Cutting Glass Mosaic Tile WITH NIPPERS (beginner mosaic tutorial)

[@leannehindy8788]

So my partner of 7 years passed this December, we have 2 brand new babies and I’m just left here now almost dumbfounded and just shook. You never think it’ll happen to ur family till it does. Well he was obsessed with KZbin tutorials and learned so much on here. For me it just wasn’t my thing I really am not a fan of th internet but since his passing I’ve consumed myself with tutorials and art has saved my life bc some days I just feel completely hopeless and lost without him but I have a 1 & 3 year old that need me to be ok. So for my first art project ever in my life I am ya liking a colorful light reflecting Turkish mosaic lamp from scratch, I mean I am even going to learn the wiring. Michael always told me if I watched enough of the videos I could build an airplane from KZbin videos. I basically just want to say thank u for posting bc if it wasn’t for all of you posting these how to videos I would probably still be lying on my bathroom floor. I will be videoing all my projects and hope maybe I can do this too and post videos and maybe help even one person like how all these videos have helped me . So again thank u and fingers crossed With enough videos watched I hope I am able to make my own Turkish mosaic lamp for my bathroom project. Check back in 2 weeks or so and hopefully I am able to start my own page and like I said help others like how this has helped me.

Hey there! I’m just checking in to see if you’ve started your own page! I’m so sorry to hear about your partner. Life isn’t easy. Art is great therapy.how are you and the babies now? ❤️❤️

[@allthingsnu4673]

I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s a blessing that you are taking on art tutorials and KZbin in his memory.

[@chickie5249]

Dear Leanne, you don't realize that when someone you love crosses over, they are able to come back and guide you in spirit...that's why you are doing what you are doing and feeling their love while doing it. We never die, only transform. Once you can stand on your own two feet, even with the responsibility you have on a day to day basis, you will feel very free and loved to take the next step in your soul journey. We are not meant to live without love. When that time comes, write a list of what you want in a friend or partner and that person will enter your life. You will always love one that is gone in body, but never in spirit. Look for someone who you feel melds with your mind, body and soul. Take it slow and savor the journey. Don't stay with someone whose intentions are conditional. Being a mother shows you unconditional "intentional" love. There will be another to make your family soul experience blossom.

[@magdabieganska6935]

Thank you for sharing! Now I know exactly what I need to finish my kitchen mosaic around the power socket. 🙂

[@peggyahlders9903]

Thanks for the video. I am a beginner and found it very helpful!

Thank you for your positive comment, Peggy! So happy to be helpful. :)

[@scottedwards9626]

I needed a saw to cut stone tiles for a backsplash. kzbin.infoUgkxfiuHoZJo3bgdVPFRxQ-iqPpfbEHl2cYt I thought for sure I was going to need to buy a "better" blade than the one that came with this machine. I was surprised to see that blade worked great. Buying this saw was cheaper than renting and allowed me to take my time on the project. I wrapped the tiles (front and back) with blue painters tape and drew my cut lines with a sharpie on the tape. I performed all of my cuts free hand and had no trouble cutting the tile straight. There is a guide you can use to help with cuts if you prefer. This was my first tile job and this saw made it easy.

[@bobjones8864]

Brief and effective, thank you.

Thanks Bob!

[@jelomurphy]

Your video was so helpful! I just found out that I’ve been using the wrong nippers! I’ve ordered the wheeled nippers, and I’m a bit intimidated by them. Your video was very helpful :)

Yay! I'm so happy to have helped. They are very easy to use, promise. And, you can actually use the wheeled nippers for ceramic and other material as well.

[@themessycrafter4893]

What a lovely video. Well explained !

Glad you liked it! Thank you for the comment :)

[@MikeCurtin-nn8xy]

I have an unusual application, but I think your recommendations in this video will help a great deal. I'm using 1" clear glass tile embedded in hydro-stone as a rough grinding tool for making a telescope mirror. Nipping the edges lets me conform to the mirror a little better. Thanks very much.

[@jonnveranzza7174]

Thanks for the tutorial. I want to make lizard mosaic tiles for my coffee table. ✌🏻😁

Great idea! I'd love to see it!

[@jonnveranzza7174]

@ I've finished my project. How I can show it to you? 😁

Thanks for watching! What glass mosaic art project will you be working on?

[@jonaskromwell4464]

Good job! This is like watching Princess Buttercup doing mosaics! I am surprised there's no gloves being used, though.

[@ngel2323]

Love it!!

[@larajaniszewski]

I'd like to snip some glass pieces that are curved (from a broken glass ball). They're a couple mm thick. Do you have a tool recommendation? Thanks!

