The kits are suitable for any age with some designs that allow more artistic freedom – the butterfly and dragonfly designs, the heart mirror for example – also very popular with adults. But please take note of the health warning in every kit which clearly states that they should not be given to children under four as the small tiles may be a choking hazard.

The tiles generally have two sides – a shiny or smooth side which we want to see, and a rough or ridged side that is pressed into the glue on your baseboard (see the picture).

In most cases, start from the top of the board and work downwards, that way your hand is not disturbing the tiles you have laid. Similarly if you are right handed start at the top left hand top corner, and if you are left handed, start at the top right. Again, this stops you disturbing the tiles you have laid as you complete the design.

Squeeze the glue straight from the bottle using the nozzle/applicator on to the base board, not the tile. Work a row at a time laying a bead a couple of millimeters wide between the grid lines. The glue should be sufficient to hold the tiles, but they should not be swimming in a big puddle of glue (see the picture). The glue dries transparent so it should not matter if you are a bit too generous with it.

Always follow the grid and make sure the tiles line up with this and the edges of the base board. You can use a straight edge like a ruler or piece of cardboard to line up tiles as you finish each row.

The PVA glue is washable when it is still wet – wash from skin with soap and water or from clothes by rinsing with lots of cold water. If possible don’t allow glue to dry on clothing as it will be more difficult to shift.

The glue will begin drying in about 20 minutes, but more quickly in warm conditions. You should leave the completed design to dry overnight to fully set before hanging or handling it.

If you run out of time, just tidy things up as far as you have got. Check everything is lined up with the grid on the baseboard and wipe, or scrape away any excess glue on the board. Put the remaining tiles back in their bag and close and wipe the applicator on the glue bottle. You can come back to the kit another time to complete it.

Oh yes! Mosaikits look particularly nice mounted in a suitable frame (see picture). IKEA, Hobbycraft, Dunhelm and other retailers all make what are sometimes called ‘shadowbox’ frames which are deep enough to hold your finished mosaic. (But check the internal measurements of the frame before you buy it.)

The mosaic baseboard is fitted with a mounting loop so that the finished piece can be hung for display with string or ribbon. The mosaic will look particularly attractive if it is reflecting light from a source such as a window or lamp.

We don’t recommend hanging the mosaics in a damp environment as the baseboard is MDF and may swell if it gets wet. That said, many modern bathrooms are well ventilated so use your judgement if considering this. You can also use a generous coat of clear varnish on the back of the baseboard to improve its resistance to moisture.

We do not recommend exposing the finished mosaic to rain and damp as the baseboard is liable to swell and the tiles will eventually fall off.

Instagram and Pinterest are the obvious places to upload photos of your finished mosaic. If you do, please tag us on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/teresamillsmosaics.mosaikit/) It’s also fun to make a time-lapse video of you making a mosaic, you can learn more about how you can do this with a simple set up on a smartphone.

Mosaikit is the brainchild of Mosaic Artist Teresa Mills. Teresa has 30 years experience in the medium. She has written four books on mosaic art which have been translated and published in more than twenty countries. She has worked extensively on mosaic projects in schools and with groups of adults. She continues to experiment with the art form, most recently producing a series of stunning, finely beaded insect designs. Teresa runs Mosaikit with her partner, Paul, from her home/workshop in Berkshire, England.

We don’t host parties in person, but we can supply packs for parties containing the mosaic kits you want along with ideas to make the activity central to your event. We can suggest a running time, tips on explaining and encouraging participation, an invite template, and even some novelty menu ideas! Contact us through the website to let us know what you have planned. (Please try and give at least two weeks notice to be sure everything you need arrives with you on time). Visit the party page to find out more!

Please tell us the problem using the form on our contact page. We will get back to you as quickly as possible to resolve the issue. Please be aware that all our kits are designed and made by us, and the contents assembled by our own hands in our workshop - not by child workers in China. We do sometimes miscount or leave something out but we will always make things right as quickly as possible so thank you for your understanding.

Information available soon!

Information available soon!

Information available soon!