Ep. 112 MOSAIC MANDALAS PHASE II PREP + Wildflowers and Chester!

Ep. 112 MOSAIC MANDALAS PHASE II PREP + Wildflowers and Chester!
I just finished designing 15 mandalas for Phase II of the Community Mandala Project at Spruill Center for the Arts in beautiful Dunwoody, GA. Phase II consists of 15 mandalas totalling about 15 square feet. Now it's time to prep the substrates. I step outside, and I begin by tracing the circles on a piece of 36"x60" Wedi board. I used Adobe Illustrator to design them and had a local blueprint shop print them out for me. There are 6 - 9", 3- 12", 3- 15", & 3-18".
TIP: Leave a bit of space between the shapes for the width of the jigsaw blade!
I cut them all out with no issues. I did wear a mask once I saw foam bits in the air to protect my lungs.
BONUS: A brief update on one area of my garden with a mosaic birdbath!
Then the wildflowers are calling and I talk about greens and show my palette, including my Secret Weapon! Then its all about cutting bits and gluing them down. The front area I fill in with greens that splay outward in a very simplified version of the splay on the leaves in the front. The greens are cut into strips and then an inventory of pieces is cut to dip in Weldbond and place with tweezers. I prep a handful of flat green glass noodles to use as stems. First, I cut them in half lengthwise, then I hold them over a lighter until they melt enough to curve a tiny bit. This extra effort pays off when placed on the mosaic and the cosmos look as if they are swaying in the breeze! Sometimes finding just the right spot is a challenge for the precut pieces!
Back to prepping the mosaic mandala substrates! I first place the Wedi washers in the center of the 9" and 12" mandalas which will also be attached to the wall with thinset. Alkali resistant fiberglass mesh tape is added to the edges. Then I mix up white thinset and Mortar Admix and coat the tape. I finish the first one and realize it was WAY TOO MUCH WORK!!! It took a ton of tape, the tape did not lay flat on the small curve of the circle and the thinset did not go on evenly. It also took too much time, since I have 14 more of these to prep!
I figured out a better way to prep them with the tape going along the edge and then notched with scissors and laid flat. It stayed in place very well and was easy to add the skim coat. I also put the thinset on the back first, so when I flip it it doesn't get all over my little bowl. And I spread it so the tape does not get pushed out of place.
BONUS: Rinsing off is a pleasure with these amazing little red flowers!
Now that I have a good method of work, I am able to really get after it and I worked until I ran out of thinset, which fortunately was the same time the hot sun came out from behind the cloud. I finished the six 9" and one 12" mandala.
Chester was patiently waiting for me back in my studio and after talking warm and cool grays, I ALMOST finished him. Just one ear and part one front paw to finish.
That's it! Thanks for watching. See you next time!
WATCH NEXT:
Ep. 92 HOW I MAKE BIG MOSAIC SUNFLOWERS and prepping two other substrates! • Ep. 92 HOW I MAKE BIG ...
COME SAY HI:
Instagram: / mazzonimosaics
Facebook: profile.php?...
Pinterest: / _created
Website: mazzonimosaics.webs.com/
ONLINE SHOPS:
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/MazzoniMosaics
Fine Art America: fineartamerica.com/profiles/j...

[@lojagotika9401]

Ohhh my Gosh! It is so lovely!!!😍😍😍😍

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks so much!

[@alinawolanski6387]

Thank you is much for showing your technique. I learn so much - very grateful. Your work is very inspiring. Best Regard!

[@Jeanmcb47]

Thank you Julie! I always learn something from you as well as feel so inspired. I love that you share your garden with us as well. It will be wonderful watching the progress of these mandalas.

[@rupashukla5916]

Agree - I always watch out for the fountain and in today's video I saw it atleast twice with the water flowing!!!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Working outside with hummingbirds and the garden is such a privilege! I love my job!!!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I can see it so much better since I moved it against the rail!

[@carolhellmers465]

It’s those little tricks that make all the difference ... the little snips you make in the tape on the edge to make the tape sit better on the rounded edge. Thanks for sharing your “disaster” to help us all learn.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

The smaller size of those 9" circles made for a tighter curve & was a problem I didn't encounter on the bigger mandalas. I was able to sand it down and save it!

[@elenaloveridge766]

I'm glad you added that bit about too many plants being a joke, made me laugh

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I know, right? Gardening is my other passion...

[@laurawalker546]

💖

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

😊

[@rupashukla5916]

Wowww - your secret weapon is fantastic!!! The modelled green too perfect. The bent delicate stems are AWESOME. I hope there will be enough of the fence in your finish as fences are always mysterious esp with wild flowers growing about - they beckon us if you know what I mean. Cute Chester 😍. Just seeing the prep for Mandalas is overwhelming 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 hats off to you

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I'm so excited about the mandalas! They look great in just black and white. But covered in gorgeous glass and they are going to be STUNNING!

[@rupashukla5916]

Julie I can't wait to see the Mandalas taking form and the final installation!!!

[@elainefuehrer5739]

i love the water feature on your deck! and the inspiration of the flower mosaic with the fence

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you! The client provided the photos for the wildflower mosaic!

