Ep. 129 FINISHING THE GLASS ON GLASS MOSAIC NATIVITY AND Grouting the Funky Chunky Mosaic Birds!

Ep. 129 FINISHING THE GLASS ON GLASS MOSAIC NATIVITY AND Grouting the Funky Chunky Mosaic Birds!
Hey Everyone! Welcome to my mosaic studio.
0:31 I start by finishing the stable with brown glass, adding longer pieces for the supports and beefing up the roof. Then I rip off the design that is taped to the back. I add the flooring with a different brown so it stands out from the manger, the hay and the stable.
1:30 I add a bit of the sky around the star, using a more translucent part of the same sky glass, hopefully making the star glow! Starting with strips, I cut down the glass and add it to the sky.
2:10 My strong opinion on MAC glue. I can't seem to work cleanly with it and I can't stand the way it feels on my fingers. It's not bad, but I'm making a mess with it! That's it! Back to work on this gorgeous sky! I am adding the stars in as I go, nipping notches from the corners of the sky pieces to fit. I've been dipping my pieces in MAC glue, just because the bottle is almost empty and it seems easier to do it this way. I'm going to use my MAC glue up on this project! Finally, I start adding the greenish brown glass to the ground around the stable and behind the figures. I hold each piece up to the light to check the translucency of it before gluing it down. YAY! Last piece is added!
7:00 I clean up my messy workbench, sweeping up shards, and putting all my tools and glass away.
7:40 Now I have a bit of a rant about E6000. The tip of the tube is a disaster that I can't seem to avoid. And my sweet husband just purchased me a tube with a fat opening.
9:22 FINALLY I get after my funky chunky bird mosaic! These birds have been so much fun to make. I love combining these different materials! After a day, I come in with black sanded grout and grout both of them. I taped the edges to keep them clean and use a toothbrush to clean around the beads and whatnot. Then I show all three beauties together! One of my students loved the orange bird and bought it straightaway.
11:20 I show the little nozzles I bought for the end of this fat E6000 tube.
11:50 I skip the Weldbond wash and tape the frame off before grouting with black sanded grout. I remove the tape and still have quite a bit of clean-up, using a cotton rag first. Next I scrape off excess MAC glue with my mini crowbar. Lastly, I take after it with a grout brush to clean out the areas that have different heights and the textured glass on the sheep. It works GREAT!!!!
14:32 I take a look at the finished Nativity and look at it with different light situations. With light behind it, the sky lights up with deep color and the stable is silhouetted beautifully!
That's Putting It Together Ep. 129! Thanks for watching! See you next time.
WATCH NEXT:
Ep. 119 MAKING A SMALTI MOSAIC GARDEN SCULPTURE & A Bit of Studio Organization!
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[@EvgeniaKotsiubinski]

Thank you Julie for sharing your work. I love the birds and how you combined different media together. And I couldn't wait to see how the Nativity would turn out against the light. It did pretty good, although I like it more just as it is. A have the same problems with E6000 and sometimes I even have to use pliers to open it. Really bugs me, especially when I take it to my classes away from my studio and I forget to take the pliers 😁

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks for watching! I can't seem to prevent the E6000 from oozing out when I'm not using it. I've tried lots of different things. I still like how strong it is in the end!

[@susanfudge4225]

Lol! I just threw out two E-6000 tubes that look exactly like yours!!! I thought it was only me!! I also agree with you about Mac glue, prefer silicone. Where did you get the birds bases, I love them!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I know, right? I found the bases at a garage sale - 5 for $5!

[@susanfudge4225]

@@mazzonimosaics8222 got to love garage sales!!!

[@gizelegionet7771]

I love your work. You are so good and interesting to lessen. More people should watch you KZbin video. You are a great teacher. Have a wonderful day.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you! 😃 So nice of you!

[@pmarlowe1638]

When I’m thinking of all I’m thankful for, I include finding you on uTube! Breathtaking projects, excellent videography, and clear instruction! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Wow, thank you! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well!

