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The first step in making a stained glass and zinc mosaic is to decide on a pattern for your project and gather your supplies. By definition, mosaics are made with small materials for an intricate pattern. Stained glass mosaic tiles may be purchased in sizes as small as 15 millimeters square. You should also have mosaic glass cutters for any necessary shaping. You could choose to cut the stained glass yourself, but the availability of such small pre-cut pieces saves quite a bit of time.
Draw your pattern on your backing material. Wood and plexiglas are fine for indoor projects, but if you're making something for your pool or garden, concrete backer board is best so as to avoid decay due to the elements. Arrange the stained glass on your pattern. Begin gluing the glass onto the backing one piece at a time. Use mosaic glass glue and the appropriate size tiles for your indoor project. Leave about 1/8 inch or less between each tile. Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours, then grout your project with tile grout. After the grout dries, place a zinc came (a bar to hold the piece together) around the edges. Solder the came together at the seam and enjoy your masterpiece. -
Stained glass and zinc mosaics may be used as backsplashes in your kitchen, on the wall in your bathroom or as a decorative piece for your front window. Birdbaths and fountains are perfect for stained glass mosaics, but make sure you use thinset instead of glue for any outdoor project. Thinset, or sticky concrete, is also best used for mosaics combining materials that are not the same thickness.
If you decide to create a mosaic directly onto a wall, first lightly glue the stained glass onto a mesh backing, then place it on the wall using thinset or glue. Keep the size of your mesh applications to around one square foot to make it more manageable. -
Once you're comfortable with the basic stained glass mosaic steps, you can begin to add your own special touches to enhance the design. Combine other types of tiles and stones with your stained glass. Make your zinc came a part of the design, not just a finishing around the edges. Standard mosaics are made with small cut materials, but there are no rules, so make your stained glass and zinc mosaic the way you wish.
Next time you break a dish or a glass, save the pieces for your next mosaic project. Some of the most beautiful pieces have no pattern whatsoever, just a kaleidoscope of color and texture. Be creative and have fun; you may amaze yourself.
