A Complete Guide to Finding the Right Materials with Confidence

How to Source Mosaic Materials: Tiles, Bases & Adhesives

Before a single tile is placed, before a design comes to life — there is a quieter, often overlooked skill that shapes every mosaic you will ever create: knowing how to source your materials.

This lesson will teach you how to confidently find tiles, bases, and adhesives that suit your project, your environment, and your artistic vision. Whether you're a complete beginner wondering where to start, or an experienced artist looking to refine your material choices, this guide will remove uncertainty and replace it with clarity.

Because when you understand your materials… everything else becomes easier.

Video

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify and source a wide variety of mosaic tiles (new, reclaimed, and specialty)
  • Choose appropriate bases for different mosaic applications
  • Select the correct adhesive based on materials and environment
  • Recognise quality materials and avoid common purchasing mistakes
  • Build a flexible, cost-effective material sourcing system

Materials & Preparation

This lesson is about sourcing, so instead of gathering materials, you’ll begin building your material awareness toolkit.

What You’ll Need:

  • Notebook or digital notes (for tracking suppliers and ideas)
  • Access to local shops or online marketplaces
  • Optional: sample tiles or materials for testing

Preparation Tip:

Start thinking of yourself not just as an artist — but as a collector of possibilities.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sourcing Materials

Step 1: Understanding Tile Types (Your Creative Palette)


Tiles are not just materials — they are your colour, texture, and emotion.

Common Tile Types:

  • Glass tiles: Vibrant, reflective, ideal for colour intensity
  • Ceramic/porcelain: Durable, consistent, beginner-friendly
  • Stone: Natural, earthy, organic textures
  • Reclaimed materials: Broken plates, old tiles, found objects

Where to Source Tiles:

  • Tile supply stores (best for bulk and consistency)
  • Craft stores (good for beginners)
  • Second-hand shops & op shops (hidden treasures)
  • Renovation sites (with permission)
  • Online marketplaces

Common Mistake to Avoid:

Buying tiles purely for colour without considering:

  • Thickness consistency
  • Cutting difficulty
  • Suitability for indoor/outdoor use

💡 Artist Insight:

The most interesting mosaics rarely come from perfect materials — they come from unexpected combinations.

Step 2: Sourcing Bases (Your Foundation)


Your base determines whether your mosaic lasts months… or decades.

Common Base Options:

  • Wood (sealed): Indoor use only
  • Tile backer board (cement board): Water-resistant, highly durable
  • Concrete surfaces: Permanent installations
  • Pre-made blanks (coasters, pavers, plaques)

Where to Source Bases:

  • Hardware stores
  • Art supply shops
  • Online craft suppliers
  • Repurposed household materials

What to Look For:

  • Strength and rigidity
  • Resistance to moisture
  • Surface texture (for adhesion)

Common Mistake:

Using the wrong base for the environment (e.g., untreated wood outdoors)

💡 Rule to Remember: The base should always outlast the design.

Step 3: Choosing the Right Adhesive

Main Adhesive Types:

  • PVA Glue:

    Best for small, indoor projects

    Easy to use, beginner-friendly


  • Thin-set Mortar:

    Strong, water-resistant

    Ideal for outdoor and permanent work


  • Epoxy Adhesive:

    Extremely strong

    Used for difficult surfaces or specialty applications


How to Choose:

Ask yourself:

  • Will this be indoors or outdoors?
  • Will it be exposed to water or heat?
  • What material am I attaching?

Common Mistakes:

  • Using PVA for outdoor projects
  • Applying adhesive too thickly
  • Not allowing proper curing time

💡 Artist Insight: A great mosaic isn’t just placed — it’s anchored with intention.

Skill Deep Dive: How Materials Affect Your Art

Your material choices influence more than durability — they shape:

  • Colour perception (glass reflects, stone absorbs)
  • Texture and depth
  • Movement and flow (andamento)
  • Emotional tone of the piece

Think of materials as part of your storytelling language.

