August 8, 2006 - This is my first attempt at mosaic. It's a table
top that sits on a wooden spool from a wire company.
To start, Gary cut a 2' x 2' piece of 3/4" plywood. I attached the
vitreous glass tiles to the plywood using Weldbond glue and
applied a white sanded grout after the glue fully cured for a week.
To finish off the edge of the plywood, Gary used some straight
molding and made it even with the tile on the top, which created a
lip on the bottom. This ensures that the top does not slide around
on top of the spool (the spool is about 23" in diameter). I painted
the trim a light green.
top that sits on a wooden spool from a wire company.
To start, Gary cut a 2' x 2' piece of 3/4" plywood. I attached the
vitreous glass tiles to the plywood using Weldbond glue and
applied a white sanded grout after the glue fully cured for a week.
To finish off the edge of the plywood, Gary used some straight
molding and made it even with the tile on the top, which created a
lip on the bottom. This ensures that the top does not slide around
on top of the spool (the spool is about 23" in diameter). I painted
the trim a light green.
| Mosaics |
January 18, 2007 - I purchased some plain white
wooden frames for another project, which I never
completed, so I decided to mosaic the edges. I will not
be grouting these. Glue on the tiles with Weldbond or
some other type of adhesive that dries clear and you are
done. I did place a heavy book on top of the frame to
make sure they adhered well, but that is probably not
necessary. The first frame on the left, I used stained glass
pieces cut to approximately 3/4" x 3/4". The second
frame is a mixture of mirror and stained glass cut to 1/2"
x 1" and the last two are 3/4" x 3/4" vitreous tiles.
wooden frames for another project, which I never
completed, so I decided to mosaic the edges. I will not
be grouting these. Glue on the tiles with Weldbond or
some other type of adhesive that dries clear and you are
done. I did place a heavy book on top of the frame to
make sure they adhered well, but that is probably not
necessary. The first frame on the left, I used stained glass
pieces cut to approximately 3/4" x 3/4". The second
frame is a mixture of mirror and stained glass cut to 1/2"
x 1" and the last two are 3/4" x 3/4" vitreous tiles.
| See how I made this gazing ball here. |
February 8, 2007 - This is a mosaic birdhouse made from a pre-made wooden birdhouse like you can buy at the craft store. I
used weldbond to attach the tiles and grey grout. This birdhouse is for an inside decoration only.
used weldbond to attach the tiles and grey grout. This birdhouse is for an inside decoration only.
| Ungrouted birdhouse is on the left with the finished house on the right. |
March 20, 2007 - This hexagon table was found at the thrift store for $5. It's about 18" at it's widest point.
This design was originally inspired by a mandala called the seed of life. As you can tell from the link, my end design turned out
differently, but the inspiration of the mandala was vital to the end design. I used the indirect method to mosaic the top by placing
the tiles upside down on clear contact paper with the design template underneath the contact paper.
This design was originally inspired by a mandala called the seed of life. As you can tell from the link, my end design turned out
differently, but the inspiration of the mandala was vital to the end design. I used the indirect method to mosaic the top by placing
the tiles upside down on clear contact paper with the design template underneath the contact paper.
First I outlined the table with whole black 3/4" x 3/4" venetian (vitreous) tiles. I filled in the corners with tiles cut to size. I have
gotten the hang of cutting these tiles since my first project in 2006 and really like working with them now. I filled in the open areas
with the caramel colored tile and outlined the larger circle that was supposed to be the start of the mandala pattern.
Once the complete design was laid out on the contact paper, I slide the entire piece onto another table top and then spread
Weldbond glue all over the table using a spatula that had little ridges cut out on the end.
gotten the hang of cutting these tiles since my first project in 2006 and really like working with them now. I filled in the open areas
with the caramel colored tile and outlined the larger circle that was supposed to be the start of the mandala pattern.
Once the complete design was laid out on the contact paper, I slide the entire piece onto another table top and then spread
Weldbond glue all over the table using a spatula that had little ridges cut out on the end.
April 19, 2007 - Below is a mosaic birdbath made from a terra cotta
saucer.
I started with a 14" terra cotta saucer like the ones that go underneath
clay pots. I rinsed it out and made sure it was free of debris. After it
dried, I applied three coats of a matte penetrating sealer for tile and
grout to the entire saucer. This preps the saucer for the adhesive and
prevents the clay from absorbing the moisture in the adhesive too
quickly, thereby using less adhesive. This is especially helpful when
using thinset mortar or a pre-mixed concrete patch as the adhesive
(which is what I used).
saucer.
