HOW TO MAKE A MOSAIC COLORBLOCK DESIGN | Glass, One Tool, Project Workflow, Adhesive, Grout, + TIPS!

In this video Julie Weilbacher demonstrates how to create her signature Colorblock design using vitreous glass tile. If you're a beginner to working with glass, this is a great beginner project. She discusses Colorblock design, wheeled glass nippers, vitreous glass tile, mortar, grout, mosaic workflow, and LOTS of tips and tricks throughout the video.
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SKIM THE VIDEO:
00:00​ - INTRO
00:54 - TODAY'S PROJECT
01:50 - WHAT IS COLORBLOCK?
03:00 - MATERIALS
06:59 - PROJECT WORKFLOW & PREP
07:56 - MIXING UP MORTAR
09:36 - TILING
10:16 - PROJECT TIPS!
12:25 - GROUTING
16:29 - FINISHING OFF
17:29 - QOTD
17:56 - BLOOPERS
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MATERIALS LIST
→ WHEELED GLASS NIPPERS - amzn.to/2W3q6t1
→ 3/4” VITREOUS GLASS - amzn.to/2Uou8va
→ 3/8” VITREOUS GLASS - amzn.to/37PLSTc
→ 4x4 CERAMIC TILE - amzn.to/2W4VerB
→ STEEL MOSAIC PICKS - amzn.to/3sCXUt3
→ MOSAIC TWEEZERS - amzn.to/3z11Hm8
→ WOOD CRAFT STICKS - amzn.to/3iS8QzB
→ FORTIFIED MORTAR - amzn.to/3xPKzyt
→ GROUT (14 colors to choose from) - amzn.to/3gblS9r
→ DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAG - amzn.to/37OloSc
→ DISPOSABLE CUP - amzn.to/3mcb7b4
→ GLOVES - amzn.to/3g9lnwG
→ DUST MASK - amzn.to/3xPLr6d
→ HEAVYWEIGHT PLASTIC SPOON
→ TOOTHPICKS
→ PAPER TOWELS
JULIE’S FAVORITE MOSAIC TOOLS
→ WHEELED GLASS NIPPERS - amzn.to/3EFWQdT
→ GLASS CUTTERS*
PENCIL GRIP - amzn.to/3r65I7b
PISTOL GRIP - amzn.to/3u6oAFk
THOMAS GRIP - amzn.to/3rZ4Ss3
→ *GLASS CUTTER OIL (you need this for any of the above-mentioned glass cutters) - amzn.to/3KSOsdt
→ RUNNING PLIERS - amzn.to/3rZ07yK
→ TILE NIPPERS - amzn.to/3GSfgZZ
→ ELECTRIC GLASS GRINDER - amzn.to/3NorQCq
→ SANDING STONE - amzn.to/3NoF9Db
→ WAFFLE GRID GLASS CUTTING BOARD - amzn.to/3LGWSnJ
→ NON-SKID RULER - amzn.to/3ELwBCO
→ METAL TOOLS & PICKS - amzn.to/3Lgp9Ce
→ TWEEZERS - amzn.to/3soGH7D
→ PALETTE KNIFE - amzn.to/3lBJs1z
→ WORKSHOP BRUSH - amzn.to/3Ggg5LU
JULIE’S STUDIO BACKGROUND - MATERIALS ORGANIZATION:
→ PLASTIC BINS (small) - amzn.to/3DhY3Hh
→ PLASTIC BINS (large) - amzn.to/3mp0yBA
→ HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC BINS - amzn.to/3gqhrIe
→ LABEL MAKER - amzn.to/3D7Gfyj
→ ZIPPER ‘FREEZER’ BAGS - amzn.to/2XEheKK
→ INTERLOCKING CONTAINERS (SMALL) - amzn.to/30TcL90
→ INTERLOCKING CONTAINERS (LARGE) - amzn.to/32z4303

[@AlpineArts]

Julie, you are the best mosaic channel on KZbin- Every video is so informative and thorough. I get so much of my inspiration from your projects and continue to fine-tune my technique, all thanks to you. KZbin and it’s watchers are lucky to have you.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Thank you for your kind words! Great to hear you're enjoying my videos. Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!⭐

[@myserenitycrafts]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. I really like to know why you do it that way and you are a really good teacher. Tfs. Sara

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Myserenitycrafts! It's great to hear you enjoyed the video! Thank you for your kind words. Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!

