A 'treat' that I have discovered is 'decoupage' on plain glass. I take decorative paper serviettes (some solid colour) and peel off the thinnest layer. I mix wallpaper paste with clear water-based lacquer (50/50) to make decoupage paste. I paint a thin layer of this paste on glass, lay the tissue on, then gently coat again with the paste. When it is dry it is very clear, strong and semi water-resistant. This becomes the backside (or downside) with the colour or design showing and protected by the glass. And it responds to the same cutting, thin-set and grouting. I like this because it solves my problem of wanting more variety but all the exact same thickness ... for when it is a flat project. Hugs, from Snipperville!
@@TreasuryRoad The thanks is from me to you! I only started about three weeks ago and wouldn't have gotten over the initial SHOCK without you! Do you have any sort of way for us posting photos of our projects? Is your Facebook Page just for your entries or can we post photos there in the comments section? Thank you!
@@millville Thankyou so much Max, appreciate that. Actually I hadn't thought about having photos posted, I Initially set up the Treasury Road FB page for my photos and what's happening as most people post in the Facebook mosaic pages but I may have to think about that one, thankyou for the suggestion. :)
@@geoffhalpin5976 My local thrift store has a bin of shoddy picture frames and glass so that helps, and the paper serviettes section of my local shops is inspiring. The trick is not to buy the small amounts of 'decoupage paste' at craft stores (very expensive)! ... mix your own with 50/50 wallpaper paste and clear water-based lacquer ... it keeps in a jar for a long time. It is also possible to mosaic the whole design offered on the serviette if it has a composition you like. For example, I found a serviette (about the size of a tile) with a scene of a bicycle in the middle and floral border ... so that was fun!
Your videos, practical tips and guidance are a tremendous help for those of us who are starting out. Thank you for sharing your experience on UA-cam. I never dreamed I would be involved in several online groups exploring techniques, receiving guidance from the best of the best. It is amazing that we are able to connect with so many brilliant artists on the other side of the world; through our groups online. How exciting it is to be a part of this adventure. Now I'm rambling, sorry. I wanted to leave a comment for you Peter, stating that this is one of the best videos I have seen that inspires me to take your advice. I already knew these places existed and had half a notion to contact a few; but after seeing this, I feel more confident to introduce myself around town. Well done my friend.
Thankyou so very much Jan, l really appreciate it., lm more of an apprentice that shares things that l do or l think would be helpful to others. We are always learning and of course our ideas change, it’s great that you are more confident to contact others around your town, l always think well they will either say yes or no and so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Thankyou for watching. 😊
Thanks. You videos are great. Very helpful as I'm a beginner. As a fellow Australian I really appreciate your "local" (I'm in WA) knowledge. It's nice to hear shop names and products I understand.
Thanks heaps Geoff, I know it can be a bit of a minefield at first. But you soon relaise you only need a couple of good adhesives for different situations, the right substrate, sanded grout, the right tess for where they are going and you're pretty good to go. So glad you're enjoying the videos. :)
Very good video. I have just sent my cousin in Australia a mosaic by post. So expensive from the UK! I would be interested in a video about cutting down the weight of finished mosaics to save on postage. Also about extra secure packing for posting.
Thankyou so much, yes freight is expensive, when it comes to packaging it really depends on what type of mosaic and the size as these things determine how you package it to get it safely to its destination, its not really a kind of one packaging suits all. But maybe a general packaging video going through a few ideas and tips may suit. :)
I want to say a big thank you I’m new to mosaic and your u tube channels is very informative and easy to learn from I’ve started doing stepping stones Can I ask a few questions What do u use to seal the concrete stepping stones I’ve decorated mine with tiles and glass after grouting what do u use to seal the finished product I was going to use a resin do u think that is a good option But I cannot find a resin that is good for outside use Keep up the great work n videos
Thankyou so much Annette, appreciate that. Definitely don’t use any resin on your stepping stones, in fact avoid using any resin on your mosaics. Once your stepping stone is completed and if you have used ordinary sanded grout then you can apply a grout sealer to it to seal the grout. That’s about all you need and can do, if the stepping stone is being used make sure it’s not going to be slippery as glass and glazed tiles can be slippery, if they are then l suggest using it as an ornamental one. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad hahaha I am so glad you did Peter. It gave me a huge giggle 😂 But wait, there's more, If you phone in the next 30 mins, we'll include a 2nd set free. Lol Keep up the awesome work 🥰
@@geoffhalpin5976 I do remember Big Kev, a definite Icon and also the Dinshou self sharpening knives, our operators are standing buy, but wait there's more...., lol So many.
