Tag Archives: Tile

The Right Tools for the Job

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 …

Mosaic Tile Vase

get lost in trying.  🙂 mara lee

 

 

Glass on Glass 10 Pane

The 10-panel vintage window survived the trip from Orange, California to the Midwest.  It’s a pretty big window at 5′ x 2′ ft … which meant this piece would take a huge bite out of my vintage glass collection.

The vintage windows I look for have to be sturdy, with clear glass that doesn’t wiggle or show separation (rotting)  from the frame … not even a little bit.

I use a clear adhesive to glue the glass to the glass, in a well ventilated room, with a wheeled tile cutter, a small hammer – on a sturdy surface – wearing safety glasses with a first aid kit near by … but not children or pets.  Safety First – Always wear safety glasses when breaking or cutting random glass dishes, cups and/or glass objects. Depending on the type of glass they can and some will shatter in a bazillion pieces … maybe more. Be careful.  

Learn How to DIY with a Glass Class with Mara Lee 

This window was probably hung the wide way over an old store front somewhere.

Clean the window with a vinegar & water mixture – a couple of times – and let it dry.  Glue glass pieces into place filling in with cut glass pieces, clear glass gems, marbles and the like …

Learn How to DIY with a Glass Class with Mara Lee 

You don't find inspiration. It finds you.

Learn How to DIY with a Glass Class with Mara Lee 

Perfect first pass and not a single piece glued.
Perfect first pass and not a single piece glued.

Glass on Glass – 10 Panes – Private Collection

Learn How to DIY with a Glass Class with Mara Lee 

glass on glass
10 panes © mara lee

embellished

all rights reserved © 2013 Mara LeeWhen a certain artist who creates windows, mirrors, tables & bowls decorated with images, glass, trinkets, tile fragments & often hidden words in the designs was asked what her artwork meant to her she said: “I think I like it because it tells so much about my story.” Or anyone’s life, for that matter… “Life smashes things to bits and you glue it back together to make something beautiful with the pieces.” – author unknown

10 panes © mara lee
10 panes © mara lee

a writing prompt: Ornate

see more glass on glass