where do I get glass mossaic tiles?

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

This is a question for a friend who has to do a mosaic for a work project (their first mosaic). Does anyone here know where he can purchase mosaic tiles in Melbourne?
The mosaic will be applied to a birdbath so I believe glass tiles are the most suitable.

Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

Amanda, I think I've seen these on ebay.

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

A lead light artist (specialist or repairer) would have offcuts they may be happy to part with, and or sell... they would certainly be able to tell you where to get the coloured glass and may be able to cut it to shape or show you how to do so...
I have seen small glass (mosaic) tiles for sale through tile supply shops (they have had them for sale as feature embelishments for walls) and have seen glass mosaic tiles for sale at Bunnings, wether they still supply them i dont know. They were in the craft section, not the tile section.They may also be available at spotlight.
They may have been 'shamrock' brand I am not sure, but shamrock is a wholesale craft supplier in Bayswater, and may be able to help.

Hope this has helped??!!

Hayley · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 344 Location: Geelong

You can buy them at spotlight, lincraft, bunnings, quite expensive though. My daughter's school is doing mosaics, so I went along to the local mosaic guru, she does lots of bird baths, and recommends the following as the easiest tried and tested method: draw your design on a piece of paper, then place paper onto a small, workable sized board (40 x 40cms ish), cut the larger pattern into these sizes first - allowing for birdbath shape. Cover the paper pattern and board with glad wrap and lay over a larger piece of fibreglass (not the stiffer aluminium type) flywire mesh from hardware store. Cut pieces of brightly coloured WALL tiles (floor tiles too thick) available for around 60 cents ea from Bunnings, with a tile cutter into smaller 1" or so pieces and shape individual pieces as required with a good quality tile nibbler (only around $20 from Bunnings), then spread underside of cut pieces with small amount of tile adhesive directly onto flywire, leaving small spaces between. When dry, peel off flywire and tiles from plastic wrap, trim excess and lay this flexible tiled piece onto the birdbath with more tile adhesive. Repeat until complete. Dry, then grout. Easy peasy. You can use the same method with glass, mirror etc. Hope this helps.

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Thanks everyone I'll pass the info on.
Hayley those instructions are fantastic and very much appreciated. Thanks fr taking the trouble to spell it all out.

greenfrog · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 795 Location: Fairfield

Try: http://www.glasscraft.com.au/

They used to be in Box Hill, but moved a few years ago. I havn't been to the new place in Thomastown. But it used to be pretty good, the glass was reasonably priced as were the tiles. Huge range of colours!

The classes are good, and once you did a class you could go use the facilities for only $10 a session afterwards (which is good if you need to use the grinders to smoth the edges or do curves etc). And I'm prety sure once you did a class you could get a discount on what you bought from there.

It's great fun, although I kept cutting myself on the glass all the time... hehe

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

Hi Amanda
This will be way too late for your friend but just came across this site and it looks very interesting.
http://www.smaltiaustralia.com/

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

I know these are not in Melbourne but may be of interest to other members. The ebay store I was referring to was

MOSTLY MOSAIC

Maintained by:anakie432 ( 7637)
Welcome to MOSTLY MOSAIC your one stop online supplies shop, selling at BARGAIN prices since 2004: 1x1,2x1,2x2cm Glass Tiles,Precut Stained Glass,Gems,Lead Light,Grout,Mirror,Millefiori,Paua Shell, Kits,Geometric & Ceramic Tiles and MORE..happy to help or combine for postal savings,thanks Annie