Jesmonite projects using Terrazzo Chips are super popular and for good reason. It really makes your Jesmonite project stand out and you can be incredibly creative. Terrazzo really takes your projects to the next level so how do you make those colourful Terrezzo Chips? Luckily it could not be easier to make your very own range of coloured chips to add to your next project using Jesmonite AC100.
To start we suggest making enough to add to a coaster project so you are not stretching yourself and you can start understand the techniques behind this fantastic looking effect.
What you need:
Colours
When choosing the pigments you are going to use it might be an idea to have some contrast for your first attempt. Classic combinations of White with Black Terrazzo Chips or White and Navy Terrazzo Chips work really well as they have a stark contrast. If you are not sure or need inspiration just google “Jesmonite Terrazzo” in images for some visual ideas but perhaps leave more complicated combinations for a project further down the road!
Step One
Prepare your working area and cover anything that you dont want to get any mess on. Gather everying from the list above so that it is easily to hand. Cut your plastic bag or baking paper to a 18 inch by 24 inch rectangle. It doesn't have to be exact and if you have room you can make it a little bigger. Set that aside.
Step Two
Mixing. Put your mixing pot onto the digital scales and accurately measure your 20 grams of Jesmonite Liquid into your pot. Next mix 50 grams of Jesmonite Powder in with the liquid. Mix this mixture well for around 2 - 3 minutes methodically until you have a smooth and silky mixture. Make sure that you have scaped the sides and bottom of the mixing pot and all of the powder and liquid has been combined and there are no clumps of unmixed material. Try not to mix vigorously as you want to avoid air bubbles!
Step Three
Adding your Jesmonite Pigment. It is now time to add your chosen pigment and in this amount of mixed Jesmonite 2 drops should do it! The pigment really does go a very long way so don't be tempted to add any more at this stage. Again methodically mix your pigment through the body of your Jesmonite until you have an opaque and strong block of colour with no streaks. Again mix around the side and bottom of your mixing cup.
Step Four
Appy the Mixture to the Plastic Sheet / Baking Paper. Lay out your Plastic Sheet / Baking Paper so that it is flat. You can now pour your mixture into the middle of your sheeting and allow the mix to self level. You can now brush your mixture over the surface of the sheet until you get an even finish. Brushing the mixture can be a little tricky and you may need to anchor each side and brush away from the anchor point in turn. A coverage of two thirds to three quarters of the available area will be about right. You can use the brush to collect all of your mixture from the mixing pot and onto your working area.
There is no right and wrong finished thickness (this may vary depending on the effect you are going for) but for this exercise making sure you can't see the plastic sheet or baking paper through your mixture will give an even Terrazzo Chip. You want it not to be too thick and not too thin! Essentially this is just like painting onto a nice flat surface and you really can't go wrong. Please note that really stretching out the mixture over the plastic will create very thin and flaky Terrazzo Chips which easily break down into very small pieces which can be more difficult to work with.
Step Five
Allow your Terrazzo patch to cure for 45 minutes. A little longer than you need but it will make sure the jesmonite has cured fully and your Terrazzo is dry and crispy. Carefully pick up a corner of your plastic / baking paper and fold over to the middle and you will immediately start to see your Terrazzo Chips flake off in loose pieces. This stage is somehow very satisfying as you break away the dried Jesmonite mixture from the plastic sheeting. It is then up to you how large you require your Terrazzo Chips but a quarter of a finger nail size or slightly smaller is a rough guide. If you pop your Chips into a mixing pot and use the handle of a your brush you can methodically break tease down to your desired size……..It's that easy.
Stay tuned for our next How to Guide…………Using Terrazzo Chips with your next Jesmonite project.