Test out the wheeled tile nipper. I believe this will work. Let me know how it works out!

[@markwaller2889]

I’m going to use my tools to shape the glass in interesting patterns and then put it into my rock tumbler to make sea glass.

[@oxorox972]

@Mark Waller: It won't be sea glass.

[@markwaller2889]

@@oxorox972 - no shit

Love that!!!

[@brianmoyer35]

@@markwaller2889 😂

[@jenmanndesigns1575]

Super helpful video Jen!! I always have trouble cutting my mosaic tiles in straight lines. The wheeled tile nippers always give my tile a slight curve. Whats the best way to cut down tiles to have straight edges?

Hi Jen! You'll want the pencil cutter and the pliers! Or, use the wheeled nippers little by little and a grinder :)

[@Steph_andthebulldogs]

That is my exact problem too

[@jenniferbrowne6803]

Specific question regarding the wheel pliers/cutters (first one you show here): Should the two little wheels be perfectly aligned or are they actually slightly offset from each other? I just received one in the mail and the wheels are offset by about one millimeter...which makes me wonder if they will even work?

[@JenJame]

The two wheels are offset (not perfectly aligned). The cuts will not be perfect unless we use a high-end machine to make electric cuts.

[@awakenedheartroom]

Lol! I have that dison vacuum as well. It’s amazing!

Mine keeps malfunctioning....intermittently working....has it done this for you as well? I hope it's just me...user-error!

[@daveymichael6891]

Great video. I'm here in the UK and very new to mosaic art. I want to start with using very small mirror tiles. Would the wheel grips be suitable to cut them, and what is the safest method of cutting? I suppose you wouldn't be able to clasp your hand over it to collect the pieces as these would be sharp. Can you give advice for cutting very small glass mosaic tiles. Many thanks

[@markjimenez1619]

Cool video thanks for the info 🙏👍

Thanks Mark! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@cherylhoffman2677]

I am attempting to mosaic a surfboard!! AHHHHHHHH ;-)

Yes!!! I can't wait to do my surfboard! Do share!

[@lesliegray7990]

Some of my glass is too thin for the nippers…. Suggestions? Are there larger wheels available?

Hi Leslie! I believe there is an adjustment you can make on some nippers and there should be other nippers out there that are available which have more of a touchpoint for your situation.

[@lisablahnik9009]

Thank you for the simplified video. I've never done mosaics, but I have two short posts outside from my a Caribbean roof I cut down. I've added lights on the top, I want to do mosaics underneath. I've bought all sorts of supplies and still am unsure of everything I need, so I'm searching videos and yours has been most helpful. Where can I find sheets of Mosaic glass? Tile? I've been to the big box stores for tile and it's really pretty plain. I want the nice colors... Thank you for any help you can give

Glad it was helpful Lisa! Your project sounds like so much fun! Have you tried Amazon? Type in "Mosaic Glass Sheets" in the search bar and check the dimensions because are much smaller than they look. We have Hobby Lobby and Michaels here and they have those options as well. The price can get VERY expensive though for glass.

[@arnoldtarbooz1420]

huh - interesting! so you showed me how to cut something into a crooked irregular shape with no accuracy - I think the wheels are used to score both sides are the same time, then try to separate them, so you can get more straight cuts?

Correct....this is to perform the simple/easy "nip" and "score" cutting to glass mosaic tiles with the recommendation to use mosaic tile grinder to achieve more precision. The wheeled tile nippers are typically used for smaller pieces and scoring/pulling apart is often used for bigger pieces that you can manipulate more. The Taurus Ring Saw is a very popular choice in the mosaic community if you are really looking for more precision control. You can see that and other solutions at this online store (great store, btw!): www.delphiglass.com/glass-tools/ring-saws/

[@arnoldtarbooz1420]

@ thanks Jen

[@vixen0347]

Are the wheels supposed to have play (wobble) in them?

[@sfardad]

My best friend does this but cuts her hand all the time, are there any gloves I can get her to avoid cutting but she can still have the ability to work with the gloves on? Thank you!

[@heather5926]

I'm using porcelain tiles and they are pretty thick. I tried to cut them and they won't budge. What is the recommended thickness? Thank you

[@Brenda-uy3ck]

Could I use these for mother of pearl tile?

Hi Brenda! I, personally, have not worked with mother of pearl tile. Did you try the wheeled nippers with this tile yet? I would imagine you can, but you may not always get a good cut if this type of tile has layers. Hope that makes sense. Let me know how it went or how it goes though! I'd love to hear back.