[@sallyfarmer5450]

Thank you Julie. I've often seen the colourblock design as a background and didn't realise it is that easy (despite having created mosaics for years) I'll be using that idea. Thank you

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Sally! Yes, it's actually quite easy and therapeutic to mosaic. Give it a try! Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!

[@teec.]

I love your channel!

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Tee C! Awww, thank you for your kind words.😊 Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@roseosullivan6553]

Hi, that is a pretty design. Just saw this 1st video of your. I will watch out other one's. Have a good day. Take care.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Thanks Rose, appreciate you being here and following along!

[@leicabral6755]

I like working with Glass. Stained glass. I'm also a beginner. But I love this medium.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Lei! Welcome to the world of mosaic! Glass, especially stained glass, works REALLY well in mosaic. It's quite versatile....and can be cut in different ways with different tools. So fun! Keep creating and I'm glad you're here! 🔥

[@iracidoysan4351]

I loved it

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Iraci! Thanks for your kind words. Great to hear you enjoyed it. The design is quite versatile. Have fun with it! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@leighcincilus577]

Tiles are my favorite mosaic

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Leigh! Tiles are your favorite mosaic substrate? Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@karenjoncour6151]

Hi Julie, the video on colourblocking was very informative. Great choice of topic! Isn’t it wonderful that I can communicate with you in Florida and I am in Australia! 😊 I would love to see you mosaic the frame of a mirror as one of your videos. I have purchased a large old mirror with a varnished wooden frame. I plan to sand it back and then mosaic the frame and paint the trims. Not sure where to start eg. do I need to seal, what glue to use, do I paint before mosaicing or after…. A video on this topic (even a small mirror frame) would be really helpful and I think many people would be interested in this. Anyway keep on doing what you’re doing. You’re a star!⭐️

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Karen! 👋 I'm so thankful for technology so that we can communicate from different corners of the planet. Great to hear you enjoyed the video! Colorblock has so many creative options. Definitely one of my faves! Thanks so much for your video idea. It's been on my list and I'll move it up for ya! Just curious, how wide is your mirror frame? Keep creating and I'm glad you're here! 🙌

[@karenjoncour6151]

@@JulieWeilbacher hi Julie, In answer to your question the mirror frame is about 36 inches wide and slightly higher. It is big so I’m not planning to do a design that is too complicated. Colorblock might be the way to go. Thanks in advance for more of your great videos😊

[@francoiselandriault8164]

Hi Julie, I love your videos. They are so informative and motivating. Could I use opaque stained glass to make colorblocks?

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Thank you Francoise! Great to hear you're enjoying my videos. Yes, you can definitely use opaque stained glass. That would be gorgeous!! Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!

[@timeenuf4200]

Hi Julie - great video. It appears that most of your pieces are actually touching? It would seem the final grouting on top would not get in between the spaces. Maybe that's not necessary or it is dependent on how you want the grout lines to look? Can you provide any feedback on this topic? Maybe you have another video where it is covered and can provide a link to that. Thank you again for all of your work. It is really inspiring.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Time Enuf! The tesserae aren't actually touching. I know, crazy?!? There's at least a 1/16" - 1/8" groutline. The camera didn't capture it. So you can grout the mosaic as usual and it'll get in there. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@roxiblair8861]

Hi - love your tutorials - so easy to understand - thank you! Question, is there a difference in using, or when would you use or not use the sanded or unsanded grout? I mean what is the difference - would the outcome of the project be affected - or does the use vary on the project materials? Thanks! :-)

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Roxi! Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying my videos and that you're getting some value from them.😊 Typically, when deciding to use sanded or unsanded grout, you would look at the width of your groutline. Sanded is 'bulkier' than unsanded. So a bigger (wider) groutline would require sanded grout. Unsanded grout is 'thinner' and would support a smaller or narrower groutline....less than 1/8" wide. Hope that helps! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@DenGio55]

Hi Julie, if all tiles are same height, what adhesive can I use besides mortar? Thank you!

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Deni! You could use a white/PVA glue like Weldbond or silicone if they're all the same thickness. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@kmasiu]

If you have the link or description for where you used for the stake/rod, would you mind sharing?

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi masi vasi! The stake/rod?🤔

[@janmontarsi.-blendangles7960]

Are the coasters a project that you would use a sealer on as in your flower pot video ?

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Jan, you can certainly seal coasters, but make sure it's with a deep-penetrating sealer and not membrane forming. And of course, use fortified thinset as the adhesive and fortified grout.

