Welcome!

Welcome to Mosaic Trader UK - for all your mosaic supplies.

Mosaic Trader UK has recently become VAT registered and is obliged to collect this tax on behalf of HMRC. Please note that all prices are now inclusive of VAT. If you would like an itemised VAT invoice please contact info@mosaictraderuk.co.uk

Registering: You will be able to register once you have something in your Shopping Cart. Accept the T&Cs and click 'Next' to register your details. Once registered you will be able to log in easily the next time and you will be able to see the shipping costs before confirming your order. Please phone if you have any problems with registering.

Shipping: Go to "View Cart " to see your shipping costs. P&P will be calculated automatically according to the weight of your order and the delivery location. The Registration process will allow you to enter the delivery address, and thus permit the system to calculate the P&P. Please note that for orders to The Highlands, Northern Ireland and any off-lying islands, an additional charge may need to be paid separately.

Payment: All orders require payment prior to shipping. You may choose to pay instantly through PAYPAL. Alternatively select "PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER" or "PAYMENT BY CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER". Orders will be dispatched on clearance of monies.

Contact Us: We are based in Canterbury, Kent and are happy to show you samples or for you to collect by prior appointment:
Contact us: email: info@mosaictraderuk.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1227 781601
Mobile: +44 (0)773 441 4970

We welcome visitors on Thursdays 11 - 7pm or on other days by prior appointment. Please call 01227 781601 or email info@mosaictraderuk.co.uk to arrange a mutually convenient time.

We can be found at:
Unit 14B, Barton Business Park
New Dover Road
Canterbury
CT1 3AA

Directions:
From London / Faversham follow the A2 just past Canterbury to come off at the Patrixbourne / Bridge junction. Turn right to go over the bridge (over the A2 and towards the village of Bridge) and right again to go back on yourself. Follow the road heading back into Canterbury being careful to avoid getting onto the A2 again. At the roundabout (P&Ride carpark) take NEW Dover Road (third exit) and Barton Business Park is almost immediately on your right. Follow the road across the fields and Mosaic Trader UK is located to the right of the security office.

DIY / Installation

Glass mosaic mounted on mesh or paper. Available as solid single colours, mixed coordinated colours on a sheet or our luxury range of mixed colours with a hint of gold or the shimmer of iridised tiles.

Installation: The sheets are easy to install and suitable for DIY projects. Please remember that standard tile cutting tools are not suitable for cutting glass mosaic. We recommend the double wheeled Leponitt for professional installation and workmanship or the Basic nipper for smaller projects.

Unit: Each sheet measures 33 cm square and is composed of 225 tiles [15x15 tiles]. We also sell mini-sheets (for hobby) of 25 tiles each.

Vitreous Glass Tile 2 x 2

Description: High temperature fired glass mosaic in standard 2x2 format on fibreglass mesh or paper sheets. UVA and frost resistant, these mosaic tiles are suitable for exterior and interior, wet and dry areas on floors and walls when combined with the appropriate glue and grout.
Unit: Each sheet measures 33 cm square and is composed of 225 tiles [15x15 tiles]. We also sell mini-sheets (for hobby) of 25 tiles each.

Special Effects Tile

Choose from:
Nebula iridised for light reflection highlights;
Goldlink metallic -dusted with gold or copper for light catching, added depth and a sense of luxury;
Glacier marbled for movement and colour-blending;
Spectrum transparent for brilliance and added dimensionality.

Vitreous Glass Tile 1 x 1

Mini glass tiles. Easy to use without cutting. Suitable for children to use, or for detail and outlining. Fade and frost resistant.

Porcelain (unglazed ceramic) 2 x 2

Double fired French 20 x 20 x 3.7 mm porcelain tiles with an impervious matt surface. This tile is very durable and hardy and is best cut using a wheeled cutter to save strain on wrists. The subtle range of colours closely approximate natural, stone colours and are useful in recreating Roman or Byzantine mosaics. Porcelain, also known as unglazed ceramic, contrasts well with vitreous glass work. Each tile weighs approx 3g and is frost and UVA resistant.

Mosa ceramic 15x15 cm tiles

Unsurpassed for "Mosaic a la Gaudi" - these 15x15 cm high gloss glazed ceramic tiles are practically synonymous with Gaudi's brilliant colours and free form style. Each tile actually measure 14.7x14.7 and 0.54cm thick. Soft and porous they weigh 220g each and are not suitable for outdoor mosaic unless impregnated with a PVA sealant first. Without sealing the glaze will crack but more seriously the absorption of water can 'work' the tile loose from its setting. Slick and glossy on the surface do not use these tiles in floor mosaic installations or wet areas.

Loose Tiles

Loose tiles, Glass and Porcelain, all ready to be used for mosaic.
Available in single colours or mixes of colours and types.

Tile Packets

These carefully selected and coordinated tile packets are a great way to purchase the range you want at a value price.

