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Summary: Making mosaic tile art requires gluing the mosaic tiles to a substrate or background. Learn how to choose mosaic tile art substrates in this free video.
Rachel Kadner is a mosaic artist, based in San Francisco, who has been creating mosaics for over 7 years. She specializes in making mosaics for the home, including mirrors and fine art...read more
"Right now we're going to talk about substrates. Substrates is just a fancy word for what you glue your tiles to. Today I've chosen this little mirror for us to use. I liked it, it was a good first project because it's small and it's also got a mirror inside, so when you're done it will be a beautiful finished project for your home. One thing to think about when you're using wood, is that it's only good for indoor use. Also, if you were to glue tiles to this wood right now, it would be good for a couple of years but it wouldn't be great for long term. If you want your project to last your entire life, or even to give to your children, you want to think about sealing your wood. You can buy wood sealers at most hardware stores. There are many place to get beautiful substrates, the first place to look is your local art supply store or craft store. You can find beautiful picture frames or mirrors like the one I showed you, or other shapes, or even boxes cut out of wood to glue your tiles to. Or you can go to the hardware store and get plywood that can be cut into different sizes and shapes, or a hearty backer which is great for outdoor use."
eHow Article: Substrates for Tile Mosaic