This is so helpful. I spent an hour trying to cut a little tile and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't cut it no matter how hard I squeezed. I was putting the entire blade on it lol.
I started using my tile nippers to begin my collection from plates I’ve collected from the thrift store the other day and like you mentioned I got that line on my hands after awhile. I realized that was going to be a problem as I have slight arthritis on my hands. After looking at the huge pile of plates I’ve accumulated and massaging my hand then I realized that I would have to use another technique so out came my hammer, lol! I methodically broke my plates covered in a towel, one at a time, removed the flat pieces and continued breaking down the remaining pieces in like manner. As they were cheaply purchased I wasn’t too concerned of excess loss. I got really good at covering the smaller pieces with the towel and then wacking with pretty good precision. I’ll save my hands to use with the more delicate designs or glass for now. I’ll checkout the compound tile nippers you mentioned.
Hi Cocacolafiesta! You make a great point. No one knows your body better than you. And sometimes you just have to use a hammer. I think the compound tile nippers might be especially helpful for your hands. It does most of the cutting work. Amazing little tool for hard to cut materials. Keep creating!
I'm glad you mentioned the Compound Nippers. I feel they're my #1 tool and after years of cutting, I can't recommend them enough. The truth is, as mosaic artists (especially those of us who do a lot of cutting as apposed to hammer & hardy) we do abuse our hands, and many of us end up with either arthritis or tendonitis. If it weren't for compound nippers and compression gloves I would have had to retire the craft by now. I also recommend them to younger students in the hopes they won't develop claws like mine by the time they're 40 something...lol. You're an excellent teacher and I often recommend others watch your videos to learn the basics. Mixed media seems to be all the rage right now, and it's amazing how many people are coming to mosaics. Keep showing them how it's done! Kudos; always love your videos.
Thanks for watching! YES, compound tile nippers are a definite must when cutting hard materials or when your hands have been overworked. And thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it. Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!
Julie, I just tried your tip about sitting down with a rag on my lap. My thigh was a comfortable place for leverage. Otherwise my thumb was getting aggravated. I have learned that I have a weak grip and after Christmas 🎄 I will gift 🎁 myself a pair of compound nippers! That shop vac helps to clean up between cutting plates. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tonya! GREAT tip on using a shop vac! Yes, compound tile nippers can make a world of difference when trying to cut thick pieces of tesserae. Splurge on yourself! You deserve it!😉
I just started doing mosaic pots, and am loving your instructional videos. You probably have covered this in past videos, but it would be helpful to me to have some instruction on mosaic “terms”, especially the kinds of mosaic materials that you refer to often like, ceramic, glass, etc.
Hi Loretta, thanks for your kind words. Great to hear you're enjoying the videos. LOVE your suggestion for a video idea! I'll put it on the list for sure. Keep creating! I'm glad you're here!
@@JulieWeilbacher Actually more like in stained glass. I get the impression it's easier to make those cuts in vitreous glass squares, although I struggle with that too.
Hi ShieAyla! YAY! Congrats on your compound tile nippers. They're so helpful especially when cutting thick or harder-than-normal tesserae. Enjoy!! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥
Hi Blue Line! Awww, thanks for your kind words!😊 It's great to hear you're enjoying my videos. Tile nippers are the first mosaic tool I used too! They're super helpful! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥
Wonderful unfluffy video. Lots of great information presented clearly with much thought. I shall subscribe and look forward to many of your tutorials as I am just getting started. One question, I have decorated many tiles in acrylic and would like to construct a mosaic now. I was wondering about applying resin for permanence, and how this might affect breaking the simple ceramic tile. Thanks in advance.
Hi Janice! Thank you for your kind words.😊 It's great to hear you enjoyed the video. Hmmm, covering a tile with resin and then cutting it? I'm not sure how that will turn out. Resin is pretty hard stuff, and permanent. My fear is, you might be able to break the tile, but the resin may crack/shatter. I would do a test run first before trying it on your beautiful tile work. Keep creating and I'm thankful you're here!🔥
Hi Dianne, my compound tile nippers don't have a particular 'side' for cutting, either side cuts exactly the same. It sounds like your's are just like mine. Some materials are very hard to cut, even with compound nippers. And sadly, sometimes they're just to hard to cut at all. Try putting your nippers on your tessera, covering it with a towel and squeezing the handle with both hands.
This is so helpful. I spent an hour trying to cut a little tile and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't cut it no matter how hard I squeezed. I was putting the entire blade on it lol.
