Mosaics

Mosaics are little patterns of materials, placed randomly, in a puzzle pattern.  Mosaics can be created on all different surfaces and the materials can be shaped in irregular patterns.   They can be seen on glass such as vases, candle holders, bowls, and  hurricane lamps.  Mosaics are popular on fireplace surrounds. (See the pic below of my sister's fireplace surround I tiled for her.  Flat sheets of mosaic are quick and easy.  This whole project took less than an hour!  p.s. I did not tile the vase or urn-those were from the love of my life-tj's!)  Mosaic tiles come attached in sheets which makes it much easier to fit into tight corners and they are usually in sheets attached onto webbing.  This keeps the pattern in place and makes it much easier to apply.

I wanted a different look.  Blue and white was the look I was after.  Years ago, I bought an unfinished sofa table through a country style magazine for $29.99.  I painted in white and lived with it for a long time.  Then I wanted a new look. A mosaic type look.  A blue and white mosaic tile look.  That was not easy to find. I have tons of blue and white china pieces.  Pier 1, Christmas Tree Shops, T J Maxx and Marshalls were the main sources of my china collection.  Most of it was cheap.  So I took the pieces that I had duplicates of, placed them in a bag, grabbed a hammer and went to town.  I smashed the living daylights out of all this china!  Then my real work (ie. fun) began- ( I would suggest rubber gloves. Much of the china is in shards, sharp shards.  So if you don't want to be a bloody mess, wear the gloves!) I spread small sections of the table with tile adhesive.  Then put my blue and white puzzle together.  Very slowly, I built a large puzzle -it was the most exhilarating feeling-piece by piece.  Slowly, the table was covered in blue and white pieces of china.  The next step was grouting which was a bit difficult because these weren't smooth sheets of mosaic.  Some were lumpy and bumpy so the spreading of the grout was not the smoothest process.  But, it didn't matter.  This was one of those projects that I attempted on my own.  No pictures, no directions, nothing but what was in my head!  I loved the result!  Hope you do to! Gotta fly! Claire
(ps sorry about the world's longest winded post but I get carried away !LOL! If you double click on the pics you can get up close and personal!)