[@michellelalonde4918]

I just love your videos and have learned so much from them. I have a question for you....I'm making a color block mosaic and would like to use a lighter gray grout than what I have. Is it ok to mix a linen color grout with the dark gray just to lighten the color......of course before I add the water? Thank you. Michelle

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Michelle! Awwww, that's GREAT to hear! Thank you for your kind words and for watching along. YES, you can mix your dry grout powders first to create a new color. After you mix them up you can always add a little more of one color or the other to get it to the shade you're looking for. Are you making a colorblock coaster or some other substrate? If you post to IG feel free to tag me (@julieweilbacher) so I can check it out!😍 Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!

[@cyhomer]

Question: is it better to have a ‘finished’, un-cut edge of a tile at the edge of the coaster, instead of a ragged, cut edge? TY

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Cathy! You'll never have a jagged edge if you use a sanding stone. Watch this video to learn how to use it in your mosaic work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5K2gYWonbychKM. I prefer to have cut tesserae around the edge. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@ellynlerner1674]

Thanks for a very helpful video! Some issues you mentioned but might be addressed -- What technique do you use to make sure the surface remains level? How do you achieve consistent spacing of the tiles?

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Ellyn, so glad you found the video helpful! Can't wait to see your Colorblock design! Great questions, here are some answers: (1) Every so often I'll put my pointer finger over a series of tiles to check levels; I also look at it from the side. If, like in this video, I'm incorporating the 3/4" and 3/8" vitreous tile, then I'll use the thicker tile as my guide. Sometimes I have to pull a piece off and add a little more adhesive . Once you get going with the tiling you may get into a rhythm of tiling and seeing the amount of adhesive you need behind the thicker and thinner pieces in order for them to be level on the surface. A more exact method would be to lay a wood craft stick (they're lightweight) over a series of tiles, then place a small lightweight level on top of that. (2) I try to get the tile pieces as close as possible to each other without touching (we want a groutline!), and no further apart than 1/8". I don't stress about it, and you can see from the design that it's not exact. If you do want to be exact, you could get a ruler out and measure pieces as you lay them down. Hope this helps!

[@ellynlerner1674]

@@JulieWeilbacher Wow. Thank you for the quick reply. I look forward to watching your other videos.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

@@ellynlerner1674 My pleasure! Anytime. Thanks so much for the support!

[@LiveLaughScrap]

Hi, I just found you today. I went to the beginning to watch your vids in order. Do you not use the metal coaster forms anymore; that you used with Owen’s commissioned coasters?

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Lori! Awww, welcome to my channel!😊 I do still use the metal coaster forms. I'm just showing you the different coaster substrates you can use in mosaics. I love 'em all! Which is your fave? Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@LiveLaughScrap]

@@JulieWeilbacher I will be working in Polymer Clay. I thought the metal trays would be the perfect base , weather I make them as coasters or just small pieces of art. I am planning to polymer clay mosaics.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

@@LiveLaughScrap Oh how nice Lori! Love it!

[@mewmew1640]

Wow! Bought the materials but did I miss something? What size do I cut them?

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi there! I got you!🙌 I nipped the tesserae into quarters and halves. You can include some triangles too! Have fun! Keep creating and I’m thankful you’re here!🔥

[@sabinou8198]

Bonjour, J'ai remarqué que tu fais souvent, des joints noirs. je trouve, que ça rend très bien. j'ai jamais osé.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Sabinou 81! Yes, dark grout is daring and dramatic but WOW! what an end result. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@summerholmes4725]

I have a question for you: How do you keep your nails so nice??? 😁 mine are always broken, chipped, stained, etc.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Summer! Awww, you're so sweet. If you could see my nails right now, you wouldn't be saying that.🙈 I've always been a nails girl. And yes, those are my nails.....no gel or acrylic. It's taken me a lonnnnnng time to come up with a system that can hold up to mosaics. Maybe I should do a short video on my process.🤔 Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!

[@summerholmes4725]

@@JulieWeilbacher I’d LOVE a video on your nail secret!!

[@JulieWeilbacher]

@Summer Holmes I'll put it on the list!

[@sandrabarbera1222]

I love this project but am so scared. I have a hard time placing different shapes next to each other. Much less combine different colors too. I think I will get stress.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Sandra, I totally understand. What if you started with 2 or 3 shapes in shades of the same color? You can always start over if you don't like how the piece is going. Would that help to relieve some of the stress of the piece?