We've seen the mosaic technique used on walls, floors and furniture before. We've seen tiles in a range of colors and featured in a variety of rooms. When we came across mosaic tile used in this interesting way at the Maker Faire, we just wanted to share! More after the jump!
While not particularly functional and a little on the traditional style, if you're looking for a fun idea for your garden or outdoor space, this idea could be for you! If you're in Texas and want a custom design from this artist, you can check out Flatfork Studios. And, considering the built-in ability for a project like this to use recycled dinnerware, you could be green and crafty while finding a new use for all those mismatched plates you have lying around.
Have you ever attempted such a feat of mosaic tiles before? What's the most unique way in which you've seen mosaic tiles used before? Let us know!
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Comments (13)
This post needs more explanation, and maybe a closeup picture, too.
Is that fabric with mosaic plates on it?
How are they adhered?
Is it really intended to be outside indefinitely?
It's interesting, but with something so unusual, you must be more descriptive!
Okay, I just checked the website, and it's not that helpful, either - please - more description of what you saw in person and up close!
So it's not flexible? It doesn't drape like fabric? It's just made to appear that way?
No. It's made to look like a quilt, but it's not fabric. It's tile.
Hence the blogger's comments about it not being practical but pretty in a garden, etc.
Well, duh - I get that it's tile.
But if the tiles were glued onto, say, fabric, or attached to a very thin mesh or screen, then it *would* be flexible.
It was unclear from the description. Sheesh. Open your mind a little!
brenjay, the tile is put onto cement, which in turn is probably built up on a chicken wire armature.
I think these could look pretty cool in a garden. Not MY garden, but someone's garden. ;-)
tile mosaic does not = able to go outside. You have to use a special grout and adhesive, etc., for a mosaic to go outside. So it depends how it was made if it can be used in a garden.
I don't get the point of this at all...
...they're not that attractive - and certainly not useful in any way that I can see.
If the patterns were used as a backsplash in a kitchen or in a bathroom, OK - but this just seems wasteful.
Sorry, but it just seemed really obvious to me. Tile gets put onto hard surfaces, not fabric. I didn't get why it was hard for you to grasp.
I went to Maker Faire (it was wonderful) I checked this work out. She worked on top of large "bricks" of styrofoam (I'm thinking from creating docks) directly with broken plates and tiles. Then concrete. Simple and nice but not my style. I don't think you would have to worry about taking it outside-it's concrete and glazed tiles.
It is certainly directed toward a very niche market. And not practical; simply one of those things that a person might love. I was thinking I'd love to have it for my mom, made in a style similar to a quilt that she made for me as a little girl. A way to keep the memory for a very long time after the actual quilt is too fragil to keep out. Yep...I love this! Hmmm... I wonder how hard for DIY?
i don't get why you would want to drape a blanket out in your garden...even if it was made of tile, and wouldn't this be retarded heavy to move or put anywhere...or break itself since it isnt on a flat surface. Yup don't get it, totally lame
Oh, Boy, Im really late in getting in on this one!!
Sorry folks. I just now discovered it on my flatfork google page.... IF anyone is still interested, I am the artist who created those pieces. They are made out of sidhes on top of both foam and concrete substraights. I noticed that some had difficulty with purpose. As will all artwork. Since when does it need a purpose? How many grandmothers quilts are sitting inside of a closet. Never to see daylight because they are too fragile? Why not have one that you can disply right out into the open and in your garden! Itas art, I dont need a reason for doing it, other then my own personal reasons. That is for those who "dont get it" If you do not "get it" then just bypass it and make room for those that do.
Sorry to be blunt. These pieces are actually very sophisticated in concept. A lot of thought went into making them. They are not just dishes I broke and threw them onto a substraight. The first quilt took me 10 years to figure out. I had to learn just how real quilters put their quilts together, the kind of thought that it took to piece. Then there were the obvious difficulties. What to do with "stitching" so I chose to use the grout as the stitching. The grout is concrete. The substraight is foam, with a concrete shell covering to place the tiles onto.
Then it is grouted with concrete. This piece will last as long as the metal holding it up.
The metal will go first and that will take years.
The concrete piece will last for a hundred years if not more.
Just like the real quilts that our ancestors made.
If you have any questions please ask away.
Thanks so much
Faith Schexnayder