So you have the tiles, you know what you want to make..... you need tools and accessories!
Need something to cut with?
If you are going to need to cut your tile, we suggest you buy a good pair of nippers. It will be the tool that will stick with you through your projects. IT will be the rock you lean on when things just aren't going your way(ok, maybe that is a bit much!) Sure, eventually you will need to replace them, but they are definately not disposable. We have sold this brand of nippers for years and they hold up well.
A note about nippers-- They are all designed to do different things and cannot be substituted for one another. If you want to start with one, I would get either the Wheel, precision, or Basic, depending on your budget. (if you start with the Basic and get into mosaics, you can always ask for the Precision or wheel nuppers for your birthday!) The chipper is a completely different animal, with the blade positioned more like a pair of scissors. It is the only one that can curve your corners, but it will not do straight cuts. If you use them for their intended purpose they will do well. Ask them to do something they aren't intended for and your results may not be pretty.
Nippers
Are you done choosing your goodies?
Let's glue!
Weldbond glue - 5oz tube-- $5.99 If you read the brochure for the adhesive, it claims that it will glue just about anything. And since I haven't had a bad glueing experience with Weldbond yet, I'm inclined to believe them! It is a PVA adhesive, looks a lot like Elmer's. For porous and non-porous surfaces. It is officially my favorite glue. It dries fairly quickly, is clear and flexible. For more hints, take a look at their website. Here's a neat trick.... For faster bonding or working on vertical surfaces: Seal porous surface with 5 parts water to 1 part WELDBOND mixture. Allow to dry 1 hr. Then coat both surfaces generously with WELDBOND, full strength. Allow to dry until WELDBOND is completely clear. Now reactivate WELDBOND (using Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol) by brushing it on both surfaces. Then bring both surfaces together and into position with slight turning motion and pressure if possible. Bond should
be near instant but use tape to hold in place for at least 1 hr. This method will also dry crystal clear much faster (great for glasswork). Test this method first to ensure you are getting the bond strength required for your project before starting.
It's a great glue for mosaic projects and a great glue to have around the house for those just-in-case moments!
Weldbond Mosaic Glue - 4oz tube-- $5.99 This is a new formulation from the folks who brought you Weldbond. Its a thicker formulation and the nozzle is thinner providing more control when applying the adhesive.
4oz
Mosaic Adhesive- by Mosaic Mercantile4 oz. $5.00, 8 oz. $8.00 These water based adhesives can be used on most surfaces. Dries clear.
4 oz
8 oz
Are you done choosing your goodies?
The Grout!
Let me clarify a couple of things before you go choosing your grout-- you will find that the correct grout will choose you!
Grouting is the third step. (Step 1 plan your design, choose and cut your tiles. Step 2 adhere tiles. step 3 grout Step 4 clean off the grout step 5 admire your work) The grout you use will depend on the size of the space between your tiles and the intended location of your project.
If you have small grout lines that are less that 1/2" wide and the project will be used indoors you can use the premixed grout. It is a non-sanded, waterbased grout available 8 colors
If your grout lines are larger or the project will be left outdoors, you need to use a sanded grout. The grout will come to you as a powder. You mix in water, so that the mixture is of oatmeal consistancy. Available in lots of colors. If you want to mix colors you can mix the dry colors together as you are adding the water.
If your grout lines are larger than 1/8" you need to use a sanded grout.
These grouts have sand added which allows them to cover wider areas without cracking. Because they contain portland cement, you should use a dust mask when mixing the poweder with water and gloves while applying the grout.
Mosaic Mercantile Powdered Grout 16oz bag,$5.00, will cover about 2.5 square feet.
Snow
Sandstone
Pumice
Ivory
Taupe
Baltic Blue (Dark greyish blue)
Verdigris (dark greyish green)
Crimson (bright red!)-- this one is more expensive because it is red $8.50
Sienna (brownish red)
Charcoal
Are you done choosing your goodies?
Other useful things and important things!
Primer - 8 oz $8.00 Use this to prepare surfaces for you masterpiece. Water based. Good for indoor or outdoor projects.
Sealer - 8 oz $8.00 This sealer is a clear sealant that can be applied over tile and grout to repel water and protect the surface. It is useful for projects like a tabletop which will need to be cleaned and might have things on it that shed water. It is not intended to be used to waterproof items which will be submerged (for example a fountain). If you are using the matte ceramic tiles, you would want to use this sealer BEFORE you grout so that the grout does not stick to or stain the tiles. Coverage is 17 square feet per bottle.
Applicator Set - $3.75 Included are all the tools you need to expertly apply grout and adhesives. Includes trowel, spreader, grout sponge and craft sticks.
Grout sponge/float combo - $4.00 This is the perfect grout tool-- a soft smooth side and a gritty side to get into all of the crevices.
Eye protectors- $2.59 If you are going to be nipping tiles you need to protect your eyes....
Gloves- $1.99 These are disposable gloves to protect your hands while creating your masterpiece. 5 pair to a pack. If you are grouting, you want to have lots of gloves handy.
If you are going to need to cut your tile, we suggest you buy a good pair of nippers. It will be the tool that will stick with you through your projects. IT will be the rock you lean on when things just aren't going your way(ok, maybe that is a bit much!) Sure, eventually you will need to replace them, but they are definately not disposable. We have sold this brand of nippers for years and they hold up well. 
