Mosaics are beautiful pieces of artwork created from small pieces of broken or cut tile. They were very popular in Greco-Roman architecture and remain popular today in home decor. This craft project is a quick and easy application of the mosaic style.
Materials Needed for the Mosaic Mirror
- One large wall mirror
- Assorted broken tile pieces
- Large piece of paper and wax carbon paper
- Waterproof tile grout
- A sponge and water
- A sharp craft knife or razor blade
- Masking tape
- A pattern or picture
Designing the Mosaic Mirror Frame
When designing the mosaic mirror frame, the first thing to do is cut a template in the shape you want the frame to be. This mirror frame will be directly on the surface of the mirror and could be a rectangle or oval shape. Use a large piece of paper, like newspaper, to draw the symmetrical shape and cut it out.
The next step is deciding what type of picture or pattern you want on your mosaic mirror frame. You can do a freeform swirling pattern in blues and greens that looks like ocean waves, a geometric pattern in grey to look like carved stone, or pictures of fish, sailboats, or any other style. Remember to make the spaces in the pattern large enough to be filled in with the small pieces of tile.
Putting the Mirror Together
After the pattern or picture is drawn on the large piece of paper, put the wax carbon paper next to the mirror glass and the pattern sheet over it. Using a pen or stylus, trace over all the lines in the pattern so they are transferred to the mirror edge.
The next step is to cut up the tile pieces into small squares or rectangles. Then, working in one small spot at a time, put a layer of tile grout on the mirror and place the tile pieces where they need to go. Keep working around the mirror until the whole design is done. Allow it to set or dry slightly.
The final step in creating your mosaic mirror frame is coating the tiles with the grout and wiping it off of the tile faces. It should fill in all the small cracks between the tiles. Use the knife or razor blade to clean the edges of the mirror.
Using a mosaic pattern to surround your bathroom mirror is a great way to bring ancient art into your home. Whether you use traditional patterns or a more modern approach, you can enjoy the elegant beauty of a mosaic.
