How It's Made
To complete a 12” x 12” mosaic with an average tile size of 1” requires approximately 16 hours of work over a four week period. Every step is carefully planned prior to commencing the project. Here are some of the very basic steps used in creating each project:
Design and plan
Designing a pattern can be challenging. Inspiration usually comes from the clients needs or impressions of scenes or experiences that are particularly significant to me.
Wet cut tiles
Clay is rolled out to the desired thickness and the pattern is cut while the clay is still leather hard. Then the clay is securely stored until dry
Bisque fire
Each tile is hand placed into the kiln for bisque firing. "Bisque firing” bakes the moisture out of unglazed clay to a low temperature to harden the clay and drive the physical water from it.
Glaze
Each piece is removed from the kiln and coated at least three times with a glaze color and then individually placed back into the kiln to be fired again. This process drives the remaining moisture out of the clay, making it even harder.
The higher the firing temperature, the less color choices you have. Tiles used in indoor wall applications do not require the strength inherent in high fire glaze. Therefore, a lower temperature glaze can be used, increasing your color pallet.
Setting tile
Each tile is hand placed into position keeping a close consistent gap in between each tile, making it more attractive. Only quality products and materials are used for installations.
Grouting/finishing
There are a variety of grout colors that will change the look of the project a great deal. Once grouted, the project is sealed to protect against absorption and permanent staining.
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