How to Make a Contemporary Glass Mosaic Mirror

Materials and Tools:
assorted opaque stained-glass pieces, fused-glass pieces, glass nuggets, glass jewels, vitreous glass tile and smalti (or any combination of these)
1/8" window glass (or float glass) and 1/8" mirror to fit your piece OR 1/8" window glass (or float glass)
1/4" beveled mirror OR 1/4" mirror (no bevel)
mirror-edge sealant
3/4" birch hardwood plywood
primer
100-percent latex acrylic house paint and paintbrushes
white craft glue
ceramic-tile adhesive or like-quality adhesive
Mirror Mastic
ruler
pencil
T-square
drill
glass-cutting tools, nippers and pliers
Mosaic Mountsilver-backed copper foil (optional)
craft knife
putty knife
palette knife
hanging hardware
disposable gloves and mask plastic mixing container
mixing stick
bucket
sponge
sanded grout
Acrylic Mortar Admix
lint-free rags
paper towels
non-ammonia glass cleaner
Steps:
- Prime the wood base back. Let dry.
- Apply glue wash (mixture of about five parts water to one part white glue) to top and sides. Let dry for 10 minutes.
- Cut mirror into two or three pieces.
- Apply mirror edge sealant.
- Glue mirror to wood with Mirror Mastic.
- Assemble pieces for the design, starting with the fused glass. Select colors.
- Cut pieces to desired sizes.
- Stack them and tack glue together.
- Place in kiln and fuse.
- Gather other pieces for design into workspace.
- Lay down glass tile and then glue to wood.
- Glue other pieces around glass tile. Once all pieces are glued, let dry.
- Put on the safety apparel.
- Mix grout with Acrylic Mortar Admix in plastic container and let set 10 minutes.
- Grout the piece by hand. Let set for 25 minutes, then wipe off grout with damp sponge.
- Clean and polish the piece.
Robin Evans, Sedona, Ariz.