Be aware that mosaic-making can be messy so please dress for ‘mess’.  We will be working with mortar and grout.  Please bring a pair of rubber gloves (like the kind that some people wear to wash dishes or for scrubbing chores) to protect your hands. Available: grocery store.

The $20 supply fee (to be paid to instructor at the first class) covers your use of all the other tools and supplies you'll need to create mosaics.  As I have only 4 or 5 of each tool, you may have to share occasionally with other class-members.  In case you want to purchase some of these tools for making mosaics on your own, I've listed them below, including approx. cost and places where you might buy them. (Addresses at end of list.)

TOOLS and SUPPLIES

• Tile Nippers - Used for cutting and shaping tile.  Generally the most used tool in mosaics, unless one creates only stained glass mosaics (in which case you might want to consider the Stained Glass Mosaic class).  Available: Home Depot, Lowe’s. Get the cheaper nippers ($11 - $18). They’re perfectly adequate. 
   
• Tile Scorer/Breaker - Used to score a line through the top surface of a tile and then, in a 2^nd step, to break the tile along the line.  These cost about $7 – $12.   Indispensable if you work with tiles and want exact, straight, clean-cut pieces.  Home Depot, Lowe’s and Dick Blick’s usually carry these.
   
• Stained Glass Cutter/Scorer - Used to score a precise line in glass and then, in a 2^nd step, to break the glass along the line.  Cost: around $5 - $9. You can get these at Home Depot (usually in the glass dept.) and at glass supply stores.   Pearl’s usually has these too.
   
• Wheeled Glass Nippers - Used to shape (take nips out of) stained glass and vitreous glass pieces and smalti to get a more exact shape.  Usually available at Fired Work's or can order on-line. $20 - $25. 
   
• Glass Runners (or Breakers) - Used to break a precise line that has been scored in stained glass, vitreous glass or smalti (see Stained Glass Cutter/Scorer above).  Cost: around $20.00.  Order on-line. (Some local shops that create stained glass items and sell stained glass carry this tool sometimes.  Ask instructor for current suggestions.)
   
• Protective/Safety Glasses - Used to protect eyes from tiny splinters of material that may be thrown up when you (or your neighbor) are cutting/breaking.  Around $3 - $6. You’ll find the cheapest ones (perfectly adequate glasses) at Home Depot and Lowe’s.
   
• Adhesives, glues, mortar, etc.  Available in many places.  Ask instructor for specifics.
   
• GROUT - We have a wide selection of grout (sanded and un-sanded in varying colors).  Available at Home Depot, Lowe's, some hardware stores. Priced according to container size.
   
• Dust mask for each class member (recommend when mixing mortar or grout).
   
• Buckets, spatulas, trowels, squeegees, sponges, brushes, tile sealers, rags, vinegar, acid, zip-lock bags, nametags, pens, and all other incidentals used in class.
   
• Reference books - in-class use of my 20-or-so mosaic books (provide great ideas for mosaic pieces).
   
• Table-size Tile Scorer/Breaker - Used to score a line through the top surface of a large tile and then, in a 2^nd step, to break the tile along the line.  These cost about $35 – $150.   Home Depot, Lowe’s and some Ace Hardware stores usually carry these.
   
• Dremel - Used to sand and polish sharp points and edges.  Cost: depending on the number of special attachments and points included, ranges from $40 -$150+.
   
• Replacement cutting blades for tools.
   
• Materials for Beginner's 1st Project and my prep time.
   
• Tile and grout sealer.
   
• Hand-outs - approx. 5 hand-outs that will be useful reference when you are working on mosaics after finishing the class and can't remember something.
   
• Last, but not least: My time soliciting/buying, picking up, washing and sorting and stashing donated tiles, stained glass, vitreous glass, old dishes, etc. for class use.  Therefore there are varied and assorted tiles, stained glass pieces, pottery, china, and other mosaic materials available for the class to use in learning to make mosaics.  Although pieces with bright colors are often very limited, there are sufficient and varied tiles to make exciting, original mosaics while engaging in the class purpose, which is to learn to make mosaics on one’s own.

You might want to buy additional tile, glass, etc for a specific project you've designed. Places to look are:  Home Depot, Lowe’s, Fired Works, Pearl’s, Dick Blick (as of 2004 on-line only). You might check the specialty tile stores also. The Color Tile store at 6204 Roswell Rd. usually has 4”x4” ceramic tiles in bright colors that they will sell in small amounts. Broken china pieces also can make wonderful mosaics or be used to provide colorful accents when used with basic color tiles.  Old pottery and china can be found inexpensively at second-hand stores or ask friends for their broken china and leftover tiles from kitchen or bath renovations. Check stores like TJMaxx, Tuesday Morning, Garden Ridge, and Marshall’s for inexpensive colorful dishes and also objects like flower pots, small tables, vases. etc. to mosaic.  Get on the Internet and Google: 'tile mosaic' or 'glass mosaic' and you will find on-line suppliers.

Stores that carry needed items (usually):

           .  any Home Depot store – tools and some tile,

           .  any Lowe’s Home Improvement store – some tools and some tile,

           .  Pearl Artist and Craft store (on Roswell Rd. near Piedmont Rd) – some tools and small bags of glass and ceramic tiles,  

           .  Dick Blick Art Materials (now carries mosaic supplies on-line only) – most tools and small bags of glass tile,

           .  any Michael’s Arts and Crafts store – usually carries the tile nipper and bags of glass and ceramic tiles,

           .  Fired Works – Pottery and Mosaics (603 Atlanta St, Roswell, 770-641-9833 –call Linda for hours) – has some tools and good supply of pre-cut stained glass and ceramic tiles in assorted shapes & sizes,

           .  The Color Tile store at 6204 Roswell Rd. (404-256-2331) sells individual 4”x4” ceramic tiles in bright colors.  

           .  Many shops that create stained glass windows sell glass cutters and sell their glass scraps at a reasonable price; check the Yellow Pages for locations.

           .  You can also order tools and tiles, glass, etc. on the Internet.  Call instructor for a list of Internet addresses for tool and tile purchases.