Class: Exterior Mosaics
Instructor: Bonnie Fitzgerald
Items to be purchased from your Instructor (please bring cash or check):
This workshop covers everything you need to know about creating professional permanent mosaics to
withstand moisture and freeze-thaw cycles in exterior environments. Students will make the project of
their choice as outlined below. Students need to contact instructor 2 weeks in advance of workshop
with their project choice so appropriate materials are supplied.
There is a separate supply fee, based on project selection below, that covers a generous selection of
stained glass, vitreous tiles, art glass tiles, glass gems, adhesive and grout. Our adhesive is thin-set
mortar. Instructor will provide an ample amount of materials for you to complete your project. That being
said if you have supplemental materials you wish to bring such as milleflori, fused glass, special gems,
ceramic, etc. feel free. Instructor will determine if rated freeze/thaw.
A. 1 sq. ft. mural (house number, or small scene) $50
B. 1 sq. ft. stained glass garden paver $40
C. 9” tall stained glass planter $45
Items to bring with you:
Students need to bring tools that will cut stained glass and glass products, and if you wish to incorporate
ceramic bring ceramic tile nippers. Tools can be purchased from most stained glass stores or the below
on-line stores. Wheeled nippers can be purchased from mosaics supply stores. Please purchase the
best tools you can afford. We prefer LePonnit brand wheel tools and runners. Glass scorers with an oil
reservoir are best. OK to bring without oil, we will have some on hand. We are happy to LOAN our
student grade tools, but to work at home you will need your own tools.
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Substrate (see below for details)
Stained Glass cutting tools (scorer and running pliers)
Mosaic wheel tool
Tweezers
Palette Knife (for spreading adhesive)
Small paint brush (helpful for applying glue)
Chip Brush (inexpensive soft paint brush, approximately 2” wide)
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Favorite positioning tools (A positioning tool just helps you gently adjust a tile once in place when
your fingers are too chubby! Although you can get from mosaic supply stores you can also
probably get a very adequate tweezers and dental kit at a local pharmacy.)
Sharpie (both thin and medium sizes)
Pencil and paper for note taking
Old T-shirt or rags (for clean up and grouting)
Small containers (small deli or cat food size, a way to organize your tesserae)
Apron
Camera (can use camera on phone)
Suggested Vendors
Substrate Notes and Resources:
House signs or murals should be built on Wedi – a surface that is freeze/thaw rated
Witsend Mosaic http://witsendmosaic.com/
Maryland Mosaics http://www.marylandmosaics.com
This can also be purchased for various tile distributors, in a 4’ x 5’ sheet. You can cut with a jigsaw. Go to
Wedi website for a local resource.
Garden Pavers can be purchased at most home superstores (Home Depot, Lowes), cast concrete.
Terracotta Flower Pots available at garden centers or home stores, please bring a new/clean pot.
Tool Resources:
Research a local stained glass store; chances are they have most of what you need for glass cutting.
http://witsendmosaic.com/ Witsend carries Wheel Tool and Ceramic nippers
http://www.delphiglass.com/ Delphi sells all three tools BUT not LePonnit
http://www.glassaccessories.com/supercutters.html gives great overview of all stained glass cutting tools
My personal favorite glass scorer is a Toyo Pistol grip and you can get from Rainbow (they sell all three
tools and appear to have the best prices for all three) cut and paste into your
browser: http://www.rainbowglassonline.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=12
Leponitt Mosaic Cutter, Leponitt Metal 8” running pliers, Toyo Pistol Grip
Please DO NOT BUY wheel tools from Michaels’ or Home Depot, they are cheap and you will only end up
replacing.
Regarding Designs or Patterns to be made in advance:
If you have a specific design in mind (I want to make a sunflower garden paver) it is a good idea to bring
images to the workshop, things that help you create a design and pattern.
For anyone wanting to make a house number or sign here are instructions to prepare:
1. On your computer find font you like, you know enough about mosaics to know what to look for - you
have to cut your tessare to fit the font. You want font to be readable from a distance (so not too delicate)
2. Print to size the house numbers, you can probably do this on your home computer although might have
to tape the pieces together.
3. Once happy with font and size trace the numbers onto tracing paper or get copied onto one sheet of
paper (to get rid of tape), this will become the cartoon for the numbers and what you ultimately draw onto
your substrate
4. From the numbers figure out the overall size of the sign, is there going to be a boarder, if so how wide,
etc. Cut your Wedi appropriately
If you have any questions please feel free to contact your instructor at:
bonnie@maverickmosaics.com