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making up a kit
Easy steps to create your work of art. In addition view videos here, including about laying tiles on a curve (useful for peacock kit).
GENERAL NOTES
The mini nippers easily cut through these soft tiles. Just place the nippers over the tile and give a good queeze. (Supervise children).
Lay the tiles imagining there is a grid over the board and tiles are laid aligning to horizontal or vertical lines. (Do not draw one though a few ruled lines here and there may help.) Except in the case of the peacock which following the outline of the ceramic.
Avoid tiny pieces of tile which draw the eye, keeping sizes as consistent as possible. For the background, (depending on design), start and end every other row with a half tile, to create a brick like pattern. (The first row should have whole tiles at each end).
Working around the ceramic
When working on rows that pass over or go 'through' the ceramic feature, do the following. As for the first rows lay the end tiles (half or whole), then start working outwards from the ceramic motif. This gives control over the trickier tiles to cut. Make sure outside edges and any cut tiles next to the motif, which are the most noticeable areas, are very NEAT.
If working on a curve, the tiles need eased into a wedge shape so there are no gaps. (see video and below).
Plenty of glue to adher - but not too much, it should not rise up between the closely packed tiles. Remember there is no grout - the board should not be visible.
A brick like pattern over the background is much easier for beginners than laying to a grid.
Keep the front of the tiles clean, although PVA glue does dry clear it may stain a little. If this happens and once your mosaic is dry and secure, clean up with a warm damp cloth.
If you need to prise up tiles, soften the adhesive first by applying heat from a hair dryer.
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