Now and again a beautiful mosaic table top, picture frame or mirror will catch your eye like the glint of a perfect diamond. Never mind paying retail for something that can easily be made over a weekend with just a little elbow grease and some inspiration.
A mosaic cafe table top or candle holders, clocks, trivets, bird houses or picture frames can be made and treasured without putting a large dent in your pocket. These make great gifts for that special person who appreciates unique hand-crafted items or unusual art.
Necessary Mosaic Materials
- shards of broken dishes (flat shards are best)
- shards of colored bottles
- broken pieces of costume jewelry
- Scrabble letters (to form words or sayings)
- miniature tiles from hardware, craft, or tile stores
- wrought iron table with glass top
- plain picture frame
- flower pot
- trivet
- flat-framed mirror
- plain wood birdhouse
Necessary Mosaic Tools
- plastic gloves
- adhesive (tile mastic)
- grout (use gloves when working with grout)
- safety glasses
- optional: scorer/breaker, grout sealer, tile nipper
- sandpaper (medium) or metal file
Directions for a Mosaic Project
- Begin by preparing the glass by texturizing it with a thin layer of mastic. Prepare wood by lightly sanding.
- When laying down the shards or tiles, start at the center of table (or mirror or trivet), working outward from the center toward the edges. Place small dab of mastic on back of tile or shard and press firmly onto the surface. Use just enough mastic so none seeps out while pressing down.
- Table should be left to dry at least 6-8 hours before grouting.
- To grout in between the tiles and shards, press it into the spaces between shards carefully with gloved hands. Remove excess by wiping with a towel. Allow to dry for an hour, then wipe down with slightly damp sponge. If necessary, file down rough edges with sandpaper or metal file.
- Wipe and clean with a glass cleaner for a clean finish.
History of Mosaic Art
Mosaic art goes back four thousand years or more. In 200 BC, the Greeks were using specially made pieces called "tesserae" in detailed and colorful mosaic pieces which imitated paintings.
The Greeks also used precise geometric patterns and detailed scenes of people and animals to create fine art out of mosaics.
Today's Craft-Inspired Mosaics
These are the kinds of projects which only get better over time. As confidence grows, the colors, style, and patterns will most likely become more experimental and creative as the artist within emerges.
Today's designs are as unique as the artist who creates them. These weekend projects can take broken dishes, scrabble letters and bits of costume jewelry and twist them all into art.
Looking for mosaic items such as tiles, glass, picture frames, trivets or tools? Try this online store or view this mosaic gallery for some wonderful inspiration.
Vicki F. Chavis - Growing up in Asia, Europe and North America left Vicki with a love of cuisine, history, language, fashion and travel. Today she writes on ...
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