How to Make a Tile Mosaic

Add a personal touch to your home by creating a tile mosaic. A completed tile mosaic can be used as a coaster, hot pad, or as the base to any number things, like a vase. Here's how it's done.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Graph paper
• Colored pencils
• 64 3/4-inch tiles
• Plywood
• Glue
• Thick tape
• Grout
• Felt

How to Make a Tile Mosaic

1. On a piece of graph paper, come up with a pleasing geometric pattern or some other design by coloring in squares with colored pencils. Purchase the properly-colored tiles based on this design.

2. Cut a quarter inch piece of plywood the size you want. Put it flat in front of you as your mosaic's base, then begin placing tiles in their proper order onto it, according to your design. Apply a small amount of glue to the back side of each tile before laying it down onto the plywood. Keep tiles about 1/8 inch apart.

3. Wait for 24 hours as your mosaic's glue dries.

4. Check each tile to make sure it is firmly glued. Re-glue any loose tiles, then allow time to dry.

5. Wrap several layers of thick tape around the edges of the plywood, effectively sealing the edges.

6. Pour grout into the spaces between the tiles until the grout is level with the surface of the tiles. Refrain from cleaning the excess grout until the grout in the crevices has firmed up somewhat. Carefully wipe your mosaic clean.

7. Allow ten hours drying time, then strip the tape from the edges of the mosaic.

8. Glue felt, appropriately sized and cut, to the bottom of the plywood.

Tips & Warnings

• When laying tiles, begin in a top corner of the plywood and work your way across and down.
• Even when completely dried, your mosaic will still be somewhat fragile, so be careful!