If you love using an eclectic range of materials to create your mosaics then this project is for you. It's very easy to create and a great way to utitlise your leftover materials.
Included in this project are tips for using glass rods & chain ball.
Materials
Steps:
1. Sealing wooden mirror base
This is an indoor project that is not suitable for areas where it will be exposed to moisture or water, as it is not waterproof. As wood is porous the mirror base needs to be sealed before tiling. A mixture of Weldbond adhesive & water can be used as the sealer in a ratio of 1 part Weldbond to 5 parts water, apply two coats allowing each coat to dry thoroughly (30 minutes to 1 hour). Coat the area where you will be tiling by using a paint brush.
2. Tiling the Face of the Mirror
The Weldbond adhesive can be applied either directly to the mirror base or painted individually onto the back of the tiles. By far the quickest method is to paint the adhesive onto the mirror base. When using this method apply to small sections at a time to avoid the adhesive drying out. When the tiles have been laid allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours before applying the grout. Run your hand over the tiles to ensure they are all firmly adhered before grouting. If any are loose, remove them and re-adhere.
Using Glass Rods
The glass rods have been used in a variety of ways, they are easily cut with wheeled nippers.
The blue circles have been created by cutting the glass rods in small sections and displaying the cross-section.
When using transparent rods make sure that the background is white or a light colour, you can do this by either painting the background or using a cement-based adhesive.
Using Chain Ball
Chain ball is a fantastic mosaic material because when it is covered in grout all you see is a line of balls protruding through the grout. It's very effective for creating borders, outlining shapes or just lines.
3. Grouting Time
When grouting a piece like this you need to protect the surrounding area, for this I use masking tape. For more information on the grouting process click here.
Legal Disclaimer: No warranty is implied by these instructions. Use at your own risk. The Mosaic Store and its proprietors are not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of this information, nor for any omission in the advice. Please wear appropriate safety equipment when cutting mosaic materials and using grouts and adhesives. Keep out of reach of children.