I started with a 14" terra cotta saucer like the ones that go underneath
clay pots. I rinsed it out and made sure it was free of debris. After it
dried, I applied three coats of a matte penetrating sealer for tile and
grout to the entire saucer. This preps the saucer for the adhesive and
prevents the clay from absorbing the moisture in the adhesive too
quickly, thereby using less adhesive. This is especially helpful when
using thinset mortar or a pre-mixed concrete patch as the adhesive
(which is what I used).
| Once again I used the indirect method by designing it on contact paper first then laying it in the bottom of the saucer after I put a thin layer of the concrete patch on the bottom. I used vitreous glass tiles with some light blue glass nuggets in the center. After three days of letting the adhesive dry, I grouted it with a gray sanded grout using Admix as the liquid. I sealed it after a couple of days to make sure the grout was completely cured. See a step-by-step tutorial on how to make your own birdbath here. |
This is a bowling ball I made for my mom for
Mother's Day, using stained glass and mirror. I used
the same concrete patch that I used for the birdbath.
It was finished with black grout and sealed with a
penetrating grout sealer. The stand is a metal lamp
shade painted silver and then black to give it a pewter
type finish.
Mother's Day, using stained glass and mirror. I used
the same concrete patch that I used for the birdbath.
It was finished with black grout and sealed with a
penetrating grout sealer. The stand is a metal lamp
shade painted silver and then black to give it a pewter
type finish.
This is a birdhouse that I made for my mom's birthday in 2008. I
started with a wooden birdhouse that can be purchased at any craft
store. I primed the birdhouse with a 50/50 mixture of water and
Weldbond PVA glue and then used Weldbond to adhere the vitreous
tiles that were nipped into smaller pieces. I used a black sanded
grout and a mosaic gloss sealer over the whole thing.
started with a wooden birdhouse that can be purchased at any craft
store. I primed the birdhouse with a 50/50 mixture of water and
Weldbond PVA glue and then used Weldbond to adhere the vitreous
tiles that were nipped into smaller pieces. I used a black sanded
grout and a mosaic gloss sealer over the whole thing.
This mirror was a thrift store find (See
a before picture here). I used stained
glass and mirrors that were glued on
with Weldbond. Again, black grout
was used with a gloss mosaic sealer.
a before picture here). I used stained
glass and mirrors that were glued on
with Weldbond. Again, black grout
was used with a gloss mosaic sealer.
This is a neat little spice rack I pickedup at a thrift store for $2.99.
When you open it up, there is a list of spices and what they are used for
on the inside door. It hangs on the wall and has two shelves for holding
spices. I haven't grouted it yet and will post an updated picture when
the time comes. For now I am not doing any more grouting indoors if I
can help it.
When you open it up, there is a list of spices and what they are used for
on the inside door. It hangs on the wall and has two shelves for holding
spices. I haven't grouted it yet and will post an updated picture when
the time comes. For now I am not doing any more grouting indoors if I
can help it.
| See what this spice rack looked like before I did a mosaic on it. |
This terra cotta planter has not been grouted yet. Since I made this in the house, I used a premixed
concrete patch for the adhesive, as it is very easy to work with. Not sure what color I will grout it,
but I might experiment with making my own color.
concrete patch for the adhesive, as it is very easy to work with. Not sure what color I will grout it,
but I might experiment with making my own color.
It's going a little slower than I'd like, but
then again I haven't been working on it
every minute. This is probably the
largest project I've worked on and I'm
excited to see how it will come out.
The top and bottom are a wooden base
that Gary made so that it would stand
up on it's own. The pedestal is made of
some sort of resin.
Update: 3-27-08
It's finally ready for grout. I'll probably
go with a grey color.
then again I haven't been working on it
every minute. This is probably the
largest project I've worked on and I'm
excited to see how it will come out.
The top and bottom are a wooden base
that Gary made so that it would stand
up on it's own. The pedestal is made of
some sort of resin.
Update: 3-27-08
It's finally ready for grout. I'll probably
go with a grey color.
Here are some small bird baths made from 8" terra cotta saucers. They could also be used as a catch-all for keys or your wallet
on a dresser or counter. They would also be neat as extra large coasters on a patio.
on a dresser or counter. They would also be neat as extra large coasters on a patio.
Then I just flipped the whole thing over back onto the table top and let it dry for
several days before removing the contact paper.
You will know when the glue is dry when it is no longer white. It is vital for Weldbond
to turn clear before grouting or the pieces will not hold.
several days before removing the contact paper.
You will know when the glue is dry when it is no longer white. It is vital for Weldbond
to turn clear before grouting or the pieces will not hold.
| The birdbaths below range in size from 10" - 16". |
| Last Updated on March 6, 2010 |
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| Oct/Nov 2009 Issue of Birds & Blooms |
This wooden bowl to the left was found at the thrift store. The bowl
itself was solid and in good shape structurally, but wasn't very nice
looking. So I gave it new life and turned it into a beautiful work of art.
It is currently on sale in our Etsy shop.
itself was solid and in good shape structurally, but wasn't very nice
looking. So I gave it new life and turned it into a beautiful work of art.
It is currently on sale in our Etsy shop.
This was a vintage wooden platter that was covered in shades of
This tray was covered in 3/4" glass vitreous tiles. The tray was left
natural. This tray is also for sale in our Etsy shop.
This tray was covered in 3/4" glass vitreous tiles. The tray was left
natural. This tray is also for sale in our Etsy shop.
