I know a mosaic artist who works in stained glass, broken china and other types of tesserae. Some of her mosaic supplies are large pieces and she stores them in large bins in her garage studio - she also has a large cupboard with those big plastic drawers to store her mosaic bits and bobs. When I began working with the tiny ceramic tiles I use, the largest size of which is only 1/4" square, I wondered how I would store them for easy use.
At first I used a stack of clear plastic cups. I could nest the cups and see the colors. However, there are so many colors that it became a challenge to keep from spilling the tiles and I didn't have a good place to put all the cups. My husband suggested a toolbox or fishing tackle box. We got to thinking that those plastic trays that have lids and little compartments might be just the thing. First we checked out one of the home improvement centers. They had all sorts of those plastic lidded trays in various sizes and configurations. There were two problems with them however: 1) they were somewhat too flexible and 2) when the lid was closed it did not meet the top edges of the dividers snugly. This second problem would mean that if I were to tip or upend a closed container, the little tiles - especially the 1/8" square size - would escape from their compartments and mingle.
Our next stop was a Bass Pro Shop in a neighboring community - we figured they ought to have a large selection of fishing tackle boxes and they did! It turns out that the plastic lidded containers are much more rigid and the lids close snugly against the compartment dividers. [Probably helps to keep hooks and other fishing paraphernalia in their assigned spots.] The model I purchased holds my entire collection of tiles...plus it has room for other supplies like adhesive, nippers and more. And because these tiny tiles by themselves are nearly weightless, my collection gathered into one tackle box isn't heavy at all.
The style I chose has three large compartment-ed and lidded trays and four little ones. The top section of the tackle box opens up and has a roomy section where I keep the other supplies. On each side of the top are two built-in compartments in which I keep my overflow bags of tiles.
As shown in the photo, one of the larger trays can handle quite a few tiles. It makes it easy to keep color groups together also. I use a thin point black Sharpie marker to put the tile color identification on the lid of the trays for easy reference both for color mapping a new work and for ordering purposes when replenishing supplies.
Once I had everything all set up with this tackle box storage system, my table full of plastic cups seemed pretty silly. My drafting table is large enough that I can keep the tackle box on it and work easily and conveniently.
Having a good storage system helps to make work go quicker and easier. [When I used to work in colored pencils, I kept my pencils - sorted in color families - in decorative boxes. My acrylic paints I kept in stack-able plastic drawer units.] I'm thinking of making some mosaic ornaments for sale for Christmas this year and am planning to use 3/8" square glass tiles...I think I'll get another tackle box!
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