Not as easy as it looks....

The title pretty much says it all.  Doing a mosaic needs a lot of patience and determination, however it doesn't mean you cannot come up with satisfying results at the end.

I have to say I have made a few mistakes but I have learnt considerably from them.  Which brings me to the Condor Mosaic I have covered before.  It was, at the time, quite an achievement as it took me so long.  However, if I was to undertake anything similar now I would certainly be doing things differently.  For example, actually do the mosaic on a backing first so that I am able to work inside and in comfort.  You can see from the following images the circumstances I had to endure.

I considered attaching it straight to the concrete breeze blocks a quick and easy option.  What I hadn't bargained on was the weather during the year I created it!   Also, because the wall I attached it to wasn't flat, it was especially difficult to get the tiles as even as possible.  If anyone else is going to do a mosaic outside, I would strongly advice doing it on a backing first; much better to do these things in the comfort of a warm area rather than shivering under a garden parasol in the rain!

Another mistake I made involved the grouting.  Now, I had to pretty much get the grout on as quickly as possible and because of weather conditions and the angle of the mosaic, it wasn't so easy to wipe off the excess.  So, the grout dried, and stayed dry on the surface of the tiles for a while.  Not a good idea as I had to wait until dryer weather before I could remove it.  This involved continuously sanding it down with sandpaper and taking it off with various other tools, including the hammer and chisel!

I mean, once it was complete, I was very pleased with it and loved to see the mirror tiles sparkle in the bright sunlight.  But it was a terrible struggle to create.  Fortunately, I have learnt from my mistakes and have not been put off as a result.  Already I am embarking on a new project, this time with something to back it on first.  This will allow me to work as a well on a flat surface and thus spare some awkward positions which I previously had to endure on bare tarmac.

PHEW!!!