| One of the most colorful forms of art around today is | | | | Create your design on this piece of paper. Work from |
| that of the mosaic. You can take the most ordinary | | | | the middle towards the edges, and of course place the |
| item - a glass, a clock, a mirror, a birdbath, and by the | | | | piece of tile or glass with about 1/8 to 1/2 inch space |
| application of tile or glass or small stones, turn it into an | | | | between them, for the grout. Once you've finished |
| eye-catching piece of art. | | | | your design - let it "sit" for a few hours. Come back to |
| Don't be too ambitious to start with! | | | | it when you're fresh, and if you still like it, it's time to do |
| If you are new to the world of the mosaic, you do not | | | | the real thing. |
| want to start out with a somewhat advanced project | | | | Step Three |
| like making a table top. Start out with small projects. | | | | Trace your design with a pencil on the tabletop |
| You can purchase kits to make coasters, mirrors, | | | | backing. Then, slowly, transfer your design, |
| votivs and more. By doing so, you'll become | | | | piece-by-piece, from the piece of paper to the tabletop |
| accustomed to how to use your applicator tools - the | | | | backing, using the adhesive to fix it into place. |
| trowel, the spreader, the grout sponge, and the craft | | | | Depending on the size of your pieces and the design |
| sticks. You'll be working both with an adhesive and a | | | | that you're creating, this process can take a long time, |
| grout, so you'll want to get practice in that before you | | | | so be patient, and careful. Again, work from the middle |
| move on to more advanced projects. | | | | outwards. Remember to leave those spaces between |
| And after you've had a bit of practice, it's time to | | | | the tesserae for the grout! |
| make a tabletop for to fit into your table base. (You | | | | Step Four |
| don't need to stop there, of course. You can also | | | | Once you've finished the design, allow everything to |
| apply the tile or glass to the base and create an | | | | dry. (Read the directions on the adhesive to see how |
| all-in-one piece!) | | | | long it takes to do so. Then give it an extra hour just to |
| Step One | | | | be on the safe side!) |
| First, you'll need to purchase a table base and backing | | | | Now you're ready to apply the grout. Mix your grout |
| especially designed for a mosaic tabletop, with an inlay | | | | according to the directions and apply it with your |
| into which you can set the mosaic. | | | | trowel. Use your sponge to wipe the grout off the tops |
| Your choice of the backing will depend on where you | | | | of the mosaic pieces. If you wait until the grout dries to |
| will keep this table. If it is outside, you'll need to choose | | | | do so, it will be much for difficult to remove it, so don't |
| a backing that will not warp in the rain or snow. Home | | | | wait! |
| improvement stores carry such materials as | | | | Don't start using your table right away! Again, read the |
| Hardibacker or Wonderboard, which are | | | | directions on the container of grout to know how long |
| recommended. The sturdier the backing the better, as | | | | you should let the tabletop "set" before you start using |
| mosaic does get heavy. | | | | it. And if it's an outside table, spray it with a sealer to |
| Step Two | | | | further protect it. |
| Take a sheet of plain paper, as large as your tabletop, | | | | Then sit back with a cold drink set on a mosaic |
| and on it draw the design that you want to use. | | | | coaster on your mosaic tabletop, and relax! |