Have you ever wanted to create a micromosaic? With this simple and clear guide prepared by Rebecca Di Filippo, you too can make a colourful and unique pendant.

Here’s how to do it!

Necessary Materials

Before you start, make sure you have the following materials:

You will also need:

Three small pieces of wood (one for mixing the stucco, one for resting your piece, one for flattening the tiles)
A bit of Patafix

Step 1: Preparing the Stucco

Mix the oil: fill the squeeze bottle with raw and boiled linseed oil in equal parts, and shake it to mix the two oils well.

Crush the stucco: using the wire cutters, break 2-3 grams of Roman stucco into small pieces and place them in the mortar. Grind the stucco until you obtain a very fine powder, similar to flour.

Create the mixture: once the stucco is ground with the spatula, take some and place it on a small piece of wood to mix it. Here you see about 0.60 grams of stucco powder, to which 2-3 drops of the previously mixed oil have been added. Gradually add the oil and, using the spatula, start to combine it with the stucco until you reach a consistency similar to modelling clay. If the mixture does not combine or crumbles, add a few more drops of oil, one at a time. If the mixture is too liquid, add more powder until you achieve the desired result.

Step 2: Applying the Stucco

Prepare the setting: place a layer of stucco in the setting using a wax carving tool. The layer should be at least 1 mm thick. Slightly bend the tip of the tool with pliers to achieve a better angle between the handle and the flat part. This will make it even easier to spread the stucco.

Use the correct tools: do we really need all these tools to apply the stucco? The answer is yes! Choose the most suitable tool based on the shape of the setting you have chosen for your micromosaic. For large surfaces, prefer larger tools; for edges, use the pointed tools found in the wax carving set.

Step 3: Cutting and Placing the Tiles

Cut the tiles: for this setting, the tiles should be between 2.5 and 3 mm high. Run the edge of the diamond file to slightly score the black thread. The mark should be exactly where you want the thread to break. At first, you can help yourself by measuring, but over time you will be able to do it by eye. Grip the part of the thread you want to break with the tweezers. Keeping the tweezers tight but not too forceful, tilt them and give a sharp snap: you have made your first tile.

Place the tiles: take the tile with the tweezers and prepare to place it in the stucco. The tile should be positioned vertically and pushed slightly into the stucco until the top of the tile aligns with the edge of the setting. Complete the outer ring of black tiles by placing them side by side.

Step 4: Central Decoration

Create the decoration: with the central decoration you can unleash all your creativity! Use the petal, flower, and leaf threads to create a unique floral decoration in the centre of your pendant. If some enamel threads are too thick and you cannot break them with the tweezers, you can help yourself with the wire cutters. Wear clear protective glasses. Do not bring your face too close while cutting, to avoid any tiles ending up in your eyes. Over time, you will be able to control the cutting of the tiles well, but it’s better not to take risks!

While placing the tiles of the central decoration do not lose sight of the height of the tiles, which should not protrude from the setting; and the inclination of the tiles that must be positioned vertically, perpendicular to the base. Do not rush: the Roman stucco used allows you to work on it calmly for a few days.

Keep an eye on the stucco: if you have put in too much, or if you are always using very tall tiles and pushing them too much into the stucco, it may rise. If it rises too much, reaching 1 mm or less from the edge, it is better to remove some using the carving tools or the tweezers.

Fill the empty spaces: once the central decoration is finished, it’s time to fill the empty spaces. Use the flat black thread and the black stringers to fill in the very small gaps.

When you are happy with the result, it’s time to give the finishing touch to your piece. Using a flat piece of wood, press down on the surface. This will level all the tiles and push them well into the stucco. Leave the micromosaic to dry for about three weeks before wearing it or doing any further work.