- smalti melts at 1300°C  (2372°F)       - smalti is 100% vitreous (waterproof) & freeze-proof

Safety:   Use extreme caution when working with glass. Always wear safety goggles, even over eyeglasses.  Keep out of reach of children & pets.

 Planning Quantity

• Since no two pieces are exactly alike, amounts are estimates.   Because variations in  color and availability between orders are not unusual, it is critical to order what you need in advance to complete your project.  Should you over-estimate, full unused bags may be exchanged.

• Pieces are approximately 1/2" square and 1/4" thick, however, because they are hand-cut there are variations in size.

• 1 lb. = approx. 240 - 245 pieces

• 1 sq. ft = approx. 600 pieces side-by-side (no grout joint allowance)

• 1 sq. ft. = approx. 2.5 - 3 lbs. lbs.  (side-by-side with no grout joint ) includes 10-15% to allow for waste when cutting  (save those little pieces for filling in spaces or for your next project!) 

Recommended Tools

• Hammer & Hardie - essential for cutting 'tortillas'.

• Glass Mosaic  Cutters (tile nippers will shatter this glass

• Glass grinder  or grinding block to file sharp edges or fine-tune curves.

• Tweezers (to pick up even the teeniest of pieces)

• Toothpick or dental pic (handy for adjusting pieces and removing excess adhesive)

• Fine marker or grease pencil (for marking your cuts)

• Safety goggles

Recommended Adhesives

• PVA Glues( white glue) - Inexpensive, water-based, non-toxic. Needs porous base like wood to adhere to. Not waterproof.

•  Weldbond Wood Glue. Will adhere to most any surface. Is water resistant, not water-proof. Visit www.weldbond.com for more info.  

• Thin-set Mortar Adhesive - Waterproof. Mix with acrylic additive instead of water for added strength and flexibility. Use over concrete, concrete  board,  etc.

• There are so many adhesives on the market - experiment.  Whatever you choose,  test it first!

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• Note:  If using wood as your base remember that wood expands and contracts, the most common reason for grout cracking. It can also warp.  5/8" or thicker wood has less risk of warping.

Recommended Grout

• Many artists prefer no grout with smalti and place  pieces touching each other. Un-sanded grout can be used only if spaces are no larger than 1/8". Otherwise use sanded grout. Un- sanded grout is then used only to fill any gaps, often matching the color of the tile. I prefer to grout only where gaps are visible and tint my white,   sanded grout  with acrylic paints  to match the color of the tile next to the gap.

•  Most traditional smalti work is not grouted because the uneven surface makes this impractical.  However, Mexican smalti is more consistent in thickness  making grouting much easier.  Even so, you may like the look of un-grouted smalti better and it is wise to test it before grouting.  Personally, I like to place the pieces as close together as possible and grout the areas that have space with grout tinted to match the color of smalti in that area.  This maintains a look of a smalti 'painting'.  If you want to accentuate the grout lines as part of your design then use a contrasting color.