Oh the thrill of the chase! I keep boxes and old towels in my boot - so I'm ready to take my booty home! Also friendly builders can help with chunks of cut off construction strength polystyrene too. But letting friends know you'll take broken china really pays off too!
Its awesome when you find some really good stuff that hasn't cost you anything. I do the same thing towels and boxes in the boot, you never know when you're going to need them. Yes letting everyone know you take broken or old china is good but a lot these days is white which is not what I'm looking for at all, I have become choosy in what I collect. lol Thanks for the comment Wendy. :)
Choosy? when it’s free? Haha! Yes, white tile and white china seem to pile up but I’ve noticed a few photos of projects where it is exceptionally effective to use up the cheaper volumes of white as backgrounds because it really makes more frugal use of more expensive or rarer vibrant colours and patterns stand out when you have a big bold motif. My eyes are invariably drawn to such colour combos.
A 'treat' that I have discovered is 'decoupage' on plain glass. I take decorative paper serviettes (some solid colour) and peel off the thinnest layer. I mix wallpaper paste with clear water-based lacquer (50/50) to make decoupage paste. I paint a thin layer of this paste on glass, lay the tissue on, then gently coat again with the paste. When it is dry it is very clear, strong and semi water-resistant. This becomes the backside (or downside) with the colour or design showing and protected by the glass. And it responds to the same cutting, thin-set and grouting. I like this because it solves my problem of wanting more variety but all the exact same thickness ... for when it is a flat project. Hugs, from Snipperville!
Thankyou and a great tip, sounds fun and you can create some wonderful original pieces. Thankyou again for the tip. :)
@@TreasuryRoad The thanks is from me to you! I only started about three weeks ago and wouldn't have gotten over the initial SHOCK without you! Do you have any sort of way for us posting photos of our projects? Is your Facebook Page just for your entries or can we post photos there in the comments section? Thank you!
@@millville Thankyou so much Max, appreciate that. Actually I hadn't thought about having photos posted, I Initially set up the Treasury Road FB page for my photos and what's happening as most people post in the Facebook mosaic pages but I may have to think about that one, thankyou for the suggestion. :)
Fantastic idea. Thanks.
@@geoffhalpin5976 My local thrift store has a bin of shoddy picture frames and glass so that helps, and the paper serviettes section of my local shops is inspiring. The trick is not to buy the small amounts of 'decoupage paste' at craft stores (very expensive)! ... mix your own with 50/50 wallpaper paste and clear water-based lacquer ... it keeps in a jar for a long time. It is also possible to mosaic the whole design offered on the serviette if it has a composition you like. For example, I found a serviette (about the size of a tile) with a scene of a bicycle in the middle and floral border ... so that was fun!
Your videos, practical tips and guidance are a tremendous help for those of us who are starting out. Thank you for sharing your experience on UA-cam.
I never dreamed I would be involved in several online groups exploring techniques, receiving guidance from the best of the best.
It is amazing that we are able to connect with so many brilliant artists on the other side of the world; through our groups online. How exciting it is to be a part of this adventure.
Now I'm rambling, sorry.
I wanted to leave a comment for you Peter, stating that this is one of the best videos I have seen that inspires me to take your advice. I already knew these places existed and had half a notion to contact a few; but after seeing this, I feel more confident to introduce myself around town.
Well done my friend.
Thankyou so very much Jan, l really appreciate it., lm more of an apprentice that shares things that l do or l think would be helpful to others. We are always learning and of course our ideas change, it’s great that you are more confident to contact others around your town, l always think well they will either say yes or no and so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Thankyou for watching. 😊
As usual Peter, great information! Thank you for your videos. I look forward to the next one.
Thankyou so much Elaine, appreciate that and thankyou for watching them. :)
My first stops are the thrifts stores for tile or single plates. Just a variety of items to select. Great idea. Thanks!😊
Thanks so much Sylvie, they can be a great place for bargains. Thanks for watching. 😊
Greetings from Russia! I just found your channel and it's so great and helpful. Thank you!
