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How to make a direct method mosaic on mesh, Part I

Let's be honest, I am going through a bit of a mesh phase. I cant seem to get enough of it. Making a mesh on mesh is just so darn simple, convenient, versatile and all-round handy. The finished work is easily lifted from its base, doesn't weigh much and is a total synch to transport. The 'unswept floor' mosaic I am working on above is just the latest in a string of mesh mosaics made in my new found enthusiasm for the method.

Here's one that's finished. See what I mean about it's light weight, ready-to-go-ness?

One of the things I like about making a mosaic on mesh, is that they can be whatever shape you like. What more could you possibly want? Nothing. Good, we're agreed, so let's get to work.

Supplies:

First, you will need some supplies:

• Your design. Make sure it is clearly outlined with a black marker pen. This means it is easy to see through the layers once the cling film and mesh are laid on top.
• A backing board
• Tape
• Cling film
• Mesh. All mosaic suppliers keep it in stock. I use the Mosaic Workshop .
• Glue ' I use a brand which I buy in Greece called Atlacoll 37 which is for ceramic tiles. The Mosaic Workshop in London sells Titebond II Premium Wood Glue for the same purpose. 
• A Stanley knife

Making a mosaic on mesh- the method:

1. Put your design on the backing board and tape it down at the corners.

2. Put a layer of cling film over the design so that the mesh doesn't end up getting glued onto the paper. Tape the cling film down too.

3. Put the mesh on top, securing it firmly at the edges.

4. Lay your tesserae in the normal manner. For more details on laying a direct method mosaic go to my post: http://helenmilesmosaics.org/making-mosaics-2/how-to-make-mosaics/making-a-mosaic-trivet/

TOP TIP:  Take care to apply only enough glue needed to fix the individual tesserae to the mesh ' not so much that it squishes around the sides. You want to make sure that the gaps between the tesserae are clear for the grout to fill.  This is super important. 

5. Wait until the glue is fully dry and then cut around the mosaic with your Stanley knife.

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6. Turn the mosaic over and peel off the cling film:

7. Grout the mosaic in the usual way. (See my post on grouting: http://helenmilesmosaics.org/making-mosaics-2/grouting-mosaics/). Leave it to dry and, voila, there you have a light weight, 'cut out' mosaic that you can fix onto any clean, dry, flat surface.

A word of warning

I experimented with pre-grouting  mosaics on mesh after reading Elaine Goodwin's book Classic Mosaic. The book incudes a photograph of a court yard space with mosaicked birds on the wall hovering over an actual (mosaicked) bird table. It seemed like a good idea to grout in advance because you avoid all the mess and bother of grouting on site especially if making small mosaics.

There is a serious drawback:  pre-grouted mosaics are very fragile. I don't recommend choosing a shape/design with fiddly bits or thin projections. I made a bird aka Goodwin and the tail cracked after grouting. A spot of super glue will set it to rights but I will avoid pre-grouting in future.

Furthermore, you can only use the pre-grouted technique on small mosaics like the bee above. The mosaic below is 32cm  x 23cm and will need to be grouted after it's been applied on site to a wall with tile adhesive.

For Making Mosaics on Mesh, Part II: Larger mosaics on mesh, follow this link: http://helenmilesmosaics.org/mosaic-tutorials/larger-mosaics-on-mesh/

For further mosaic tutorials, go to my series on Making a Mosaic Trivet.'

How to use Self-Adhesive Fiberglass Mesh

I recently used QuikStik Mosaic Mesh. It has adhesive on one side. I was curious to see if it could replace the mesh I was using that did not have any adhesive at all to it and required me to adhere each piece to the mesh. I was anxious, as well, to see if the adhesive was strong enough to hold my tiles when picking it up and installing it vertically.

When my shipment arrived, I opened the bag and pulled out the mesh and sure enough, it was sticky! So I did a little "mesh test" and cut a piece of mesh, applied different sized tile, glass, kismet, ceramic, etc., to the sticky side, pressing them down firmly. Then I lifted it. It worked! Gave it some shakes and they stayed on! I tried rounded large and small stones and they did not work. Now I know what tesserae I can use this mesh with.

Here are 3 easy steps to set up your fiberglass mesh with adhesive:

Step 1) Print out your pattern to full size, then tape it down to a clean surface that you can work over for a period of time. Step 2) cut your fiberglass mesh and position it over your pattern, sticky side up. This is the side you will be placing your tiles to, so it has to be sticky side up. You may choose to tape this down as well. Step 3) Start laying your tiles on the mesh. Press firmly. When you are finished, trim away any excess mesh and you're ready to go. You will place your tiled mesh onto your base (or substrate) that has the adhesive already on it.

That's how easy it is! Use it for vertical projects you want to create horizontally. Use it for creating small elements that go into a larger mural. Use it to wrap your 3-D sculpture, then apply thinset and place your tiles on'there are lots of options ' just use your imagination.

So here's what you lose when working with this new mesh: you lose having to mix up thinset; you lose having to butter each piece and stick it to the mesh; you lose having to clean around your tiles to remove any excess thinset; and you lose having to clean up when you are finished using your adhesive. These are all things I am very happy to lose!!!

Here's what you gain using this mesh: time and money! You now have more time to create more mosaic art and you have money left over from not wasting it on as much thinset. So spend it on a new tool or tesserae for your mosaics! Go ' now!

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