Ironstone Mosaics - Our Craftsmanship


	<LINK REL="STYLESHEET" TYPE="text/css" HREF="/style/main_style.css"> <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="13" WIDTH="438" BORDER="0"> <TR><TD BGCOLOR="#DEC3A8"><!--- HEIGHT="308" ---> <IMG SRC="/images/core/taiji_room.jpg" ALIGN="right" WIDTH="216" HEIGHT="273" ALT="A closer picture of our mosaic Yin-Yang." BORDER="0"> <SPAN CLASS="SectionHeading">Ironstone Craftsmanship</SPAN> <BR> <SPAN CLASS="vgBody">Ironstone Mosaics are custom tile designs for surfaces that need a decorative covering. Whether indoors or outdoors, mosaics provide protection to a surface and can be found on floors, on counter tops and also on walls (either permanently mounted or semi-permanently bolted on). Mosaic art can even be designed to hang on a wall, this way there is freedom in displaying the piece anywhere you like. <BR><BR> Fountains and furniture are also good candidates to adorn with mosaics. Each job is unique, but with proper surface prepping, most hard surfaces can be tiled over. Under the philosophy that anything worth doing is worth doing right, your custom mosaic will be made to last a lifetime. By combining techniques developed by the first Greek mosaicist along with using premium Italian mortar to set your mosaic, it will endure years of use. The enchantment of an Ironstone Mosaic is not one to wan... by retaining it’s natural beauty with little to no maintenance at all, you will enjoy it for years to come.</SPAN> <P><BR> <SPAN CLASS="SectionHeading">Mosaic Characteristics</SPAN> <BR> <SPAN CLASS="vgBody">Handcrafted mosaics have a charm that mass produced mosaics lack. Here are some ways to tell the difference. Bulk manufactured mosaics sometimes tend to have a mechanical look and feel, as if laid out on a grid. This can give a certain “pretentiousness” to the piece. Typically, mass produced mosaics are glued onto a paper backing making them ready for quick installations. But, this is not without a trade off... <BR><BR> Because of the high moisture levels that are present in prepared mortars and mastics, the installation process can soften the paper backing, making it a loose layer in between the mosaic and mortar. This causes for less mortar-to-tile contact, making the longevity of paper backings questionable. Paper is very porous by nature and tends to rob mortar of it’s moisture, causing the mortar to cure more rapidly than desired. A slow setting cure is preferred for optimum bonding strength. <BR><BR> Ironstone Mosaics that are mesh-mounted use a poly-mesh backing that is resistant to water, decay and even chemicals. This resilient woven mesh has very thin strands, which makes it easy for the mortar to squish up through the fibers and generously hug the mosaic pieces, embedding each one securely into place. Your handcrafted mosaic will have excellent mortar-to-tile contact, giving it tremendous bonding strength.</SPAN> <P><BR> <IMG SRC="/images/core/cleaning.jpg" ALIGN="right" WIDTH="216" HEIGHT="193" ALT="" BORDER="0"> <SPAN CLASS="SectionHeading">Mosaic With a Soul</SPAN> <BR> <SPAN CLASS="vgBody">Ironstone Mosaics flow with movement. The freestyle technique used in the tile placement gives greater detail allowing for more clarity in the artwork. Hand shaping individual pieces removes the limitations of working in a cube-like grid. Other signs of handcrafted mosaics are the subtle angle variations in the placement of the individual tiles. Each piece catches the light and tells it’s own story as you move about... creating a bit of “chatter”. If you’ve ever studied a mosaic in person, you know what I’m talking about. <BR><BR> A matte finish tends to be more subtle in how it handles the light. A matte surface absorbs light, giving the material a sort of “powdery” look and feel. But, when using glossy materials for a mosaic, it throws the light around. The shimmering effect is quite dramatic in giving your mosaic life and movement. Whether you want a matte finish or a high polished look, realize that the surface finish plays an important role in the “mood” of your mosaic, as do the colors and also the design composition. <BR><BR> The color variations that are characteristic of natural materials provide interest and depth to the artwork. Each unique piece within the mosaic brings it’s own personality to the show, making your mosaic a one of a kind unlike any other. Our clientele receive complimentary color consultations to ensure a harmonic balance between the mosaic’s color scheme and the surrounding environment where it intends to be displayed. Together, we will determine a design and material that suits your taste and budget, without every compromising the integrity of your custom mosaic. Ironstone Mosaics are always built to stand the test of time.</SPAN> <P><BR> <SPAN CLASS="SectionHeading">Longevity and Resilience</SPAN> <BR> <SPAN CLASS="vgBody">Ironstone Mosaics are made with natural materials that intend to wear long into the ages. Your handcrafted mosaic will be set using a premium mortar, developed by the Italian leader of the tile industry. We ensure you of a strong bond that mounts your mosaic permanently into place. Our stain-resistant grout comes in an arrayment of designer colors that age beautifully. Choosing your custom grout color is half the fun and it greatly impacts the “look and feel” of the final mosaic. <BR><BR> For our hanging wall mosaics, a braided stainless cable is attached making it ready for displaying. The strength of our hanging cables holds up to 100 pounds of dead weight, which is critical since mosaic artwork tends to be very heavy. Come rain, shine or snow, our outdoor mosaics are completely weather resistant. Removable wall mosaics that go outside are bolted onto buildings using stainless steel hardware. This way, there are no worries of rust stains running down the wall at some point in time. <BR><BR> Safety is important, especially down here in hurricane country. Semi-permanent mosaics get bolted onto buildings, anchoring them to the wall. These mosaics can be taken down at some point if the need arises, unlike permanent wall mosaics that are bonded on with mortar. The hardware used to mount mosaics is painted to disguise it from being so noticeable. Acrylic is the choice paint since it has a natural resilience against nature’s elements. Acrylic tends to “wear” nicely in conditions with high heat, humid conditions and in places where salt erosion is prone. Your custom handcrafted mosaic will look stunning in any climate or setting.</SPAN> <P><BR> <SPAN CLASS="SectionHeading">The Ironstone Investment</SPAN> <BR> <SPAN CLASS="vgBody">Custom mosaics are considered investments since they add artistic interest to property. Tile is a durable means of protecting a surface and it offers a sea of options regarding colors, textures and finishes that are available today. An ordinary surface can be transformed into functional art with just a little creative vision and some careful strategizing. Extraordinary things can happen even when working with the most modest budget. There are always clever ways to improve a surface’s appearance affordably. <BR><BR> Custom tile designs add a unique touch of decorative charm to your home. Since aesthetic improvements helps increase property value, your Ironstone Mosaic becomes tax deductible. For those who are interested in a sign type of mosaic for their business, your mosaic is tax deductible as well since it is considered a business expense. <BR><BR> For the collectors out there... antiques, like art, tends to appreciate in value. Granted that they are of quality craftsmanship and have been well cared for. These are the collectibles that actually continue to appreciate in value despite their seasoned age and history of past use. Your custom mosaic will resonate it’s natural beauty long into the future, breathing life wherever it resides. For mosaics are the eternal art form... always ready to tell their story.</SPAN> </TD></TR> </TABLE>