How to Make and Decorate Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles are typically made of ceramic and glass. Some mosaic designs are made from pre-cut tiles, intended specifically for mosaics. Others are made from broken pottery, mirrors and windows. However, you can easily make your own mosaic tiles from Sculpey, clay or polymer clay. Making your own mosaic tiles gives you complete control over your materials and designs. This article tells you how to make tiles from Sculpey, although many of the same rules apply to making tiles from polymer clay and traditional clay.

Things You'll Need

• Sculpey
• Polymer clay slicer
• Stamps (optional)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Roll out the Sculpey until it is your desired thickness. A typical tile is approximately 1/4 of an inch thick.

2. Use a polymer clay slicer to cut out the appropriate tiles. Tiles can be any shape or size. Use the polymer clay slicer to even out irregular edges and excess material from the tiles.
   You can leave tiles blank, but if you want to give a tile texture or to impress images into the surface of the tile, do so now. Using stamps or household objects, stamp impressions into the top of the tile. Then, with the polymer clay slicer, fix the tile edge if necessary. Sometimes stamping images into the tile will warp and bend the edges of an unbaked tile.

3. Following the directions on the box, bake the tiles at the appropriate temperature for the appropriate length of time.

4. Remove the tiles from the oven and allow them to cool.

5. Use a paint brush and acrylic paint to decorate the tile.
   For a textured look, wipe away some of the fresh paint with a sponge or cloth. If the tile is textured or stamped, this will help reveal the texture of the tile. While some paint will stay in the cracks and crevices of the tile, paint on the surface will be wiped partially away. Allow the tile to dry.

6. If desired, paint a second layer over the first layer. Paint spots, diamonds, or checkerboard designs on the tile after the first coat has dried.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with decorating your tiles by implanting metal beads and other found objects into the tile before you bake it. Do not do this with plastic objects and other items that will melt.