[@Photomomlove]

My lil tiles 5 mm thick, hexagon shape, completely translucent. They need to be cut exactly in half... Still studying.

[@savedfaves]

You can also just snap the tile with your two hands after marking it.

Absolutely! As long as you have that leverage of course.

[@mech0p]

honestly fk it id volunteer. Aint got much going on anyway and no great future prospects so whats the worse that could happen and hes one of the few id be semi ok to have that sort of power.

[@breadisyummy_]

Do you need that specific tool to score the tile?

[@Alysbar]

Hi Jen. I just found your channel. Are you going to make any more videos?

Hi! I'm so happy you found this channel :) YES! I will absolutely be making more videos. I had every intention to keep the videos flowing, but I am working on getting back on track with them. More new videos will be coming soon! Stick around! :) Any specific topics you're looking to see?

[@Alysbar]

@ I actually have a few mirrors that I want to use as the base for some mosaic projects. Can you talk about tips on saving money on materials (tile bits) to work with? What considerations I should keep in mind when doing a project that requires hanging? I don't know. Anything you feel might be helpful to know for a project like what I have in mind. I would love a work along video also. Maybe something live where you give us a list of materials to have on hand and we do a project with you? Lol. Not sure that's feasible since I can see this can be a time consuming thing.

@@Alysbar For large, heavy mirrors, I recommend using a VERY strong adhesive to glue hanging brackets to the back and heavy hanging wire for heavy, large mirrors (possibly Gorilla Glue - the type that expands, but do not use too much and be sure to follow directions) or you can use brackets like this: www.wikihow.com/Hang-a-Frameless-Mirror-on-the-Wall -- Be sure to test out the glue method before you apply to the back of your art piece. E6000 is a glue that is great for smaller, less heavy mirrors (for adding hanging 1 or 2 D-rings)....you can also cut felt and adhere to the back after the D-ring + glue has cured. I recommend using Weldbond to glue your mosaic pieces to the front. In terms of tile bits/pieces, I'd start with Ebay. I've used an Ebay store called Greene Glass (I believe) who has decent pricing compared to others. A cool idea you can do, too, is go to Home Depot or Lowes and find a good piece of wood that you can have them cut so that you can glue (gorilla glue) a mirror onto it and have equal space left around the perimeter of the mirror in which you can mosaic. You can use sanded grout on the finished areas and also use on the side edges of the wood to make it look clean. You can then drill D-Ring(s) to the back and wire it up for hanging!

[@Alysbar]

@ Thank you for all the information. I really appreciate it. 🙏🙏🤗🤗

[@larryleisuresuit9584]

LOL I thought I might pick up a few tips here and there. Maybe here, But seems like I was not doing so bad, I mean, this is funny. Are you high and then later in this video a little less high? Doesn't matter really just asking. LOL You are awesome, this was fun. Thanks.

Hi Larry....thanks for asking, but NO....I'm happy, not high. Maybe high on life. I'm wondering if you want to share whatever you're smoking? LOL. If you're referring to my eyes, I'm looking down at the camera. If you're referring to my behavior, I guess I should shove a nipper up my behind so I can deliver information in a more uptight and professional manner. Thoughts? 😂 This video is for beginners or at least reminds people of the basics. Glad you have the basics down. Thanks for the fun comment 😂

[@larryleisuresuit9584]

@ LOl i don't really have anything down. I just take forever to get what I am doing done. I'd probably make a really bad You Tuber/ I mean, besides being a life long smart ass and taking too long about things, I am probably not even 25% as cute as yo are. LOL. :0)

[@sparklenlace]

My mom has an old oval mirror in her bathroom. I want to use mosaic tiles; but I can't find a tutorial for the oval shape. I am a newbie; but, I am crafty.

[@candyr31]

I want to add glass mosaic tiles to the top of a small decorative garden bbq table for outdoors. Can I use Weldbond to adhere the tiles or do I need a different product for outdoors? This will be my 1st project. The table surface is 9 inches by 11 inches. I enjoyed your video. Very useful info for me.

Hi Candy! You can use Weldbond glue for this project. Just make sure you give it a few days to completely cure. You probably do not need to wait that long, but I like to be safe. Some people use MAC glue for outdoors, but I have not. Make sure to use sanded grout and a grout sealer for outdoors as well. Some people actually mix a little sealer with their wet grout...this is something I have not tried, but plan on trying next time I do an outdoor piece. Good luck! I'd love to see your table!

And...thank you for watching. I'm so glad you found it useful.

[@candyr31]

@ thanks for the quick reply. I'll definitely share a picture when I finish my project.

