They say “Good things come in small packages,” and mosaic tiles are perfect examples. So many options and so little time – Deciding where to begin is the biggest challenge. Mosaics are so versatile for use in every day items, such as tabletops, picture frames, flooring, and artwork. The process is fairly straightforward, and no specialized skills are required. Below are a few ideas for inspiration:

Choose Your Design:

Geometric Mosaic

Abstract Mosaic Floor

Choose Your Mosaic Material & Colors:

Ceramic Mosaic Salamander

River Rock Mosaic

Many types of mosaic tiles are available in pre-cut sheets to make installation a breeze.

Glass Mosaic Tray

Crafter Tips: To cut costs, some manufacturers make clear glass tiles with solid color or patterned foil backings. The savings are passed onto the consumer – the beauty of vibrantly colored glass without the expense. When using transparent glass tiles, be sure to use white mortar to avoid an unwanted color change.  Coordinate grout color with design.

Apply Mortar Over Strong Substrate:
Wood or any clean smooth surface will do. Using your design as a guide, press the mosaic tiles firmly into the mortar and allow drying time. If required, apply a sealant per manufacturer’s instructions. Crafter Tip: You might want to wear disposable gloves while working with mortar. A friend had gray hands and fingernails for weeks after completing a project. The mortar itself washed off, but the pigments had real staying power.

Blue Glass Mosaic Table

Tropical Glass Mosaic Table

Apply Grout:

Glass & Beaded Mosaic

Crafter Tip: The color of your grout will affect the color of the mosaics. Consider your color scheme carefully before choosing the grout.

Challenge Yourself:

Complex Geometric

Floral Mosaic Mural

Mosaic Water Fountain

Mosaic Sun

Cinderella & Her Fairy Godmother

Mosaic Horse

World-renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly, designed this beautiful mirror tiled statue. Thousands of mosaic tiles follow the muscular contours of the horse’s body, complicating an already challenging project, with stunning results.

Happy Crafting!

How do you know when your project is finished?

A few weeks ago, I posted an article about painting woodcrafts. One of the featured items was a pair of seahorses painted in two different color schemes. Those of you who are passionate crafters will relate to the notion of having a vision of your finished work. It’s something that you feel, and inspires you to bring that vision to reality. Sometimes, after completing a project, you realize that something just doesn’t seem right. Could it be better, and if so, how?

That’s exactly what happened to me and is the reason for this new post. I walked past those seahorses for a few weeks. Finally, I had to act. My family thought I was crazy, but I had to follow my intuition.

Original Turquoise Seahorse

Above & below you will see photos of the Seahorses Before and After the changes. The original version has a flatter body with a matte finish. There’s some texture, especially in the spikes along the ridges on the seahorse’s back and tail. A subtle scale-like pattern extends across the body, but the outer edges remain smooth. Compared to the raw wood, the paint adds detail and some volume, but overall the body lacks depth and definition.

Turquoise Seahorse 3D Paints

Revised Turquoise Seahorse

For the new (and I hope improved) versions, dimensional fabric paints were applied in a combination of dots and long strokes, creating thick layers of paint to form a 3-D effect. For each seahorse, three of the paints have shiny finishes, and the fourth has an iridescent metallic finish. The light blue spikes were applied last to ensure they are the highest points on the body.

The revised versions have much more texture and vibrant colors. The body is defined with fuller, rounded musculature. The nubby texture of the skin, which continues over the edges, is closer to the natural contours found on a live seahorse and begs to be touched. The shiny finish provides a wet look, which is perfect for this denizen of the ocean.

Original Purple Seahorse

Purple Seahorse 3D Paints

Revised Purple Seahorse

Update: These two seahorses became focal points in an ocean themed wreath.  For photos and instructions, please click here.

Getting back to my original question: How do you know when your project is complete? Maybe it’s when the last stitch is knotted, or the final stroke of the brush is made. Or perhaps, the answer depends upon the individual. Follow your heart. Be true to your intuition and inspiration. Nothing less will satisfy the dream. Just like us, our projects are works in progress. What will you be inspired to do today?

Happy Crafting!