[@dicooper4240]

Always love your videos. Wish the music was turned down, or your voice was louder. Thank you for sharing!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks for the feedback! More recent videos have the music turned down to 65% as others told me the same thing!

[@laurafrustable]

Great video as always! I think some parts were a little messed up with the audio, but maybe on my end. Not sure. I enjoyed seeing you troubleshoot thinsetting the boards and come up with better solution, means you're making it up along the way like everyone else. Sometimes your skill intimidates so that was nice. Cool seeing the way you chose greens for the flower painting, also... had not foreseen the gray for dog. Was wondering how you would make Chester stand out in all black. Great video, keep it up!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Not sure why the audio messed up a bit. Thanks for letting me know and glad it was useful!

[@arlenebain5678]

I loved the video too, but the music gets very loud. I just keep the remote in my hand so the sound can be adjusted.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I’ll try lowering it next week. But if it’s the only sound I don’t know if it will make a difference. 🤷‍♀️

[@yvonneschimmel453]

Beautiful garden no doubt!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

So nice of you! It really is.

[@lyndasimpson4085]

Hi Julie my dream soon is to try to do Mosaic I've been watching you and I absolutely love those patterns that you and the ladies are doing for that community art. I was just wondering I know it's a stupid question, but I was wondering could I have a copy of those patterns. I could send you money for them I just want to use a couple of those patterns to try to make a stepping stone for my own they're so beautiful. I truly wish I could have been in that group but I don't live by u. All you ladies should be so proud it is absolutely gorgeous and I live in California and I could see your art bye and thank you again Julie for sharing it😊😊❤

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Lynda, I have digital files. I'll have to check the format...Let's move to e-mail. Mine is [e-mail]

[@lijuanpr10]

I can’t wait to see those mandalas. But, Where can I buy the wedi board panels?

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

In my area (Atlanta, GA) I purchase them at The Tile Shop. If you are just wanting to try them, Wits End Mosaic carries smaller pieces. witsendmosaic.com/mosaic-bases-frames-substrates/wediboard-lightweight-substrates.html

[@cherylnull9890]

Hi Julie! Great video….your garden is beautiful and of course your work is AMAZING! I’m still learning so very much from you sharing your time and work! Thank you! ♥️ I have to ask you …I just have to….do you make your own mandala designs? I love them so much !! I keep looking to find where I can download mandala templates in the same style as you have going on. I cannot find what I want .😕 I can’t draw worth a crap… or measure as I have tried to make my own many times . It just doesn’t work for me.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I pretty much skipped over any video about the actual designs since it was computer work. I might show in a bonus video how I made them. I tried the designing one a while back the old fashion way with a compass and ruler and was very quickly discouraged by my own inaccuracy and the tedium of it. So much quicker and easier on the computer!

[@cherylnull9890]

Ohhh I hope you do have time to make a video on how to make them! I love yours!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks!!!

[@arlenebain5678]

Another great video! My goodness, you are a BUSY lady! Such a lovely garden! What are the mosquito granules you put in the birdbath? My favorite part is the wildflower mosaic, it’s gorgeous!! Another community project-wow!! Don’t know how you do it, and thanks for taking us along the way!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you so much! They are called Mosquito Bits and are good for 2 weeks. Safe for people, pets, plants, fish and birds. I put a sprinkle in my fountain and in flower saucers too. Any place water collects.

[@arlenebain5678]

@@mazzonimosaics8222 I’ve never heard of them, but it sounds like a great product. Thank you!

[@user-bd4mx4dd1z]

I always thought thunder was used to apply the tesserae, not to totally cover the wedi board first before you "start" applying them Explain please 29:41

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I think you mean thinset. It’s just a skim coat so the design will show up better since this is a community project.

[@libwade5350]

Why do you cover your board in thinset? I tiled straight onto board and my Mandalas are outside with no issues. Libby

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I just covered it so the design would show better since it was a community project.

[@user-oe1xs9sj9p]

Hi, I missed what the board is called? I assume its waterproof?

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

We used Wedi Board. Yes, it is waterproof. I prepped it by wrapping the edges and coating with thinset.

[@sundaysunshine2925]

You accomplished a lot ! How do you print the pattern for your mandalas in the larger sizes ?

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I took it to my local blueprint shop and asked for a big xerox print. They have paper that is 36" wide so it was no problem and I waited maybe 10-15 minutes for it.

[@libwade5350]

What is the name of the tape you used for the edges?

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Not sure of the brand, but it is alkali resistant fiberglass mesh tape.

[@libwade5350]

Can you email me a copy of all these mandala patterns please or where I might find them I’m doing 30cm diameter ones Libby

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I created these original designs using Adobe Illustrator. You can find free how-to videos on KZbin. Then I took them to a blueprint shop to print the size I needed for this community project. So I cannot e-mail you a copy, but you can easily create some!

[@kimparis2177]

Lovely video but I don’t think we need to watch a lot of the mundane tasks like washing the table :)

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks for your feedback. Trying to keep it real - had to clean up first!