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Learn how to make these stunning handmade tiles to create your own unique mosaic project. This technique gives you freedom to customise your colour and theme of the tiles.
1. Make Your Tiles
Condition your polymer clay, use guides to roll it out to a consistent thickness, if you are unsure of how to do this click on this link.
Using your acrylic rubber stamps press them into the clay to make an impression. When doing this press only on the design not the side of the stamp, as you don't want the outline of the stamp in your design. If you find that the polymer clay is sticking to the rubber stamps, use some talcum powder or a fine spray of water as a releasing agent.
I wanted to create a travel theme on this box, so I used a combination of writing, postage and clock face stamp designs, with the quote 'Treasure These Memories'.
Cut the tiles into the desired shape and size.
When making the tiles I blended the polymer clay colours using the following technique. This gives me a graduation of colours and ensured that they worked with each other:
- Start with one colour and make your first few tiles, then blend this colour with white and make a few more. Keep doing this to get a graduation of colour.
- One you have enough of this coloured tile put the remaining clay to the side.
- Get your next colour and follow the same process.
- Then take your remnants of both colours and combine them together to create a few tiles. You can use white to create a graduation of this colour.
2. Applying Pearl Ex Mica Powder
Pearl Ex is a mica powder that you can apply to your unfired polymer clay to give a metallic or pearlescent finish to the clay. In this project I have used a paint brush to apply the Pearl Ex. I encourage you to experience with this stage to see what different looks you can create. Experiment with adding a little, then adding a lot and then combine the colours to produce a different look. Use the paint brush to work the Pearl Ex into the polymer clay.
3. Once you have enough tiles bake them in your oven
Bake your clay pieces on an oven-proof glass or metal surface at the baking temperature and time listed on the package. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT exceed the recommended baking temperature or baking time. Carefully remove from oven and allow to cool. Baking should be completed by an adult.
Baking Time:
275 °F (130 °C)
30 minutes per 1/4 inch (6 mm) thickness
While many items used with polymer clay may be found in our home kitchens, once used for polymer clay, they should not be used for food purposes.
4. Cutting the baked tiles to size
Baked tiles can be cut to size using a sharp blade. To get the correct size, turn the tiles over and place a line on the back of the tile where you need to cut. Cut the tile face down along the line you have marked.
Use a PVA adhesive to adhere the tiles to the top of the box. Paint any untiled sides with acrylic paint to finish the box.
