Step one: Purchase Materials

 

Mosaics are really fantastic because they can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you want. It all depends on the project. But there are some key items that you need:

• Glass or Tile

• Industrial cutters

• Elmer’s glue (just the plain white kind)

• Tile Grout (In any color you would like, this cost around $10.00 at Home Depot). 

• A pre-made table (I purchased this one off of craigslist for 15.00, but you can get this from anywhere).

• Paint if you wish to paint the table (if you are using clear glass and want writing or images to show up underneath you need to paint the surface for a clean slate, in this case we used white paint).

• A Pencil

Step two: Pick a Design

 

In this case, we decided to go with Al Gore because it was funny. We wanted something political, which we both cared about—but that also represented how ridiculous we are. Obviously, pick a design ahead of time.

 

Step three: Stencil and Glue

 

In order to show that it was in fact Al Gore, we had to take a few extra steps that normally you wouldn’t have to.

1) Found a picture of Al Gore that we wanted to use online.

2) Had that picture blown up at printing shop.

3) Cut out Gore’s body, and traced around it.

4) Cut out Gore’s suit jacket, and internally traced it.

5) Cut out Gore’s tie and shirt, and and internally traced those.

6) Cut out Gore’s head and hand, and with a mixture 4 parts water and 1 part glue, secured his head and hand to table surface.

7) Use glass** to fill in stencil of Gore’s body.

** You simply glue broken pieces of glass onto the table using Elmer’s glue. No other bond is needed, just give it ample time to dry before grouting.

Step four: Fill in glass

 

As stated above, simply glue fractioned pieces of glass in spontaneous patterns until the entire surface of the table is filled.

 

Step five: Grout

 

In order to fill in spaces between the tiles, you need to use grout. This is a cement-like mixture that is used in home tiling.

 

1) Mix grout mixture. Follow package directions.

2) Apply grout over glass/tile using a sturdy straight edged spatula.

3) Wipe excess grout off of glass before it dries using paper towels or wash clothes.

4) Allow grout to dry for 24 hours

5) Using Windex, clean extra grout residue off of glass fragments.

 

That’s it! You now know how to make a mosaic table!!!!!