There is great information here at Joy of Shards. You can also check our FAQ at this site. The basics are break 'em glue 'em and grout 'em

Here is a link that might be useful: Joy of shards

Shirty, what a funny and helpful message for all of us that are trying to learn. I loved it. Thank you for posting it.

Anyone who reads this, I'm trying to find out about "buttering" the tesserie (is that how one spells that? Hmmmm.) Do you do that with a paint brush? Fingers? A butter knife?

I've used popsicle sticks ( craft sticks), those cheap skewers you get at the $ store , plastic knives I've found at a TS ( like for a picnic set- Whatever is handy .

Thank you again! I AM going to give it a go. I've looked for Thin Set, but it always comes in really large amounts. I guess I should just jump in. Is there a particular type everyone likes best for "buttering" the tesserie or do I use GE SiliconeII? When do I use which? Do I need to thinset a whole glazed pot before starting? We have a Lowe's 10 miles away and that's all except for a Walmart.

You don't necessarily have to thinset the pot first, but if it's shiney,I'd rough it up. Thinset really is easiest for outside. GEII works, but be warned is VERY MESSY and is difficult to clean off your tesserae.

Once you get started that thinset it won't look like such a large amount, you'll have plenty ideas to use it on!!

Thanks for the inspiration, answers, and the correct spelling of tesserae, Shrty! I'm learning and gaining confidence. I hope you are too, erdness!

I just picked up the tiles yester day and I think they will work well. They are more earth tones which is what I preffer because I don't really want something that'll stand out a whole lot yet...lol, party because I don't know yet how much I want mosaic things in my yard but also because I don't know what my first few to stand out too much incase they look aweful! Lol :) I'll show pictures of my stuff when I get them finished :)

I see you've received some excellent advice from SHRTY. I'd almost guarantee you'll be hooked in little time, and w/start adding more color to your stash. However, there are some wonderful works in this forum using tone on tone, and lots of white. I'll wait to see what you do, cuz I have lots of beige tiles I think w/make some outside flower pots. I use thinset exclusively for outside projects. For more inspiration and information, just use your Google option to search the net. That used to keep me busy for hours searching for tutorials and pictures.

For more inspiration and information, just use your Google option to search the net. That used to keep me busy for hours searching for tutorials and pictures.

I still spend hours looking for inspiration and I have saved sooooo many pictures! I would try your library for books on Mosaics...that's the first thing I did and it helped.

HGTV network has lots of mosaic projects in their craft area, with step by step directions.