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a few questions about broken china mosaics

17 years ago

I have a gold-plated round tray, and have cut the china and arranged it. I would like to put the center round focal I cut from a serving platter in the center, and some cut pieces of the same platter around it. They are the same thickness. Then around that, I'd like to put the cut edges of the same platter. It's a wavy rope type edge, with gold trim (Harker Pottery, Royal Gadroon shape). Since they're from the edge of the platter, they're thinner than the pieces I'd like to put in the center of the tray. Then around those edge pieces, I'd like to put a row of some pieces decorated with gold filagree that I cut from some plates. They're just slightly thicker than the gold trimmed edge they'd be adjacent to, but not quite as thick as the pieces cut from the platter. I don't care if the top surface is not level when I'm finished, but I wondered if there would be a problem with grouting. The thinnest pieces have the wavy rope edge with gold trim, and I don't want to cover it with grout. I think I should use sanded grout, but will need to keep it off of the pieces with the gold trim so that it won't scratch the gold off. The gold is on top of the glaze. I've also asked for help on the Mosaic forum. Any suggestions are appreciated.

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Comments (6)

techsupport8
17 years ago
You can use silcon adhesive to even out the height difference. Put it on thicker under the thinner pieces and vice versa.

Hate to rain on your parade, but I (personally) have not found anything to cover the gold glaze to prevent it from rubbing off when grouting. You could try unsanded grout but that should only be used when the spaces between tesserae are 1/8 inch or less. Hard to do with cut or broken china. If the spaces are too thick the unsanded grout will crack.

I know Weldbond makes (or made) a product that you could cover 3D tesserae with that would resist the grout getting into crevices, but I have never been successful in finding it. You simply peeled it off like a mask after the grouting was done and the piece was protected.

Best of luck in your search to save the gold glaze. I've given up buying anything with a metallic glaze because of this issue.
irislover7b
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, techsupport8. I checked the spacing, and some of the gaps are a little over 1/8", so I will use sanded grout. Someone on the other forum suggested putting it in a bag and piping it into the spaces, so I may try that. Would spraying a clear sealer on the pieces protect the gold? If sealer getting into the spaces would keep the grout from sticking, I maybe could spray the pieces before I glue them onto the tray.
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Hi Toomuchglass- Yes, the grout should fill smoothly between pieces of different thicknesses, as long as the differences isn't too extreme. I have found that I like the look, as long as there is some sort of pattern to it- like all the pieces of one color are the same thickness, creating a raised effect of that color. If only a few pieces of that color are thicker it will look bumpy and awkward. Does that make sense? If you are doing something sculptural this works fine, but if it's a table top, or something you want to be level it may be a problem. It should work fine on a bird house. Can't wait to see pics!
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PRO
Nell Jean
17 years ago
Perhaps the information on this site will help you decide what to do.

Here is a link that might be useful: Grout Masking
irislover7b
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, foxesearth. That looks like a good solution to protect the gold.
mayb2bz
17 years ago
Hello, I am new here and have a question about cutting china plates for broken jewelery. I would like to form them in a heart shape for heart charms. What is the best way to cut or break the china? I would like to be able to get as many hearts as possible out of each plate. Also is there a great place for finding great china for doing this besides ebay? Thank you and looking forward to talking to yall.
little_dani
17 years ago
I found a tremendous amount of information at the link below.

Janie

Here is a link that might be useful: check this out!

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