Mosaic Coasters

Mosaic Coasters

Mosaics are an excellent way to bring extra color into your home. It is the ultimate way of recycling life into broken pieces of pottery, stained glass, and mirror glass. In this quick mosaic tutorial, turn those old broken pieces of memories into new ones!

Materials:

  • Natural Cork Saucer
  • Assorted Shards (or stained glass tiles, old china, mirrors, ceramic plates)
  • Tile Adhesive
  • Sanded Grout Mix
  • Large Sponge
  • Glass Nipper Tool
  • Hammer 
  • Towel
  • Safety Glasses

Step 1: Place large pieces of old broken pottery, mirrors, ceramic plates, or glass tiles in a towel and gently break with the hammer or use a nipper tool to break shards of glass gently. Decide on a color scheme and begin to choose and sort the colored pieces.

Step 2: Apply a small amount of adhesive to the back of a glass shard or other mosaic piece. Place firmly onto the saucer, leaving space in between each shard to create grout lines. Cover all surface areas.  

Step 3: Allow the tile adhesive to dry overnight. 

Step 4: Mix the sanded grout according to the package directions. 

Step 5: Use your hands or a plastic putty knife to add small amounts of grout between the shards. Make sure to push the grout into the spaces between the shards. DO NOT wipe it across the shards. They could cut your fingertips! Let the grout set for at least 30 minutes. 

Step 6: Use a damp sponge to clean the excess grout off the tiles without scrubbing the grout lines. Let the grout dry for 24 hours.   

Ideas to take your mosaic coasters to the next level:

  • Use the colors of the shards to create different patterns or symbols on each coaster, such as different emoji faces, flowers, rainbow flags, letters, etc. 
  • Pick colors that will add a fun pop of colorful contrast against your table surfaces. 
  • Your mosaic coasters don’t have to be used only for cups and drinks. Use one as a spoon rest in the kitchen, on your entry table as a home for your keys, or circle several together to create a table centerpiece. 
  • Customize multiple coasters, so each member of the family has their own unique cup spot. 

Learning and Discussion Questions:

1. Since ancient times, mosaics have been a popular art form and are prevalent in several cultures worldwide and even in places close to home! In Philadelphia, PA, artist Isaiah Zagar created mosaics using handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and more to cover Philly’s streets and corners. His work is preserved at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, where the public can step into his mosaic world. Use this link to take a virtual tour of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. 

2. What objects other than coasters could be used as the foundation for a mosaic? 

Thank you to our sponsor, PNC Arts Alive!, for helping to make this video possible!

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