how to make a mosaic

1. Beginning your mosaic project: terminology and design
2. Types of tesserae
3. Tips on mosaic materials
4. Step-by-step guide to techniques: direct and indirect methods
5. Outdoor mosaics: How to site a mosaic in an architectural space
6. Grouting
7. List of books and references
8. Making a mosaic: Health & Safety Advice

Click on Contents chapter headings for further details

8. making a mosaic: health and safety advice

1. When cutting and snipping tiles it is advisable to wear safety goggles.
   1. Keep shoulders relaxed and arms long
   2. Cut to the left or right at waist height away from your face
2. Another important reason for cutting as above means that you avoid breathing in the tiny puff of silica dust that is omitted from each tile.
3. If you are going to be doing a lot of mosaic work a drawing board or equivalent is advisable to work on. This could help prevent shoulder stiffness and also enables you to see the work semi upright.
4. Ideally you need a work area in a contained space as you will inevitably get glass/ceramic fragments on the floor in the surrounding area - Keep your shoes on!
5. When tidying your work surface never use your hand to brush away debris, use dustpan and brush or sweep onto the floor with a piece of card/postcard.
6. When grouting or working with cement it is advisable to wear gloves surgical/rubber gloves, as these materials can be a skin irritant.

When preparing and mixing cements you may want to wear a mask to protect against inhaling dust.