[@laurawalker546]

Beautiful ❤️. Is weldbond a good mosaic glue... And what glue is best for outdoor projects,?

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Yes, it is, but it is water soluble so it is for interior projects. Outdoor projects require adhesive that will be waterproof, and it depends on what you are doing.

[@beauteoussounds1156]

To cap the pointed cone caps on the E6000, I use the rubber tips you can buy for knitting needles. They’re available at craft stores like JoAnn and Michaels, as well as Amazon. Seals the tube well and you’re able to dig out the old, rubbery glue after it has dried out to maintain the seal.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Sounds great!

[@reneeo4435]

Hi Julie, I’ve done stained glass but am just starting to learn mosaics. Your videos are so helpful. The birds are adorable, where did you get the wood forms for them? Thank you so much for all your hard work.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you so much! These particular birds were from a garage sale. 5 for $5. But I quite often find wood cutouts at craft stores or even Target.

[@lorikayfarr737]

I totally agree about the Mac glue. It feels weird on your fingers. I prefer silicone too. I found this cool silicone glue spreaders on Amazon and my students and I just love how easy you can spread glue and silicone with them.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

😮 Now I think I MUST get a silicone spreader. Never needed one until this moment!

[@sabrinarosati290]

The nativity turned out great! The birds are lovely. Thank you for sharing.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you 😊 so much! Cheers!

[@karenbrow-meier769]

I took a screen shot of the finished birds which look like they have some kind of silvery finish on the edges. It's really beautiful! (Sorry, can't attach it here.)

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

The edge of the birds had a shabby chic half painted look. I didn't change it, but taped over it.

[@diannecrea7090]

Beautiful! 💕

[@cindycoleman5196]

Love your videos. Thank you for posting them. How can we get in touch with you if we would like to find out about your classes?

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks so much. I have links at the bottom of the video description! Thanks for asking! There are links to registration info here: linktr.ee/Mazztroop?ltsid=d980c7a0-d921-4714-b498-cd451f105ec1

[@jenihead129]

I absolutely adore the nativity scene! I so look forward to Monday mornings to see your new videos. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

[@karenbrow-meier769]

I really like the birds and do some as well. How did you finish their edges? It looks great!

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you! I taped the edges with painter's tape before grouting and left them plain.

[@CALB2009]

Julie~ I am enamored with ALL your mosaic art pieces, but when you turned down the overhead lights and backlit the nativity scene with the lamp.....it was absolutely breathtaking!!! I just LOVE it! I have learned so much from watching your videos and I want to say "THANK YOU" for sharing your knowledge and artistic gift with us! I know you pick up and purchase your supplies from a variety of different sources, both local and online. I do have a question for you regarding the large sheets of stained glass you utilize. Do you purchase it exclusively from a local stained glass store or are there certain online sources you've purchased it from whom you trust to provide good quality and fair prices? The reason I ask is that I have a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disease ( Myasthenia Gravis) which often makes it difficult for me to make the 40 mile drive to the closest stained glass store in my area. I am new to doing mosaics, but as a rule, I try to conserve my daily energy by purchasing everything possible online. Try as I might, my body just rebels against me every time I attempt to shop in a large store....I end up being too weak to drive back home. Any online sources you could recommend would be greatly appreciated Julie! If you'd rather I emailed you I can do that too, just let me know. Thank you so much! ~~Christy~~

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

I've purchased glass packs from Delphi Glass before. It's expensive when you add in the shipping and it is very difficult to make sure you are getting the glass you want. They are selling smaller and smaller pieces to cover their costs too. It's just the nature of the industry. I've also ordered from SW Glass Art, which has flat rate shipping and a large selection.

