PixelHobby is a new mini-mosaic craft.
With it you can create custom designs from your cherished photographs or choose from ready-to-assemble kits.
PixelHobby designs can range in size from 4"x5" to any combination of 4"x5" increments.
Designs can range from just a few colors up to 300 colors.
The following sections explain the parts of a PixelHobby design and how designs are assembled.
Below is one of our latest designs.
As you can see from the picture it is the the completed pixel picture in 56 PixelHobby Baseplates.
PixelHobby designs are based upon small plastic tiles called Pixels.
Pixels are available in over 300 beautiful colors.
The moulding process creates a soft plastic tile with a matte finish.
The pixel size allows detailed designs to be created without being too intricate.
Pixels of a particular colour are sold by the Pixel Square and are currently $0.75 per square.
A pixel square includes 140 pixels as shown below.
The colour number of the pixel square is molded onto the back of the square in the centre.
This makes it very easy to identify each color.
During assembly, a pixel is removed from a pixel square simply by pulling it off using tweezers.
PixelHobby baseplates hold the pixels of a design.
A baseplate is 4 inches x 5 inches in size and accommodates 2000 pixels.
Baseplates are made of clear plastic.
Each pixel location on a baseplate provides a small peg onto which a pixel is positioned.
No adhesive is necessary to hold a pixel on to a baseplate since a snug fit occurs between the pixel and baseplate peg.
Designs are worked by pulling-off a pixel from a pixel square using tweezers, and then positioning the pixel onto a peg of a baseplate.
Design sheets, either provided with a kit or printed using the PixelHobby software, make it very easy to know where to place each pixel of a design.
An example sheet is shown below.
Design sheets include 2 large rectangles with symbols inside.
Each rectangle is called a design rectangle.
During assembly, a baseplate (which you can see through) is positioned over a design rectangle and then the symbols under it are read to determine what color should be used.
A symbol key is shown next to each design rectangle.
Only four colours are shown per design rectangle to make it easier to locate the symbols.
As a result, each baseplate of a design will usually require several design rectangles.
A design is worked by taking the first design sheet, positioning an empty baseplate over the first design rectangle, and then covering all of the symbols shown with the corresponding pixel colour.
The baseplate is then moved to the next design rectangle and the next group of colours are added.
Make sure that you move the baseplate in the same direction as it has already been worked otherwise you can transpose your plate and you will find gaps at the end that don't make sense.
There is an arrow on the back of the baseplate so use this as a guide as to the direction you need to place it on your Design Rectangle at all times.
This is repeated until the baseplate is completely filled.
For designs that use multiple baseplates, this procedure is then continued for the remaining baseplates of the design.
If several people will be helping with the project, then each person can be assigned a baseplate to assemble.
This makes PixelHobby a great family project.
After all of the baseplates of the design are completed, the full design is assembled by taping the back sides of the plates together using a sturdy clear tape. However, currently we are providing the little connectors at no extra cost in all the kits which some people find easier to use to join the baseplates together.
The completed masterpiece can then be framed for display.
The time needed to fill a baseplate will depend upon the number of colours used on that plate, the pace you set for yourself, and your skill level.
Typical times range from 4 to 7 hours per baseplate.
Our prices are NZ$0.75 for each Pixel Square [holding 140 pixels] and NZ$7.50 for the Baseplates.
When you work out what your design will look like for the finished picture you can then go to the "Print" Option and on the page that shows you will see how many baseplates and pixel squares you will need.
You then just need to multiply that number by the prices quoted above and you know exactly how much your picture will cost you.
If you don't use all the pixels in a square you need to store these in numerical order so that you can use them in the next design you work on.
While working in the picture if you place your mouse over the colour chart at the bottom of the page you can see how many of each colour are required - by doing this you can then automatically see if you have enough squares to complete the picture with that colour or if you need to order more.
That means by saving your pixels from one kit to the next you are able to reduce your costs because you already have a number of the colours on hand.
Custom PixelHobby Designs can be created from your own photographs or other digital or scanned artwork.
Our PixelHobby Designer Lite software makes it easy to create your own designs.
Use it to convert your picture, print-out the design sheets, and then order the supplies needed for the design you are wanting to work on.
This was the first large picture [16 Baseplates] we did for one of our Agents in Auckland.
We were very privileged to be able to lend this beautifully framed picture for display purposes at two of the Dunkleys Shows in Auckland.
It's Titled God of All.
It was designed from an original painting [the person doing this kit knew the artist and the model for the picture] and it has a very sad story behind it.
Unfortunately we do not have a photo of it in the frame.
'PixelHobby Designer' - Online Design Software Program
Click here to create your own pixel projects from scratch or uploading an image.
Off-the-shelf kits are also available.
These kits include the design sheets, pixels, connectors and baseplates needed for the design.
As this is still a relatively new craft, we will be offering more and more kits to choose from over the coming months so keep in touch with us - we can e-mail or snail-mail you when new designs are available.
All you need to do is fill in the coupon on the Home Page to be included in our mailing list.
These are usually included in the regular Newsletter.
This picture "DragonLord" designed by Roberto Lombardi of Dar-Mosaic is the largest one we have sold being a total of 40 Baseplates.
It also sells very well in the United Kingdom and America.