Thankyou so much Julie, appreciate that and greetings from Australia
So many good ideas! Thank you for sharing. You are such a wealth of information!
Thankyou so much Patty, appreciate that. :)
Thanks. You videos are great. Very helpful as I'm a beginner. As a fellow Australian I really appreciate your "local" (I'm in WA) knowledge. It's nice to hear shop names and products I understand.
Thanks heaps Geoff, I know it can be a bit of a minefield at first. But you soon relaise you only need a couple of good adhesives for different situations, the right substrate, sanded grout, the right tess for where they are going and you're pretty good to go. So glad you're enjoying the videos. :)
Thank you so much! You're truly a gem on UA-cam! ❤❤
Thankyou very much appreciate that and thanks for watching. 😊
A great ideas! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks very much, appreciate that. :)
Thank you, I live in a town that has many antique shops, I’ll check them out
Thankyou for watching. They are a great place to source mosaic items, especially if they give them to you free. :)
Very good video. I have just sent my cousin in Australia a mosaic by post. So expensive from the UK! I would be interested in a video about cutting down the weight of finished mosaics to save on postage. Also about extra secure packing for posting.
Thankyou so much, yes freight is expensive, when it comes to packaging it really depends on what type of mosaic and the size as these things determine how you package it to get it safely to its destination, its not really a kind of one packaging suits all. But maybe a general packaging video going through a few ideas and tips may suit. :)
Makes me want to go shopping! Lots of great ideas. I like all these and estate sales too!
Thanks heaps, I love them as well. :)
I want to say a big thank you
I’m new to mosaic and your u tube channels is very informative and easy to learn from
I’ve started doing stepping stones
Can I ask a few questions
What do u use to seal the concrete stepping stones
I’ve decorated mine with tiles and glass after grouting what do u use to seal the finished product
I was going to use a resin do u think that is a good option
But I cannot find a resin that is good for outside use
Keep up the great work n videos
Thankyou so much Annette, appreciate that. Definitely don’t use any resin on your stepping stones, in fact avoid using any resin on your mosaics. Once your stepping stone is completed and if you have used ordinary sanded grout then you can apply a grout sealer to it to seal the grout. That’s about all you need and can do, if the stepping stone is being used make sure it’s not going to be slippery as glass and glazed tiles can be slippery, if they are then l suggest using it as an ornamental one. 😊
Thank you!
My pleasure and thankyou for watching. :)
Really no free steak knives? I was looking forward to those! Hehehehe. As always, love your work. Thanks 👍😊
Thankyou so much Lee. ROFL I was going to leave that out as I didn't know if anyone would get it, so glad you did and thanks for watching. :)
@@TreasuryRoad hahaha I am so glad you did Peter. It gave me a huge giggle 😂
But wait, there's more, If you phone in the next 30 mins, we'll include a 2nd set free. Lol
Keep up the awesome work 🥰
@@leeseminara280 LOL So true, I think many of us remember those lines quite well. LOL
Yes, I wondered about the non-Aussies getting the steak knife reference, but good on ya. Does anyone remember Big Kev: "I'm ExCited!!!"?
@@geoffhalpin5976 I do remember Big Kev, a definite Icon and also the Dinshou self sharpening knives, our operators are standing buy, but wait there's more...., lol So many.
greetings from Mexico.
Greeting from Australia. :)
Oh the thrill of the chase! I keep boxes and old towels in my boot - so I'm ready to take my booty home! Also friendly builders can help with chunks of cut off construction strength polystyrene too. But letting friends know you'll take broken china really pays off too!
Its awesome when you find some really good stuff that hasn't cost you anything. I do the same thing towels and boxes in the boot, you never know when you're going to need them. Yes letting everyone know you take broken or old china is good but a lot these days is white which is not what I'm looking for at all, I have become choosy in what I collect. lol Thanks for the comment Wendy. :)
Choosy? when it’s free? Haha! Yes, white tile and white china seem to pile up but I’ve noticed a few photos of projects where it is exceptionally effective to use up the cheaper volumes of white as backgrounds because it really makes more frugal use of more expensive or rarer vibrant colours and patterns stand out when you have a big bold motif. My eyes are invariably drawn to such colour combos.