[@CALB2009]

@@mazzonimosaics8222 Thank you so much Julie! I truly appreciate this information! I did notice that the online sources offered much smaller sheets of stained glass. I've looked at Delphi Glass, but have not tried SW Glass Art....I like when there is a large variety and selection of options. I will check them out for sure! I may need to just explain my situation with the stained glass supplier 40 miles from my house.... and try to forge a relationship by which I can call in and ask them to gather potential pieces for me ahead of time....Then get a neighbor to go pick it up or drive me there. If they will pre-pull the glass for me, it will expedite my shopping trip and conserve my energy. Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge and experience with me Julie......it helps me immensely!! God Bless! ~~Christy~~

[@speedmom1702]

Hi Julie, thanks for the review of the Mac glue!! I love the way the Nativity turned out!! Especially the the stars and dove. 🙂 It was a good re-creation.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks so much! I just want to be clear on Mac glue - there is nothing wrong with it as an adhesive! I just seem to have issues when I use it.

[@speedmom1702]

@@mazzonimosaics8222 Oh I understand about it being a good adhesive, a lot of people use it and swear by it. But it's good to hear the possible down sides to it. I use E6000, probably not near as much as you, I don't have the same problem you have with it. The nice thing about it, I find, if there is dried build up on the tip, I pull it off, it seems to acts like a plug which keeps the rest of it fresh, unlike other glues and adhesives. Primarily, Shoe Goo, not for glass, just in general. :) It's good to hear your opinion on things you use, whether you like them or not, the ease of using or not, it helps the rest of us make decisions. You've been doing this so long, you are like our resident professional. :) Thank you so much for taking us on this journey with you!

[@sabinou8198]

C'est super beau autant les oiseaux que la crèche

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

You are too kind. Thank you!

[@petertwining5729]

Your pieces look fabulous, love them. I love Mac glue the thin consistency is perfect for GOG and goes a long way. If you’re used to silicone then Mac is completely different in the way you work with it. I tend to get silicone everywhere no matter how hard l try not to. Lol When it comes to E6000 which l try to avoid using l buy the small tubes, although they are more expensive but a lot less waste and easier to handle and use. Those applicator tips look great to use with the larger tubes. 😊

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Yes! Mac glue is not a bad glue at all! I just seem to have issues when I use it!!! Thanks for watching Peter. I've enjoyed seeing you in Mosaic & Glass magazine!

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@mazzonimosaics8222 Thankyou so much, l think im only in it for 4.issues, lm not sure. 😊

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

You’re famous!!!!

[@cherylnull9890]

I absolutely love the Nativity ! ❤ Beautiful! The birds look amazing! Everything you do is just fantastic! I’m serious! ❤❤❤

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you so much!

[@sundaysunshine2925]

Love love love the nativity

[@sundaysunshine2925]

Thanks for all the great insights

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@alicecowan3499]

I absolutely love your work and I’m so new to mosaic I can’t imagine what you used for the faces! Also love your birds! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💜

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thank you so much!

[@kathypalmer8612]

I just love how the nativity turned out! The colors are beautiful ❤ Thank you so much❣️I’m so excited to get it!! AMAZING

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Yay! Thank you!

[@rupashukla5916]

I love Nativity scenes right from childhood. Your fresh take on last year's theme is indeed a treat to hungry eyes 😍😍😍 Absolutely lovely and Baby Jesus 🙏🙏🙏 The birdies are too cute 😘😘😘

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Thanks so much!

[@carolzutski7739]

the nativity is beyond perfect, just wow. well done! ❤ and your honest tips about the glues is so appreciated, thank you.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Glad it was helpful! They are not bad glues, I just struggle a bit with keeping things clean!

[@deborahwade8485]

WOW! I love your Nativity scene.❤ Workmanship is gorgeous.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Glad you like it!

[@carolhellmers465]

I love those birds! I use a fine paint brush to brush Mac glue on the back of glass - saves getting it on my hands.

[@mazzonimosaics8222]

Great tip! I tried different methods and couldn't seem to keep it off my fingers. Next time, I'll try a brush!