Mosaics Blog "How-To" by Andrea Edmundson-Blog

"How My Brain Works"

6/10/2020

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Hover your mouse over each image to see what is going on.

Now I need to prepare to work vertically instead of horizontally...

Now for the transport of the pieces to the substrate.

Finally, the messy but satisfying part - grouting.

And about the name of my mosaic..."How My Brain Works"
I often spend a long time juggling ideas around in my head, just like this bunch of colorful paisleys. Even once I've started a project (a mosaic or even a work project), I tend to modify my original plan, so my ideas are very fluid. But finally, a final idea emerges and that final one is represented by the awesome brilliant little paisley on the bottom right - he's a star!

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A Flowering Future

5/2/2019

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This was a piece commissioned by Cox Communications here in Tucson for Earth Day 2019.

Box #1 of potential materials!

Box #2 of potential materials.

Remote controls I popped open with my vice - fun!

Laying out my options to stimulate ideas.

Exploring potential layouts, once I decided on the 'flowers in pots' theme.

Sketched layout on substrate so I could drill holes for attaching heavy pieces and to determine where I would place mosaic glass around the flower pots (aka remote controls).

Starting to place mosaic glass around 3D objects.

Attached stained glass to backs of remotes so you could see color through them.

Laid the first row of glass - the 'ground' the flower pots are sitting on. Nothing is attached yet, just positioned for review.

Starting second row of stained glass to create contrast for the flower pots.

Almost done placing glass for leaves and sky. Again, other items are still not attached, just set in place for spacing. (Blue tape is holding stained glass on back of remote until adhesive dries.)

Backs of remotes were convex so I painted the substrate the same color as the grout I would be using so all would blend well.

Had to paint the back BEFORE all work was completed. Imagine trying to flip it over, otherwise! Here you can see the wires I used to help attach the heavier tools (along with adhesives).

Once the back was completed, I finished the front by adhering all remotes, tools, and things I cannot even name!

Attached smaller items at the end, like circuit boards and other doohickies (LOL, I'm sure Cox people know what these all are). Used CAT 5 cables for blue and yellow flowers. Painted remotes with spray paint and painted cables with acrylic (the only paint that will stick to rubber).

Almost done...had to use an epoxy adhesive to attach metal edges. Unfortunately, modern technology sometimes requires toxic materials.

The Final Product

Happy Earth Day! This project made me smile. Remember, we are constantly getting better at reusing materials, reducing waste, and repurposing or upcycling materials...A "Flowering Future" in my opinion.

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Some Experimenting

4/12/2019

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I had a pattern in mind and laid out the tentative locations of key bling.

I then marked where the chains and other boundaries were going to be placed.

I used a cake decorating icing bag - it takes a lot of oomph but I like the lines it made.

Here's a close-up of the 'iced' lines.

I iced all lines then filled in the boxes one by one.

This was the second-to-last box and I liked the gray color of Wedi board for background so I decided to use light gray thin set.

In my very last box, I made thin-set flowers with the icing bag. I see more experimentation in my future!

The 'almost' final product. I built this in the frame so I have some touch-ups and cleaning to do, but the hard stuff is done.

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Mid-Century Mod Hippy Bird House

2/26/2019

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The mosaic bird house is mounted outdoors. Thanks to my hubby Victor for the perfect post mount.

A view of the post mount from the bottom. Cool, eh?

Finished, front view.

Finished, back view.

Unless I sell the bird house, I'll be mounting it in my back yard on a metal perch off the patio.

Construction!

I wanted to build something useful while I was learning to use all my tools. The project let me use all the features of my new band saw (stART grant). However, I also used a jig saw, the versacut saw, and my drill, plus wood glue, nails, screws, and hinges. Thanks, Pam, for helping me learn to use all the tools (safely)!

Used many tools to create the bird house, especially my new Wen band saw.

Painted wood with primer, added red metal grid.

The mosaic tiles were placed but not adhered.

Glued (with thin set) mosaic tiles on front first.

The Final Touches

As usual, I used plenty of re-purposed materials to complete the project. My friend NJ gave me the brass letters; the roof 'tiles' were metal samples used by a sales rep.

I sealed the grout.

Grout sealer with a brush tip!

This is a hinged back door so I can clean the house.

I used metal samples with caulking to create the tiled roof.

I printed the bird images but covered them with textured plexiglass samples.

All of the tiles in this project were leftovers from another artist, including the smalti glass I used for the patio and the fused glass star next to the bird house door.

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