this project is a 32" x 28" mirror frame, with a 20" x 16" bevelled mirror in the center. there is a 6" frame area for mosaic around the center mirror. i will probably have the piece framed when finished, so i will allow for 1/4" on the outside edge of the piece before the actual pattern begins. in this 1/4" area, i will use short strips to finish to the edge.

i have decided on my color scheme, and have a rough idea for my pattern. i have the preliminary pattern shown in the photo. i am clear on the borders, but still need to work out the repeating pattern for inside the borders. i know that i want the main theme to be squares with small diamonds. my preliminary lay-out seems like it will work for 2 repeating squares of small diamonds (not really diamonds, but squares turned diagonally) within the borders of the 6" frame area. i have not worked it out mathematically for the length and width of the frame, but just for the area with the borders.

using the tool

these photos show how to hold and use the modified tile plier. the tool was not designed to be used the way that i use it, and it has no spring mechanism to return it to an open position, which would facilitate repeated squeezing action. so, you have to completely control the opening/releasing for each closing/squeezing.

alrighty! in case you have not already figured this out... not exactly rocket science... here is how to modify the tile plier so that it will break very small pieces. all you need to do is just get that mending plate taped onto the inside of the head of the tile plier.

i have been working more with the glass snapper. oh, how i wish it would have been THE tool that i need for this technique! but, alas, it is not. however, it is a handy little tool... and so inexpensive, too. unfortunately, i have not been very successful with it for the small pieces, and especially when the glass is a bit thick... which the van gogh glass often seems to be lately. and i don't know why, but it seems to have trouble cutting the triangles. also, for the thousands of pieces that i need to cut for a project like this, i am doubtful that it will hold up. i can see the head of it wearing down already.

this is too bad. it could cut very cleanly, although i really needed to make sure that the center point of the breaking head was directly over the score. of course, this is also a bit of a complication because i can't always see my score lines that well... it depends on the tile. at this point, i am going to stick with my modified tile plier.

i have not mentioned running pliers: they will work pretty well on the bigger cuts, but not on the smaller cuts.

here are some tool photos. you do not need the glass snapper AND the modified tile plier. the glass snapper does seem to make a cleaner break, but does not work on the smallest pieces. you will need a modified tile plier, however, if you want to cut very small pieces. so, you figure out what tool(s) you need. the glass snapper is very inexpensive, and the modified tile plier should not cost you more than $10 to put together.