3 Mosaic Gift Ideas

When it comes to gift giving, creating a mosaic piece is an affordably fun option. The versatility of using mosaic tiles gives a person unlimited options. With a little thought and planning, your mosaic gift ideas will start spinning out of control! Here are three simple arts and crafts project gift ideas to get you started.

Project 1 - Mosaic Serving Tray

Materials Needed:

• Bed Mortar
• Serving Tray
• Ceramic Tiles and/or Plates
• Heavy Freezer Type Plastic Bags
• Hammer
• Trowel

Step 1 Prepare Tiles

Place your selected tiles or plates into the plastic bag. Remove as much air as you can before closing the mouth. Carefully hit the contents in the bag with the hammer. The goal is to create pieces rather than fragments or splinters.

Step 2 Prepare Serving Tray

Lay a 1/2" layer of bed mortar (prepared according to manufacturers instructions) evenly on the serving tray with the trowel. Keep the handle holes as clean as possible.

Step 3 - Place Tiles

Work your pieces in any design you want by pressing them firmly into the prepared bed mortar.

Step 4 - Allow To Dry

Allow the mortar to dry according to manufactureres guidelines.

Project 2 - Mosaic Frame

Materials Needed:

• Stained Glass or Mosaic Tiles
• Freezer Strenght Zip Lock Bag
• Grout
• Grout Sponge
• Glass Cutter
• Tile Nipper
• Rubber Gloves
• Weldbond Glue
• Hammer
• Wooden Frame

Step 1 Choose Supplies

Find a new or used basic wood frame to provide the base for your mosaic. Choose from a wide selection of stained glass sheets or mosaic tiles sold at your local craft store. You may want to consider a complimentary grout color, which is also available at local home improvement stores.

Step 2 Break Tiles or Glass

If you want more specifically designed shapes, use the glass cutter or tile nipper tools. For random shapes, place either of the mosaic materials into the plastic bag and gently hit the pieces with a hammer. If you use too much pressure, your fragments will be too small to use.

Step 3 - Frame Placement

Lay the frame down horizontally, then glue each chosen piece of tile onto the frame in the pattern or design of choice. Allow the glue to dry under the tiles.

Step 4 - Grout

Once the glue is dry, apply grout in between the tiles to fill in the gaps. Follow manufacturers instructions. Let dry for approximately 20 minutes, then remove the grout dust from the top of the tiles with a damp sponge.

Project 3 - Mosaic Glass Portrait

Materials Needed:

• Large photo copy either black or white portrait
• Mat Board
• Cement Board
• Masking Tape
• Clear Contact Paper
• Opaque Stained Glass
• Glass Cutter
• Exacto Knife
• Square Nose Pliers
• Glass Grinder
• Epoxy Adhesive
• Tweezers

Step 1- Tape

Tape the photograph securely to the mat board. Taping the corners will be sufficient.

Step 2 - Apply Contact Paper

Using the masking tape, tape a sheet of the clear contact paper that is proportionally larger than the photograph using the masking tape. Once secure, carefully cut the protective film from one section of the picture at a time. Try not to cut too deeply into the photo itself.

Step 3 - Cut Glass

Match the various value changes on the photo with individual glass pieces. Here you will need the glass cutters, square nose pliers and for the finer details, such as the eyes and lips, use the grinder.

Step 4 - Flip

Once the pieces have been stuck to the face, cover the mosaic again with contact paper. Flip the entire piece over. Carefully peel off the first sticky sheet attached to the photo and mat board.

Step 5 - Secure On Cement Board

Cover the cement board evenly with a layer of epoxy adhesive. Carefully place the board on top of your glass portrait. Press firmly and weight down with books to dry. Allow to dry overnight.

Step 6 - Grout

Remove books and carefully flip the mosaic over so the bottom of the cement board is on the table and the glass side is facing up. Peel the last layer of clear contact paper off and fill in the cracks with grout according to manufacturers application guidelines.