be less competitive and would allow the focus to remain on the beautiful floral pattern. Have you tried laying out different pieces and squinting from a distance? (Sounds silly but I think squinting is a good secret tool.)
Choosing grout color is still terrifying to me. I used a pale gray on one project and I was disappointed in how it muted everything. I used black on my next project, and I was happy with how it made the colors pop. I will be interested to see what others say...I guess I'd lean towards the black (but again, warning, newbie here!) Beautiful work.
Sheri
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whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
December 27, 2007
06:29 PM Post #4332378
| Thank you Sheri! I have some solid greens left over so I plan to go "squint" right after posting this. That is a Good Idea! I found looking at it through the camera lens made it look different too. i will do both.
It is just very hard to "Picture" the finished project when you don't have anything compare it to.
I had been leaning towards the pearl grey for grout, but what you said about muting the colors makes sense. I am just afraid that the black will show up all my mistakes! (muting might be a good thing)
Bev
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imapigeon
Gilroy (Sunset Z14), CA
(Zone 9a)
December 27, 2007
06:40 PM Post #4332401
| BEEEEEAUTEEEEFUL WORK! I think if it were mine (and I'd be happy to send you my address so it COULD be mine...LOL!) I'd choose one of the more neutral colors in the existing design for the border, and the same for the grout. That way the floral pattern will be highlighted. I think black might be a wee bit too intense, but you've got a nice warm tan in there, for instance---Desert Sand grout is about that color. I like the brown from the wood that's showing through, too, so maybe brown grout would be nice. I also agree that the green would make a good border choice----maybe with tan or brown grout? Whatever you do, it's going to be just LOVELY, and your workmanship is amazing for a first piece! |
whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
December 27, 2007
06:58 PM Post #4332450
| TY. I did not Even think of brown. Duh..
You are right. When you look at it and the brown/tan shows through.. it would be Perfect!
I liked the beige patterned with brassy/brown lines Because of the brown...
solid greens with brownish/tan or even just brown grout...for the lines... and the green edging for the border. Okayyyy I have a Lot of squinting to go do TY TY
Bev
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oldmudhouse
Las Cruces, NM
(Zone 8a)
December 27, 2007
07:36 PM Post #4332580
| I think something in a brown tone is a great idea. I used terra cotta colored grout on my last project, and I liked how it gave everything a soft, warm, earthy tone.
I read somewhere about people using the dregs of their grout to make "grout worms"...little rolled snake pieces of grout that you let dry and save. They said the little dried grout pieces can then be laid beside or between the tiles to give you a better idea of how the color would work (as you squint and agonize.) I've started making some of these with the last of my grout...I'm hoping it will help me with these grout decisions...time will tell!
I hope you'll post pics of your coat rack when it's done. |
marydil51
Odem, TX
(Zone 9a)
December 30, 2007
11:59 AM Post #4340632
| Beautiful work, great ideas from everybody, I like the roll grout too, for examples to play around with. Also, I have used a test board - it can be very small - and glue the extra pieces of your work that you would throw away and then grout that with different colors of grout and see how you like the colors. Then keep the test boards for furture projects.
Yes, post a finished picture.
Mary |
MosaicArtDivas
Toni Kunchi
Netherlands Antilles
January 14, 2008
01:08 PM Post #4400730
| What a beautiful project. Well done! A dark green border will be a very good choice and also a dark green grout will show your centre. |
terriculture
london England
United Kingdom
January 14, 2008
06:58 PM Post #4402264
| Beauitful work and lovely design, thankyou. |
chickeemama
Graham, WA
January 21, 2008
11:22 PM Post #4436165
| That is just so pretty. I love your style!!! It does NOT look bad to me at all. It will look so nice when done!
You cut those pieces beautifully!!! |
whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
January 23, 2008
03:01 PM Post #4443464
| WIP 
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whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
January 23, 2008
03:03 PM Post #4443469
| WIP
I am getting the border ready now
bev
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chickeemama
Graham, WA
January 23, 2008
10:36 PM Post #4445396
| Wow, I just cant believe this piece. Its like you painted those flowers. What a good choice of materials!!! Cant wait to see it done with the border. |
misstiling
March 01, 2008
01:53 PM Post #4609048
| Very pretty, I love the colours. Great job!! |
whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
March 03, 2008
07:05 PM Post #4618290
| Thank You!
I have finally finished the border.
I have been to several stores looking for a dark green grout, but have not found any as yet.
I did find two dark brown shades that I will use to make the sample board using the left over scrap like Mary suggested.
But first i have to find all the pieces. My Cat found my work area, and had a Blast batting all the little pieces all over the table, floor, and mixed up all the pieces to my flower pot project .. which I now cover with a Large baking pan (you learn from your mistakes!)
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whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
March 03, 2008
07:29 PM Post #4618393
| I have tried four times to post another pic. if multiples show up, my comp is hiccuping! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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chickeemama
Graham, WA
March 03, 2008
08:42 PM Post #4618758
| To get the green grout you want have you ever thought of using white grout and either doing a paint wash (paint with a little bit of water mixed in) or adding acrylic paint to the white grout to make it green? I have used both methods with good success.
