Im just getting started in mosaics,and this was exactly the information i needed. Great instructional video,many thanks. I look forward to more of your videos. Best wishes.
I purchase disposable piping bags and dispense my mixture into that, clip with a bag clip and snip the end! I find it easier to add the adhesive to back of tessera that way, instead of laying a bed of adhesive. But I think it comes down to personal choice of what one is comfortable with. I often get more than one use out of the piping bag or if it springs a leak, put masking tape over the hole. This ist he equivalent of the “baggy” method you may have heard of.
Thanks for this, Dianne. Yes, I have used the baggy method but find it harder to use than the plain old spatula. Maybe I should give it another go, as it looks like such a good system. 🙏😀
@@HelenMilesMosaics , I have never been good at applying the adhesive and then laying the pieces in it, although, I need to attempt it at some stage to teach my students. We all have our ways though and Ali guess that is the beauty of mosaicing, because it is so open ended? 💕
If you fast forward to around 4:33 on the video you will find the bit about the black mortar tone. Is that what you mean? You buy it as a separate powder and add it to the thinset.
I'm making my first mosaic for outdoor mounting. I'm planning to use thinset as the adhesive. Could you comment on whether I can apply thinset individually to each tile, as you would glue, instead of laying down a surface of thinset and embedding the tile in it?
Yes, indeed, you could apply thinset to each tile like glue if that's the way you prefer to do it but you need to make sure you get plenty of thinset on the tile so that it holds it firmly in place and laying down a bed of thinset is an easier way to ensure you get the right depth.
It's called Mortar Tone and is available from Screw Fix in the UK. I am sure there will be something equivalent depending on which part of the world you're in.
Hi Helen I really am enjoying your videos. Thank you! Do you use gray or white thinset before adding a pigment to change the color? Does a white make the end color brighter or more of a pastel etc? Do you need to use gray in order for the black pigment to make a nice dark black? 😊
Hi there and apologies for the late reply. I use white thinset to start off with and haven't tried the grey so I am not sure what effect it would have but I am sure it would work equally well, it's just that you would need to add less pigment.
Personally, no, but I know lots of people do. If you are buying a flexible thinset anyway (it will say so on the packet) then it will additives already in it.
You can also use a spray bottle to add more water slowly if your first attempt is too dry. Too much water and you have to go back and add more mix. You then lose your carefully planned measures for recipe replication. Once you get it right, life is sweet again. 😃
Thanks Helen love your teachings
You are so welcome! 😀
Im just getting started in mosaics,and this was exactly the information i needed. Great instructional video,many thanks. I look forward to more of your videos. Best wishes.
Glad it was helpful!
I love your voice and your enthusiasm. Thank you for making these great videos! ❤
You are so welcome Anca and thanks for your lovely comment.
Thank you !! Very helpful information ⭐️
So glad it was helpful!
I love your videos! Thank you ♥️
Thank you, this was very useful. 😊👋
Glad it was helpful Ann! 😀
When adding pigment what ratio to thinset do you recommend to not compromise the structure of the thinset?
No more than 10 percent but usually 5 per cent is plenty. It depends on the pigment you are using
I purchase disposable piping bags and dispense my mixture into that, clip with a bag clip and snip the end! I find it easier to add the adhesive to back of tessera that way, instead of laying a bed of adhesive. But I think it comes down to personal choice of what one is comfortable with. I often get more than one use out of the piping bag or if it springs a leak, put masking tape over the hole. This ist he equivalent of the “baggy” method you may have heard of.
Thanks for this, Dianne. Yes, I have used the baggy method but find it harder to use than the plain old spatula. Maybe I should give it another go, as it looks like such a good system. 🙏😀
@@HelenMilesMosaics , I have never been good at applying the adhesive and then laying the pieces in it, although, I need to attempt it at some stage to teach my students. We all have our ways though and Ali guess that is the beauty of mosaicing, because it is so open ended? 💕
Thank you!
How do you do that extra black thinset clay with grains? It looks just great! Is it sell premixed or do you mix it by yourself?
If you fast forward to around 4:33 on the video you will find the bit about the black mortar tone. Is that what you mean? You buy it as a separate powder and add it to the thinset.
I'm making my first mosaic for outdoor mounting. I'm planning to use thinset as the adhesive. Could you comment on whether I can apply thinset individually to each tile, as you would glue, instead of laying down a surface of thinset and embedding the tile in it?
Yes, indeed, you could apply thinset to each tile like glue if that's the way you prefer to do it but you need to make sure you get plenty of thinset on the tile so that it holds it firmly in place and laying down a bed of thinset is an easier way to ensure you get the right depth.
In Australia it is called cement based adhesive! 😀💕
There are just so many names for it! Cement based adhesive is much clearer terminology though! 😂
Hi helen. Thank u. What type of pigment do you add?
It's called Mortar Tone and is available from Screw Fix in the UK. I am sure there will be something equivalent depending on which part of the world you're in.
@@HelenMilesMosaics thanks so much
Hi Helen I really am enjoying your videos. Thank you! Do you use gray or white thinset before adding a pigment to change the color? Does a white make the end color brighter or more of a pastel etc? Do you need to use gray in order for the black pigment to make a nice dark black? 😊
Hi there and apologies for the late reply. I use white thinset to start off with and haven't tried the grey so I am not sure what effect it would have but I am sure it would work equally well, it's just that you would need to add less pigment.
@@HelenMilesMosaics do you ever use ready mixed adhesive, or is it not good enough At last someone telling us how to actually mix it. Thank you
Can I use cement adhesive on a plastic board to do the mosaic ?
Yes indeed! Cement adhesive, tile adhesive and thinset are all the same things.
Hi Helen, do you ever add a latex additive into your thinset?
Personally, no, but I know lots of people do. If you are buying a flexible thinset anyway (it will say so on the packet) then it will additives already in it.
@@HelenMilesMosaics thank you
You can also use a spray bottle to add more water slowly if your first attempt is too dry. Too much water and you have to go back and add more mix. You then lose your carefully planned measures for recipe replication. Once you get it right, life is sweet again. 😃
Yes, that's a great way to do it and one that I find very handy too!
@@HelenMilesMosaics what is the right proportion of water to the powder?