Renai Ellison shows how to create a Mediterranean-style mosaic mirror frame with glass tile pieces that are the colors of a Mediterranean seascape
(figure A).
Materials:
plywood (cut any shape or size)
piece of mirror
pencil
tiles, stained-glass shards, beach glass or other similar products
grout adhesive
block letters (optional)
putty knife
sponge
mirror mastic
Steps:
- Cut plywood to your preferred style, such as the Venetian style pictured above.
- Place mirror in position on background wood (figure B). Trace around the mirror with a pencil, then set mirror aside.
- Choose tiles, glass tiles, shards of stained glass, multicolored glass tiles or beach glass for your mirror. Create a plan of how you would like the tiles to appear. Don't place any tiles in the space reserved for the mirror.
- Apply grout adhesive to each tile, then place each tile on the plywood base in the planned pattern. Leave about 1/8-inch of space between each tile. Let dry 24 hours.
- Apply grout adhesive with a putty knife over top of entire design (figure C).
- Scrape off all excess grout that was just applied so that the tiles are visible. The grout will fill in the space as it is scraped away. Allow to dry thoroughly.
- Wash off all excess grout film from the tiles with a wet sponge. Shine dry the tiles with a rag.
- Place the mirror in its space with mirror mastic.
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