[@candyr31]

@ I want to share a picture of my table with you. It came out so cute! How do I upload the picture?

[@Ruso_Moose]

Great channel and most of your videos are very helpful, but the demonstration with the tile nippers on this video not so much. Random cuts don't typically work when trying to make precision cuts. Onto the next video I guess - "Best Way to cut glass mosaic tile". Somebody reading this please reply with a link to a more accurate video... Thanks in advance 🙂

Hi Mike! This video is about how to cut mosaic glass with nippers. I appreciate your feedback because it led me to add more to my summary so that people don't get too sucked into this video and end with no resolution. I will definitely have to make a separate video just for precision cuts, so thank you again for the comment. To assist, for precision cuts, a VERY popular machine that mosaic artists use is Taurus 3-Ring Saw (for precision cuts) - Here is the link to the company who makes this machine: geminisaw.com/taurus-3/ - You may be able to find this on Amazon as well.

[@mimiluv9283]

What can I use for foam board e- knife

You can use a craft exacto knife like this one for foam board cutting. When cutting straight lines, you can line up a metal ruler against your cut: www.amazon.com/X-Acto-XZ3601-X-ACTO-Knife-Safety/dp/B005KRSWM6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3P6TYSQHGFJNP&dchild=1&keywords=craft+exacto+knife&qid=1632268317&sprefix=craft+exacto%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-3

[@defbt5]

I am trying to cut the tiles with that nipper but it is too hard and I can’t do it! Is there another way?

Hmmm....are you nipping from the edge? What sort of tile and how thick is that tile?

[@angelavasquez658]

Hey where is the link to the tools

All of my recommended links are in the description/summary below the video :)

[@skye8657]

These tools don’t cut it straight. What do you use to cut a seashell mosaic tile perfectly straight without breaking the bank?

Hi Sky! Unfortunately, the Taurus 3-Ring Saw is really meant for precision cuts - Here is the link to the company who makes this machine: geminisaw.com/taurus-3/ - You may be able to find this on Amazon as well. If you are cutting a mosaic tile that has ridges and bumps such as a seashell that you are referring to, I would recommend the Taurus...but, again, it is not an inexpensive tool...it is a machine. Another idea would be to score the tile and pull it apart then using a small handheld grinder to assist in shaping. It is a tricky situation!

[@angelavasquez658]

What tool for ceramic tiles. I am so lost helllpppp

Hey Angela! I used to use these nippers for ceramic amzn.to/2OSx0KV -- but learned to love the wheeled tile nippers for glass AND ceramic....it really depends on your goal too. Here is a link to the wheeled tile nippers: www.etsy.com/JenJameMosaics/listing/951000855/mosaic-tools-glass-tools-glass-cutting?Copy&ListingManager&Share&.lmsm&share_time=1632268732087. Again, though, it depends on your goal....if you're looking for a little more precision, then you may want to invest in a grinder (link: amzn.to/2UPs0KP) to assist in shaping. I HOPE THIS HELPS! :)

[@cyhomer]

Wheels should be in the center of your tile to get a straight cut.

[@mazlansalleh9497]

Tq

[@bwing411]

Score it first, much more accurate, even if it’s a tiny cut. Also it should be called “Cut Your Hand” instead of cup. I’d rather put newspapers down where I’m cutting than cover my hand in microscopic glass shards. Other than that, good video! Brief and to the point.

Hey Bryce! Thank you for your feedback. It is not necessary to score every cut, but definitely optional and not a bad idea ever. Little tiles aren’t the easiest to score accurately and can become cumbersome when needing to nip in bulk. “Cupping your hand” is a term that describes the shape of our hand so that it doesn’t get cut. Newspaper is a smart idea no matter what (great tip!!)...the shards can and will fly in areas we don’t expect and avoids the eyes even with eyewear, so cupping is often a good move especially when nipping multiple pieces in bulk. If anyone has concerns about shards flying onto the skin of their palms, they can wear gloves...simple solution. This video covers the basics and everyone has variations that work for them. Again, your newspaper tip is gold.

[@michoacanohh2227]

I thought those were tie wire pliers

[@azazzet4796]

🌷🎆

[@leascaart]

I would probably use goggles.

Probably a VERY good idea!

[@marielyvidal3098]

kitchen glass zigzag back slpash

[@huangamon7584]

Put ur hand away

[@arben0906]

Covering broken glass with your hands. Not too smart...How about wearing some glove

[@Jesussaves532]

Are the little wheels on the nippers supposed to spin?

[@JenJame]

Yes :)

Yes, they sure are :)