Mosaic Art Tools
The type of tools required for mosaic art depend on the materials and style of the artwork. Porcelain, glass, ceramic and other materials such as shell each need a specific tool for cutting and shaping. Using pre-cut tiles requires fewer tools for mosaic art since there is no cutting involved.
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Tile Nipper
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A tile nipper cuts larger tiles into smaller shapes. A tile nipper snips standard tile into smaller pieces. The tile nipper shapes tile by allowing the mosaic artist to chip away at the tile until a curve forms. Tile nippers work well for mosaic art containing larger pieces of tile.
Wheeled Glass Cutter
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Mosaic art containing stained glass requires a special tool. Mosaic art containing glass requires a special tool designed to cut glass without damaging it. The wheeled glass cutter easily cuts delicate glass and will cut tile, as well. Mosaic art containing a stained glass design relies on the wheeled glass cutter for precision cutting.
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Pistol Grip Cutter
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The pistol grip cutter scores glass or tile for snapping. To score and snap a piece of glass or ceramic, the pistol grip cutter does the job. Fitted with a carbide tip, the pistol grip cutter scratches the surface of the material making it easy to snap it into two.
Pencil Grip Glass Cutter
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The pencil grip cutter gives the mosaic artist more freedom. The pencil grip glass cutter works similarly to the pistol grip cutter but is shaped like a pencil. Mosaic art containing intricate shapes requires the pencil grip glass cutter tool, which allows the artist to easily draw a design in glass.
Grout Scraper
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A grout scraper removes excess grout from the finished mosaic art. After cutting and adhering the glass and tile, the mosaic art requires grouting. Most artists apply the grout with gloved fingers. After applying the grout, a grout scraper smoothes the surface and removes any excess.
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References
- Mosaic Art Supplies: Frequently Asked Mosaic Questions; How Do I Cut Glass and Glass Mosaic Tile?
- Floors Transformed: How To Use Ceramic Tile Nippers; 2010
- Free Patterns for Stained Glass: Use a Pistol Grip Glass Cutter Following These Instructions; 2010
- Free Patterns for Stained Glass: Use a Pencil Grip Glass Cutter Following These Instructions; 2010
- Mosaic Tile Guide: How to Grout Tile
- Photo Credit Dynamic Graphics Group/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
