With a little imagination, you can easily put together a masterpiece for your garden or a one-of-a-kind gift with materials available from your local building supply store.
Whether you use rocks, marbles, buttons, game pieces, shells or pieces of tile, mirror, glass or china, you can make your own mosaic garden art in just one weekend using tools you already have on hand. Plan your pattern in advance, laying out all the pieces, or just create a design as you go along.
This terra-cotta saucer has been tranformed into an inspired bird bath using broken tiles, marbles and glass beads. Though these projects were made using grey grout, other colours are available.
MORE TIPS
• This mosaic technique also works on tabletops. Be sure to find a base that will stand up to the outdoors, such as marine plywood or metal.
• Not all cement-based adhesives are effective on wood, so prime the surface first. For indoor projects you can use non-water-soluble craft glue.
• Don't pour mortar or grout down the drain. Wait a day or two until it separates, then pour the liquid down the drain and put the solids into the garbage.
• Never mosaic the edge of a project, such as a table, that will get moved around often. The mortared pieces may shift or come off if handled too much.
• If desired, apply a couple of coats of tile sealer for extra protection.
MATERIALS NEEDED
• base (e.g. terra-cotta pot or saucer)
• tiles, marbles, glass beads and stones
• tile nippers or hammer
• safety glasses
• rubber gloves
• weatherproof mortar (cement-based)
• knife or popsicle stick
• weatherproof grout (unsanded)
• small rubber spatula
• buckets or plastic
containers
• sponge
• towel or rag
• fine steel wool
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