You piece is gorgeous!!! Post the pics when your done grouting!!! (please!!) |
imapigeon
Gilroy (Sunset Z14), CA
(Zone 9a)
March 03, 2008
09:09 PM Post #4618864
| Love the border---it turned out great! Looking forward to photos of the finished piece. I know what you mean about cats. I'm thrilled that I can finally lock mine out of my pottery studio. Now if I could only lock out the spiders...LOL
chick, that's a good idea for the grout (one of those head-slapper "why didn't I think of that" moments!) |
pinkpoodlegirl
Rock Hill, SC
(Zone 7b)
March 04, 2008
12:05 AM Post #4619849
| I have also used acrylic paint in light colored grout and it turned out fabulous. I have it on a stepping stone that has been outside for a year with no change in color. |
StarDeHaven
The Sea Ranch, CA
March 06, 2008
09:39 PM Post #4631646
| What a wonderful surprise! I found Dave's Garden to look up some spring plants that I just bought and ending up looking at a beautiful mosaic project. Amazing for a first project! I bet that the mosaic bug has got you now.
It's very strange that I landed here because I have been a stained glass artist for 30 years. I now do glass fusing and lampworking also. As a hobby, I started a few years ago, making mosaics to use up all the scraps of glass that I couldn't bear to part with.
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imapigeon
Gilroy (Sunset Z14), CA
(Zone 9a)
March 07, 2008
11:57 AM Post #4633764
| Star---please start a thread and show us some of your work!~ |
whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
March 07, 2008
08:29 PM Post #4635722
| Thank everyone for the ideas! I have started a flower pot with all the left over colors from the coatrack, and plan to use it as the "sample" board for the grout. I plan to incorporate all the ideas stated here, to get an idea of how the different grout colors will look - And how to grout!
Yes StarDeHaven, I have become an addict. I have found so many good ideas here! I bought some stained glass scrap from a dealer in the area, and have a bowling ball, and pin waiting in the sidelines, did some dumpster diving (with permission) at a auto glass company who said I could have as much tempered glass out of there as i could safely collect. I now have two buckets of clear and tinted. I also found round glass tops, small round trivets And I am saving all my colored bottles because I Bought a Tumbler!
I was at the thrift store found two large jars of colored glass blobs (stones?) and found 4 mirrors on sale for a $1
I am working on several flower pots at a time now, while one sets up, I add more to the others. This is fun! |
whozzat08
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
March 07, 2008
08:34 PM Post #4635740
| Star ditto what Imapigeon said. |
psm108
Roaring Spring, PA
April 06, 2008
09:51 AM Post #4765479
| This is such a creative and artistic work. Congratulations, you have a big future ahead with mosaics.
I just found this forum, also thru the plants... I'm very happy. I started with mosaic not long ago (2002), but have been more and more enthused with it. (www.sunhearth.org/mosaics.html)
I always had problems with grout. It's that part of the work not so creative, but rather very technical. I would advise you to make some experiments on some other piece before going for this beautiful one.
1 - Be sure the mix is smooth, let it rest for 10 minutes before using it.
2 - Let it on the work for about 15 minutes, after applying it, and pass with a very squeezed professional sponge to clean the surplus (I cut the sponge in different pieces according to the size of the work).
3 - Wait another 15 minutes and pass the sponge, again very squeezed, to take the remaining surplus of grout.
Sometimes, when I feel that the sponge took to much of it, I let it dry for 24h and give it another grout treatment. It's a lot of more work, but it normally pays off as it will stay more at the tile level. Proceed the same way as before.
I wouldn't advise to mix grout color as it will be hard to get the same color later on if you want to fix a damaged grout.
The best way I found to have perfect edges when grouting was with paint tape. I put it around the edge, 2 layers, and I let the grout dry for at least 48h before taking it off.
About the color, I would go for a medium light grey. It's neutral and won't interfere with the amazing choice of colors you made. |
kimmage
Maple City, MI
(Zone 6a)
April 09, 2008
10:41 AM Post #4781197
| When I mix a custom grout color I usually make more than I need and then put the rest in an old plastic container and freeze it. If I need more later I can thaw it out and use it instead of trying to mix the exact same color again.
-Kim |
chickeemama
Graham, WA
April 09, 2008
05:52 PM Post #4783368
| Kimmage...that is an awesome tip. Have you been doing that for a long time? (freezing the grout) and how long does it last? Does it change the color at all?
Sorry for all the questions but that is really a cool concept... |
kimmage
Maple City, MI
(Zone 6a)
April 10, 2008
01:56 PM Post #4787625
| I've done that for the last year or so. Longest I had it in the freezer was maybe a few weeks. Doesn't change the color at all. I do the same with custom acrylic paint colors that I mix too.
-Kim |
chickeemama
Graham, WA
April 10, 2008
10:42 PM Post #4790150
| Thanks so much for that info!!! I will try to store it away in this pea brain of mine!! |
