Traditional materials such as smalti, vitreous glass, marble, pebbles, sea shells and ceramic tile can be used or to add a modern interpretation to a piece, so too can mirror, beads, found items, china and bric a brac.

The choice of materials is limited only by your imagination. A mosaic can be worked using just one material or mixed media can be used to produce dynamic effects.

Marble

A hard durable material marble comes in a range of colours from subtle pinks, beiges and whites to strong greens and blacks. Marble is generally cut using a hammer and hardy, or can be purchased in pre cut tiles.

Smalti

Opaque Italian glass, smalti is traditionally hand made in large slabs which must be cut using a hammer and hardy. The thickness and colour of each individual piece varies due to the process of hand cutting. Pre cut semi regular pieces can also be purchased, although the cost of smalti is a consideration of use. A piece of smalti can be laid using any one of its six sides as the "front" depending on personal preference. Smalti has been used in mosaics since the mid 15th Century.

Glass tiles

Most commonly vitreous glass these tiles come in a wide range of colours and have a definate "front" and "back" that must be considered when laying pieces. These 2cm tiles can be used whole or can be cut into pieces for inclusion in a mosaic piece. Glass tiles are usually cut using tile or glass nippers.

The Italian company Bisazza produce a high quality range of glass tiles suitable for use in mosaic work.

Glass mosaics date from around the 2nd Century BC.

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles can be glazed or unglaxed and are available in a limitless variety of sizes, colours and hardness. Ceramic tiles can be cut using tile nippers or "smashed" using a hammer.

 

Pebbles

Natural stones can be sourced from rivers or oceans (not from National Parks) or can be purchased from garden centres and landscape suppliers as tumbled stones.

China

The use of china introduces a quirky, recycled element to mosaic work, whether a treasured momentoe, ornament or dinner plate. The wonderful textures and patterns available on china can introduce an element of excitement and fun to a finished piece. Broken pieces of china are reminders of another time and place and can provide a living history to newly created pieces.

Mirror

Mirror tiles offcuts or randomly broken pieces of mirror provide endless opportunities for use in mosaics. Mirror reflects constant changes of movement in the surrounding environment and can be particulalry effective when introduced into outdoor pieces.

Glass

Bottles, stained glass, functional and window glass can produce fantastic effects through light absorption and refraction. Glass comes in an endless array of textures, colour and thickness.