A mosaic tile member has a backing layer with a top adhesive surface for adhering at least two sets of individual tiles onto the backing layer in spaced relationship to permit grouting between the individual tiles. Each set of individual tiles has a foam base layer that is approximately 67 to 80 percent of the overall thickness of the mosaic tile. A design layer and a transparent protective wear layer cover the foam base layer. The design for one set of individual tiles can differ from the design for the other set of individual tiles. An adhesive is provided on the bottom of the backing layer to enable the mosaic tile to self-adhere to a wall, ceiling and floor surface. Individual tiles in the mosaic tile can be punched out or cut from a blank laminate of the foam base layer, the design layer and the protective wear layer.

A string kit and method of use are provided that converts an image into simple directions to create string art. The string kit includes a container foldable into a stand. The stand includes a rigid backing, a canvas mounted on the backing, canvas holders positioned on the backing, nails transversing the canvas, and a thread holder mounted on the backing. The string kit also includes a string art application that converts an image into a series of directions for placing the thread around the nails, thereby creating a string art replica of the image over the canvas. A method for making a string art is also discussed.

A string kit and method of use are provided that converts an image into simple directions to create string art. The string kit includes a container foldable into a stand. The stand includes a rigid backing, a canvas mounted on the backing, canvas holders positioned on the backing, nails transversing the canvas, and a thread holder mounted on the backing. The string kit also includes a string art application that converts an image into a series of directions for placing the thread around the nails, thereby creating a string art replica of the image over the canvas. A method for making a string art is also discussed.

A matrix for fabric is provided, comprising a engaging portions and decorating portions. The engaging portions are disposed over a specific surface area of the fabric. The decorating portions are installed at the engaging portions. The decorating portions form letters or patterns on the specific surface area of the fabric. The engaging portions may be aligned so as to form a lattice. Eyes of the lattice may be triangular, rectangular, or hexagonal. Each of the engaging portions may have a hole through the fabric. The engaging portions may comprise eyelets, each of which being fixed to the hole at an external perimeter of the eyelet. Each of the decorating portions may comprise a string, and the string may be queued through or tied at some of the eyelets, so as to form the letter or pattern.

A matrix for letters and patterns on fabric is provided. The matrix comprises holes, edge portions, and decorating portions. The holes are disposed in a matrix form, and each of them is provided through the fabric. Each of the edge portions is installed at one of the holes. Each of the decorating portions is detachably attached to one of the edge portions. The holes and the edge portions may be combined so as to form engaging portions. Another matrix for letters and patterns on fabric may be provided, and the matrix comprises holes, each of which being provided through the fabric, disposed in a matrix form. Each of the holes comprises a vertical slit portion, a top end portion of warps, and a bottom end portion of warps. The matrix may comprise two side dot portions disposed on both sides of each of the vertical slit portions.

A clean version of the amended Abstract is shown as follows: There is disclosed a method of printing onto the surface of a substrate, which method comprises i) coating a donor surface with a monolayer of particles, ii) treating the substrate surface to render at least selected regions tacky, and iii) contacting the substrate surface with the donor surface to cause particles to transfer from the donor surface only to the tacky regions of the substrate surface. After printing on a substrate, the donor surface returns to the coating station where the continuity of the monolayer is restored by recovering with fresh particles the regions of the donor surface exposed by the transfer of particles to the substrate.

A clean version of the amended Abstract is shown as follows: There is disclosed a method of printing onto the surface of a substrate, which method comprises i) coating a donor surface with a monolayer of particles, ii) treating the substrate surface to render at least selected regions tacky, and iii) contacting the substrate surface with the donor surface to cause particles to transfer from the donor surface only to the tacky regions of the substrate surface. After printing on a substrate, the donor surface returns to the coating station where the continuity of the monolayer is restored by recovering with fresh particles the regions of the donor surface exposed by the transfer of particles to the substrate.

A method of forming an aesthetic surface on a concrete structure. The aesthetic surface includes a mosaic design including a plurality of aesthetic elements, such as tiles, aggregate or the like, which are embedded within the hardened concrete structure. The aesthetic elements are affixed to the concrete form in the arrangement corresponding to the mosaic design prior to using the form during construction of the concrete structure. The concrete is poured into the form and allowed to harden, after which, the forms are stripped from the concrete, thereby exposing the embedded aesthetic elements within the concrete structure.

A method of forming an aesthetic surface on a concrete structure. The aesthetic surface includes a mosaic design including a plurality of aesthetic elements, such as tiles, aggregate or the like, which are embedded within the hardened concrete structure. The aesthetic elements are affixed to the concrete form in the arrangement corresponding to the mosaic design prior to using the form during construction of the concrete structure. The concrete is poured into the form and allowed to harden, after which, the forms are stripped from the concrete, thereby exposing the embedded aesthetic elements within the concrete structure.

An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.