See also the Loose Tiles selection for coordinated colour in small quantities.

Mosaic Kits to make

Ready for a new hobby without breaking the bank? Or looking for a therapeutic creative outlet for yourself or someone else?
We have designed these kits as a complete and well-priced jump start into mosaic for individuals or institutions.
The Mirror and picture frame kits are designed for children from 6 years old as well as adults.

Bases

A selection of different shaped bases for different purposes. Choose from custom-made MDF forms, wooden frames, platters, wooden boxes and plastic trays.

Smalti

Undulating handmade glass tesserae from Murano Italy using centuries old smalti recipes. Brilliant and resonant colour with high gloss and sheen. Each tessarae measure approx. 1cm x2cm and is 0.5cm thick and weighs approx 3g. Smalti can be laid on its side, front and back for textural and colour variation. Smalti can be used for flat surfaces using the indirect method and may be left ungrouted. One kilo covers slightly more than 625 sq cm. [25 x 25 cm]

Millefiori

History: Glass makers in Murano, Italy have been producing exquisite Millefiori ("thousand flowers") since the 15th century. Clear and coloured glass are used in the production of glass rods made with different coloured layers, with some of the center layers resembling flowers, rosettes, stars and other shapes. Thus was born Millefiori. The same processing techniques used then are still used today. All of our Millefiori is made to order in Murano.
Opaque or Transparent: Opaque millefiore is brighter and combines well in ceramic and mixed media mosaic. Transparent millefiori has a wider range of pastel colours and is best used in glass mosaic especially glass on glass applications.
Fusing: Millefiori can be fused or melted in ceramic or glass ovens to create hand made tesserae or jewellery. COE is 104 - Compatible with Moretti Glass (not compatible with Uroburos or Borosilicate).

Gold Leaf tile

Gold leaf sandwiched between 2 layers of glass for durability and beauty.

Glass Gems

Glass nuggets: Glass gems are very popular with a wide colour selection and a range of finishes including shiny, metallic, iridised and frosted. The transparency varies from completely opaque to completely transparent. Their smooth, rounded shape make them perfect for little hands.
Use the wheeled Leponitt for cutting, as other tools may shatter the nugget.
N.B. Variations in size, colour and thickness of all glass products are to be expected!

Coloured & Silver Mirror

Premium quality Mercury Mirror from Spectrum, USA. This mirror is hand cut from sheets of rolled glass. It is 3mm thick and can be used both indoors and outside. Please note that non acidic glues must be used (e.g. PVA or Silicon) to prevent the mirror from de-silvering. Due to its fragility this material is not recommended for floors or high traffic areas.

Stained Glass

Fragile and shimmering - the play of light and colour in stained glass has fascinated artists for centuries. Tiffany took the traditional glass in lead technique from churches and created mosaics of incredible beauty and life. This is a wonderful mosaic material with few restrictions and many possibilities. 15 x 15 cm equals 225 cm2

Sample Cards

The sample cards are per series and contain the colours regularly stocked. Please note that it is possible for us to order additional colours not on the sample cards.

Adhesives

Choose from:
1. Childfriendly non-toxic PVA glue for indoor mosaic projects on wood, MDF and clay, as well as diluted for sealing porous surfaces and indoor tiles.
2. Transparent polyurethane glue for glass on glass work with no fumes and slower drying time than silicon based adhesives. No vertical slippage and weather resistant.
3. Adesilex P10 from Mapei for larger glass mosaic projects indoors and outdoors. Combine with Isolastic for wet areas such as bathrooms or swimming pools. May be applied over existing tile work.

Grout & Pigments

Mapei Ultracolour Plus Grout
Description: The market leader... there is no better grout. Recommended by all top mosaic tile producers such as Sicis. Ultracolour is an ultra premium, fast-setting, polymer-modified, colour-consistent, nonshrinking, efflorescence-free grout that can be used in joint widths from 2mm to 20mm. Especially designed with BioBlock technology to prevent growth of mould. Ultracolour is specially formulated to eliminate the common problems related to Portland-cement grout, such as colour consistency and efflorescence.
Unit: We sell each colour of grout in the standard 5kg bags, and also in units of 2 kgs, 1 kg and 500g

Pigments
Finely ground pigment powder from pure minerals for deep intense colouring. Mix with grout to create custom coloured grout for your mosaic art.
Maximum amount of pigment is 10% of grout weight. For example in 100g of grout you should not add more than 10g of pigment or the grout structure may be weakened.
Darker grouts add cohesion and unite the mosaic whilst lighter grouts frame each mosaic piece. To choose grout colour always make a test mosaic piece using the main colours of your tesserae.

Tools and Equipment

A selection of the best tools on the international market today for hobby and professional mosaic artists.

Workshops / Courses

If you're looking to start a new hobby or want to try a new outlet for your creativeness, mosaic workshops are the perfect way to sample this fascinating artform.
For the more serious mosaic artist a variety of courses are available to develop your skills.

Books