How to Make a Glass Tile Jewelry Box
A jewelry box makes for a useful craft, since jewelry boxes can be a practical household item. Personalizing these boxes by installing your own tile mosaic can be a creative and colorful way of decorating the box. Tile mosaics require several supplies, including safety equipment, though plain wooden jewelry boxes are sold at the majority of craft stores. When choosing your wooden jewelry box, choose a hardwood-like high-grade plywood to minimize any warping from moisture.
Things You'll Need
- Wooden jewelry box
- Acrylic-based adhesive
- Mosaic nippers (if required)
- Face mask (if required)
- Palette knife
- Grout
- Wooden scraper
- Sealant
Instructions
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1
Score the surface of the jewelry box you are applying your mosaic to with the knife.
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2
Put on rubber gloves and pour a small amount of acrylic-based adhesive into a bowl. Dilute the adhesive to about one part water and two parts adhesive.
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3
Brush the diluted adhesive onto the scored wood surface to seal the surface. This is another step that will help prevent the wood from warping. Let the surface dry completely and rinse out the paintbrush.
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4
Wash your glass tiles using warm water and mild soap. Allow the tiles to dry completely. If your tiles aren't already, cut them into your desired shapes using mosaic nippers. Wear safety goggles, or the safety equipment recommended in the instructions of your nippers.
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5
Apply the adhesive to the sealed surface of the jewelry box, then spread into a thin layer using the palette knife. The thickness of the adhesive will depend on the thickness of your tiles -- your adhesive should come up about halfway on the tiles, leaving enough room for the grout.
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6
Mix your grout (if required) according to the instructions included with the grout. Follow any safety precautions recommended in the instructions.
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Use the wooden scraper to scrape out any excess adhesive between the tiles. Apply the grout with your gloved hands, rubbing the grout in between the tiles.
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8
Let the grout partially set before removing the excess, according to the instructions -- this usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Run your gloved fingers down the spaces between the tiles until the grout edges sit slightly below the edges of the tiles.
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9
Rub any grout left on the surface of the tiles away using the sponge. Some grouts are removed more easily if you dampen the sponge first.
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10
Brush the sealant onto the tiles if desired. The sealant can help your mosaic resist wear and tear, as well as moisture.
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