Practical Exercises

Exercise 1: Tile Scouting

  • Visit 2–3 different sources (shop, online, second-hand)
  • Compare tile types, prices, and textures
  • Document what stands out and why

Exercise 2: Adhesive Matching

  • Choose 3 project ideas (e.g., coaster, wall art, outdoor piece)
  • Decide which adhesive you would use for each
  • Justify your choices

Exercise 3: Material Mapping

  • Create a simple chart:

    Tile type → Best base → Best adhesive


From Practice to Permanent

Understanding sourcing is what allows you to confidently move into:

  • Garden pavers
  • Bird baths
  • Architectural inlays
  • Outdoor installations

Without this knowledge, long-term work becomes guesswork.

With it — you build mosaics that last.

Mindful Practice

This section is optional — return to it whenever you want to slow down and reconnect.

As you explore materials, pause and notice:

  • The weight of a tile in your hand
  • The texture under your fingertips
  • The subtle differences in colour

Ask yourself gently: “What am I drawn to today — and why?”

There is no right answer here.

Sourcing materials can become a quiet, grounding ritual — one that connects you to your creativity before the work even begins.

Reflection / Assessment

  • Do I understand which materials suit indoor vs outdoor work?
  • Can I confidently choose an adhesive for a given project?
  • Am I selecting materials intentionally, or just by appearance?

Optional: What materials felt most inspiring to me today?

Next Steps / Progression

Now that you understand how to source your materials, the next step is learning how to prepare and work with them effectively.

➡️ Next Lesson: Recommended beginner-friendly suppliers

Explore the Mosaic Learning Hub

Build your mosaic skills through the full Shimmer & Whimsy learning pathway, starting with the Mosaic Crash Course, the perfect beginner’s hub for understanding materials, tools, terminology, grout, tesserae, and a complete guide to mosaic techniques. From there, explore the Andamento Hub for movement, flow, and tile direction, then go deeper with the Andamento Masterclass and Coloured-Grout Masterclass for more confident creative control. Follow the structured course pathway through Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4, or choose the Full Course if you want the complete guided learning experience from beginner foundations through advanced mosaic-making. You can also keep exploring through The Mosaic Library, the Tutorial Videos Library, and the Full Blog Library for extra guidance, inspiration, and skill-building support whenever you need it.

If you’re ready to keep learning beyond this guide

Explore the full mosaic learning pathway through the Complete Mosaic Masterclass, beginning with the Level 1 Mosaic Masterclass for beginner foundations, then moving into the Level 2 Mosaic Masterclass for andamento, mesh method, multi-coloured grout, flow, colour theory, and creative control. From there, continue into the Level 3 Mosaic Masterclass for advanced technique, tesserae shaping, shard painting, mottling, texture, light, and material mastery, before stepping into the Level 4 Mosaic Masterclass for large-scale work, architectural thinking, installation foundations, durability, commissions, and professional artist practice. You can also deepen specific skills through The Andamento MasterClass and the Multi-Coloured Grout MasterClass, or explore the wider Mosaic Learning Hub and The Mosaic Maker’s Studio DIY Kits to pair your learning with hands-on practice.

✨ Explore More Mosaic Stories

Find the design that speaks to your season of life

Every Shimmer & Whimsy House design carries its own little world — a story of growth, resilience, love, healing, courage, or becoming. If Willow reminds you to keep caring through uncertainty, you may also love these other mosaic stories.

🦅 Wildlife, Protection & Conservation Stories

🌿 Growth, Healing & Becoming Stories

🌸 Flowers, Softness & Self-Trust Stories

🍎 Boundaries, Wisdom & Emotional Strength

🐞 Kindness, Difference & True Worth

🎭 Deeper Emotional Art Stories

🏡 Step Into the Whole Shimmer & Whimsy World

If you love story-led mosaic art, you can also explore:

Every design begins as a handmade mosaic, then grows into a world of meaningful pieces — art for your walls, objects for your rituals, gifts for people you love, and creative experiences for those ready to make something with their own hands.

There is no one right way to connect with a story.
You can hang it, wear it, gift it, collect it, carry it, or create it yourself.