I started using my tile nippers to begin my collection from plates I’ve collected from the thrift store the other day and like you mentioned I got that line on my hands after awhile. I realized that was going to be a problem as I have slight arthritis on my hands. After looking at the huge pile of plates I’ve accumulated and massaging my hand then I realized that I would have to use another technique so out came my hammer, lol! I methodically broke my plates covered in a towel, one at a time, removed the flat pieces and continued breaking down the remaining pieces in like manner. As they were cheaply purchased I wasn’t too concerned of excess loss. I got really good at covering the smaller pieces with the towel and then wacking with pretty good precision. I’ll save my hands to use with the more delicate designs or glass for now. I’ll checkout the compound tile nippers you mentioned.
Hi Cocacolafiesta! You make a great point. No one knows your body better than you. And sometimes you just have to use a hammer. I think the compound tile nippers might be especially helpful for your hands. It does most of the cutting work. Amazing little tool for hard to cut materials. Keep creating!
I'm glad you mentioned the Compound Nippers. I feel they're my #1 tool and after years of cutting, I can't recommend them enough. The truth is, as mosaic artists (especially those of us who do a lot of cutting as apposed to hammer & hardy) we do abuse our hands, and many of us end up with either arthritis or tendonitis. If it weren't for compound nippers and compression gloves I would have had to retire the craft by now. I also recommend them to younger students in the hopes they won't develop claws like mine by the time they're 40 something...lol. You're an excellent teacher and I often recommend others watch your videos to learn the basics. Mixed media seems to be all the rage right now, and it's amazing how many people are coming to mosaics. Keep showing them how it's done! Kudos; always love your videos.
Thanks for watching! YES, compound tile nippers are a definite must when cutting hard materials or when your hands have been overworked. And thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it. Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!
Julie, I just tried your tip about sitting down with a rag on my lap. My thigh was a comfortable place for leverage. Otherwise my thumb was getting aggravated. I have learned that I have a weak grip and after Christmas 🎄 I will gift 🎁 myself a pair of compound nippers! That shop vac helps to clean up between cutting plates. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tonya! GREAT tip on using a shop vac! Yes, compound tile nippers can make a world of difference when trying to cut thick pieces of tesserae. Splurge on yourself! You deserve it!😉
Oh, Julie I just love all your video's and you always leave me smiling with your bloopers. Thank you
I just started doing mosaic pots, and am loving your instructional videos. You probably have covered this in past videos, but it would be helpful to me to have some instruction on mosaic “terms”, especially the kinds of mosaic materials that you refer to often like, ceramic, glass, etc.
Hi Loretta, thanks for your kind words. Great to hear you're enjoying the videos. LOVE your suggestion for a video idea! I'll put it on the list for sure. Keep creating! I'm glad you're here!
Hi Julie. I have an idea for a video that really has me stumped... Creating consistent keystone cuts out of sheeted glass. Thanks!
Hi Visionary Firestarter! Great video suggestion. Are you referring to vitreous glass tile in particular?
@@JulieWeilbacher Actually more like in stained glass. I get the impression it's easier to make those cuts in vitreous glass squares, although I struggle with that too.
@@Harmonymony Got it. Ok, thanks for clarifying. It's on the list!
Because I have MS, I bought the compound tile nippers. I only paid $14 for them! I'm so excited to use them.
Hi ShieAyla! YAY! Congrats on your compound tile nippers. They're so helpful especially when cutting thick or harder-than-normal tesserae. Enjoy!! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥
Hi SShirAyla, where did you buy your compound tile nipper?
I just start with this technique and your videos are amazing. Thank you very much!
Hi Blue Line! Awww, thanks for your kind words!😊 It's great to hear you're enjoying my videos. Tile nippers are the first mosaic tool I used too! They're super helpful! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥
@@JulieWeilbacher Thank you very much. Your videos sre amazing and the camera simply loves you. You are a great teacher.
Wonderful unfluffy video. Lots of great information presented clearly with much thought. I shall subscribe and look forward to many of your tutorials as I am just getting started. One question, I have decorated many tiles in acrylic and would like to construct a mosaic now. I was wondering about applying resin for permanence, and how this might affect breaking the simple ceramic tile. Thanks in advance.
Hi Janice! Thank you for your kind words.😊 It's great to hear you enjoyed the video. Hmmm, covering a tile with resin and then cutting it? I'm not sure how that will turn out. Resin is pretty hard stuff, and permanent. My fear is, you might be able to break the tile, but the resin may crack/shatter. I would do a test run first before trying it on your beautiful tile work. Keep creating and I'm thankful you're here!🔥
Thnx mam
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!🔥
What do you use for Mother of Pearl?
If the compound nippers do not have a curved or flat side, which side doe you use? I am using a lot of force to cut my tiles.
Hi Dianne, my compound tile nippers don't have a particular 'side' for cutting, either side cuts exactly the same. It sounds like your's are just like mine. Some materials are very hard to cut, even with compound nippers. And sadly, sometimes they're just to hard to cut at all. Try putting your nippers on your tessera, covering it with a towel and squeezing the handle with both hands.