Category Archives: mosaic tile

2022, Art, Best Tools, Mara Lee, mosaic tile

The Right Tools for the Job

03/04/2022 Tile Gypsy Leave a comment

Tools & Adhesives

#1 Wheeled Tile & Glass Nippers have a set of disc shaped wheels on spring-loaded handles used to cut tile and glass. Replacement wheels are sold separately.

#2 Tile Cutters are for thicker tiles, plates and crockery. Better tile nippers have tungsten-carbide cutting edges and spring-loaded handles.

#3 Glass Cutters practice makes perfect and is absolutely epic when it works.

#4 Weldbond Adhesive – Non-toxic white glue, safe for indoor use/kids and dries clear in most circumstances.

#5 Clear e6000 Adhesive – Toxic adhesive, clear is my preference, use in well ventilated area, great for glass and not for kids.

#6 Mastic is for tiling dry areas, sets faster than Thinset and has an odor that lingers.

#7 Tile Thinset is used for areas where water is present, it sets slower than mastic and is harder to remove if you change your mind.

#8 Grout comes with sand and without sand. Use unsanded grout for any gaps less than ⅛” inch. Always seal grout.

Tools — Lighten up … cutting takes practice.

Always good to have nearby:

Small Hammer
Needle Nose Pliers
Tweezers
Beverage of Choice
Toothpicks or Wooden Skewers
Paper Towels
Vinegar/Water Spray
FIRST AID KIT
SAFETY GLASSES
Open Window
Base, Tile, Shards and Found Objects …

get lost in trying. 🙂 mara lee

light switch cover, mosaic tile, Mosaic Tile Projects

DIY Mosaic Tile Light Switch Covers

02/15/2020 Tile Gypsy 10 Comments

DIY Light Switch Covers:

Start with a HARD plastic light switch cover … found at home improvement and hardware stores. If the plastic is bendy … pass.
You can use wood and metal light switch covers too. Makes no never mind. 😉
Glue color fast beads and/or tile around the light switch opening with Weldbond.
Then glue the outside edge to establish how much room you have left (in the middle) to work with.
Glue the rest of your design and let it dry for a couple of hours.
Finish by gluing color fast beads – or ball chain – around the outside of the light switch cover. Let dry for a minimum of 24 hours.
Before grouting cover delicate items (jewels etc) with painter’s tape.
Confident that the light switch cover is completely dry … mix sanded grout (color of choice) with a liquid grout additive, instead of water, for more flexibility, to an oatmeal consistency.
Put on gloves … Grout On – I know it’s a weird feeling covering it with mud – keep going filling and smoothing all the nooks and crannies – pause – smooth – pause – 😉 and Grout Off with a slightly damp sponge. Rinse and repeat until clean and smooth. Remove tape from delicate items. Finish gently cleaning and smoothing until shiny and free from grout residue. Let dry overnight. Shine a bit more and gently install.